Creating a 5 inch M29

[AnthonyF]

Hi,

I've decided I just have to have a 5 inch barrel M29. Since they're so rare and expensive, I'll probably never own an original ...... at least not in this lifetime.

I am about to purchase a mint condition 29-2 from a good friend and I want to preserve the OEM barrel.

So now I'm on a quest to obtain a replacement barrel that can be cut down to a five inch length. I'm wondering if there is any preference to using an 8 3/8 inch barrel vs. a 6 1/2 inch barrel?

Would it be "more / better" to send it to S&W since they are likely to have either available at their disposal?

There is a forum member who is listing what appears to be a pristine tale-off 8 3/8 inch barrel that I was thinking of purchasing for $160.

TIA

 

[Jim Watson]

If you saw off an 8" will that cut into the barrel roll markings? Or leave them so far offcenter as to offend you?

 

[AnthonyF]

If you saw off an 8" will that cut into the barrel roll markings? Or leave them so far offcenter as to offend you?

I hadn't thought of that but the roll markings on the 8 3/8 I'm considering tend to be located mostly over the ejector rod housing with only about a third of the stamping extending somewhat beyond it. It definitely wouldn't cut them off.

Thanks for raising that issue. I didn't realize that the roll markings were purposely centered based on barrel length.

 

[AnthonyF]

Thanks for raising that issue. I didn't realize that the roll markings were purposely centered based on barrel length.

That brings me back to the issue of whether a 6 (or 6 1/2) would be preferable to an 8 3/8.

 

[CALREB]

I have converted a couple 6" 38s and L frames to 5" and it actually appeared to center the rollmark better, may because of the portion of the barrel that goes into the frame offsets it some how,find a 6" and check it out for yourself, dont know about 6 1/2".Goodluck Bob

 

[Marksman]

I made a 5" M/29 starting with an 8 3/8" barreled gun, the lettering is pretty well centered on the 5" barrel and is not the issue most folks are making it out to be. As a matter of fact most folks I show my 5" to think it is a factory original. I can e-mail a picture of mine to anyone intrested, just ask.

 

[AnthonyF]

I made a 5" M/29 starting with an 8 3/8" barreled gun, the lettering is pretty well centered on the 5" barrel and is not the issue most folks are making it out to be. As a matter of fact most folks I show my 5" to think it is a factory original. I can e-mail a picture of mine to anyone intrested, just ask.

Thanks. I'd appreciate a picture.

[email protected]

Who did the work for you?

 

[Mule88]

Marksman, Id like pics of your gun. Also who did the work. Thanx.

 

[Boxhead]

I had Jim Stroh convert an old M29-2 to a 5" 45 Colt using an 8 3/8" take-off barrel from a M25-5. The lettering is about perfect. Jim's front sight design is pretty slick too. Interchangeable blades via a set screw through the front of the base.

I have another M29-2 at Alan Harton's to be cut from 6" to 5". The lettering on it centers well too. Glancing just now at a 6" M629 and teh same would be true.

 

[bgrafsr]

Boxhead:
That is one sweet revolver you have. I really like it. A lot.

 

[Marksman]

I had Jim Stroh convert a M/27-2 to .44 Special a few years ago, I opted for the interchangeable blade front sight too. Along with the plain black blade that was furnished I made a gold bead, ivory bead and red bead as well as red insert sight blade. It was neat to be able to change blades for different shooting conditions.

 

[JSR III]

I can understand the desire to have the interchangable front sights, but what is the attraction to a 5" barrel? The gun was made with a 6" barrel and if memory serves me correctly, you could also get a 4" barrel. Does an inch longer or shorter really make that great of a difference? What purpose does that extra or lesser inch serve? Just curious.

 

[Marksman]

The 5" is the best balanced choice, 4" being a little muzzle light and 6" a little heavy. Everyone has their preferences and favorites, 5" just happens to be mine. The late Skeeter Skelton did much to popularize the 5" barrel length, favoring it for a little longer sight radius yet not being so long that a LEO found it a problem when seated in a patrol car.

 

[Boxhead]

Yep, what Marksman said.

 

[Mule88]

Marksman how long did it take to get your gun back?

 

[Marksman]

It took just a few weeks as Mr. Stroh has a list you can get on, no need to send your gun. When he is ready to work on your gun you are notified and ship your gun at that time. That way you are only without your gun for the actual time that it is being worked on.