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02-12-2016, 04:48 PM
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Model 544
I'm looking at a Model 544 in 44-40. Did they use the Model 24 and modify it to make the 44-40 work? I am looking for some knowledge on this. Thanks for any information you may have.
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02-12-2016, 06:46 PM
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You could say that, or more accurately, say it was a Model 29 with a 5 inch barrel and a different cylinder.
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02-12-2016, 07:02 PM
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The bore is NOT .427" which is the modern standard for 44/40 ammunition. It is .429" which is the standard for 44 Special and Magnum. Therefore lead ammo won't perform well but jacketed might be OK. It's been a long time since I shot mine so I'm hazy on details. The guns were produced as a commemorative and not necessarily as shooters. They are very nice looking and my favorite barrel length.
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02-13-2016, 11:31 AM
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544
Never knew they made this caliber. Thought it would make a nice display with my lever action 44-40. This is also a commemorative revolver.
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02-13-2016, 11:55 AM
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Last edited by colt_saa; 02-13-2016 at 11:58 AM.
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A10, adwjc, albiek22, BUFF, ColtCool, crsides, g8rb8, H Richard, Lee's Landing Billy, montezumaz, Muley Gil, Nedroe, r3captain, S&W Oldtimer, Slidemuzik |
02-13-2016, 01:56 PM
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544
And now I know the rest of the story. Beautiful display case, great revolver, and the longhorn is a nice touch.
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04-23-2017, 09:06 PM
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Someone near me is offering one of these for $650.00. Says it's only shot 100 or so rounds, and comes with the presentation box and all. I'm in love with all big-bore Smiths, and am very tempted. Any suggestions/opinions/input --positive, negative or otherwise-- would be greatly appreciated.
Oh... forgot to ask, can this firearm shoot .44 special rounds?
Thanks!
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04-23-2017, 09:13 PM
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No 44 spls. But seems like a good buy to me.
Charlie
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04-23-2017, 09:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aiala
Someone near me is offering one of these for $650.00. Says it's only shot 100 or so rounds, and comes with the presentation box and all. I'm in love with all big-bore Smiths, and am very tempted. Any suggestions/opinions/input --positive, negative or otherwise-- would be greatly appreciated.
Oh... forgot to ask, can this firearm shoot .44 special rounds?
Thanks!
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For 650 I'd buy it in a heartbeat. But being the infidel I am, I'd get a Model 29 cylinder fitted...
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04-23-2017, 10:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&WIowegan
The bore is NOT .427" which is the modern standard for 44/40 ammunition. It is .429" which is the standard for 44 Special and Magnum. Therefore lead ammo won't perform well but jacketed might be OK. It's been a long time since I shot mine so I'm hazy on details. The guns were produced as a commemorative and not necessarily as shooters. They are very nice looking and my favorite barrel length.
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Go figure...they made a 5" .44 Mag ejector shroud barrel and put the wrong cylnder behind it...because who would ever want a modern 5" ejector shroud model 29?
Years back i thought about buying one these and fitting a .44 cylinder to it. Wish i had.
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04-24-2017, 12:11 AM
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$650 is a great price. Most of these I've seen were unfired or nearly so. I've never heard of anyone working up handloads on a serious level, but I'd be all over it for the chance!
Yes, it was common knowledge at the time that the barrels were standard S&W barrels with the usual .429-.430" specs. What I never heard was the cylinder throats. I would hope them to be .429-431", but you never know with the 44-40. Could be as tight as .427". Nonetheless, I'd still get it and factor in reaming the throats if needed. It's neither expensive nor difficult.
44-40 is a fine chambering when done right, with safe ballistics somewhat between mild 44 Special and 44 Magnum.
Nice find!
Jim
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04-24-2017, 04:13 PM
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I have one that I bought "used" that appears like it may not have been fired outside of the factory. I checked the throats and they run .426-.427. Have no idea what the barrel would slug. If it is a .429, it might not be very accurate. I bought a box of ammo, but have not had the inclination to fire it. It is engraved "Mary Catherine Conrad" in old English script on the right side of the barrel.
While they might not have intended to be a working gun, I would have appreciated if the factory would have least made it to be one, to consistent specifications.
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04-24-2017, 08:46 PM
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544
I saw one for sale and was unfamiliar with it. If it was local
I would be on it though. Good deal and unusual caliber.
Last edited by Pocketrocket; 04-24-2017 at 08:50 PM.
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04-24-2017, 09:34 PM
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Did you buy it yet?
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04-24-2017, 10:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightowl
Did you buy it yet?
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Richard, unfortunately this a Zombie thread from 2/2016. I have handloaded 44/40 and it's a bit tricky. Every cylinder seems to have a slightly different shoulder dimension. I did learn you can sometimes chamber the round by pushing hard with your thumb.
