Posted: 12/27/2010 2:05:16 AM EDT
| I am contemplating changing barrels on a really claen Model 64 with a 4 inch barrel I just picked up. I want to go to a 3" for easier carry. The work will be done by a gunsmith but anything I should look out for?? |
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You have to be suspicious of gunsmiths on barrel work.
Many will tell you they have all the correct tools, but don't, and as above do the old hammer handle trick and ruin the frame. Others simply don't understand revolver barrel work and don't even know the forcing cone at the barrel rear has to be re-cut and gaged with a special plug gage. Some will either not re-work the cone or will try to eyeball it, which you can't. My advice: Send it in to S&W and let them do it right. It'll cost you more for shipping, but the job will be done by THE experts with all the correct factory tooling. When it comes back, it be right and you won't be wondering why the gun won't shoot well any more. |
| I'd just buy a 3" 64. I bought one for $235, and there were several out at the time, trade-ins. Maybe I got lucky and bought one before they were gone. I would trust a gunsmith to trim a 4" down to 3" easier than replace the barrel and get it right. The problem with that is the rollmark will be off, though I've thought of getting it done to my 4" 65 round butt. If I were to have a S&W rebarrelled, I'd have S&W do it. |
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Quoted:
I'd just buy a 3" 64. I bought one for $235, and there were several out at the time, trade-ins. Maybe I got lucky and bought one before they were gone. I would trust a gunsmith to trim a 4" down to 3" easier than replace the barrel and get it right. The problem with that is the rollmark will be off, though I've thought of getting it done to my 4" 65 round butt. If I were to have a S&W rebarrelled, I'd have S&W do it. You were lucky. Police trade in revolvers have just about dried up. A nice used 64 will run 300 to 350 in these parts, and you will look long and hard to find a three inch. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I'd just buy a 3" 64. I bought one for $235, and there were several out at the time, trade-ins. Maybe I got lucky and bought one before they were gone. I would trust a gunsmith to trim a 4" down to 3" easier than replace the barrel and get it right. The problem with that is the rollmark will be off, though I've thought of getting it done to my 4" 65 round butt. If I were to have a S&W rebarrelled, I'd have S&W do it. You were lucky. Police trade in revolvers have just about dried up. A nice used 64 will run 300 to 350 in these parts, and you will look long and hard to find a three inch. Yeah, I haven't even seen a 3" 65 in some time. That's why I've been considering chopping my 4" round butt. Pretty straight forward, and with the round butt the barrel is all I have to deal with. Still, I'm going to hold out for a while to see if I can smoke out a deal on one. |