The money issue might be a toss up. Existing 2 1/2" 686s seem to have a premium when you find them in the on-line auctions. But I doubt it would be as much as sending it to Smith to change out the barrel. The new barrel is about $140 + or - in addition to postage and labor. They'll charge you for the shorter ejector rod too. Of course you can sell the original barrel to recoup some of the money outlay.

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Jim
S&WCA #819