66L Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 I'm looking for a somewhat detailed description of how to swap out a S&W barrel. I acquired a 5" 625 .45 ACP barrel that I would like to put on a 625JM (625-8), in exchange for the 4" factory barrel. What special tools would I need and are there any tricks you all recommend? Is it basically as simple as unscrewing the 4" and screwing back on the 5"? I am fairly mechanical and have a good working knowledge of S&W revolvers so it's not something I'm afraid of trying, but if it's something I'm likely to screw up I'll send it to my revolver smith. I have feeler gauges to check the barrel/cylinder gap, but I don't know what it ideally should be? My smallest gauge is .006 and it fits as I slide it in the left side, but too tight for the right side. So something obviously isn't quite square in its current form, but it doesn't seem to affect anything. Is there anything you do to prep the gun/barrel before you take off the old, or put on the new? I may not even know enough to be asking the right questions so feel free to chime in with any info. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pyrrhic3gun Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 If you're just doing this for one revo, you'd be money ahead to just send it to a competent smith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bountyhunter Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 +1 Lot of frames get bent doing that at home. Not something I would attempt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 If you have to ask, don't do it! You need a frame wrench (mine is MGW @ $148) Barrel set back fixture ($155) plus the knowledge. This isn't a slight against you, just a fact of life. If you want to do this and want to get the knowledge, then good luck, but otherwise go to a 'smith who knows his way around a revolver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothguy Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 If you just want to change one barrel then you would be much better off taking it somewhere and having it done. I learned a lot watching Warren (Toolguy) work on revolvers. You can do it your self but you need to get the right tools and instruction so you don't cause yourself grief. If you want to learn to work on revolvers then It's a good opportunity to learn, buy some books and tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66L Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 As much as I want to learn, it doesn't sound like it's worth it. I'll take it to my gunsmith to have done properly and hopefully I can watch him do it. I appreciate the replies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alecmc Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Vice and channel locks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66L Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Just as a follow-up, I had my gunsmith change the barrel for me. Definitely the right move. Having the right tools makes all the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pskys2 Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Kind of like those colored grips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66L Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 Kind of like those colored grips! I get tired of black, and I've grown fond of the x-frame grips cushioning the back strap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom E Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 As much as I want to learn, it doesn't sound like it's worth it. I'll take it to my gunsmith to have done properly ... And hopefully your "gunsmith" has the right stuff. When it comes to revolvers I wouldn't just assume he does... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66L Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 As much as I want to learn, it doesn't sound like it's worth it. I'll take it to my gunsmith to have done properly ... And hopefully your "gunsmith" has the right stuff. When it comes to revolvers I wouldn't just assume he does... Jerry Keefer is who I turn to for all things revolver, he's setup to do anything you can think of to a round gun. He's been building them longer than I've been alive and probably forgotten more than I'll ever know. I would recommend his work without hesitation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66L Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 For anyone like myself wondering, the process was straight forward. What I call a frame wrench like the linked one was used to hold the frame while the barrel was clamped in a vise. Once the barrel was broken loose it unscrewed by hand. The tricky part was trial and error to shorten the throat enough to close on the cylinder. It took a few trips back to the surface grinder, removing very little at a time. This step could be done by hand, but the surface grinder keeps everything square and in my mind separates the professional gunsmith/machinist from...someone like myself. If too much material is ground off or it gets too far out of square you're looking at an expensive paperweight. Once the length is correct it was a simple matter of tightening the barrel into the frame and getting it centered. I'm sure Jerry was doing some minuscule things that I didn't even pick up on, which also would have led to disaster on my part. It was the right call to take it to a pro, but if you have the right equipment I should think it would be an easy enough affair. All things considered, this is a sample of one. I have no doubt that there are a plethora of issues that could crop up doing a job like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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