Cut down my 629?

[RoyM52]

more cost effective to just buy a model 69 with a 2 3/4 inch barrel . it is the shortest barrel to have a full length ejector. and it is a very balanced gun.

 

[Tytan01]

Don't molest the S&W
Just buy a Charter Arms Pug and call it a day.

 

[oysterer]

In this pricing environment for vintage Smiths any type of modification away from stock is always a bad idea without any exception.

 

[CB3]

Don’t forget, barrel measurement goes from the forcing cone to the muzzle. It doesn’t start at the front of the frame. A true 2” barrel sticking out the front of an N-Frame 629? Really?

A J-Frame with a 2” barrel has a certain look—a balance of concealability and close range efficiency.

An N-Frame with a 2” barrel would look silly, IMO. Not to mention the displeasure of actually shooting it, even with .44 Spcl. The cartridges are not designed for such short barrels.

Now a 3” barrel looks proportionally correct, like a real fighting gun, just on steroids. Still silly, IMO, for ballistics and user friendliness, but doable with a $102 barrel/shroud kit from Midway.

You can’t cut a 4” barrel to 2”, re-crown it and mount the front sight again for that kind of money. Especially if you have to shorten the shroud and ejector (don’t know if you do).

But it’s your gun. I’ve probably done things just as silly to a number of my guns that I never expect to sell, or with some $$ might be returned to close to an original configuration. Want not need is sometimes the decision.

 

[Autonomous]

Not only no but hell no.

 

[CH4]

I am a fan of shorter is better. Magnaport offers their combat mini package that may appeal to you.

 

[colt_saa]

I've always been a huge fan of short-barrelled wheel guns and am thinking of converting my 4" 629-6 to a 2" bbl and have it look like the Camfour .44 magnum. The idea of a 2" N-frame revolver has been going around in my head for quite awhile.

I know that shooting magnum loads might be prohibitive, so I would mainly shooting .44 spl.

While I'm drooling over this conversion, something stops me - I'm wondering if you guys can talk me into this or talk me out of this - you know, enable me or not enable me, .

Seriously, I'd like your opinions.

Thanks to all who respond -

Rich

2" N-frames are pretty short. As far as I can recall, there have only been 4 of them.

One of them has been in continuous production for over 16 years. That would be the 2" 327

I like the pug nosed look of these

2" N-frames have also been offered in the Model 625 as both 45 ACP revolvers and 45 Long Colt revolvers. I never bought one in 45 ACP, but I do love the 45 Long Colt cartridge

There were some 2" Model 29 Tunnel Guns built for the Vietnam war

Those are the only 4 factory examples of 2" N-frames that I can recall

During the 70s and 80s, there were several gun smiths making money converting longer barreled N-frames into snubbies. Barrels typically ranged from 2 3/8" - 2 5/8" depending on who did the work.

This one was done by the Austin Behlert. This is probably the shortest barrel yo can have and still retain a full lengh ejecto rod

 

[REP]

I would contact the Performance Center and see what they can do for you and how much it would cost. I am a big fan of owning guns that serve me for what I want or need. If the Performance Center dose it then the gun still has a history of being all S&W. Even if S&W offered the finale result in their catalog it wouldn’t have a great popularity in sales. I think that when a gun has a high value it deserves to be done right with no corners skipped. I once sent a 45 Colt SAA to Colts Custom Shop. It was a Sheriffs Model with a 3” barrel and no ejector. I had them rebarrel it to a 2” snubbie. Having the paper work showing what work they did and at what price it’s value remained.

 

[StrawHat]

I enjoy modifying S&W revolvers. I have done several. However a 2” N frame? Not something I would consider. For me, a 4” tapered barrel is about ideal on the N frame, especially when chambered for the ACP cartridge. That is my EDC piece. I have tried 3” and they do not carry nearly as well. Same with the 5” or longer.

But, it is your revolver and your time and money. That’s the good thing, no matter what WE think, it is ultimately your decision.

Kevin

 

[44wheelman]

Why not just buy a Performance Center 2 5/8?

It would drive me nuts to have the bbl stamp so far off center; and the time & expense.....to save 5/8 of an inch? Just take the 2 5/8 to a gunsmith, he may be able to shave a little more off.

You could even get lucky and find one of the pre lock versions that were factory cut for moon clips. Not that I found those to be particularly practical because the moonclips are pretty thin and bend easily.

 

[ken158]

The thrill of the hunt... look for a Camfour gun. Then you have a factory 2” that will retain it’s value. Otherwise, chopping and all the machine work required will be almost equally expensive.

 

[gerhard1]

Personally, I wouldn't do it, but that's me. Why don't you just buy a 2-1/2"-3" N-frame and be done with it?

But, you do what you want.

 

[jimmyj]

NO! and if you do, I will tell your Mother.

 

[steelslaver]

BTW o a stainless barrel it would be really easy to remove the marking and redo the finish. Simply tap the markings with a smooth faced hammer for a while to move the majority of metal that was displace by the roll marking process back to where it came from , then use a slack belt on a quality belt grinder or sand paper backed by a piece of wood. dDrill a hole length ways through a piece of wood just a bit bigger than barrel diameter, then saw it in 1/2. once the markings were gone finish with scotchbrite, polish or bead blast to match frame

To me N frame snubs are best right in front of the lug

For N frame carry the Scandium snubs are it.

Plus there are the L frame 5 shooter 44 special 296 and 396

 

[03hemi]

I say do what ever you want, it's your gun. Who cares what others think.

 

[stansdds]

It's your revolver, do as you please. If it were mine, I would sell it and use the money to buy what I wanted.

 

[M29since14]

I wouldn't do it. I would look for what you wanted and buy that. It may always look like a cut down 4"

Of course it will! I guess I am biased from the get go. I’ve absolutely no use for any N-frame revolver with anything much shorter than a 4-inch barrel, and in a .44 Magnum a 4-1/2” barrel (or 5”) makes more sense to me. I wouldn’t waste the gun and the money.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Here’s my 3 modern N frames. The black one is a Thunder Ranch model. I like the 625s better.

 

[cmj8591]

You should trade it and buy one of these. The money you save gunsmithing you can use for grips and trigger. I know it's not 2" but this is the best balanced N that I have ever shot. It has turned into one of my favorite woods guns.

 

[SAFireman]

Your gun, your money, your choice.....

Here are a few examples in my collection

Left to right, they are: 629 Jovino EFFECTOR 3", Custom model 58 in 44 Mag2 5/8", 629-5 Camfour 1 of 300.

Definitely post some pictures of your project if you decide to 'go under the knife'