s&w barrel question

I would say no because of a few factors. Cost, difficulty of doing the swap and lack of capable gunsmiths. The new 657s are what I am referencing. The S&W factory Performance Center is the only option and they migh not even be interested. Why spend the money to lose one inch? It would run to a great expense.
 
I was at the gunshop yesterday and they had a .44 smith that had the 5in barrel. They said it was a limited run piece. It was just small enough for me to carry, just the right size. A 6 inch barrel would be too big. But if it would be that expensive then I will just stick to my 10mm auto for now.
How about cutting it off and moving the front sight? I have the machines to do that myself.Crowning that thing could be tricky......
Thanks.
 
I dunno if the cost would be that much, providing the existing gun has a one piece barrel. It'd be expensive, I would think, but the first place to start would be asking S&W what they'd charge.

A 5" barrel, such as those found on the older M&P .38's and the Model 27 feel superbly balanced and "just right". I'm not sure what you'd end up with on a 657 with the full underlug, but it might be interesting to see if it, too, balances "just right".
 
I agree that a 5" balances well. I own a few. I am thinking that a inch lost from a 6" barrel would not be worth the expense of sight relocation, recrowning, refinishing and polishing. This is even more expensive with 2-piece factory S&W barrels. My own thought would be to search for a M21 or 44 M&P.
 
I agree with BillCA,
Maybe look for a stock 5" barrel like a model 27. I have one and it is excellent. 4" model 28s and 686s balance very well for me also. Good luck.
 
The factory no longer cut down barrels and the 657 never came with a 5" barrel so you can just about forget factory work. There are shops that will do the job for you, but you will have to decide if the expense of cutting one inch off the barrel (providing you get a 6 incher) is worth it to you.
 
found this

Does anybody know of a shop that might do the work? first I should find out what the work would cost me, then I can decide if it would be worth the expense. Thanks.



Looks like Bowen will do it for $325.00. Not cheap but probably a fair price.That does push the price of the gun up by quite a bit.
 
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What is the main thing you are after - a 5" barrel, or a .41Magnum???

S&W does make two 4" 41 Magnums:
- 47 Mountain Gun
- 357PD

And they also make at least two 5" .357Magnums:
- 686 Limited Edition (5" half lug 7-shot L Frame)
- 627 Performance Center (5" half lug 8 shot N Frame)

And a 5" .45ACP:
- 625 (also available as the 625JM)

I agree by the way, the 5" revolver balances the best :cool: However a 4" is not bad, and is probably better for carry - it also has far more holsters than a 5". The 6" is also not bad and probably better for range/hunting.
 
What is the main thing you are after - a 5" barrel, or a .41Magnum???
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It looks like he wants a 5 inch .41mag S&W M657 which there never was a factory version. Other models and calibers looks to be just recommendations from other people, but he specifically asked about a Model 657 with the full lug.
 
Magic: Yep, well, I was trying to help - after all, he is interested in this gun for a reason - that was my question. As other people noted, and I would agree, getting a revolver cut down is probably more expense than it is worth. So, I was trying to offer up what might be the closest factory built equivalent to what he is seeking. That would be both a faster and a significantly cheaper route. To identify what might be closest, I asked about the round versus the firearm form factor. Does it annoy you that I try to help by providing some other options? :confused:
 
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Thanks for the help guys. Yep, 5 in .41 mag is what I am looking for. I saw a 657 with a 7.5 in barrel sell on the internet for 400 dollars last night. Add on the 125 dollars for the barrel job and it would be 525 plus shipping. That would be a pretty fair price to get exactly what I want. I think I will persue this. If I don't like the way it carries, I should be able to sell it pretty close to what I have in it. IF I can find another one for a low price.
 
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