Converting Model 58

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I recently picked up a model 58 that has a bad plum colored re-blue and rubber grips. I've already got a shooter (marked SAPD) and don't really need two of them so I am thinking about getting the re-blued one converted to .45 Colt. Any ideas on who will do a good job and about what it will cost? It will probably need to be refinished and I'm thinking about having it done in nickel after the conversion work is done.
 
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Several years ago I turned a re-blued 58 into a .44 mag. I was lucky enough that he serial number was stamped towards the front of the frame and could make it a round butt also. I thought it made for a nice feature on a fixed sight gun.
Good luck with your project!
Mike
P.S. I did all my own work so I don't have any suggestions for a gunsmith.
 
I handled one that Maj. George Nonte had converted to .45 Colt.
He was a famous gun writer and I think he did the work.

I'd favor a hard chrome finish. Probably the closest to stainless steel and not as garish as nickle.
 
I handled one that Maj. George Nonte had converted to .45 Colt.
He was a famous gun writer and I think he did the work.

I'd favor a hard chrome finish. Probably the closest to stainless steel and not as garish as nickle.

Major Nonte wrote a very interesting book titled "Pistolsmithing".
It is a bit (ahem..) "seat of the pants" with some of his methodology, but he really goes into things as far as such conversions are concerned.
You'll need to overlook the "hammer handle through the frame window" method of barrel removal, and such things.
But, he is nothing if not big on his concepts.
It's a good "old school" work, much better than many of the current texts that simply discuss putting together parts with expensive tools from Brownells.

Jim

PS: you guys have some nice custom guns! Great, practical tools with a fine sense of taste and style!
 
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