While you can tinker with a Handi no end, you don't really have to. They can be a leave it alone 'till you shoot it gun no problem. Many of us here tinker with them because we want to. You can do so, or not.
May I ask, are you getting a dedicated 45lc barrel, or the 45/410 survivor barrel? If you are going to shoot 410 and 45lc, then there is only one option. If you plan on shooting 45lc only, I would advise the 45lc dedicated barrel. I have a Survivor in 45/410 (and another in .308, the sickness of accumulation) The 45/410 shoots OK with 45lc, but only OK. It is after all a compromise design that shoots both rounds well enough, but not outstandingly. For dedicated solid projectile, the closer chamber of the 45lc only barrel is worth it.
Also, it's worth the small bucks to have them drill and tap it. I don't know why the 45/410 Survivor doesn't come that way. It's a natural for a shotgun scope or a red dot, which is what I have.
Another consideration if you want to shoot 45lc as a shorter range rifle and you only plan on shooting 45 not the 410, is to consider 44mag. 44 magnum has more bullet weight options than the 45lc. While you can load the 45lc up into 44mag performance neighborhood, you can buy 44 mag off the shelf loaded up like no factory 45lc will be. You still have the option of 44 special for lower noise and recoil and 44 special will work well on many animals at appropriate distances.
I don't mean to confuse your purchase plans, I just want to throw some more info into the pot so you can pull what you like out of it. Like all free Internet opinions, I guarantee mine to be worth what I charge for it.
Good luck and welcome.
