Hi, new guy.

Is it feasible to remove the barrel of an un-pinned Smith to perhaps shorten it?

I'd be glad to have a link - I'm sure it's been discussed previously. Thanks.

It is possible, but shorting a barrel can have problems. One heeds to remove the length from the front of the barrel. This means the front sight has to be moved, it puts the markings on the barrel off center. Plus, you can only go to the ejector lug housing if you want it to shorten a lot. This can be overcome by moving this (difficult) and finding a snub ejector rod or shorting the one you have. Much simpler to find the barrel length you want and have it installed or find the gun with the barrel you want and sell the one you have.

This is not a job for everyone. It takes special tools to remove and install a barrel, especially the non pinned ones. Refitting a barrel after being cut down can also present many gunsmith problems. Leave this project to a qualified gunsmith.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks - "possible, but not practicable." That's pretty much what I expected. No, I didn't plan to do it myself.

I thought it would be nice to have a 3-inch barrel M10... I had considered it might be difficult to register bullet impact after having to replace the front sight.

A model 10 would be one of the simplest to cut down. 3" would place the end of the barrel just past the ejector lug so that wouldn't be a problem. A front sight could be silver soldered onto the cut down barrel.

A 3" replacement barrel for a model 10 or any K frame might be hard to find.

Look at Cylinder & Slide's price list online, and you'll know about what most good gunsmiths will charge for the work. A good gunsmith can have a barrel made from a blank if that's what you want. It will cost more than buying one in 3", but not much more with today's prices on a 3" Smith of any kind. Then you'll have something unique.

I hadn't thought of having a barrel made. Thanks.