I'm kind of liking steelslaver's barrel tool solution. The only reason the crown of my 69 was so buggered up is that S&W probably uses a hardened steel tool to torque these barrel assemblies together. Really makes me cringe! That said, I noticed no flaws in the rifling. I don't think that they lap the barrel liners after they are installed or the crown wouldn't be so rough. I like the newest ball/crane lock=up on the new 2.75" version. Also seems that Smith wised up and left the serrations off of the top strap of the frame, eliminating the mismatched serrations. Now would I get rid of my 696 no dash for one of these new 69 snubbies?..............I'd have to really think hard on that one!