Installing 5.5" barrel on my Single Six

[FergusonTO35]

I bought my blued 4-5/8 Single Six in 1999. It was my first handgun and still my favorite. Over the years I came to the conclusion that I like the longer barrels more. I finally found a 5.5" barrel in good condition and of the same vintage at a reasonable price, it is en route now. How difficult of a job is this? I am mechanically inclined and have common hand tools. However, I am certainly willing to leave it to a pro if needed. Any advice out there? Thanks!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Personally, I'd recommend letting a pro do it.

Actually, I'd sell/trade the shortie gun for one with the longer tube. The short guns are less common and the trade should go in your favor, hopefully with a little $$$$ boot. The 5-1/2" ones are common as Lincoln pennies.

And you can likely sell that barrel here.

JMHO, of course.

 

[flatgate]

I bought my blued 4-5/8 Single Six in 1999. It was my first handgun and still my favorite. Over the years I came to the conclusion that I like the longer barrels more. I finally found a 5.5" barrel in good condition and of the same vintage at a reasonable price, it is en route now. How difficult of a job is this? I am mechanically inclined and have common hand tools. However, I am certainly willing to leave it to a pro if needed. Any advice out there? Thanks!

Unless you have some precision "machine shop" tools I'd suggest you have a gunsmith "fit" that 5-1/2" barrel.

The "shoulder" of the barrel must be fit "just so" to make things work properly. The barrel to cylinder gap must be set to be identical to that of the "old barrel". In addition, the barrel needs to be tightened to a proper "torque" value while getting the front sight blade perpendicular.

As far as collectors opinion the 4-5/8" barrel is way more "collectible" than is the 5-1/2 or 6-1/2 inch lengths.

Make a phone call with your local gun smith and chat awhile.....

flatgate

 

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks, that's what I am going to do. I'm going to keep the original barrel in the case with all the accessories and documents. I'll call the gunsmith this after noon. I'm surprised that the 4-5/8 barrel is so desirable, they and the 6-1/2 are quite common here. It's the 5.5 that's uncommon.

 

[Hondo44]

Ferguson,

I agree with those above. If you ever want to sell the gun, even with the original barrel, somebody who wants a short barrel isn't going to buy it and then have to pay to have it put back in the gun. And you won't get any extra for the extra barrel. Most potential buyers are going to shy away from a gun with a changed barrel unless heavily discounted; they won't know who did it or the quality of the work.

So in effect, you'd be paying extra money (about $100 or more) to have the barrel changed, and to lower the value of your gun. Trade your gun on this forum for a 5 1/2" and sell your extra barrel here as well.

Of course you can do what you want, not trying to criticise just share the most likely reality of the situation.

 

[KWYJIBO]

Not only must you torque the barrel correctly and set the barrel/cylinder gap, but there's one more very basic problem with doing this job yourself: you need a barrel collet. This is the special clamp, similar to a large drill chuck, that holds the barrel while you tighten the frame with another tool. You could come up with something to hold the frame and turn it, but the collet is very difficult to improvise.

I would trade for gun with the desired barrel length. If I wanted to keep the gun because of sentimental attachment, I'd probably not want to change anything about it. If it were somewhere between the two--attachment to a cylinder frame, but dislike of the barrel--I'd cough up the money to have a professional gunsmith do the work.

 

[s4s4u]

If you ever want to sell the gun, even with the original barrel, somebody who wants a short barrel isn't going to buy it and then have to pay to have it put back in the gun. And you won't get any extra for the extra barrel. Most potential buyers are going to shy away from a gun with a changed barrel unless heavily discounted; they won't know who did it or the quality of the work.

x2

Would be much more prudent to either sell the gun and buy another, or trade.