How hard is it to change barrels on a revolver? I have a S&W 686,6in.that I bought used several years ago. It has no sights, just a Weaver type rail to which I have mounted a scope and now have a dot site. The barrel has been ported with 6 approx. 1/8in. holes, all on the top side. I plugged 3 of the holes by tapping and installing Ssteel screws because it fogged my optics with muzzle flash/gas. It has had an action/trigger job and has sweet SA trigger pull at a little over 2lbs. I want to install a barrel with a front sight and just go back to regular adjustable sights. Can I just get a new barrel and install it myself with a bench vise and a pipe wrench, or is it beyond the skills of an ametuer? It is very accurate in its present condition, but I am trying to get back to basics. Should I just keep it the way it is and sell/trade for what I want?
New barrel for Smith 686
- Thread starter rlgarman
- Start date
George Stringer
Staff Alumnus
I'd recommend you have a smith rebarrel your pistol or send it to S&W to do it. It needs to be indexed correctly and maintain the correct flash gap. This usually requires a little lathe work. I have 2 Smiths in the shop right now for rebarreling and another coming Friday. George
Previous replies are correct, changing the barrel on a S&W revolver should be done by a qualified gunsmith, but more then that, those which have barrels that are not pinned should be sent to the factory because of the way the frame and barrel are threaded together. Having the barrel changed at the factory might cost more, but they are best set up to do the work.
Last but not least, you could do as Stans suggested and sell the revolver/scope combination to someone who wants that kind of set-up and use the proceeds to buy another one more you'd like better.
Last but not least, you could do as Stans suggested and sell the revolver/scope combination to someone who wants that kind of set-up and use the proceeds to buy another one more you'd like better.
