Looking to get a slab side barrel for my 686-4. I know Gemini will do the job, but think they want to engrave their own name on the side. Are there any such S&W Barrels floating around out there, or does the S&W PC do those type of modifications ? Suggestions please.

Hello-

Just my 2 cents from a new-guy, but: You can't go wrong with S&W factory parts. Have you checked out the usual on-line gun parts sources, (Brownells, etc) for L-frame surplus S&W barrels? A bit of a longer shot is to call S&W direct. I can't recall the exact post/thread, but a forum member here scored a beautiful 3" 681 PC barrel direct from S&W a couple of years back. It was a parts over-run for the under-rated 681 PC 2-tone Birdsong special run 3" .357 revolver.
Depending on the parts stock situation at the current day & who you talk to...you might score something really special to make that 686-4 semi-custom. You never know until you shake the tree...see what falls out.

Also you didn't state, what is the final barrel length you are going for, for this project?

Good luck with your parts search & all the best to you.

Thanks Merv,
I spoke with S&W PC today about the barrel mod.
They can do it on my 4 inch 686. S&W has the 627 snubby 357 cal with the slab side barrel but its an N-Frame and has the IL on it. No 686 L-Frame Slabs for the 686 snubby available & they can't redo the original barrel to slab it. . So will keep on looking.