Cutting a barrel down...

[RightWinger]

I am having trouble locating a full lug 3 inch barrel for a 629, I am considering having a gunsmith attempt to cut the barrel down, is this possible? I would want it cut down from the back side so as to still keep the sight on it and then he would have to re-cut threads and the ejector shroud.....not sure if this is even possible or cost effective, if anyone has any idea please let me know. Thanks!

 

[RightWinger]

I am having trouble locating a full lug 3 inch barrel for a 629, I am considering having a gunsmith attempt to cut the barrel down, is this possible? I would want it cut down from the back side so as to still keep the sight on it and then he would have to re-cut threads and the ejector shroud.....not sure if this is even possible or cost effective, if anyone has any idea please let me know. Thanks!

 

[john traveler]

Cutting a barrel down, either full-lug or partial lug, would be easiest and more cost effective if cut from the muzzle, and reinstalling the front sight. Removing the barrel shank, rethreading, fitting, milling the extractor rod tunnel, and drilling the locking bolt holes is much more time consuming, and requires tooling & alignment fixtures than most gunsmiths have access to. Cost would be a lot more than simply buying the 3" barrel.

 

[RightWinger]

Yes, I see what you are saying, however if you cut a barrel from the end, how do you end up with a base for the site to sit on since that has now been cut off?

 

[john traveler]

The complete front sight with ramp and base are removed, milled to fit, and the new barrel milled to fit the front sight, and re-crowned.

 

[Qball]

You might want to contact "SDM Fabricating"
Here is a "how to" on cuting the barrel.
http://www.sdmfabricating.com/4_conversion.html

 

[robertrwalsh]

virtually anything is possible if you are willing to pay enough. personally i think you are doing it backwards, and it would cost a LOT more, but it's certainly doable.

 

[RightWinger]

Qball, great link, I enjoyed looking at the pictures, however I didn't realize they have sight bases that you can purchase and screw on to the barrel as opposed to the factory ones built into the barrel. The only thing I hate is that big nasty allen screw holding down the sight base, maybe if they made the screw stainless it would look more pleasing to the eye.

 

[Jul]

The sight ramp is made by Weigand Custom. Thinking about gettin one on my 686.

 

[flatlander11]

Jul,The weigand ramp is the way to go in my opinion. I have one on my 686 and my gunsmith is shortening my 586 to 3" and installing one.They take the same front sight as some smith and wessons.I beleive they are dx models.

 

[RightWinger]

yes, but is the ugly allen screw very noticable? To be that would be a dead give away that the barrel was not original and had been cut down.....

 

[Ernie L]

yes, but is the ugly allen screw very noticable? To be that would be a dead give away that the barrel was not original and had been cut down..

If the screw bothers you wait until you see the lettering on the side of the barrel after it's shortened . It will no longer be centered on the barrel ..unless of course your smith cuts from both ends(more money)

 

[Jul]

Originally posted by flatlander11:
Jul,The weigand ramp is the way to go in my opinion. I have one on my 686 and my gunsmith is shortening my 586 to 3" and installing one.They take the same front sight as some smith and wessons.I beleive they are dx models.

My 629 Classic has that ramp from the factory. I would like to get 1 installed on my 686. I can get the ramp from Weigand no problem but I need to find someone to mill off the existing front sight and Install this one. I live in Virginia Beach.Va. but don't know any gunsmiths here. Shipping it out from here "50 bucks" would kill the cost of the job.

 

[flatlander11]

Ernie L,you are absolutely right.When my 586 is cut to 3" part of the stamping will also go.I'm having the sides of the barrel milled.(There is plenty of steel to do that safely).Hope it looks good that way ,should at least be interesting.

 

[Ernie L]

Ernie L,you are absolutely right.When my 586 is cut to 3" part of the stamping will also go.I'm having the sides of the barrel milled.(There is plenty of steel to do that safely).Hope it looks good that way ,should at least be interesting.

That might look somewhat like the new smiths with the slab sided barrel shrouds..gives em a modern racey look....post a pic if you can..like you said ..should be interesting

 

[gamedic]

I cut a 4inch barrel I bought from another forum member down to three inches and put it on my model 10. I think the barrel looks great at three inches, except for the lettering.I had a gunsmith mill both sides of the barrel flat, he also crowned the barrel for me. I am very happy with it.

 

[RightWinger]

I never even thought about the lettering not being centered.....on some of the longer barrell guns you might end up losing a few letters too right? Hmm.....I love the idea of a 3 incher, but would like to see some pics of this before I commit that much money

 

[gamedic]

I will post some pictures of my barrel tomorrow if I can. I have been sanding and polishing some tool marks off of it where someone removed it before I bought it. I had the gunsmith slab it just behind where the letters were. I noticed that both sides were not equal when I got it back, so I did a little repair work of my own. It looks much better.