S&W Model 28-2 44 Mag??

lrick806 · #1 11-03-2011, 09:01 PM

I purchased a S&W Mod 28-2 that has been converted from a 357 to a 44 mag. Serial number on the frame shows that it was made in 66-67. The barrel is a 6in that has been drilled out in a cone shape. What I mean is that someone tapered the inside of the barrel. I'm thinking that they did it to make the bullet feed better when shot. Maybe it was shaving lead but I want to be safe when I first shoot it.
Also it has what appears to be, the new Cerakote finish done to the entire pistol. It looks nice but where the cylinder rests on the bottom of the frame it would appear that they were put together when it was still wet and it left a darker mark on the cylinder and the frame. Any ideas on the Cerakote and the conversion????

Flint Ridge · #2 11-03-2011, 09:05 PM

Pictures are always helpful.

Secondly when you say the barrel has been drilled out in a cone shape, which end are you talking about? If at the cylinder, then it might be "normal" as this area is actually is called the forcing cone. Hence the cone shape.

Hondo44 · #3 11-03-2011, 09:09 PM

If the muzzle end is cone shaped, it has a target crown to protect the muzzle. But I'm not a fan of that look.

lrick806 · #4 11-03-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint Ridge

Pictures are always helpful.

Secondly when you say the barrel has been drilled out in a cone shape, which end are you talking about? If at the cylinder, then it might be "normal" as this area is actually is called the forcing cone. Hence the cone shape.

Sorry, I should have stated that it is on the cylinder end. Do all revolvers have this? I will try to post a picture.

Hondo44 · #5 11-03-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrick806

Sorry, I should have stated that it is on the cylinder end. Do all revolvers have this? I will try to post a picture.

Yes, all revolver barrels have a "forcing cone" to get the bullet aligned and 'eased' into the rifling.

lrick806 · #6 11-03-2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

It the muzzle end is cone shaped, it has a target crown to protect the muzzle. But I'm not a fan of that look.

It is the cylinder end. It has been newly coned and does not have any protective coating on it. That is why it stands out and I noticed it so much.

lrick806 · #7 11-03-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Yes, all revolver barrels have a "forcing cone" to get the bullet aligned and 'eased' into the rifling.

Thanks Jim, I just checked my model 19 357 and it has it. On closer inspection of the 28, it looks like the barrel has been shortened on the cylinder end to make the cylinder mate up properly. That is why it's so shiny and easily seen.

Rick

lrick806 · #8 11-03-2011, 11:28 PM

SANY0292.jpg

44mag1.jpg
Here are some pictures that may help with my questions.
Rick

Dpris · #9 11-04-2011, 02:06 AM

Yep, that's a forcing cone.
You wouldn't want that gun without one.
Denis

glwt06 · #10 11-04-2011, 02:30 AM

Do you know who did the work? From the pictures, it looks like a fairly nice job. I don't believe this is a conversion and refinish that someone is going to do with some hand tools in a basement.

If the conversion was done by someone with a reputation of quality work or if they were still available, they may be the best source of information.

Enjoy,

Paul

olypenn222 · #11 11-04-2011, 02:55 AM

Have seen many 28-2's converted to .44 mag, have been told that when "Dirty Harry" came out that model 29 .44 mags were so back ordered you could not get one, but Smith had and was selling .44 barrels and cylinders. A lot of 28-2 LEO surplus guns where also around, so presto, 28-2/29 conversions were the rage. Might not hurt to check the crain on the next .44 mag you are looking at. Last .44 mag I bought price went from $600 to $300 when I pointed out the 28-2 model number. Is a great shooter.

Hondo44 · #12 11-04-2011, 03:01 AM

Rick,

Yes, that's a very nice gun. You now have a defacto Model 24. How was the new caliber marked on the barrel or was a 44 barrel used?

bgrafsr · #13 11-04-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Rick,

Yes, that's a very nice gun. You now have a defacto Model 24. How was the new caliber marked on the barrel or was a 44 barrel used?

From the shape of the barrel, it looks like a Model 29 barrel was in fact used.

Frank237 · #14 11-04-2011, 10:50 AM

During the early 1970's I built a Faux M-24 from a new M-28 and a 6 1/2" original M-24 bbl from J&G Rifle Ranch in Turner MT . The bbl was all of $39.

Had the cylinder rebored by a Smith... IIRC... Woodruff?

The gun shot very well and I killed my first deer with a handgun...with that gun in PA. Used the Keith #429421 over 7.5 of Unique. Still have that little 4x4 rack in the garage.

Model 29 barrels and cylinders were available in Shotgun News from time to time. J&G always had a real assortment of barrels and cylinders listed in SGN.

On the east coast Austin Behlert did quite a few conversions. Saw a few faux M-24's and 29's in his shop.

FN in MT

lrick806 · #15 11-04-2011, 11:07 AM

Paul,
I purchased it from a dealer in Scottsdale Az who was selling it for an estate sale. I don't believe he has any information about the pistol but I will surely check.

Thanks again to everyone who posted.

Rick

lrick806 · #16 11-04-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Rick,

Yes, that's a very nice gun. You now have a defacto Model 24. How was the new caliber marked on the barrel or was a 44 barrel used?

A S&W 44 Mag barrel was used.

Rick

crsides · #17 11-04-2011, 11:36 AM

I gotta mod 58 44 mag in the works. The 58 bbl had some erosion just ahead of the forcing cone. We're using a 44 mag bbl.

Charlie

keith44spl · #18 11-04-2011, 01:29 PM

Some of us ol dogs do it all the time...

Built this'n from a jacked up old 27-2 I picked up here off'n the forum.
Used a 44 Special barrel for the weight reduction and a 44 Magnum cylinder for availability of ammunition,
might not be able to find Specials, but magnum rounds are found in most every country store.

Su Amigo,
Dave