I have a .44 Ruger Redhawk (stainless) with a 7 and 1/2" barrel. It's a good gun, but it is very front-heavy. I've thought about getting the barrel professionally shortened to maybe 4" or even 3 and 1/2." But I worry about messing with a gun in which there's nothing mechanically wrong with it. Could the frame get sprung or twisted during the shortening by a second-rate gunsmith? (Let's face it: there are gunsmiths and then there are "gunsmiths" who should have been auto mechanics instead. I've met a couple of them over the years). Have any of you had a bad experience getting a revolver barrel shortened?


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The only one I have personally had shortened is a Ruger Super Blackhawk, cut to 4-3/4". I had no complaints about the job itself, but sort of wish I had left it alone after it was done. You can always shorten something, but not so easy to lengthen it.

Another choice is to find another barrel the length you wish to change to, may be even less expensive that cutting the barrel, replacing the front sight and re-crowning. Check with Gun Parts Corp. and others who sell parts, you may be pleasantly surprised.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

I second that suggestion!

I third that suggestion. I once had a second rate gunsmith work on a dbl- bbl shotgun. He turned it into a nice wall hanger.

I agree with the above. Get another barrel, preferably one the correct or nearly correct length and go that way. You will be glad you did. Keep the original barrel or sell it to cover part of the cost.

If you shorten it, to to a non catalog lenght, you will have something unique. If you are going to a factory lenght, just buy the one you want.

I bought this Cimarron Uberti a couple of years ago with the intention of having the barrel shortened to 2.5", re-crowned, some type of front sight installed, and going without the ejection parts.

Thus far I can't bring myself to have it done but still want to...hmmmm.

As close as I've gotten thus far is to remove the ejection rod and housing. I like it better without.

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C & L

Just got my old Ruger S-6 back from Outfit in Texas. End of
Barrel had been hit with a brush hog at the muzzle. Was a 5 1/2"
Flate Gate, is now a 45/8". Smith did a beautiful job. Cut, crowned and reset front sight. Looks like it left factory that way.
It is hard to get this work done in my area, because all the real
Gunsmiths have passed away. A lot of the well known places
Quote you a ridiculous price, because they don't want to do these
small jobs.What ever you decide to do, make sure you have a
real smith, not a bubba do the work. Pic is stock S-6 51/2" and
my cut down 45/8".

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