I found an interesting Smith at a local pawnshop. The gun is marked 28-2 but the barrel is marked .44 Magnum. The cylinder finish matches the barrel and the ejector rod definitly is a replacement (finish is almost gone). It has a really tight lockup, and cracked grips. $350 on layaway (was short of cash and they let me put it away for $35, how could I say no?

My question: Is it possible to convert the 28-2 to .44 magnum? I thought you could only convert 28's to .44 special or .45acp? I know it's an N frame but I figure I better ask the experts.

Thanks

I found an interesting Smith at a local pawnshop. The gun is marked 28-2 but the barrel is marked .44 Magnum. The cylinder finish matches the barrel and the ejector rod definitly is a replacement (finish is almost gone). It has a really tight lockup, and cracked grips. $350 on layaway (was short of cash and they let me put it away for $35, how could I say no?

My question: Is it possible to convert the 28-2 to .44 magnum? I thought you could only convert 28's to .44 special or .45acp? I know it's an N frame but I figure I better ask the experts.

Thanks

Yep, its possible, and sounds like they just replaced the barrel and cylinder of that 28 with parts from a 29 (.44 mag). $350 is a great deal...anytime you can get an N frame for under $400, you're doing good!

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ken
SWCA #1959

This was a not uncommon practice in the 70s when the "Dirty Harry" craze made model 29s hard to find and usually selling for 2-3 times the S&W list price.

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Revolver luvin' Mountaineer

I wonder if the short cylinder will limit ammo selection for this conversion. My 28 binds on long SWCs

gwalchmai, it would not have a short cylinder if a M29 cylinder was used and besides, a M28 cylinder would be too short to mate to a M29 barrel. Bob!!

I would be more concerned about the heat treatment of the frame, I don't believe the 28 received the same heat treatment as the 29. Personally I would pass, unless I only planned to shoot 44 Specials. My opinion only, though.

Darrel

The frames were all th same as far as heat treatment, so that wouldn't be an issue. If you recall, both rounds origonally ran at near identical presuures to boot.

cjgarza,

How is the color? Is the frame matte and the barrel and cylinder bright blue? The top of the frame on a M28 is smooth and that of a M29 is grooved. These factors would indicate if the revolver was originally built as a M28. Sometimes, you find S&Ws that are misstamped.

I believe the M28, M27, and M29 all received the same heat treatment. IIRC, the .357 Magnum cartridge is rated at higher PSI than the .44 Magnum.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Last I knew, right now the .44 is 36,000 PSI, and the .357 is 35,000 PSI per SAAMI spec.

I might be wrong, but I just read that in Handloader recently. I hope this helps.

It's possible that someone used a .44 barrel, and set the shoulder back a long ways to close the BC gap, but since the OP said the cylinder and barrel match as far as finish goes, I believe that someone simply swapped the barrel and cylinder out with those from a model 29.

I would have been on that deal like a duck on a June bug. Treat it like any other Smith 44 of that vintage and you should be fine.


Okie John

My local shop has a 28 that has been converted to 45 Colt. The top of the frame is checkered just like a 27. It has a 6 inch barrel and looks pretty nice.