What's the big deal about pistol barrels?

[Bugscuffle]

I called a local gunshop, one that advertises and sells on the internet regularly, in other words, NOT a run out of the home operation. They advertise a price of $160 to cut and crown and reset the front sight on a rifle. I asked how much the charge would be to cut crown and reset the front sight on my SAA clone. He quoted me $300. WTF?

[Pettifogger]

Depending on how they are doing it, they might be removing the revolver barrel so it will fit in their lathe.  The revo front sight also has to be cut with a rotary cutter where most rifle sights can just be moved back and a new screw hole drilled or solder it on the barrel.

[John Taylor]

Both prices seem high to me and I  make a living at it, Wish I could get that much.  this might be better,
1. R&R barrel, $25 in most cases
2. Cut and crown $20 in most cases.
3. Dovetail cut, $20 in most cases
4. Install Colt stile front sight, $30, includes new groove and solder sight blade in.

[Billy Bristol]

I think John is right. Both prices are do seem high. Especially that second one.
Cutting for the sight is just like cutting for a keyway on a shaft. I have done thousands of them. The only thing I see that may be hard is getting the barrel off. Some can be a pain. As far as the new one, just need to make sure cylinder to barrel gap and forcing cone are right. Should never come up to $300.