I've been looking for a 3-inch 686-4 or -5 for some time with no luck. I guess I could find one on the auction sites, but I'd rather have the chance to handle what I buy before I buy it. And 686s have gotten kind of expensive.

That said, it only recently occurred to me that I could just rebarrel my 686-4 4-inch. I got the 3-inch barrel from S&W for just over $100 and was about to take it down to a local gunsmith when it occurred to me to inquire of the assembled forum wisdom if I am missing anything and should not mess with this gun.

Why do it? I find that a 4-inch L frame is muzzle heavy and unbalanced in my hands. i have no issues with 4-inch K frames and N frames, just L frames. My 2-½ inch 686 balances just fine, but I'd like the full-length ejector rod for IDPA reloads.

In any case, my -4 is not pristine; for some unknown reason, a prior owner sanded off the top strap bead blasting (but just on the barrel) and the area around the muzzle. The gun would look a lot nicer with the new barrel.

I think the 3" 686 is about as good as it gets, the balance is perfect and mine shoots like a dream. My first 686 was four inch and I loved it, but when it came time to replace it I was happy to find out a 3-incher was about to be offered. I think the 3" has a certain mystique to it.

So to answer your question - no. None at all.

I say if you prefer the 3" barrel, go for it and enjoy your "new" gun.

I did the same thing with my 586. I had if re-barreled and then re-blued so the new barrel would match.
This link tells the story:
My 586 project is finally done! **WARNING - S&W Purists may want to skip this**

No reason not to, but there are a lot of potential fitting issues. I'd take it to a good revolver smith with the necessary equipment or send it to S&W to get it done.

There is a lot of fitting unless you are incredibly lucky... If so play the lottery! If you have a smith with the correct fixtures to hold the frame, adjust the barrel shoulder & cylinder clearance then go for it.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I had not thought about fitting issues. When I talk to the gunsmith (who I don't know -- he's recommended by my "regular" gunsmith, who says he cannot do the work), do you have any specific questions I should ask him to make sure that he knows how to do it? (Aside from the standard, have you done this before?)

I wanted the same from a 681. I feel the full lug makes it way to front heavy. I ended up chopping and crowning the barrel, reprofiling the shroud, and having a dovetail cut for the front sight. I like it so much that I'm doing a similar 581 project right now.

The 681 was cut to 3" and roundbutted. The 581 is going to be 3.5" and I think I'll retain the square butt on this one.

A plus to this is that I will now have tritium sights on both revolvers, and costs were kept low by doing most of the work myself.

Go for it, Jeff! I had a 3 put on a 4-inch Model 64 with factory round butt, and haven't regretted it once. TJ's Gunsmithing up here in CO did it for a very reasonable price.
Is your 686 round-butt or square? If it's square, do you intend to mod the grip as well?
Looking forward to pictures....

Hey... I like the sound of that. Please post some pics once it is complete.

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Proud anachronism

The 3 inch K or L is a great choice IF the revolver has a round butt. If not, I would say leave it be. I cannot recall if your subject revolver, the 686-4, is standard with a round butt, but if it is, then IF DONE PROPERLY, it makes a nice package.

Installing a new barrel is NOT, however, a simple matter, and before you turn it over to the local guy, best make sure he is up to the task. There are threads on here describing the whole unpleasant process. I trust no one to rebarrel an S&W other than the factory.

Do it, I bought a mint 686-4 (which is supposed to be the most desirable revision) 6" that had been Mag-na-ported for dirt cheap. Dropped it off at my gunsmith with a 4" barrel and he swapped the barrel, cut the cylinder for moon clips and tuned the action. It is now my favorite revolver, and shoots like a laser.

I don't think there is any meaningful collectors value in the near future in modern S&W revolvers, so why not build what you want.

Chris

Since you already bought a 3" bbl, I guess you're committed. You said the original 4" had some cosmetic issues... I might have traded the 4" gun in for a 3". My 3" bbl TALO is a treat!

Go for it and let us know it comes out, with pics please.

Still have to get the dovetail cut. Haven't decided on shoes yet either.....


and here's the 681 all done...