I have a early 90's 629-4 44 magnum with a factory 6 inch barrel, very nice gun. Always wanted this same gun with an 8 3/8 inch barrel, but could not pass up the deal on this 6 inch one. Assuming I can find one, have any of you guys ever changed out your own barrel? What do you think? Am I nuts, or is it just a simple swap, check the head space, and go shoot it? Or should I look for a complete 629 with an 8 3/8 and trade? Thanks in advance.

The best way to change out your own barrel is to sell your 6-incher and buy the barrel length you want. You might even come out ahead on the deal, since long barrels are normally not in higher demand and therefore less expensive. The 629-4 is a great gun in high demand, with all the best features S&W collectors and aficionados love. You'll have no problem selling it.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

It's not a simple "plug & play" unscrew the old, screw in the new, kind of swap.

First, in a revolver there is no head spacing that involves the barrel, it's the barrel/cylinder gap spacing that needs to be set. Then there's getting the front sight indexed so it's at 12 o'clock.

Have a competent gunsmith do the swap. But if that will involving needing to ship it to one.. then between the cost of the barrel, shipping (both ways) and labor... it will probably be better to look for a trade or just sell yours and then buy another 629 with an 8-3/8 barrel. But that all depends to on just how common 8-3/8 bbl 629-4's are out there.... it's a judgment call either way that has to be made based on the circumstances for your particular locale/state.

Here in CA, finding an 8-3/8 barrel and sending the gun to have it swapped is a more likely scenario due to the rarity of finding a 629-4 period.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I have a local, 30 miles, real gunsmith friend ( over 35 years experience) that would do the change very cheap if needed. There's an SS 8 3/8 on the bay right now for less than $100. Still a straight up trade would be good too.

Changing a barrel on an S&W is ABSOLUTELY NOT a do-it-yourself job. Trying to do it without the knowledge, the proper tools and the skill will result in a ruined revolver.

Please understand that I am not trying to be rude. Instead, I am trying to make sure you do not destroy your revolver.

If you have to ask the questions you are asking, you are not qualified by any means to change a barrel on an S&W revolver. It is not a simple matter of unscrewing one barrel and screwing in a new barrel.

Oops, a little overlap there. Roger has a 'smith to do the job....
Roger, I say go for it, as long as you understand that your "resale value" may go down. I've had a barrel done in the past and I'm still quite happy with the result.

To me... that sounds like an ideal situation. I'd go for the barrel and get the work done.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

An early 90s 629 with a 6" bbl (and no IL). Sounds like something I would keep. Buy another 629, can't hurt. Unless it's for aesthetics, I don't quite know how big of an advantage the 2+" longer bbl would have.

Worse, the longer bbl makes it more difficult to carry the gun in a pocket holster... Good shooting!

After much thinking and the good advice of several forum members, I have decided not to pursue a barrel change on my 6 inch 629-4. Today I put 5 shells in it, and tucked it away in my night stand, removing the 28-2 that had been there for many years. At the next local show, I will trade the 28-2 and a little cash, into a 629 8 3/8, problem solved. Or maybe keep the 28-2 and trade one of those old 1911 Colts I have in the safe. Oh well, whatever happens, don't you guys worry, I won't mess up any guns, or do any thing dangerous. Now, here, "Hold my beer and watch this!!!" Thanks again for all the great advice.

Good advice and good idea to trade the 28 if you'd rather do that. You will ruin a ruin the revolver trying a barrel swap yourself, take it from one who learned an expensive lesson from experience. It DOES take correct tools and someone who knows what they're doing!

So a buddy calls me asked if I was still interested in a 629 with 8 3/8 inch barrel? Well heck yes says I. So off we go. A quick trip one county over, down the black top road, turn on the gravel road, watch for the blue gate, close it after you go through to keep the cows in, a 1 1/2 mile gravel and ROCK lane to the house. Honk the horn, so the owner can come out and call off the dogs, then inside we go to the smell of fresh Peach Cobbler! Why yes I'll have a piece. Oh and while were here lets look at that old gun. Out comes a 629-1 8 3/8 inch barrel in the ORIGINAL presentation wood box! Sure you want to sell that? Yep, buying son a new deer rifle and me a new duck shotgun. Well ok, will cash be OK? Sure, want some pie to take home? You bet! So now I have two 629's, a 6 inch and an 8 3/8. What to do???????

Now get a 4" 629 of course!

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No good deed goes unpunished.

How did the pie taste?

I have done 3 or 4 myself. I don't any more. It is easier to pay my gunsmith $65 to do it and not have to worry about tweaking a frame or something else bad happening.