Not that it cannot be done, nor that you shouldn't do it, but my original comment as to "why" referred to several items. First is the cost. Not only the materials (barrel and extractor components) but also the labor to replace the barrel. Swapping a barrel is usually not as simple a task as might be imagined, and, if you do not own the equipment needed nor have any experience in performing a barrel replacement, is a task best left to a gunsmith who knows how to do it correctly. Second is the effect upon the gun's value. As it will no longer be original after the barrel is changed, any potential future collectible value (assuming that it has any at present) will have vanished. If one simply wants a snubby revolver for carry purposes, the total cost of the conversion plus the present value of the revolver to be converted could easily exceed the cost of buying a good used original snubby, such as a Chiefs Special. In that case, one would be better off selling the 4" revolver and applying the proceeds to buying another gun.
