Cutting down a SRH barrel?

[duck911]

Hi all, first post here...

I recently acquired a 7.5" SRH 44 mag. I LOVE the revolver and have already shot a few hundred reloads out of it in the last couple of weeks

The only thing I *think* could possibly make this firearm better was if it was slightly shorter and easier to carry.

I have had a hard time pulling up older posts with the search function so figure I'd post up:

1) Anyone have any experience with a shortened barrel?
2) What length did you cut down to?
3) What's your impression of the handling, recoil, accuracy, and weight difference?

Pics! Pics! We want pics!!

thanks,

--Duck911

 

[chris_]

There are a lot of them here. I have personally cut down three and have one currently for sale in .480. I can't stand the longer barrels and much prefer them cut back to the frame, both for length and weight. Recoil obviously increases with each inch you remove. I love my short guns.

 

[Ruger Packer]

Well, I have a SBH with a 5.5" barrel. I didn't cut it down. It came from the factory that way. 8)

 

[tek4260]

Maybe I should change my handle to hacksaw or something

The only problem with shortening a barrel is remounting the sight.

 

[PhantomWorks]

The only problem with shortening a barrel is remounting the sight.

That's what I've 'figured out' too... But the big question is HOW is that done?

I've found two local SRH for sale, on SS in 44mag and on in my favorite, 'target gray' in 480 Ruger. Real tempted on both as fun range toy to make a lot of noise, muzzle flash and off course just enjoy shooting. BUT they are both 7.5" barrels which I and obviously the starter of this thread think is to long and looks 'funny'.
(I'm a mechanic/welder/fabricator professionally and done plenty of machining too so that part is no problem, but how is that front sightramp on there?)

 

[tek4260]

Soldered in place with a locator dowel. See the next to last picture of the cut off portion of the barrel.

 

[PhantomWorks]

So it will just "fall off" with some heat?

 

[chris_]

A lot of heat, really.

I cut a dovetail in the .480 I currently have for sale.

 

[jimbo1096]

Attach new sight with screw and tapped hole. Several styles are available.

 

[soufpaw]

I had my new model .30 cal. carbine Blackhawk cut down to 6-1/2"
instead of the factory 7-1/2". Yea, I know kind of crazy for one inch but
I only have one rule. All of my Blackhawks have to fit into my favorite $20 holster I have had for 25 years. HarHar.

Soufpaw

 

[soufpaw]

anyone else done something like that?

 

[PhantomWorks]

"Soufpaw" is from the future!
(That last post of yours is dated tomorrow...) :wink:

Actually, now when I previewed this, I am too... Must be something with the forum.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

Soufpaw I did the same with one of my 30 carbine's but my holster is a 4 5/8" one. I left the other 30 carbine 7.5" the short one is my favorite of the 2 by far. Mine is the one on the funny paper in tek4260's post above. That's my son.

 

[soufpaw]

Tom, Nice to hear from you. I have probably too many revolvers of various calibers and barrel lenghts. My favorite is the least expensive
of the bunch. When Cabela's offered their first smokeless pistol many
years ago. It's a Uberti Single action .45 long colt with a brass frame &
4-5/8 barrel length.
When they first offered it was only $199. I see its up around $375 now.
It's just a fun gun to strap on and take a walk in the woods.

Soufpaw

 

[JimMarch1]

IF the gun shoots well now, chopping the barrel will be a good idea.

If it doesn't, better to start over with a new gun in the barrel length you want - esp. one made fairly recently (2007-forward, with the "underbarrel" warning label). One thing though: if you like the large grip frame you have now, that only comes stock with a barrel over 5.5" long.

If you're going to chop it, you can take it to a custom length of your choice and you have the opportunity to do an improved front sight.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

Soufpaw my son has a uberti in 45. It is a awesome little pistol shoots to the sights and is a super little shooter. I remember when I first started seeing them in cabellas they were called the millenium revolver and I remember they sold for $89.00. I started to order one several times but always talked myself out of it. I thought for that price they would be junk. After seeing how my son's shoots I wish I had of ordered one. Hind sight is 20/20 I guess. Also now I don't have to worry about getting my reloads mixed up because I have 3 45 colt blackhawks and have some loads that out do most 44 mag loads. I don't think the uberti would live long on them. That may be a good excuse to build up my ammo though buying cowboy loads for a uberti and reloading it for my rugers.