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Cptbwst
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- Dec 1, 2008
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Wow! Thank you.
Gunsmith for barrel cut and profile change
- Thread starter Cptbwst
- Start date
Mark Hartshorne did the work on this 681. Cut to 3", fit an 7 shot cylinder, but I understand he is retired for good now.
Engine49guy
Member
Im with you that the full underlug fad has run its course and a 617 with a Model 66 barrel profile would be neat considering its never been offered.
(Closest was the 617 Ashland but no ejector rod shroud and very pricey collector gun)
As to your project if you consider that the gunsmithing could cost near $400+ dollars purchasing a new mountain gun starts to make sense, alternately an older Model 18.
Out of curiosity I just called SW customer service to inquire if they had any 617 Mountain gun barrel over runs to install or sell to the public and the girl said a flat no.
Good luck with your project and be sure to post pics.
On a side note,
My friend purchased a 617 where a gunsmith used a Model 66 barrel as a donor then turned a 22 barrel blank to the .357 bore leaving it proud at the rear to fill the gap ( K frame 357 cylinders are longer than non magnum ones so the forcing cone is shorter in the frame) the end result was excellent.
I will see if my friend still jas it and if so post some pics.
Another tidbit,
Iirc a member here "Nedro" or maybe "Steelslayer" has done such conversions with excellent results, if you search his posts from years ago you might find the pictures.
(Closest was the 617 Ashland but no ejector rod shroud and very pricey collector gun)
As to your project if you consider that the gunsmithing could cost near $400+ dollars purchasing a new mountain gun starts to make sense, alternately an older Model 18.
Out of curiosity I just called SW customer service to inquire if they had any 617 Mountain gun barrel over runs to install or sell to the public and the girl said a flat no.
Good luck with your project and be sure to post pics.
On a side note,
My friend purchased a 617 where a gunsmith used a Model 66 barrel as a donor then turned a 22 barrel blank to the .357 bore leaving it proud at the rear to fill the gap ( K frame 357 cylinders are longer than non magnum ones so the forcing cone is shorter in the frame) the end result was excellent.
I will see if my friend still jas it and if so post some pics.
Another tidbit,
Iirc a member here "Nedro" or maybe "Steelslayer" has done such conversions with excellent results, if you search his posts from years ago you might find the pictures.
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Engine49guy
Member
My friend just texted me two quick pictures of his converted 617, I believe it is a no dash and has a grip frame thats been round butted, the barrel began life as a Model 66 in .357 and has had the caliber rollstamp removed from the right side and a barrel insert in 22lr.
The gunsmith was Jim Stroh Of Alpha precision in Georgia
My friend also recommended you could try contacting Tyler gun works in Tx as they had done a similar project for him on a 625.
Heres a link
www.tylergunworks.com
The gunsmith was Jim Stroh Of Alpha precision in Georgia
My friend also recommended you could try contacting Tyler gun works in Tx as they had done a similar project for him on a 625.
Heres a link
Metal Finishing & Firearm Sales | Tyler Gun Works | US
Get expert metal finishing like color case, bluing & engraving at Tyler Gun Works. Shop new & used firearms with free shipping on most items.
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There are a couple of 4" barrels on ebay. I'd start with that. Most of the smiths I have worked with over the years would rather fit/time the barrel than do the machining to make the front sight look right again. Bonus - you save the original barrel.
I took off an underlug with a file once. Actually, more than a couple of files. And a lot of time.
I took off an underlug with a file once. Actually, more than a couple of files. And a lot of time.
racer19j
Member
Last time I looked Midway had new 4" barrels in stock. The new ones are a little long so you can fit the cylinder gap as close as you want. I think that may be better than getting the original barrel cut down.
Exchipy
Member
Why not just do it yourself? Nothing magical about the process. You can perform the task with a good mill file. But, a bench grinder makes the initial work go faster, though it's very easy to over do it, and quickly too (slow and careful is essential). Delicate use of the file after roughly shaping with the grinder, followed by abrasive cloth and steel brushing, completes the project:
I picked up a 629 in Tucson that had the profile changed, as I bought it this way I don't know who did the work. Really nice job though, beautifully done. Being as it was Tucson, two high profile smiths in Phoenix, Nelson Ford and Frank Glenn maybe? I just had Nelson Ford fit a cylinder for me, really nice guy and he did a great job.
Marksman
Member
Before he retired I had Jim Stroh of Alpha Precision shorten several barrels for me. Now I don't know who to recommend, like others have told you the work you're looking to do will be costly. The most cost effective way to get what you want would be to swap barrels, I have done this several times, you can do it yourself with the proper tools.
