Cutting a barrel down to make a snubbie question

[ConditionOne]

J&G Sales has a bunch of police surplus Smith & Wesson Model 64 38Spl 4in Stainless, Round Butt w/ Bobbed Hammer for $200. I think these would make a great inexpensive snubnose, instead of buying a new one (I prefer S&W brand) for $500 plus.

Can a capable gunsmith do this, or is it a special custom job? Would it be cost efficient to buy one one of these, and get the barrel cut to about 2" to 2 1/2", and find a shorter ejector rod? Or is it more trouble than it's worth?

 

[ahanes]

I'm considering this very thing, though I'd like to make a 3" gun. It's simple to cut the barrel on a power hacksaw, then contour and recrown the barrel. You'd have to get a machine shop to cut a dovetail, then install a new front sight. I'd expect the machine work to run about $50 and a sight will be from $25-50, still cheaper than a new barrel.

Anyone know if you can remove and re-use the front sight on Model 64?

 

[Jim Watson]

There is a limit to how much you can saw one off before losing the front extractor latch lug. I guess you could have a ball detent put in the yoke to make up for that but it would increase the cost and complexity of the project. You see a lot of Victory models that were sawn off that far to sell to gullible Colonials but I would not want to shoot one a whole lot.

 

[WR Moore]

Cutting down to 2 or 2.5 inches would involve shortening the barrel from the breech end and the muzzle both. At least if you want to keep the locking pin at the end of the ejector rod. This would not be cheap! You'd also need both a center pin and a ejector rod.

Shortening the barrel to the end of the locking pin lug wouldn't be all that bad.

 

[machinisttx]

There is a limit to how much you can saw one off before losing the front extractor latch lug. I guess you could have a ball detent put in the yoke to make up for that but it would increase the cost and complexity of the project. You see a lot of Victory models that were sawn off that far to sell to gullible Colonials but I would not want to shoot one a whole lot.

+1.

The cost of such a project, if done correctly, will easily up the price to what you could buy a 2" gun for(used).