Gunsmithing question, barrel cut-down...

[wbw2]

Hello all, I have a SBH in 44 magnum that I was thinking of having the barrel cut down.
My question is, how much does this usually cost?
Any recommendations on someone to do it?

It has a 7.5" barrel, I was thinking of taking it down to 6 or 6.5"

 

[onehandgunner]

About $150.00.

 

[JWhitmore44]

I've had the barrel cut down on a Single Six and one done on a Abilene. Both times the cost was around $80 and done my local gunsmiths. I don't see why most competent gunsmiths could not cut a barrel down, re crown, remount front sight and blue the end.

 

[Hondo44]

If you do your own work have you thought about doing it yourself?

Not that difficult especially if you can drill and tap a hole to screw the front sight on like the single sixes. You won't have to deal with soldering and rebluing. Order 6 x 40 starting and bottoming taps, a #33 drill bit, new SBH front sight and single six front sight screw all from Brownells. You can even put two screws if there's concern about breaking the screw under heavy magnum recoil. Buy a 4 flute countersink bit to recrown the bore.

If you have questions, just ask.

 

[22/45 Fan]

If you do your own work have you thought about doing it yourself?

Not that difficult especially if you can drill and tap a hole to screw the front sight on like the single sixes. You won't have to deal with soldering and rebluing. Order 6 x 40 starting and bottoming taps, a #33 drill bit, new SBH front sight and single six front sight screw all from Brownells. You can even put two screws if there's concern about breaking the screw under heavy magnum recoil. Buy a 4 flute countersink bit to recrown the bore.

If you have questions, just ask.

One real precaution if you cut it down yourself and drill and tap to remount the front sight; BE CERTAIN you do not drill deep enough to get into the bore. I once heard about someone who did just that and, at the first shot, the sight blew straight up in the air. :shock:

 

[Jbrown75]

One real precaution if you cut it down yourself and drill and tap to remount the front sight; BE CERTAIN you do not drill deep enough to get into the bore. I once heard about someone who did just that and, at the first shot, the sight blew straight up in the air. :shock:

Guilty as charged. :oops: Although I doubt it was me you heard about..... it did indeed happen to me.