Anyone had S&W rebarrel a revolver?

[dma1]

I have a 686-4 6" that I bought new in the mid 90's that has the sweetest DA/SA trigger that I've ever seen on a factory gun. It truly feels like it's been to the Performance Shop, although it hasn't. I wanted a 4" when I bought it but I couldn't find one at the time. When I felt the trigger on this one, I had to have it. For many years it sat in the glove box of my truck. Over time, I have become more fond of the shorter barrels than I once was. I can get my choice of barrel lengths put on my gun for "$200-$225" at the factory. I'm thinking 3" or 4". I feel I will get more use out of it in the field with a shorter barrel due to ease of carry. I'm not really worried about collector value, as I'll be using it. I don't want to sell it due to the exceptional trigger. I see lots of comments about barrel alignment on the new guns. I realize I could buy another one, but to get a short barrelled 66 or 686 will be significantly more money. Has anyone here done this and were you happy with the results? Thanks in advance.

 

[Gman56]

I had my 686-1 rebarreled from a 6 to a 4in last month. Frank Smith of LSG in comanchee Texas did it $287 shipped he did a GREAT JOB!!! He even fixed my yoke I didnt know it was bent just hard to open sometimes. He is a S&W repair center . Fast turnaround 11 days there and back!!!!He is listed in the warranty repair listings. He also had a new barrel in stock! Nobody had a new one but he did!! I called one shop in Calif no barrel 30 day or longer wait for barrel from S&W.Try LSG he got the job done for me!

 

[Nemo288]

JMHO but go for the 4" not the 3". The greatest loss of
velocity occurs at this transition and the 4" is more accurate too.

I have never had a barrel replaced by Smith but I did have a frame
replaced. It is now the tightest revolver I own. This was around
1990-1. The serial is quite funky as it was over-stamped.

...Nemo...

 

[seabeesbob]

I had a model 65 4" and wanted a 3" I found one awhile back on Gunbroker. I sent it to S&W last year and it took about 3 months, but it is what I wanted and it turned out great.

 

[riverrat38]

I have a 3 incher and it balances just right, probably about the same as a 4 in K frame revolver. And I can shoot it just as accurate from a rest as my former 6 in 686. And, if you want to conceal carry the gun, the 3 in version will be easier to conceal, depending on body build and clothes style. Since I don't use full Mag loads, I can make up for the velocity loss with a little more powder! If max velocity is important, as for hunting, the 6 in model is best.

rat

 

[captainjohnsofd]

I sent S&W a Model 27-2 and a 3.5" barrel a couple of years ago- they did a great job, including replacing a cut rebound spring I didn't know about (bought it used). Turnaround was less than a month and cost was reasonable.

 

[Swelfelo]

Rebarreled S&W 19

I had a 2.5" S&W 19 rebarrelled to a 6" one and the factory did a wonderful job at a reasonable price. I could swear that the firearm was also tuned up because it came back better than when it left.

 

[OldBlood]

Sounds like a great time to buy Another Gun. Keep your 6 and look for a nice 4 inch used. This is a police trade-in I bought for $289+$10 shipping. About what your new barrel will cost. Action on my police guns are all pretty smooth from years of dry firing. I guess. Anyway, better to have 2 guns than 1. Just a thought.(Grips came from Altamont)

 

[ladder13]

I'd love to have my 681 round butted and have a 3 inch PC barrel installed in it. Trouble is all 3 inch PC barrels are gone. Maybe someone could cut the barrel and round butt it.......hmmmmm

 

[JoeHatley]

I'd keep the 6" gun for fun at the range and apply the cost of rebarreling to a nice used version in the barrel length you prefer for packing.

 

[JohnAC]

I almost had them re-barrel a 686 of mine a few years ago. They told me they were no longer using any of the small roll marks, so the gun would no longer look correct with the massive roll marks they put on now. That's the only thing that stopped me.

 

[Smith357]

I had a 4 inch tube put on my 6" 586 no dash at the factory. I'm very happy with the results. I bought the barrel here on the forum and I sent the gun in for the recall to get free shipping. I also had it refinished with a bead blast and blue, I then sold the 6" barrel to help offset the cost. By the end of the day I had a total of $400 in the gun and $220 in all the parts and the work. Well worth every penny.

The barrel swap is listed on the invoice as costing $60.

 

[dma1]

I almost had them re-barrel a 686 of mine a few years ago. They told me they were no longer using any of the small roll marks, so the gun would no longer look correct with the massive roll marks they put on now. That's the only thing that stopped me.

That is a concern of mine as well. I've found supposedly NOS barrels on GB but wondered about their true condition. I'm afraid there may be something wrong with them. Found a Mountain Gun barrel that I would love to put on it. I don't have any gunsmiths around here that I would trust to do the job. I'd get another revolver, but they sure are expensive these days. One of the police trade-in 66's might not be too bad. Decisions, decisions....

 

[dma1]

Well I just bought a 4" NOS, old style script barrel from someone on GB. Less than $100. Hopefully the factory won't have a problem with installing it. If they do, I'll be asking for Gunsmith recommendations....... Already got one from Gman56, Thanks.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Had them recut the forcing cone and retime my 57 years ago. WAY too many full powered magnums (over 15-20K) and I shot it loose. Was spitting lead like crazy and lucky I didn't blow it up shooting DA. When I sent it in to retime it they told me the forcing cone had a crack in it. I never saw it and was slightly dumber back then. Whole job was less than 100.00 and it's still shooting like the old champion it is.

Read many a post in this section that there CS and service had suffered. If you do have it swapped make sure on your work order that you will not accept a clocked barrel.

Totally unacceptable IMO! If it's off when you get it back send it back again to make it right.

Good luck and happy shooting!