This is kind of piggybacking off of jjmIII_Ruger's post about his recent affinity for 3" barrels. I too, have been bitten by the barrel bug. The main reason is CCW, but I also just love the proportions of the 3's. I wonder how I would go about having my 4" swapped out for a 3" by the factory when I send it back for endshake and timing repairs.


I am assuming there isn't a barrel on hand at the mothership. Pretty reasonable assumption? If (big if) I were to score a barrel, is it unheard of to send it with the gun for them to do the switch?


ADD: I forgot to ask, being a square butt, would it look a little strange? Most, if not all I've seen are RB.



Thanks, gents.

I would find a local, competent gunsmith and have him do it. Pretty sure the mothership does not have any barrels. Or, you could call and discuss it with them. I believe a 3” barrel is scarce, cutting down a 4” might give you what you want.

Or, you could just find a 2.5” model 19 with round butt.

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

Even if you could locate a 3 inch 19 barrel it would probably cost as much as a whole other gun. That and the 3 inch was built on a round butt frame and your 4 inch is square. So rebarrel, round butt and reblue you are in for some serious coin. I would probably just find a pristine 2.5 inch 19 and call it a day.

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-Matt

I figure you'd have problems finding a new barrel in any length for a M19-3, since it is a pinned barrel. I think the 4" barrel is perfect length and balance for a square-butt M19.

I think cost wise you would be better just biting the bullet and buy a 3" Model 66. You might luck up and find one in the $1000-1200 range.

Your assumption is correct, the factory will not have a 3".

If you want to keep your original 4" barrel I would look for another 4" or 6"* and have it cut to 3", the original front sight reinstalled, and have the barrel installed.

If you don't want to keep the original barrel, it can be cut while still on the gun; the least expensive way to go. The sq butt will look in proportion as long as you don't install target grips which of course you wouldn't on a carry gun. Actually I like target grips but cut off even with the bottom of the grip frame and rounded a bit up the sides at the butt like S&W "Plain Clothes" Magna grips. You could even rd butt the grip frame and the grips.

If you start with a 2 1/2" rd butt, look for a parts kit; a M19 4" or 6"* that has been cut thru the frame by law enforcement. That way you'll also get the longer extractor rod and ctr pin you'll need for the 3" barrel. Have the barrel cut and installed.

* The Patridge sight on the 6" barrel will need to be changed to the ramp sight or the Patridge sight filed to a ramp shape and serrated with a 40 lines per inch checkering file.

You don't need to find a pinned barrel. Once the barrel is installed, it's drilled thru the pin hole and pin re-installed.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Finding an original 3" model 19 barrel would be akin to a leprechaun giving you a winning lottery ticket.

By the time you add up parts and gunsmithing costs, you may want to consider a current factory 3" model 19 instead?

PERFORMANCE CENTER(R) Model 19 Carry Comp(R) | Smith & Wesson

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I agree with what has been said. To make it really work, you need to start with a 2 1/2 inch barreled Model 19 to get the round butt and that's going to be expensive. Then you have to find a 3 inch Model 19 barrel that is in good condition, good luck! Then you will need a qualified gunsmith to perform the swap. It would be much less expensive to buy a new or gently used S&W Model 66 Combat Magnum which will feature the much sturdier 2-piece barrel system and the barrel is only 2 3/4".

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

This shows the proportion of a 3" barrel M19 with shortened target grips:

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Jim
S&WCA #819

People are spending unsane amounts of money having police trade in M&Ps cut off to 3" and prettied up, not to mention the guy who had the MR73 treated that way with a fixed sight made to replace the adjustable and twee little flats on the barrel.

So hire a gunsmith; you will not likely find a factory 3" barrel.
Pinnacle only charges $150 plus $50 for those cunning little flats, which is less than I expected. Most places charge $250 or more.
https://pinnaclehighperformance.com/services

Thanks, Jim!

All good points. I think I'll have it tuned up and leave the barrel alone!

Good choice!

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

I think I'd start with a 6" M66. The barrel could be cut and RB done with minimal refinishing. And it would look like this.


3" M66-2

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

Check with Dustin Housel I'm betting he can do just about anything you would want him to do. He did some work on my 686 and the work was perfect and at a very reasonable cost. You can check his work out on 1911forum.com.

You have to be careful about cutting the frame to RB size. The real serial number is stamped into the bottom of the frame and you cannot legally alter that number. It is possible that RB-ing a SB frame would cut into the serial number.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I think I have a nickel 2 1/2" model 19 barrel in my parts pile. Nickel could be stripped off.

But, it if it was me I would score one of the round butt model 10-7 that are on the market and a 357 cylinder and make one from those parts. An original 19-3 with a 4" barrel is not going to become less valuable. Stick on another barrel and it will be.

That's true. Thing is, I think I'd regret chopping her. The proportions of a 4" are gorgeous. The 3" just really grabs me


Thanks!

A rarity with me!