My 5" 629 idea

[carebear]

The bevy of guns I was looking at a bit ago are now off the list. Couldn't get the scratch together. So I had bright idea 2.

I have a gun on consignment I don't need. Rather than wait for it to sell, and since I now have a Smith .44 on the brain for a "field gun", I was thinking I could trade it to my consigning dealer.

He's got a 6" 629 in the case and can get me a 4" Mountain Gun or a Magna Classic 5". Here's the dilemma.

I was in WWG the other day and saw that Smith makes a standard profile 4" barrel model. I liked the shape but I really think 5" is the "proper" proportion for the N-frame (just like 3" is for the K). Unfortunately the only 5" Smith makes is the Classic, with that full, heavy underlug.

Here's the idea, what kind of effort goes into cutting a 6" down to a 5" and replacing the sight? That would give me the proportion I want with a shade less weight upfront (and better underlug profile).

There are some great smiths up here, I'm sure there's one who can do the work. What kind of time and money am I looking at.

Also, what's the Classic reasoning? Why the full underlug? I never really thought about it before.

 

[Gator]

I think the real reason for the full underlug is simply to save a step ($$$) in the manufacturing process. The lug can be machined down to match the standard barrel profile....just another option. I have even seen one done by hand with a Dremel and files. It looked great, but I'm too chicken to try it on mine. I'm getting ready to send a 629 off to get the barrel shortened to 5"; I agree, a 5" barrel looks just right on an N-Frame.

 

[ugaarguy]

Do a search here for "Smythons." Folks thought the Colt Pythons and Anacondas, with their full lugged bbls, looked cool. S&W did not offer such a feature, and many an N Frame Smith was fitted with a Colt bbl until S&W made the switch. I agreee with Gator, your most economical option is to get the lug machined to where you want it on the factory 5" bbl. Getting another bbl shortened will require lots of work (read - expense) to be done properly.

Edited to correct spelling.

 

[gringolet]

magnaport

take a look at the maganport web site...they make a fine series of custom
revolvers from the N series...and could probably help you or make you exactly what you are hoping for...

 

[carebear]

Thanks for the history guys. That helps.

I can't believe it's a cost issue, the lug on the standard 4" is the same exact lug as on the 6, 6.5 and 8. If they can make a 4 and a 6 they can make a 5.

The Smython example does make sense, stupid marketing.

Gator, what kind of dinero ($) are you looking at? It seems a lot easier (and neater) to cut a barrel off square and tap it for sights then it does to grind all that extra lug off.

Were I a semi-competant metal worker I'd think I could do the job myself.

I am frequently wrong.

 

[Gator]

Clement's Custom Guns charges $185 to shorten a barrel and reinstall the front sight. Any refinishing, if needed, would be extra.

 

[carebear]

That sounds doable.

How much to stretch a 4"?

 

[GrandmasterB]

SDM Fabricating can do a barrel shorten. Here's a glimpse at the process:

http://www.sdmfabricating.com/4_conversion.html

 

[carebear]

Got the 6". The more I handle it the more I like it, swings up very smoothly and with the weight out there the front sight hangs dead steady.

The range awaits this weekend to check the group and ring the gong at 100.

 

[BluesBear]

Carebear, a few years ago there was a thread where a THR member (Rangie) posted pics of his S&W 610 where he had removed the underlug with a belt sander.

The pics no longer show up in the thread but I saved them because he had done such a nice job.

 

[carebear]

Thanks Blues, that's good work. Someday I'll have myself a shop and commence to ruining my guns. I'm always impressed what a little mechanical aptitude and patience can do. I wish I had more of the latter.

I think I'll just have a smith chop mine after I play with it awhile.

 

[Stainz]

I love my 6" h-l 629, bought new just over a year ago. I immediately put the .500 Magnum Hogue grips I had bought to test on my 629MG on the 6"-er - wow! They feel great, hard as that is a bit difficult for me to admit as even my 629MG sported wood, and those new Hogue's really help dissipate the harshness of the recoil. I replaced my 629MG with a standard 4" 629, identical to that 6" except for the 2" shorter barrel, earlier this year. It, too, sports those Hogue .500 Magnum grips - $35 from S&W Accessories.

Do I think a 5" h-l would be a good compromise for the 4" & 6" h-l 629's? No! I'd rather have the 6" and add the 4" when I could - they are so similar, yet, to me, different. Besides, customized firearms often don't command the same price as stock, much less more that would compensate you for your 'smithing charges. I'd rather have 'more' guns!

Stainz

 

[carebear]

Get Thee behind me Stainz!