S&W Model 13-3 3" barrel

[G.Anderson]

Hi there, new forum member here...have visited the site a few times and decided to join. Looks to be a very informative group and that is the reason for my first post. I have acquired a Model 13-3 with the 3" bbl...at some point in time, someone has done some "barrel work" to this revolver and I would like to see about maybe getting another 3"bbl installed to get it back to original.
I have contacted S&W as well as Guns and Gun Parts and it appears that a 3" barrel is hard to come by. I guess my question is, does anyone have a line on where else to try to find a barrel and who/where would you send it to get the work done right? Thanks and hopefully someone can direct me in this endeavor.

Gene

 

[Justamessenger]

Without pictures, I don't see how people can help you. Why would you assume a rebarreled gun would have come with the same size barrel? Barrels are very sturdy parts, so typical changes shorten, not replace.

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

A 3" Model 13 barrel will take some work to find.

One of your first stops should be a WTB ad right here on this Forum. You might get lucky

Keep your eye on GunBroker and eBay. Both are great places to find unusual things

Aside from that, check each of the Parts Houses and see what they have

As to changing the barrel, there are many gunsmiths that can do that for you

Go into your USER Control Panel and fill out all the information, especially your location. Odds are one or more of our members live near you and might be able to recommend some local sources to you

 

[G.Anderson]

Without pictures, I don't see how people can help you. Why would you assume a rebarreled gun would have come with the same size barrel? Barrels are very sturdy parts, so typical changes shorten, not replace.

Thanks for the response Justamessenger...sorry my post wasn't very clear. First off, I wasn't trying to solve any "mystery" about this revolver...I am just trying to find a 3" barrel for it. This revolver is a factory 13-3 3" barrel revolver as verified by serial number. The current 3" bbl on it has had some version of a "home" style porting done to it...that was my reference to having "barrel work" done to it...(not that it had been re-barreled)...in an attempt to possibly get the burrs out on the inside of the barrel where they cut the porting slots, it appears that something was run into the barrel to clean it up.
So it is factory as it sets now but has a cobbled up porting job...all I am asking is if anyone has a line on another factory 3" bbl...and then a gunsmith to install it. Hope this clears up the mystery. Thanks

Gene

 

[G.Anderson]

Welcome to the Forum

A 3" Model 13 barrel will take some work to find.

One of your first stops should be a WTB ad right here on this Forum. You might get lucky

Keep your eye on GunBroker and eBay. Both are great places to find unusual things

Aside from that, check each of the Parts Houses and see what they have

As to changing the barrel, there are many gunsmiths that can do that for you

Go into your USER Control Panel and fill out all the information, especially your location. Odds are one or more of our members
live near you and might be able to recommend some local sources to you

Thanks colt saa...yes, the 3" bbl for the 13 is scarce as hens teeth. I will do the ad for a WTB and see what comes up. Thanks for the response.

Gene

 

[Zarr]

Welcome from Western Massachusetts. I hope you find one soon, the 3" 13-3 is one of my favorite range guns.

 

[Jack Flash]

Welcome to the Forum!

Being the type who often just "makes do with what I have", I would first ask
"How bad is it? / Is it shootable as is?"

Of course, if it looks like it might be dangerous to shoot, don't shoot it! If you don't know, seek out a competent gunsmith.

I hate a cobbled up mess. You might come out ahead if you just sell it for whatever you can get and buy one that hasn't been messed with.

Edited to add:
You might have a lot more luck finding a 3" Model 10 barrel, ie, off a K-Frame .38 Special. Or find a 4" barrel and have it cut down. I don't see why using a M10 barrel on an M13 would be a problem.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Welcome to the forum. And please put you location.

 

[G.Anderson]

Welcome to the Forum!

Being the type who often just "makes do with what I have", I would first ask
"How bad is it? / Is it shootable as is?"

Of course, if it looks like it might be dangerous to shoot, don't shoot it! If you don't know, seek out a competent gunsmith.

I hate a cobbled up mess. You might come out ahead if you just sell it for whatever you can get and buy one that hasn't been messed with.

Edited to add:
You might have a lot more luck finding a 3" Model 10 barrel, ie, off a K-Frame .38 Special. Or find a 4" barrel and have it cut down. I don't see why using a M10 barrel on an M13 would be a problem.

I have shot it and it doesn't appear to suffer any ill effects from the "work" that was done to it, so I can keep it as is...just thought it would be nice to get it back to "factory" if at all possible. I wondered about a Model 10 barrel...wasn't sure about compatability, but it is an option as well as having a 4" cut down. I really like the 3" on this style revolver...it just seems to look like a revolver should. I will do some searching...if something comes along I can go from there...if not, I will keep it as is. Thanks

Gene

 

[G.Anderson]

Welcome to the forum. And please put you location.

Done...and thanks

Gene

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Done...and thanks

Gene

And thank you.

 

[Muley Gil]

If you use a .38 special barrel, it will have to be shortened at the rear, due to the M13 .357 cylinder being longer than a .38 special cylinder.