Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-25-2016, 10:15 AM
detroitmike detroitmike is offline
Member
Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question  
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Barrel Replacement Question

I bought a well-worn Mod 37 a while ago, and was having my brother in law (a machinst) mill down the front sight so that I could fit it with an XS tritium front sight. Well, the gun slipped in the vise, and the barrel was marred up badly enough to warrant replacement.

I'd like to bring it up to relatively modern standards, and get a barrel from a 60-11. That model has the pinned front sight, which makes replacement an easy proposition. I was planning on having the gun finished with Cerakote, so the dissimilar metals wouldn't be an issue.

So here's the question: Will this barrel fit in an older frame, with a pinned barrel? Are newer J-Frames different enough from 70's vintage J-Frames to make this not possible? I assume that I'll have to have a groove cut into the new barrel to allow the pin to be driven home.

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-25-2016, 12:56 PM
Tired Gunsmith Tired Gunsmith is offline
Member
Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Hillsboro Beach, FL
Posts: 418
Likes: 20
Liked 237 Times in 114 Posts
Default

Barrel replacement on an AIRWEIGHT revolver is quite tricky.
You run an extremely high risk for cracking the frame!
We would not do such a job in our shops.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 04-25-2016, 01:03 PM
flintsghost's Avatar
flintsghost flintsghost is offline
Member
Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Frostbite Falls
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 87
Liked 784 Times in 305 Posts
Default

I think you will find that S&W won't do it either on an airweight for any reason other than warranty. Then it's more likely that they would replace the frame with the barrel. If you did it without cracking a frame, you can cut the groove for a pin without issue. But the aluminum frame is fragile enough that many crack under the barrel boss just from use. They are for carry and not for heavy use. Instead of a night sight, try using a luminous paint. On watches tritium used to be the material that high quality watches used for luminous dials. Now due to AEC restrictions and licensing etc, including inspections...a paint called luminova is used that does away with all that.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 04-25-2016, 05:19 PM
Hapworth Hapworth is offline
Member
Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question Barrel Replacement Question  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,829
Likes: 3,902
Liked 5,900 Times in 2,542 Posts
Default

Is the marring cosmetic only? If so, and it's a carry gun, suggest you avoid the cost and hassle of rebarreling -- if it can even be done -- and simply finish the front sight job.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
WTS/WTT: Walther P22 Replacement Barrel & Replacement Recoil Spring (Both New) GaleForce Accessories/Misc - For Sale or Trade 0 02-17-2015 10:07 PM
Replacement Barrel lazy-lew S&W Antiques 9 10-28-2011 01:41 PM
Barrel replacement question. gaucho1 S&W-Smithing 4 07-04-2010 11:47 PM
Dumb barrel replacement question on a MP 40 Nicksterdemus Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 1 12-21-2008 08:53 AM
Question on barrel replacement on a Registered Magnum epidoc S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 8 09-20-2007 04:43 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:15 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)