I laugh at Mark declaring the 544 a failure because only 4782 of 7800(61.3%) were sold. This compares very favorably with the Winchester 1873 rifles special editions 1 of 100(8 made) and 1 of 1000(136 made) as reported by Philip Schreier, Senior Curator, NRA Museum.
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04-25-2017, 08:53 AM
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An old thread, yes, but I was referring to Aiala's thread of 4/23/17 that he was offered one.
When I started SASS there were several shooters in our club that loaded and shot 44/40. I have never tried that but have read that it is tricky, but that Starline makes brass with a thicker neck and has less case damage when inserting the bullet. I have my doubts that I will ever reload a 44/40, so it is all moot. But, sometimes I am really tempted to shoot the box of factory that I bought with the gun.
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04-25-2017, 10:42 AM
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I have a shooter condition M544. It does well with .44-40s and with .44 Specials.
The Specials are shot through a M29 cylinder that I fitted to it.
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04-25-2017, 11:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
The Specials are shot through a M29 cylinder that I fitted to it.
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Ok now I'm jealous! A 5" Model 29 would be a grail for me.
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04-25-2017, 08:46 PM
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Glad this got resurrected- I hadn't seen the upscale version before. Have a regular version, loaded 44-40 no issues and shot it - fun!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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04-25-2017, 08:54 PM
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With that revolver along with a "Keith44spl" leather belt holster outfit no Bar-BQ would be complete without your presences
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04-25-2017, 10:54 PM
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The cylinder is slightly shorter than a Model 29 cylinder. If you want to fit a 29 cylinder to the revolver, you will have to shorten it slightly.
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04-26-2017, 08:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tennexplorer
The cylinder is slightly shorter than a Model 29 cylinder. If you want to fit a 29 cylinder to the revolver, you will have to shorten it slightly.
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Yes indeedy. Brother Burt supplied the cylinder AND had the machine work done on it for my two cylinder M544 conversion. You have to use a later M29 cylinder, without the cartridge recesses, so not to alter the frame lug.
Don't know why, probably due to being a poor boy all of my life, but I have studied the ins and outs of convertible revolvers my entire handgunning career. The easiest ones are the single actions, where you only have to swap cylinders. I have a Ruger New Model Blackhawk with the .45 Colt and .45 ACP cylinders. I had the ACP cylinder altered to also use .45 Auto Rim ammo. My collection has a Cimmaron/Uberti Model P Jr (a 7/8th verion of the SAA) in .32-20/.32 H&R Magnum as well. Some day I'll get a single action in .40 S&W/10mm/.38-40.
.45 ACP/.45 Colt S&Ws are a bit harder, due to the thick frame lug. I need to send M25-5 out for a .45 ACP full moon clip modification.
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Last edited by Muley Gil; 04-26-2017 at 08:59 AM.
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04-26-2017, 09:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightowl
I have one that I bought "used" that appears like it may not have been fired outside of the factory. I checked the throats and they run .426-.427. Have no idea what the barrel would slug. If it is a .429, it might not be very accurate. I bought a box of ammo, but have not had the inclination to fire it. It is engraved "Mary Catherine Conrad" in old English script on the right side of the barrel.
While they might not have intended to be a working gun, I would have appreciated if the factory would have least made it to be one, to consistent specifications.
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I must have the husbands 544 its engraved DORSEY ALLEN CONRAD
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04-26-2017, 11:03 AM
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If the barrel is .429, would there be a possibility the cylinder could be altered for 44 Special?
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04-29-2017, 10:36 PM
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No, .44-40 has a larger diameter casehead than either .44 Special or .44 Magnum. Please see above.
You have to replace the cylinder.
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04-29-2017, 10:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil
Yes indeedy. Brother Burt supplied the cylinder AND had the machine work done on it for my two cylinder M544 conversion. You have to use a later M29 cylinder, without the cartridge recesses, so not to alter the frame lug.
Don't know why, probably due to being a poor boy all of my life, but I have studied the ins and outs of convertible revolvers my entire handgunning career. The easiest ones are the single actions, where you only have to swap cylinders. I have a Ruger New Model Blackhawk with the .45 Colt and .45 ACP cylinders. I had the ACP cylinder altered to also use .45 Auto Rim ammo. My collection has a Cimmaron/Uberti Model P Jr (a 7/8th verion of the SAA) in .32-20/.32 H&R Magnum as well. Some day I'll get a single action in .40 S&W/10mm/.38-40.
.45 ACP/.45 Colt S&Ws are a bit harder, due to the thick frame lug. I need to send M25-5 out for a .45 ACP full moon clip modification.
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