Chopping a S&W Model 29

[parsonbw]

Ok, give me some thoughts and advice. I have a S&W 29-2 nickel finish that is in pristine shape. Not a collector piece, but a great shooter. But I have several Smith's in six inch barrels, and would like to convert this one from six to 3 1/2 inch barrel.
The reason for not seeking a trade is that this one has much sentimental value. My thoughts are to shorten to 3 1/2 inch, have the barrel crowned, and would be perfect for what I really want.
Is that thinking way off base, or is there reasons not to do it.
I am aware that I could buy a shorter barrel gun, but this gun is one of my very favorites. It will not be a carry piece, but not a long range hunter either. Give me some of your thoughts. It will be a hand-me-down to my grandboys, as well as my other Smith's.
Then if you say go for it, where in North Carolina is a trustworthy smith that you could recommend that does great work.
Thanks so much for your thoughts in advance.

 

[kritter]

two problems I see right offhand are..
first, the factory roll marks are going to right at the end of the barrel. looking kinda out of place & off-centered..
second, and more importandly... are you going to have the barrel renickeled afterwards?
the cutting & crowning are going to expose the "raw" steel under the nickel, and theres a color differance between the two..
My personal choice would be to find a 3-1/2 or 4 inch nickel barrel and just have it rebarreled rather than cutting & crowning

 

[M29since14]

There's nothing wrong with doing whatever you want with your gun, but that last 1/2-inch of shortened barrel is going to cost a lot if it is done "right."

 

[310Pilot]

Another thought - have you done much, or any, shooting with a 4" barrel 29 using .44 Magnum ammunition? The reason I ask this is that there is a huge difference in muzzle blast and "impact" (not recoil) on the shooter between a 6" or 6 1/2" barrel and a 4" barrel, and many find it quite unpleasant. The 3 1/2" barrel will be even worse in that regard. If you haven't shot a 4" much, I strongly recommend that you seek one out and try it, you may not like it, turning a "favorite" into an "also-ran." I own somewhere around ten or twelve .44 magnums, but I have only one 4", a 629. I do carry and shoot it, but the difference between it and any of the longer barrel guns is very pronounced (and I am not a recoil sensitive guy, I've been shooting 44 Mags for over 40 years, and I have two 500 mags which I greatly enjoy). If I'm going out to do a bit of shooting, or a lot of shooting, the 4" gun gets used the least. There is a reason that the 4" guns were not produced in as great a number as the 6" or 6.5" guns in 44 magnum.

 

[parsonbw]

kritter, you're probably right about the difference in appearance, but the reason I kind of dismissed having another barrel installed, others have said the frame and barrel are somewhat matched in manufacturing. They may be off base, but that's what sent me in the cutting the barrel direction.
A call to S&W might be in order to get their advice. Others may have some input, it would be much appreciated. I know where I can pick up a 629, but there's something about the older model 29's that I cherish. My belief is that a master smith can do anything if he has the time and I have the money.

 

[parsonbw]

Another thought - have you done much, or any, shooting with a 4" barrel 29 using .44 Magnum ammunition? The reason I ask this is that there is a huge difference in muzzle blast and "impact" (not recoil) on the shooter between a 6" or 6 1/2" barrel and a 4" barrel, and many find it quite unpleasant. The 3 1/2" barrel will be even worse in that regard. If you haven't shot a 4" much, I strongly recommend that you seek one out and try it, you may not like it, turning a "favorite" into an "also-ran." I own somewhere around ten or twelve .44 magnums, but I have only one 4", a 629. I do carry and shoot it, but the difference between it and any of the longer barrel guns is very pronounced (and I am not a recoil sensitive guy, I've been shooting 44 Mags for over 40 years, and I have two 500 mags which I greatly enjoy). If I'm going out to do a bit of shooting, or a lot of shooting, the 4" gun gets used the least. There is a reason that the 4" guns were not produced in as great a number as the 6" or 6.5" guns in 44 magnum.

310 pilot, great reasoning. I don't plan on an every day outing with it. I have two 29's in four inch, and I'm aware of what a couple of hours would do to my personality. But this particular gun is something I've had a hankering to shorten for awhile. It would be something my grandsons could look at in a few years, and wonder what I was thinking!!
I've been a shooter for around sixty years, and I guess the norm has gotten old. (or maybe my reasoning is not quite right the older I get.)

