Re-barreling a PC 625-10 2"

[mjbehan]

I have the opportunity to buy a PC 625-10 2", and also a replacement 3" barrel for it. I'd plan to use this for a CCW piece.

A 3" barrel would make this weapon harder to conceal, but I've read many comments in these forums stating that a 3" 625 is quite desirable, and hard to come by.

I've had experience with 6"+ barrel revolvers, but not snub-noses. Also, I would take this to a gunsmith to have the barrels swapped.

So, what do you guys think? Is it generally a bad idea to re-barrel a revolver, or is it NBD? Am I crazy for wanting to alter my revolver this way? Please weigh in.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Torakan]

I have a 3" 625-3 and love it. However, Its not much smaller than my 4" Mountain Revolver and I have firearms better suited to concealed carry than my 625. I also have several PC guns and would never change their factory configuration.

 

[gdogs]

I can't imagine it being cost efficient to convert a 625-10 to a 3" barrel. Surely it is cheaper to buy a 625 with a 3" barrel already. The -10's that I've seen are bringing a premium. If it is the scandium frame you want, why not just look for a 325. That too should cost less than a 625-10. Not to mention that there are a number of characteristics of the -10, namely a ball detent in the crane and short ejector rod that will increase the difficulty of such a rebarrel. The 3" barrel will likely be set up for an adjustable rear sight as well, and will not work with the fixed rear of the -10. Buy the -10 if you can get it at a good price (IMHO less than $850), but I wouldn't dream of converting it for an extra inch of barrel.

 

[peyton]

Welcome to the forum. I would say to leave the 625-10 barrel alone if you buy it. It is drawing a premium price now. There are other choices for CCW, plus by changing the 625-10 will drop it's value!!

 

[s&wchad]

They're not compatible, don't waste your time (or money). The 625-10 was a limited run Performance Center gun with a ball detent front lock-up that engages the back of the ejector rod shroud and the frame had a unique "V" groove rear sight that was very low in the frame. The 3" 625 barrel is designed for an adjustable rear sight that's MUCH higher than the "V" groove and it lacks the detent notch. Additionally, the rib on the 3" barrel probably won't match up with the contour of the frame.

I went through a similar exercise with S&W when the frame on my 625-10 cracked. They didn't have any replacement frames in inventory and I was willing to accept a heavier hybrid gun, so they tried installing my barrel on a stainless conventional fixed sight frame. They couldn't get it to shoot even close to POA, so they finally gave up and offered me any PC gun as a replacement.

 

[haggis]

Even if everything else is OK, you have to install the new barrel on a Scandium frame. One more opportunity to crack the frame with an over-torqued barrel.

The 625-10, when used as designed, is a great concealed carry weapon. It's light, accurate, and has manageable recoil with .45ACP+P. I've used in on IDPA stages at 25 yards and had no problem with practical accuracy. It is very fast at close range.

Buck

 

[mjbehan]

Thanks a lot for the wisdom, guys!

 

[gdogs]

No problem, the free sharing of information is one of the things that makes this site so great. One other thing regarding a 625-10 rebarrel that would be of concern is that it had a shorter cylinder than the standard 45 acp 625. A normal 625 barrel would have excessive cylinder gap on a 625-10. You might want to take a look at the the two threads below. cgt4570's conversion has inspired me to finish a very similar project pistol that I've slowly been acquiring parts for. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...el-link-range-report-added.html#post136107841 & http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...625-10-update-range-report.html#post136123131