S&W Model 10 barrel change

4sight · June 7, 2006, 12:17 PM

I have a older Model 10 w/a 4" heavy barrel. I would like to change the barrel out for a 2". Any thoughts on doing the job myself? Is this strictly a job for the professional?
I have a line on a used correct 2" barrel for the K frame (Model 10) but just don't know what the job entails.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

Dfariswheel · June 7, 2006, 02:16 PM

As general interest, here's the answer from the same post on another forum:

Barrel changes are FAR more complicated than you'd think.
It requires a fair amount of expensive equipment, and the knowledge of exactly what needs to be done and how to do it.

I strongly recommend leaving barrel work to a qualified gunsmith, with the warning that not all gunsmiths know how to do it right AND have the specialized tooling either.

A guaranteed way to ruin a revolver is to do the old shade tree gunsmith trick of putting the barrel in some wood blocks and using a hammer handle to twist the frame off.

At a minimum, to do a revolver barrel change you need:
Aluminum barrel blocks.
Barrel vise.
A frame wrench with the special hard plastic inserts to fit THAT specific frame.
A lathe to cut the barrel shoulder.
A special cutting tool that works down the bore to cut the barrel/cylinder gap.
A tool to re-cut and lap the forcing cone.
A special plug gage to gage the forcing cone.

4sight · June 7, 2006, 03:08 PM

Thanks!
I must admit, I did think it would be a simpler task!
It sounds like a little too much work/expense for this gun.

I appreciate the help.

hayes1966 · June 19, 2006, 02:57 PM

Are you willing to sell that 2" barrel? Please email me if you are. Thanks
John
[email protected]

ribbonstone · June 19, 2006, 04:31 PM

Will also need the ejector rod and internal assembly for the 2" barrel...the 4" version is too long.

June 7, 2006, 12:17 PM	#1
4sight Junior Member Join Date: June 7, 2006 Posts: 2	S&W Model 10 barrel change I have a older Model 10 w/a 4" heavy barrel. I would like to change the barrel out for a 2". Any thoughts on doing the job myself? Is this strictly a job for the professional? I have a line on a used correct 2" barrel for the K frame (Model 10) but just don't know what the job entails. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

June 7, 2006, 02:16 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	As general interest, here's the answer from the same post on another forum: Barrel changes are FAR more complicated than you'd think. It requires a fair amount of expensive equipment, and the knowledge of exactly what needs to be done and how to do it. I strongly recommend leaving barrel work to a qualified gunsmith, with the warning that not all gunsmiths know how to do it right AND have the specialized tooling either. A guaranteed way to ruin a revolver is to do the old shade tree gunsmith trick of putting the barrel in some wood blocks and using a hammer handle to twist the frame off. At a minimum, to do a revolver barrel change you need: Aluminum barrel blocks. Barrel vise. A frame wrench with the special hard plastic inserts to fit THAT specific frame. A lathe to cut the barrel shoulder. A special cutting tool that works down the bore to cut the barrel/cylinder gap. A tool to re-cut and lap the forcing cone. A special plug gage to gage the forcing cone.

June 7, 2006, 03:08 PM	#3
4sight Junior Member Join Date: June 7, 2006 Posts: 2	Thanks! I must admit, I did think it would be a simpler task! It sounds like a little too much work/expense for this gun. I appreciate the help.

June 19, 2006, 02:57 PM	#4
hayes1966 Member Join Date: June 19, 2006 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 29	Are you willing to sell that 2" barrel? Please email me if you are. Thanks John [email protected]

June 19, 2006, 04:31 PM	#5
ribbonstone Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2006 Posts: 179	Will also need the ejector rod and internal assembly for the 2" barrel...the 4" version is too long.