What are my options for shortening the barrel of a blue model 29-5, 6" barrel? Get a new/slightly used 3" or 4" barrel, or, have a gunsmith cut it down? How much would each option cost? I live in Arizona. The 6" barrel is a little too long for me.



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Mine was shorten by magaport to 21/2" originally it was 6 "
Update they also crowned the barrel and ported it and reset the front sight plus I got the trigger job and bobed hammer
Pappy
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I think most smiths would much rather change to a different barrel for you than cut the one you have and reset the front sight.

thanks for that info and photo phantomcycle!
Did not realize that magna port did gunsmithing other than porting. That 6" shortened to 2" looks spectacular. I have a new plan now...helped me make a decision about my next purchase.

Most purest on the forum don't like the porting and I'll admit it doesn't help much with a 44 mag but I really like the trigger job magaport did very crisp and clean trigger and no flaws with this barrel job
Pappy

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I have cut a few barrels down. Cutting a barrel down is easy. But, getting the front sight back on nice is the hassle and its where the time is. Probably cheaper to find another barrel and have it installed. I see 44 barrels on ebay regularly.

The cheapest and best option (IMHO) would be to either sell the gun outright and buy one with a shorter barrel, or trade if you can find someone willing to do so. I've become a purist who hates to see any permanent changes made to a classic firearm like a Model 29.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

If I remember correctly, Smith charges something like $250 or so to re-barrel a revolver. Don't know if that's including a barrel or not.

John

I know this is an old thread, but since you are in Phoenix and if you are still thinking about cutting your Smith, I would suggest Kent Singletary. He swapped my 6" full lug 629-3 barrel for a tapered Mountain Gun barrel and cut it to 3.5" for $150, which included a custom fiber front blade.

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29-5s are wonderful guns. A big mistake to mess with it by cutting. I'd sell it. I would also think replacing a barrel etc is not the greatest idea. I would not buy a gun that has had any such changes done unless by the factory.

I like the 6”/6 1/2” barrels over the shorter barrels. As short as I go it’s 4” on my m58/41mag. My police service six in 357/2 3/4” barrel punishes me enough. I no longer shoot hotter loads.

On the contrary...porting does help. I have several 3" and 2.5" to compare with longer barrels. It does help IMO.

Many complain of louder report. Yes, it has a sharper and louder report...but that's why you wear ear protection right? It's always too loud with or without a ported barrel.

But this is another thread that has a lot of opinion and dislike for porting. I enjoy my Magnaport 2.5 29-2. It's a great shooter. Very accurate and manageable in comparison to a 6" barrel.

It's all well....it's just a hunk of metal to have fun with.

Sell or trade out of the 6” gun.

Agree. Better to not muck around with a working gun.