Problems changing a barrel back

[Riverkilt]

I have a M&P Model 10 .38 special that was my service revolver back in the 60s. When I bought it in Oregon it had the required
6" barrel. When I went to a new department in N.C. they required 4" barrels so I had a gunsmith back there make the change. He gave me back the original 6" barrel.

About ten years ago I decided to have the 6" barrel reinstalled but the gunsmith I took it to said that was impossible because of the way the other gunsmith had installed the 4" barrel. I accepted that then....but it eats at me. I can't figure out what the first gunsmith could possibly have done to prevent reinstalling the original barrel.

Its still one of my favorite revolvers - best shooting. Think it would shoot even better with the original barrel.

I live in a remote rural town with no gunsmiths so would have to take it with me on a trip to the big city IF....the forum experts think the exchange could be made.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Gunsnwater]

Pictures. Could only guess without looking. Doesn't sound right. You could send it back S&W for the work.

 

[Riverkilt]

Not sure how/why to take a picture of the existing barrel threads....here's the assembled 4" with the old 6" barrel above.



Figured its easier to have a gunsmith look at it than to go through all the shipping hassles to S&W if they're gonna say the same thing...

 

[Gunsnwater]

The frame was not faced off instead of the barrel right? That would be stupid. What I'm guessing is he didn't feel competent to deal with the pinned barrel. It should be ok, but on occasion frames can crack. Nice grips. Gun is in nice shape for being on the job.

 

[Riverkilt]

Thanks, no clue on the face off stuff. As a kid cop it was just pull the trigger and the bullet makes a mess of whatever it hits. Was in two fire fights with this revolver and it didn't fail me. Just had the gunsmith change barrels and was happy to be compliant with department policy...

The grips are the ones out of the box. First thing the old pro LEOs had me do was install huge grips to "Impress" anyone I was dealing with in the field. That seemed to work but it did mean a two step operation to empty the cylinder. Fortunately never had to do that under stress - the fire fights were short lived.

 

[flintsghost]

Changing barrels on a pinned barrel revolver is fairly straight forward. However they can fit fairly tight and occasionally frames do crack. You might see if you can find a S&W certified armorer who was trained on revolvers at one of the larger departments in your state. If they have the creds and do revolver work on the side, they probably have what they need to do it right.

 

[Riverkilt]

Thanks, great idea...off to Google

 

[dfariswheel]

And you could just cut to the chase and send it in to S&W for THE expert opinion about changing it.
Unless something is really botched, S&W can do it easily.

 

[Riverkilt]

Agree, but live in a small town and Fed Ex is difficult to get to pick up. Sent one pistol out once and the expense and hassle was no fun....and expensive. Seems easier to me to carry it to a qualified gunsmith when I'm in the big city....and I'm guessing the turn around time would be faster face to face with an Arizona gunsmith than shipping it back east and waiting in line...and waiting and waiting and waiting.