shorten barrel, or new barrel?

[VingThorr]

I have a S&W M29 with an 8 inch barrel that I'd actually like to carry. I'd like to get that barrel down to 4 or 5 inches. I'd like to hear your opinions on which would be cheaper/better? Have a gunsmith shorten the barrel, or just order another barrel from S&W? I have zero gunsmithing skills/equipment. How easy is it to swap a barrel? Couple of bucks to a gunsmith? Not quite so easy as swapping barrels on my mossberg 500, eh?

 

[rcmodel]

I would suggest you trade it for another 29 with the barrel length you want.

To shorten the barrel properly will require making a new sight ramp, refinishing, and lots of other stuff that won't likely look right.

Then when you get done, the writing on the barrel will be off-center and look nasty.

Re-barreling is a job for a good revolversmith, which are few in number, very expensive, and backed up about three years on work.

rcmodel

 

[VingThorr]

10-4 thanks, good to know. the gun is an heirloom of sorts, so i can't trade it in. What do you do with that much gun?

 

[Jim Watson]

Smith & Wesson might not sell you a barrel, they used to not release magnum parts.

If you found one on the market, it would be about $150. Cost about $100 to have it installed.

SDM will saw off your barrel and install a front sight better than factory for $200. Depending on the final length, it will leave the markings off center or even cut into them.
http://www.sdmfabricating.com/

 

[BBBBill]

Some smiths advertise removal of barrel markings as a service. Particularly for the "billboard" on Rugers. I don't know exactly how they do that, but the ones I've seen looked good. Probably involves swaging the metal pushed up by the roll marking process back into the impression made by the roll marking die, then careful polishing. I've also seen barrels that were slightly slab sided to effect the same thing. That was attractive too, if done with care. Either might be a possible solution to your dilema.

 

[rcmodel]

What do you do with that much gun?

Handgun hunters love them for the increase in power & longer sight radius accuracy.

Hard to beat for long range hunting.

Or just busting rocks at 300 yards!

The only way I know of to carry them semi-comfortably is in a shoulder holster designed for the big hunting handguns.

Still, rather then cutting it off, I'd vote to take the money it would cost you, and put it towards another more suitable carry gun.

rcmodel

 

[Bubba613]

I learned that it is always cheaper to buy the gun you want than to alter the gun you don't.
Don't ask me how I know.

 

[krs]

Brownell's carries S&W .44 mag barrels, both blued and stainless, and seems to have a 4" in stock...http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=15383&title=BARREL, 4

There would be a fitting procedure needed even if a new barrel for the exact model revolver is available.

The stainless steel barrels used on S&W magnum pistols are very hard steel. It needs a least carbide bandsaw blades and lathe bits to work, and most hacksaw blades would probably just slide around without getting a bite.