I understand what you are wanting to do but I don't think its a great idea.

You are going to destroy the value of a sought after S&W and have a ton of money into it in the process.

As for carry ammo, why would you convert a 41 magnum to 45acp only to turn around and load the 45acp to +p+ level with a 200gr JHP? Now you are getting back toward 41 Magnum level ballistics anyway.

If you want to have a 58 moonclipped, send an extra cylinder to Pinnacle High Performance and they can do the deed for you and its only $80. A lot less money and you aren't destroying anything.

JMO for what its worth.

+101

Go to gunsamerica.com and do a search for "wesson 22 45". Sort by "lowest price first" and scroll down. You'll find 4", fixed-sight N frames in .45ACP anywhere from $6-700 on up. They have a shrouded ejector rod, but other than that it's what you're describing. If the lock bothers you, remove it - that's a lot less butchery than you'd be doing to a desirable M-58, and a lot cheaper. If you really, really don't want the shrouded ejector rod, you can get a modern M-22 1917 and have the 5" barrel cut back to whatever length suits you.

Count me school of "What in wide wide world of sports are you thinking?!!!"

Now granted, it is your gun and you have every right to do whatever you want.

BUT - if you want a 45 ACP or 45 Colt revolver, you can get one without changing your model 58. If can't afford to get both, sell your 58 and get a 45.

I really do not think you get any advantage from this conversion.

But - it's not about me nor my opinion.

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I am a sheep dog!

Yep. 100% in my book.

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Sportsterguy
Molon Labe!

...I'm with Iggy on this one...and I will bring the rope. Mess with us Cult of the .41 guys and it will be the last S&W to be pried from your cold dead hands....

But seriously you would be better off looking at a M22 or maybe even a 625 Mountain Gun. I spoke with one of the techs at Buffalo Bore and they said many of the customers run .45 Super through their M625s and 22s...

Bob

I’ll play devil’s advocate here. I think Chromedhearts’ concept is a good one.

Maybe a cylinder and a shortened barrel from a Model 25 would be a way to get where he wants to go?

In the mid 1970’s Model 58 conversions to .44 Special and .45 Colt were somewhat trendy.

Here is a 58 converted in 1974 by Spokhandguns to .45 Colt. I bought it a few years ago for less than the price of having one converted.



The 3.25” barrel is handy, but I’m not a fan of round butts, and this one now has some Square-Butt Ahrends on it. It is a great shooter. This converted 58 weighs within an ounce of my 625-6 .45 ACP Mountain Gun, so other than the .75" longer barrel on the 625, the two guns are comparable. Oh yeah, fixed sights on the 58 vs. adjustable on the 625.

I would rather have a converted 58 than a new 22-4. Beyond the lock, the changes to the “sweep” of the frame from the rear sight to the top of the grip (allowing room for the lock mechanism) just don’t look as good as the older guns.

Just my two cents worth

S&W Model 25

Don't butcher the M58.
A friend found me one, he is a real friend.

....don't make me come over there.....

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

How about getting an old 1917 and attaching a 58 barrel to it, have the 41 magnum barrel bored out to 45 ACP? That way you get your ACP chambering, don't screw up a nice old 58 and have the barrel profile you want?

Not saying it's easy to find, but it keeps folks from chasing you down with the flaming pitchforks, right?