Vaquero barrel swap

[TomBullweed]

I have a old-model Vaquero Sheriff in .357 SSTL and want to swap the barrel and cylinder to a .45 Colt barrel and cylinder that I have acquired.  My gun has some engraving that I do not want to givve up. 

Does anyone know of a gunsmith in/near North Carolina that they can suggest for this project?  This would likely include cutting the 5.5" barrel to 4", remounting the front sight (that bumpy-blady  thing that I forget to use when shooting) and checking the chamber to barrel alignment.

[TomBullweed]

I found a local smith that got this job done.  It set me back quite a bit more than expected as the barrel had to be turned and the forcing cone recut to get the sight to line up.  It shoots groups half the size of my original Vaquero and I am happy.

My suggestion to anyone looking at a caliber conversion is to expect to spend $250 for the cylinder, barrel and smith work.  Unless the gun is exceptional to start with, it makes more sense (cents) to just trade for the gun you want.

[fourfingersofdeath]

A new gun is no doubt the easiest option, but a new barrel and carefully cut cylinders are a good way to go as well. Not cheap, but niceeeeeeeee!