Looking for recommendations for a revolver smith..

Erocksmash

Erocksmash

Member
Silver Supporter
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
2,275
Reaction score
3,401
Location
SW Florida
Howdy,

Does anyone know if Ron Power(Grandmaster) is still taking in work? Anybody know if cylinder and Slide is a good bet?

I have a 686-4+ mag comp. With an ever so slightly canted barrel... I have had 1 smith tell me nothing can be done its to tight, I have had another say the barrel can be taken back of and put back on the proper way...

Suggestions on a premium gun smith (revolver smith) would be much appreciated.

I refuse to send it back to Smith & Wesson.


Thanks Erik
 
Register to hide this ad
looking for recommendations for a revolver smith

Try Gus-G&D Firearms & Repair, Brooksville, Fl. 352-584-7789. He is an AGI gunsmith graduate and is recommended for all types of firearms.

Nick
 
I can second H Richard's reply. I had Cylinder & Slide shorten an extra barrel on a 1917 that had been mishandled by two earlier 'smiths'. They did an excellent job.
 
There is no need to take the barrel out and re install it. It is not too tight. All you have to do is put the barrel in a padded vise, use the correct frame wrench, and turn it slightly to where it should be. It's a 10 or 15 minute easy job, and that's including setting up the frame wrench. There is a different clamp for each frame size, and the right one is never on the handle.
 
Erocksmash said:
Howdy,

Does anyone know if Ron Power(Grandmaster) is still taking in work? Anybody know if cylinder and Slide is a good bet?

I have a 686-4+ mag comp. With an ever so slightly canted barrel... I have had 1 smith tell me nothing can be done its to tight, I have had another say the barrel can be taken back of and put back on the proper way...

Suggestions on a premium gun smith (revolver smith) would be much appreciated.

I refuse to send it back to Smith & Wesson.


Thanks Erik
Click to expand...

IMHO what "ever so slight" is, matters. One person's ever so slight can be a bit different to someone else. The reason I am asking is that sometimes it's just better to leave well enough alone! I know we all want everything we buy with our hard earned money to be perfect - and I myself am sort of a perfectionist too! The truth is there are very few 100% perfect revolvers being shipped anymore.

Canted S&W revolver barrels are quite common these day (unfortunately) and I have seen all too many of them. That said, some of the revolvers that exhibit this are also spot on accurate (believe it or not)! So..... If I owned one that was ever so slightly off but shot spot on, I'd probably not mess with it.

Yes, it can be repaired to look perfect but there are also a few caveats that go along with this. You do risk the frame being twisted, cracked or damage to the finish (even with a molded wrench and clamp for the vise) and how the "set" of barrel to frame fit could ever so slightly change. There are professional GS's that are pro's at this and they could do a stellar job, but you will pay a hefty price and wait a long time. I agree - I'd not send it back to S&W!

So again, I ask the question, how much is "ever so slightly"? If possible please post a few pics. I would bet that any of us that owned a fair amount of S&W revolvers manufactured within the last few decades also has at least one with a less than perfectly lined up barrel.
 
Gotta go with Post #8. Plus, is it a one piece barrel or the shrouded tube?

Getting the barrel exactly right can be frustrating. First you're a little short, then it jumps past vertical. And yes, some assemblers do make sure they get an extra grunt into the frame wrench. I own a hand made N frame wrench that fully supports the frame-and puts the force on the threaded area of the frame-because of that.

I used to put a little dab of moly grease on the shoulder. And, if doing a custom barrel, this was after several torque applications to burnish the surfaces and get repeatable positioning.
 
Last edited:
Since this is an older thread revived, worth noting that Ron Power is indeed out of the game; Cylinder and Slide is under new management and it isn't clear if they're still gunsmithing or just producing parts; and very sadly Karl Sokol passed unexpectedly a while back.
 
Last edited:
Well, I know you are down South, Florida, but you can try Josh at Allegheny Arms in Bethel Park. He did a great job on my Uberti that had a broken spring. It was like new and for a SAA clone, nobody could touch the action Josh did on that Uberti Cattleman. I’m not sure but I think I used it to trade on a S&W; pretty sure the 27-9.
For a local Forum member ( okay, local to Pittsburgh) I understand “Series Guy” is a good gun smith. In fact, I need to get in touch with him if he’s still in the trade. Good luck, Erocksmash.
These are the only two around here that I know of. Of course, around here is 1700 miles from Southern Florida!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Jammed up Smith Revolver.....
2 3
Replies
48
Views
3K
kbm6893
K
D
New Barrel for 686-4
2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Yendor357
Y
J
Recommend your favorite leather holster for revolver
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
Enzo Rules
Enzo Rules
madmikeb
Anyone know of a good revolver smith in Arizona? Updated post #10, looking for info from our resident armorers!
2
Replies
20
Views
676
ladder13
L
W
And this is why we have anomalies
Replies
2
Views
335
walnutred
W

Latest posts

Back
Top