 

[Sebago Son]

Your sons and / or grandsons, if they are / become collectors will be grateful if you don't trim the barrel.

If you are determined to proceed, Kritter's idea is best. Find a replacement barrel and have at it. It can be fit to your frame by anyone who knows what they are doing.

Here's another suggestion.... if you want something different and still portable, why not consider a 4 1/2"? I handed a 29 in this length and it sure was sweet.

Measuring on an 8 3/8" take off barrel I hav ehere, when cut to 4 1/2", the factory markings are very close to centered.

Drew

 

[parsonbw]

You guys are probably right, maybe I let my imaginations run wild for a minute. Well, it is OK to dream, right?

 

[StatesRightist]

If you decide to do it, send it to Magnaport, they can repour the front sight and properly crown and label it for you. I can't think of a Smith in NC other than Baity's in North Wilkesboro who's good enough to do it, but they are slow and even slower in bothering to respond to customers.

I have a 3" 44 and a 2 1/2 inch 44, 310 hit it on the head, that's, a different proposition than a 6". Check out magnaport's website, they can do exactly what you want.

 

[parsonbw]

Thanks, statesrightist. I'll mark them down. I sure would like to have a three and half incher. When and if I pull the trigger, I'll let you all know how it turns out.

 

[StatesRightist]

Thanks, statesrightist. I'll mark them down. I sure would like to have a three and half incher. When and if I pull the trigger, I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Sounds good, I look forward to seeing the finished project if you decide to do it.

 

[alwslate]

If you really want a 3 1/2" gun I say do it. I have a 25-2 that I had cut
down to 4" from the original 6 1/2" length many years ago and have
never regretted it. Barrel markings are not centered but so what? I
have another 25-2 6 1/2" that I bought cheap at a gun show because
it has a ring in the bore. Looks like the bulge will be removed if the
barrel is cut to 3 1/2". I'm going to cut it to 3 1/2" myself when I get
around to buying a milling machine. I plan to mill flats on both sides
of the barrel to remove the remaining lettering. I plan to touch up
best as I can with cold blue. A nickel gun would complicate things
a bit but there has to be a way.

 

[parsonbw]

Like I said, I'm not rich by any means, but if you've got the money, many smiths have the time.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[M29since14]

Since Model 29 barrels are not hard to come by, why not take the idea from Drew to use a second barrel for the cut-down project. That way if the idea does turn sour, you can always put your old favorite back like it was.

Hamilton Bowen is not far from you. He is not "cheap," but he knows how to do this kind of work as well as, or better than, anyone. The nickel plating sounds like something that will have to be done at the factory, so I would find a barrel, get Hamilton to do the metal work for you, then ship it to S&W for the nickel. When it comes back, Hamilton can re-install the front sight so you will have a proper job. (The sight will have to be pinned. You do not want the gun nickel plated with the sight attached.)

 

[Sebago Son]

I seriously doubt that S&W would renickle a barrel cut down by others. You may ask them if they would do the entire job with a take off barrel... they may suprise you....

 

[parsonbw]

M29, is the "Hamilton" you speak of at Magnaport? If not give me a way to contact him. Much Thanks

 

[M29since14]

This page has a picture of the maestro himself at work, grinding away!

+ Bowen Classic Arms + About B C A

 

[Muley Gil]

David Clements is in Woodlawn, Virginia, about 18 miles north of the NC state line (as the crow flies), near I-77.

He cut a 6 1/2" 1950 .44 Special barrel to 5" for me about 6 years ago. Did a wonderful job.

 

[Nedroe]

I Did This........

about 3 weeks ago. A round butt, fixed sight, 44 magnum. Built on a S series 58 frame, it has a pre-29, 44 mag. cylinder, and a 4" , model 29 barrel, cut to 3.25"

Don't let 'em talk you outta' doin what makes you happy. If it aint a true collector's item, I say " go for it"

Ned

 

[parsonbw]

about 3 weeks ago. A round butt, fixed sight, 44 magnum. Built on a S series 58 frame, it has a pre-29, 44 mag. cylinder, and a 4" , model 29 barrel, cut to 3.25"

Don't let 'em talk you outta' doin what makes you happy. If it aint a true collector's item, I say " go for it"

Ned

Wow!!! Great job, Nedroe. You're pushing over the edge.