L or N frame barrel on K frame?

[Cpt. Obvious]

I'm sure this subject has, in one way or another, been beaten to death, but...

Is it simple, as in no serious work needed, to put a L or N frame barrel on a K frame? I understand, though, part of the forcing cone/rear of the barrel would have to be relieved somewhat to allow the cylinder/crane bits to fit. I have been milling over several ideas for my 19-6. Putting a 5 inch barrel on it, either one from a 27, or a cut down 586 barrel. I'm actually torn between having the barrel on it turned down to 3" and having a different front sight on it, or just putting a 5" barrel on it. I don't plan on doing the work myself, WECSOGing a few rifles has taught me that little k-frame has a LOT less wiggle room for error. Anyway, thoughts? Concerns? anyone else try it? put some pics up? Thanks y'all.

 

[OFT II]

More trouble than it's worth. Cylinder length is different between N and K frames. Threads are different diameter. Ejector rod of the K frame won't align with L or N frame barrel. It would be a major project.

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

that's pretty much what I figured/was afraid of... just add needless cost to the project.

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

So I guess now the question is, 3" from the 4" that's on it, or get a 6" barrel and get it cut down to 5"?

 

[Muley Gil]

"...or get a 6" barrel and get it cut down to 5"?"

This would be my choice.

 

[Hondo44]

I'm in the process of converting a 586 357 L frame to a 44 Spl 5 shot. Using an N frame barrel which required turning down the barrel shank, shortening it and rethreading it. Then I re-cut the forcing cone.
The last step is sectioning the ejector shroud horizontally to remove about .100" for it to align with the cylinder axis and silver solder it back in place.
Barrel as purchased:

Had to abandon the L frame 357 barrel; the shank would have been to thin after reboring. The cylinder was a drop in 5 shot from the 696 44 Spl.

 

[Hondo44]

I'm sure this subject has, in one way or another, been beaten to death, but...

Is it simple, as in no serious work needed, to put a L or N frame barrel on a K frame? I understand, though, part of the forcing cone/rear of the barrel would have to be relieved somewhat to allow the cylinder/crane bits to fit. I have been milling over several ideas for my 19-6. Putting a 5 inch barrel on it, either one from a 27, or a cut down 586 barrel. I'm actually torn between having the barrel on it turned down to 3" and having a different front sight on it, or just putting a 5" barrel on it. I don't plan on doing the work myself, WECSOGing a few rifles has taught me that little k-frame has a LOT less wiggle room for error. Anyway, thoughts? Concerns? anyone else try it? put some pics up? Thanks y'all.

I agree, using K frame barrels and cutting to desired length would be much simpler even considering re-attaching the original front sight. But I'm curious about why you are thinking about an L or N frame barrel.

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

That looks like a fun project, you're doing all the work on it yourself? I haven't the knowledge or the proper tools to do what I want.

Reason behind what I wanna do is to have something a bit different looking. I also like the underlug from the 586 type barrels. I like the look of the tapered barrels from N frames. 5" model 19 w/ a patridge front sight and a full underlug sounds like a fun gun to shoot! It's a 19-6, so it's no p&r collector piece, wouldn't mind changing it up to get something a little different than what is normally seen.

 

[Big Cholla]

I have a Model 66 no dash that had been rode hard and put away wet too much in a past life. I wanted to freshen it up a little. I pulled a "L" frame 2.5" barrel out of my parts drawer and thought why not? Well, after turning down the barrel threads, fitting the barrel to the frame to index properly, milling some clearance in the extractor slot of the barrel for the 66's ejector, installing a crane yoke ball bearing lock for front frame lockup, eliminating the 686 barrel ejector plunger and installing an Ashley 'Small' Trijicon night sight and doing an action job on the 66........I figured out 'why not'. It was too darn much work. I like the looks of the full lug barrel and I like the interchangeability of the front sight, but those two things were not worth the job.

It is breakfast time at my house; so after breakfast I will take a couple of pics of the M 66 with the "L" frame barrel and try to post them here. ....... Big Cholla

 

[Big Cholla]

OK, here are a few pics of the above mentioned Model 66 that now has a "L" frame barrel as installed by me: ............. Big Cholla

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

Thanks for sharing the pics, BC, I really wish I had the tools and know-how to do the project. I know it's a lot of trouble/work, but I find that to be part of the fun of projects. If I could find a smith who wanted to do the work and not charge as much as a 586 would cost, I'd get him to do the work. I'll probably just stick with finding a 6" k-frame barrel and getting it shortened to 5".

 

[Hondo44]

That looks like a fun project, you're doing all the work on it yourself? I haven't the knowledge or the proper tools to do what I want.

Reason behind what I wanna do is to have something a bit different looking. I also like the underlug from the 586 type barrels. I like the look of the tapered barrels from N frames. 5" model 19 w/ a patridge front sight and a full underlug sounds like a fun gun to shoot! It's a 19-6, so it's no p&r collector piece, wouldn't mind changing it up to get something a little different than what is normally seen.

In my post #6 above is an L frame tapered 357 shrouded barrel from the Mtn Gun that can still be ordered from S&W. It only comes in Stainless but George Roggar in Florida can blue it to match your gun. It's the only 357 tappered barrel ever made by Smith with a shroud. The only modification you'd need is to plug the front locking bolt hole and re-drill to align with your K frame ejector rod.

 

[Aussie D]

Gday,
I have a model 66 that will be mated to a 6 inch adjustable front sight model 686 barrel. Big cholla has done a good job, and like he has done I will be adding a "ball crane lock".

Why? Because I like the aspect ratio/dimensional look of the model 14-6, and there was never a stainless equivalent. I am also of the belief, that the lighter cylinder will allow me to tune the gun to be a smoother lighter trigger pull, due to the lighter cylinder mass.

Crazy? Who cares what others may think, but I will get the gun I want that was never produced.

For all those contemplating it I say go on, do it.

Cheers,

Aussie D

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

The idea of having a 5" full-lug barrel on a 19 sounds awesome to me, think it would handle well, and be fun to shoot. To be honest, I can't stand the red ramp. I know I can just paint it, or make an insert to replace it, or get it ground off and milled to except a different sight blade. Now maybe I'll end up just finding a regular k-frame 6" barrel and have it cut to 5", but if anyone has gotten the work done before, that is L barrel on a K frame, post some pics and describe what and who did the work. cheers

 

[Aussie D]

Here are pics of a Model 14-3 fitted with a 586 barrel.

Not my gun, do not know who did the work.







Cheers,

Aussie D

 

[tomcatt51]

Here are pics of a Model 14-3 fitted with a 586 barrel.

Does look alot like my 14-7. It's probably my favorite and the only one I have that's almost "too pretty to shoot".

 

[Hondo44]

Here are pics of a Model 14-3 fitted with a 586 barrel.

Not my gun, do not know who did the work.

Cheers,

Aussie D

Is the front locking bolt retained or was a ball detent used in the frame?

 

[Aussie D]

Is the front locking bolt retained or was a ball detent used in the frame?

Jim,
I have not seen the gun in person, as I was actually chasing a 14-6, but when I looked close, it didnt look exactly right. The missing front locking bolt on the barrel was a give away, so I am assuming a ball detent is in use.

Cheers,

Aussie D