With the high prices, and relative shortage of 3" K frames around, I am interested in having a 4" barrel K frame, probably a 64 or 65 shortened to 3", and a new front sight installed. I emailed a couple of gunsmiths who do similar work, and got no response at all. Is this procedure common, and does anyone know of gunsmiths currently doing this with quality work? I called Clark's Custom, and the guy said he would do it if he had a 3" barrel, but did not have one and can't get them.

Thanks,

Pequod

Clark's is right, the least expensive route would be a straight barrel swap. Numrich shows the cost to be $151.65 but alas they are out of stock. The other option is to have the original barrel cut down, re-crowned and the sight reinstalled. Lot's of labor which translates to $$$$. My suggestion is to safe that money, and keep looking for a 3". hardcase60

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You want me to do what?

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

This is the most financially prudent course of action and the gun you end up with will usually look better than the one you build. You can usually perform most any modification you want if you throw enough money at it. "Throw money" is the correct terminology IMO.

Bruce

Cylinder & Slide still advertises this service, but it is expensive - $332.50 for the work plus shipping both ways, so figure about $400.

Doesn't seem worth it to me. Just pick up a 64 or 65 with a 4" barrel and enjoy it while you keep up the hunt for a 3" gun. And don't forget the 3" J frames too.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

I suggest you get comfortable with the idea of having $900 invested in your custom 3", and then the 3" 65s and 13s that cost $750 will look like bargains.

YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND A SIGNIFICANTLY MORE AMOUNT OF MONEY, ON YOUR CREATION, TO "DO IT RIGHT", THAN YOU WOULD ON A LEGIT 3" MODEL. YOU WILL NEVER GET YOUR MONEY BACK......

JUST WAIT FOR A FACTORY 3", THAT YOU CAN AFFORD---EVEN A "FIXER UPPER", AND INVEST YOUR MONEY IN THAT. A GUN SHOW BEATER THAT YOU CAN BUY CHEAP, JUST FOR THE BARREL, WOULD BE PERFECT.....

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Try Dave Clements, Clements Custom Guns in Woodlawn VA.
Great 'smith and all around good guy to do business with.

Cutting down a barrel is relatively easy. Its after the cutting partt that things get difficult.

Putting a ramp and sight back on and making it look good is the hard part.

Anything under 1" of cut off is also a real pain especially with ramps that are part of the barrel forging because there is no way to remove the ramp and reattach it. This means finding or making a new ramp. I don't think there is any source of loose ramps. Even on pinned ramps the 2nd pin is right at the 1" back mark.

Like said usually cheaper to trade guns, find another barrel than cut down a barrel.

Add in "round butting" the gun to the the full 3" conversion ...... generally not expensive..... but the Serial # needs to be centered...... which is not always the case!!!

So finding a donor gun is/can be an issue............................

Thanks for the responses, seems like cutting off a barrel 1" is an expensive proposition for a minor change. I do have a nice 3" model 60, and a 3" model 36, which are great shooters, so maybe I just live with that or wait until I find a good 3" K frame, and decide if the money is really worth it.

This is what I ended up doing. I got a 3" K-Frame that needed some minor repairs, I got an action job done at the same time and now it's one of the best shooters I own.

The only time I might consider chopping a barrel would be to convert a 6" Model 66 to a 3". The price difference is high enough to justify the $400 or so.