243ww,
I am assuming (I know, bad plan) that the 5" barrel is sitting in a 4.25" standard fullsize slide and simply protruding an extra 3/4" out the front? I know on the standard 4.25" barrel, there is an area of a little less than 1/2" that is full diameter to fit snug in the front of the slide, and behind that the barrel is reduced down a bit, maybe .050" to allow the action to run smooth. That may be something to look at as far as where the barrel is reduced in size as you consider shortening the barrel.
Because of this reduced area of the barrel, a 4.25" barrel will not work on the 3.5" compact frame and slide. I would be sloppy loose because the slide would never get to the full diameter of the barrel. (Already tried)
Now that I have written this, I can't conceive of a situation where the barrel would not be the right size for the frame, even if it protudes an additional .75". Just thinking outloud. :roll: :roll:
I was hoping to see some pics of your 5" barrel and just found your post on shortening the trigger pull. In looking at the pics of your weapon, the barrel is what I envisioned.
NICE JOB on the trigger stop and the pics of the work in progress. Now I am going to have to explore that for one of my full size guns. Just can't make up my mind which one I want to dedicate to competition. I like the 40 with the light loads so well....., but I also like it with full house defense loads as my house gun.
I would sure like to get my hands on a 5" barrel in .357SIG for my fullsize .40. That would be awesome!!!