I have several including a 17 cut to 3.5". I shot it this week with no front sight and it hit4-5" high at 7yd. It is nickel and won't solder. My suggestion before rounding the butt is to install a boot grip and try it with a pancake type holster which tucks the butt in closer. Boot grips are easy to fabricate by cutting and old pair of target grips level with the butt

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Tommy