Gunsmith for barrel cut and profile change

[Cptbwst]

I have a 6 inch 617 with a full lug. I want to maybe cut the barrel to 4 inches. I for sure want to have the lug removed and the barrel profiled for it. Any suggestions for gunsmiths?

 

[Jeep 1]

If it is a 617 pre-lock sell it to somebody that will appreciate it for what it is and go buy a new 617 mountain gun.
If it’s a lock, do what you want…..
Tom

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Why not trade it in for a four inch 617 or the 617 Mountain Gun?

 

[Cptbwst]

If it is a 617 pre-lock sell it to somebody that will appreciate it for what it is and go buy a new 617 mountain gun.
If it’s a lock, do what you want…..
Tom

It was gifted to me from my brother and will never be sold. I don't care about the value because to me it is priceless and will not be sold but handed down. Advice on a smith?

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Then keep it the way he gave it to you and put it in the back of the Gun Safe.

Then get exactly what you want.

 

[Jeep 1]

It was gifted to me from my brother and will never be sold. I don't care about the value because to me it is priceless and will not be sold but handed down. Advice on a smith?

OK so you left out an extremely important part of your post, You post no pictures, you post no details of the gun other than it is just a Smith and Wesson Model 617 and you start talking about modifications that will cost half the money or more of a different firearm that will suit your purposes in gunsmithing worked with no guarantee that you will find the right gunsmith that can perform all the modifications correctly that you were posting before you edited it to tell us how important this gun is to you. Why would you want to risk screwing it up trying to make it into something it is not.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I have a 6 inch 617 with a full lug. I want to maybe cut the barrel to 4 inches. I for sure want to have the lug removed and the barrel profiled for it. Any suggestions for gunsmiths?

Ken Kelly @ Magnaport

 

[Cptbwst]

Then keep it the way he gave it to you and put it in the back of the Gun Safe.

Then get exactly what you want.

OK so you left out an extremely important part of your post, You post no pictures, you post no details of the gun other than it is just a Smith and Wesson Model 617 and you start talking about modifications that will cost half the money or more of a different firearm that will suit your purposes in gunsmithing worked with no guarantee that you will find the right gunsmith that can perform all the modifications correctly that you were posting before you edited it to tell us how important this gun is to you. Why would you want to risk screwing it up trying to make it into something it is not.

I gave out the details I needed for the services needed. I edited my post to help people reply more in line with my request. I am not looking for opinions other than a gunsmith. I don't think it has to be as hard as you are making it.

 

[Cptbwst]

Ken Kelly @ Magnaport

Thank you.

 

[Hondo44]

I hope if you have it worked on it turns out to your satisfaction.

 

[swagmeister]

Clark Custom Guns, Princeton, Louisiana.

 

[Cptbwst]

I hope if you have it worked on it turns out to your satisfaction.

That is the whole reason for this thread. I am hoping for some personal input from someone that had work done. I welcome recommendations and love testimonials.

 

[Cptbwst]

Clark Custom Guns, Princeton, Louisiana.

Thank you.

 

[cwneely2]

I have a 6 inch 617 with a full lug. I want to maybe cut the barrel to 4 inches. I for sure want to have the lug removed and the barrel profiled for it. Any suggestions for gunsmiths?

The cut is easy enough, profiling is much more difficult than you think. I've only done it once and would not care to do it again. Finding an earlier style barrel and changing it out might be a better way to get what you want.

 

[Cptbwst]

The cut is easy enough, profiling is much more difficult than you think. I've only done it once and would not care to do it again. Finding an earlier style barrel and changing it out might be a better way to get what you want.

The thought has crossed my mind previously. The problem is everything I find in stainless has a full underlug. The full underlug is my gripe. Having a 4 inch barrel would just be icing on the cake.

 

[toddimusnimski]

I gave out the details I needed for the services needed. I edited my post to help people reply more in line with my request. I am not looking for opinions other than a gunsmith. I don't think it has to be as hard as you are making it.

I get what you're saying, it's just that as collectors/accumulators/enthusiasts it's hard for some to recommend this project when other options seem more reasonable and less permanent. Shortening the barrel might result in the rollmarks being off-center that you may not find appealing.
A non-lugged 4" barrel for the 617 can likely be found on Numrich or other used gunpart sites, and replacement would be pretty straightforward for most any gunsmith. The barrel can always be switched back as desired.
It was handed down to you, and you want to make it a better fit for you. But how can you know if the new configuration will work for the one you plan to hand it down to?
It's hard not to give opinions - really most want to provide options that you may not have considered so later regrets can be avoided.

Todd

 

[Cptbwst]

I get what you're saying, it's just that as collectors/accumulators/enthusiasts it's hard for some to recommend this project when other options seem more reasonable and less permanent. Shortening the barrel might result in the rollmarks being off-center that you may not find appealing.
A non-lugged 4" barrel for the 617 can likely be found on Numrich or other used gunpart sites, and replacement would be pretty straightforward for most any gunsmith. The barrel can always be switched back as desired.
It was handed down to you, and you want to make it a better fit for you. But how can you know if the new configuration will work for the one you plan to hand it down to?
It's hard not to give opinions - really most want to provide options that you may not have considered so later regrets can be avoided.

Todd

I hear you but I have a opportunity to make this mine. I have carry guns I make mine and I have pieces I would never change for originality and history. Perhaps you have found a non lugged barrel but I can't. I also don't really care if my custom gun will work for whoever receives it. When I am gone it won't matter what they do with it. I am always on the lookout for the 4 inch barrel because I would just have it reprofiled if i want to go with the 4. Deep down I think I want the 4" but everything I find looks like junk.

 

[CALREB]

I just saw a photo of someone who had that mod done on a 617 looked nice, but dont know where the thread went. I was at the bottom of this page.

 

[Cptbwst]

I just saw a photo of someone who had that mod done on a 617 looked nice, but dont know where the thread went. I was at the bottom of this page.

I just found it too. I just sent a email out to the smith.

 

[skipcress]

I had a model 1917 barrel shortened to 4”, and John Taylor of Taylor Machine Co. did a great job, but I don’t know about removing the underlug:
[email protected]

Alternatively LT Arms does great work, and might take that on:
(720) 727-0400
[email protected]