Barrel shorten or replace?

[mpmillen]

Hi all, I have a 629-4 with a 6 inch barrel. I would like to have a 4 inch barrel and Brownell's shows a 4 inch barrel for a 629 as being $140.00 (and out of stock).

SMITH & WESSON : Barrel, 4" (940-212-080) - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools

Does anyone know if this barrel will work, or which barrel will work, or if it is easier and/or cheaper to just have someone cut the current barrel.

I intend to replace the front sight anyway, so that is a wash. Action job will also be helpful. Any suggestions for gunsmiths also welcome.

Thanks,

M

 

[DON1937]

I'd call S&W and get their cost for the barrel and change out.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I think you would save money and time if you sold your 6" gun and bought a 4" gun. Don

 

[mpmillen]

Hawkeye,

Easier said than done in California. I feel very fortunate to have located this 1996-97 born 629-4 (last engineering change before MIM hammer and trigger were introduced).

I would love to swap with someone with a 4 inch 629-4, but they would have to want to swap and also be located within a reasonable drive of my location. Doing a swap through FFL dealers is not possible with older guns in California.

I will call Smith and find out what they would charge for this one way or the other.

Ideally, I could find a 4 inch barrel to install, and keep the 6 inch barrel for later use or shorten to 5 inches or whatever!

Thanks,

M

 

[DON1937]

My policy based on several years experiences and even more regrets "Never sell or trade one of my S&Ws again"

 

[whelenshooter]

The easiest and best way is to have Smith & Wesson change the barrel for you and do an action job while they have it. Their prices are extremely reasonable and Performance Center actons jobs are top of the line. You can have them put on the front sight of your choice too. The one problem you will have is if your gun has the press fitted barrel they may cut it off rather than unscrew it. That is what they did with my model 10 when I had the 2" barrel replaced with a 3" barrel at the Performance Center. They told me they have to cut them because otherwise they might damage the frame. If it is a pinned barrel, all they have to do is drive the pin out and they can unscrew it. They sent me the front cut portion of the barrel to prove they cut it off.

 

[Allen-frame]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...4-classic-6-5-3-7-8-update-wed-8-19-09-a.html

Here is a link to a thread about a 629-4 that I cut and crowned to 4".

Thinking just like you. The 4" is handier and shoots like a longer gun.

If I was not capable of doing my own work, I would send the gun to Magna-port.
Their work is exceptional.

Good luck ,Allen Frame

 

[649 Bodyguard]

Allen Frame. Thank You for that link. What a story that was. Where is that left over piece of that barrel? Please let me know. Thanks.