Barrel shortening

[Mushinto]

OK, so here's the deal.

I've wanted to buy another Vaquero ever since I sold my cowboy guns in a fit of needing the money.

Since I don't take any caliber seriously that is under .40 and I have a million other guns in .45 ACP, I figured a convertible .45 would be the ticket. Looking around, I found that the only convertible available was a 5 1/2" stainless. I finally found one at a good price and bought it.

Now I wanted a 4 1/2" but figured that it would be cheaper to have a barrel cut than it would be to have a conversion cylinder made.

So, I joined the Ruger forum and am finally getting to my question.

Does anyone know who I can get to cut the bbl and remount the front sight?

Thanks.

 

[CraigC]

It should indeed be less expensive to shorten the convertible. Just about any decent gunsmith can do such work. I have used both Clements and Stroh and both are excellent. I would, however, suggest that if you're doing this project, to consider a dovetail front sight for a better sight picture.

 

[Rainman]

John Gallagher http://www.gallagherfirearms.com just made a 4 5/8" 41 mag Bisley for me out of a 6.5" Blackhawk. He turned the barrel to remove the billboard which won't be centered once you cut the barrel. It's a pretty easy job and John is a nice guy to do business with.

JMHO,

Dan

 

[EDK]

Take a look at the replacement front sight from POWER CUSTOM aka GRANDMASTER...they make a .125 wide and higher front sight...might as well get better sights since it will cost you the same to install the factory sight. It might be cheaper to ship it back to RUGER for a new barrel in the length you want.

As long as you're cutting the barrel, why not go to the 3 7/8 (?) length of the limited edition sheriffs' models.

 

[Mushinto]

... I would, however, suggest that if you're doing this project, to consider a dovetail front sight for a better sight picture.

Good idea.

... He turned the barrel to remove the billboard which won't be centered once you cut the barrel. ...

That is a great idea.

... It might be cheaper to ship it back to RUGER for a new barrel in the length you want.

As long as you're cutting the barrel, why not go to the 3 7/8 (?) length of the limited edition sheriffs' models.

I was under the impression that Ruger did not do custom work.

As for the 3 7/8" bbl, I have been thinking about that, but then I would want birdshead grips and then probably more. I didn't know that SA revolvers could be like 1911s once you start changing stuff.

Thanks for all your responses.

 

[Mushinto]

Of course, what does tick me off is that I just looked on Ruger's site to see that they are now making a convertible .45 for Davidsons with a 4.62" bbl!

 

[REP1954]

In the long run you will be happier if you do as Craig C suggested and go for the dovetail front sight. I have a Colt SAA with both cylinders and had Colt shorten it to 3 1/2" with a drift adjustable front sight and it's a great gun. I shoot more 45ACP through it than 45 Colt.

 

[caryc]

Having had Ruger shorten a barrel for me, I can tell you it is much cheaper to have a local smith do it.

In the first place, Ruger will not cut a barrel. You have to buy a new barrel and then pay the price to have it installed. Of course they will return your old barrel. Since your gun is stainless, you won't have to pay for bluing but you still have the shipping charges there and back. You also have Rugers wait time, usually 5 weeks, maybe longer.

You're way better off just finding a smith who will cut your barrel.

Considering your 5 1/2" convertible, Ruger will only put a 4 1/2" barrel on it if the original cataloged gun was available with a 4 1/2" barrel. Ruger's maintenance shop is not a "custom" shop. They don't do custom work.

They will not change the configuration of a gun to anything that was not a cataloged item.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I wish you luck going with ruger. I called about having the bbl changed out on a redhawk 44. I asked for a price up front and they told me $450.00 to go from a 7.5" to a 4". I only paid $300.00 for the pistol with the 7.5" so I'll just wait and find a 4" one for around the same price that way I'll have both lengths.

 

[caryc]

I wish you luck going with ruger. I called about having the bbl changed out on a redhawk 44. I asked for a price up front and they told me $450.00 to go from a 7.5" to a 4". I only paid $300.00 for the pistol with the 7.5" so I'll just wait and find a 4" one for around the same price that way I'll have both lengths.

Exactly, cheaper to just trade the gun in for one you want or have the barrel cut rather than have Ruger do it.