To cut or not to cut that is the question

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Well decision time for one of my 29-3's that I just sent to Ken Kelly @ Mag-Na-Port the pressure is on whether or not to cut the 10-5/8" barrel down to 8-3/8" or just behind the front silhouette sight. I'm having him drill and tap for a scope mount, recut the forcing cone so it shoots lead and put a crane ball in, the gun probably has less that 150 rounds down the barrel. Since this one won't be used for silhouette matches and the occasional hunt I'm debating on cutting it down and scoping it and no front sight installed for a clean look. Comments?

 

[series guy]

Not that many 10 5/8” guns out there. My feeling is either change the barrel or trade off the gun.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Not that many 10 5/8” guns out there. My feeling is either change the barrel or trade off the gun.

I have two of them I can't find a 8-3/8" barrel and both have family ties so they are not going anywhere.

 

[chief38]

The biggest barrels I have are 6". Never cared much for the real long ones. I suppose if needed or used for a specific purpose the 8 3/8" would make sense - but 10 5/8" is just too long for my liking.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

The biggest barrels I have are 6". Never cared much for the real long ones. I suppose if needed or used for a specific purpose the 8 3/8" would make sense - but 10 5/8" is just too long for my liking.

This one will be for hunting.

 

[stansdds]

I think the 10 5/8" barrel was really more for steel silhouette match shooting than anything else and that is a pretty small portion of the revolver shooting market. Not that many 10 5/8" barreled revolvers out there, I would not cut one, but I suggest either replace the barrel or sell/trade it for what you really want.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I think the 10 5/8" barrel was really more for steel silhouette match shooting than anything else and that is a pretty small portion of the revolver shooting market. Not that many 10 5/8" barreled revolvers out there, I would not cut one, but I suggest either replace the barrel or sell/trade it for what you really want.

I have two, the one will be used for silhouette at our matches here in Arizona but want a shorter barrel for future hunting. I'd love to find a factory 8-3/8" but have been unsuccessful in finding one.

 

[-BTM-]

Check EBay, there are several listed. There are barrels like yours going for $500. Please don’t cut it.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I have two, the one will be used for silhouette at our matches here in Arizona but want a shorter barrel for future hunting. I'd love to find a factory 8-3/8" but have been unsuccessful in finding one.

Gun Broker.

For hunting 6 inch is better. My 8 3/8 inch was a Range Gun and for testing my reloads.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Check EBay, there are several listed. There are barrels like yours going for $500. Please don’t cut it.

I believe that's a stainless ?

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Well I made a decision the gun is with Ken Kelly and he's cutting it down to 8-3/8" and no front sight, drilling and tapping the frame recutting the forcing cone and installing a crane detent. My other 10-5/8" came in yesterday have to pick up today and check all the specs it only has about 50 rounds thru it so it's cherry.

 

[65Whelen]

Modifications sound interesting, would like to see pics of the final product.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Modifications sound interesting, would like to see pics of the final product.

Yep as soon as I get it back I'll post pics. When I pick up the other one hopefully today I'll post some pics.

 

[cgt4570]

Here's my setup. It's a clamp on scope mount that also utilizes the sideplate screw holes. It also allows the use of the iron sights. That's a variable Leupold on it. I swapped to a non-fluted cylinder, and aftermarket cylinder release. I have the box and original grips put away.

I also have a 6" 586 Silhouette. They're even more scarce than the 29.

(That's my tiny M frame 6" Ladysmith .22 Target beside it. My biggest and smallest Smiths).

 

[jem102]

IMHO:
1. Don't know what an 8⅜ will kill that a 6 won't so find a six and have the barrel on hand that will match up should you have it lettered.
2. If you are going to have it cut can it not be set up with some type of base that could just have a blank installed till a front sight is needed? I mean the rear mechanical sight is in place correct? To "me" that would appear strange.

But I understand dialing a gun in for "your" needs and likes and from what I hear they do top notch work...

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

IMHO:
1. Don't know what an 8⅜ will kill that a 6 won't so find a six and have the barrel on hand that will match up should you have it lettered.
2. If you are going to have it cut can it not be set up with some type of base that could just have a blank installed till a front sight is needed? I mean the rear mechanical sight is in place correct? To "me" that would appear strange.

But I understand dialing a gun in for "your" needs and likes and from what I hear they do top notch work...

I like the weight and balance of a longer barrel. It’s going to have a leupold 4x scope no front base. We are still trying to decide on the base.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Here's my setup. It's a clamp on scope mount that also utilizes the sideplate screw holes. It also allows the use of the iron sights. That's a variable Leupold on it. I swapped to a non-fluted cylinder, and aftermarket cylinder release. I have the box and original grips put away.

I also have a 6" 586 Silhouette. They're even more scarce than the 29.

(That's my tiny M frame 6" Ladysmith .22 Target beside it. My biggest and smallest Smiths).
View attachment 760600

I love non fluted cylinders I would definitely consider replacing mine !

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

Picked up number Two today it took some time but finally got it today. Will set this one up for silhouette and WILL NOT CUT the BARREL. !

 

[Bullseye Smith]

I would get a 6 inch Stainless Steel Barrel and a Stainless Cylinder to put on it and save the others were you can put it back the way it was born. Then you will have something no one less has or had built.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I would get a 6 inch Stainless Steel Barrel and a Stainless Cylinder to put on it and save the others were you can put it back the way it was born. Then you will have something no one less has or had built.

Thanks for the input but the one is getting cut to 8-3/8" should be perfect for hunting also having some accuracy upgrades done along with scope base.
This one is staying full length 10-5/8" but will have some upgrades done on it. I already did an action job and replaced the cylinder latch with an over sized power custom piece I was able to get a couple extra thou of slop out of the cylinder.
I would love to have a unfluted SS cylinder for it though.