Replace a barrel on a 686-5

[singlesix]

I'v got a 686-5 plus with a 4" barrel that unfortunately I had ported years ago which I now regret and want to replace it. There is a seller on this forum who is selling a four inch barrel but it is a -4. Will that make any difference and can I use it? Thank you ahead of time for any and all information.

 

[tflt]

I had a ported barrel removed from my 586 L comp. Sent it back to Smith, $300 bucks later, got it just the way I want it. Easy peazy!

 

[Malamute]

I also have a 4" 686 barrel for sale in the classifieds. I dont know which dash the gun was it came from, but it should work with your gun if it has a one piece barrel. I dont know if the one piece barrels can be used on a gun that came with a two piece barrel.

 

[rwsmith]

I agree......

I had a ported barrel removed from my 586 L comp. Sent it back to Smith, $300 bucks later, got it just the way I want it. Easy peazy!

Any time I can 'save money' it ends up back in my face. S&W gun, let S&W do it.

I can get parts from the junkyard on the same model/year car only find out, "Oh, they changed that in the middle of the production year."

 

[murphydog]

The -5 used the same barrel as the -4, so no problem there. A gunsmith with the proper fixtures and equipment can do it; I have used a big sporting goods chain store with a repair shop, and they have done this work for me for about $100 labor cost. Good luck in your search.

 

[petemacmahon]

Just curious - you really hate the porting so much your willing to pay 100s to replace it - please explain.

While I wouldn't pay to have one ported now, I did pick up a 657 that's magna-ported and I don't mind it one bit. Actually, truth be told, I like the ball detent lockup that the previous owner put on way more than the porting.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

IINM there is a difference between the standard -4 barrel and the -5. The -4 has an integral front sight. On the -5 the front sight is pinned.

 

[AzShooter]

IINM there is a difference between the standard -4 barrel and the -5. The -4 has an integral front sight. On the -5 the front sight is pinned.

That should not be a deal breaker. Both front sights are replaceable if need be.

 

[Malamute]

Ive swapped several without much drama using home made frame and barrel blocks. One was tighter than I cared to do with my pine blocks, so borrowed delrin frame blocks from someone I knew. I checked the barrel/cylinder gap and took time to be sure everything lined up well with the top of the barrel and top of the frame. So far none required any other work.

 

[tflt]

Just curious - you really hate the porting so much your willing to pay 100s to replace it - please explain.

While I wouldn't pay to have one ported now, I did pick up a 657 that's magna-ported and I don't mind it one bit. Actually, truth be told, I like the ball detent lockup that the previous owner put on way more than the porting.

I can't speak for the OP, but my L comp had a dead night sight, and a useless port that added half an inch to the barrel. By adding 1 inch to the barrel, I added an inch and a half of usable barrel, increasing velocities, accuracy and allowing me to have the amazing action of my L comp in a more usable revolver for me. The added inch in length carries the same as it did before, for me, and I carry it often. It's at Pinnacle having a second cylinder in 9MM fitted as I type this.

 

[singlesix]

To all that replied to my question...thank you very much. Getting ready to turn 75 in a couple of weeks I've decided to just shoot my ported 686 and enjoy it. Don't need the stress of trying to figure out what to do.