Hi Everyone,
I purchased a 629-3 many years ago and it has a 6 inch barrel with non factory porting. It was professionally and beautifully done. I purchased it this way and have no idea who did the work.

It's a series of 5 small holes drilled and counter sunk along both sides of the last inch or so of the barrel. Angled up and and away from the front sight. It definitely tames recoil but it is loud and a tedious to clean.

I'm sure it detracts from value. I'm wondering if I purchase a replacement barrel can a skilled gunsmith fit the new/old barrel without causing any harm the rest of the revolver?

Absolutely. If you watch the popular auction site long enough a good deal on a barrel will come along.

If he's "skilled" at revolver work and has the frame specific wrench then he certainly can. Having spent much of their carrier doing other precise machining and silver hair are good signs. Young smiths have to do what customers want, mostly work on simi-autos.

For comparison, around 10 years ago S&W quoted me $100 including return shipping to swab barrels if I sent them a replacement barrel along with my revolver. My cost to ship it to them would have been about $50 so about $150 total. I had it done locally.

By the way, after damaged barrels are removed it's rare for them to be thrown in the garbage. Eventually they're sold on ebay as good parts. Guess how I learned this stuff.