28 exchange to 29

[riversalmon]

Question. Is it possible to swap out a 28 s model cylinder with a 29 recessed cylinder and barrel. Will the recessed cylinder alter the gap from cartridge base to recoil shield? Would appreciate your learned advice. Thanks RS

[M29since14]

You can make almost anything work if you fix enough things. Your main problem will be length. The 29 cylinder is considerably longer at the barrel end.

[riversalmon]

Thanks m29 I was under the impression that a model 28 357 cylinder and a model 29 44 mag cylinder both from similar production periods had the same cylinder length. I believe the frame windows on both are the same. Thanks SR

[murphydog]

An N frame .357 cylinder is shorter than a .44 Magnum, but the shorter barrel shank of the .44 barrel makes up for the difference in length.

I don't know if a .357 frame is heat-treated the same as a .44, and with this combination of parts you'll have a shiny barrel and cylinder on a matte blue frame.

[riversalmon]

Thanks Alan. I have located a nickel 28 and I have a cylinder and barrel off a nickel 29. I was considering making the swap. Maybe someone can chime in on the heat treating of 357 and 44 mag frames. Appreciate your expertise on this. SR

[muddocktor]

I know that back in the 70's, some Frankenguns were made out of Model 28 frames with 29 barrels and cylinders. Back in the days when the first Dirty Harry movies came out, it was very hard to get Model 29 revolvers, so some folks made their own.

And seeing that both 357 Mag and 44 mag are high pressure rounds, I wouldn't think that there would be any difference in heat treating the frames of that time period. Just do the same heat treating to all the frames and then you don't have to have different stock of N frames to build different models.

[murphydog]

Another couple of (cosmetic) issues - the model 28 has a tapered forward frame to match up with the standard tapered barrel, and a smooth rear sight leaf and top strap. The full rib of a model 29 barrel will not match up and is grooved. The conversion will 'probably' work but look unusual, which may not bother you.

[riversalmon]

Thanks for the comments Doc and Alan. Points well taken. Speaking of the Frankgun my last home project mated a '46 HD frame and cyl9inder to a pre 27 3 1/2in barrel. Compensated for the higher front sight with Wondersight addition. What a wonderful piece although definitely Frankish. Thanks again RS

[44wheelman]

I bought one of those frankenguns.... A m28, with a 29 cylinder bored for 45 colt, and a pre 26 bbl. I would guess than an n frame cylinder window is the same? Mine was well executed, and makes for a very accurate 45.

[riversalmon]

Thanks 44. You know i believe in todays world the closest a wheelgunner can get to the days of yore is the build up of mix and match parts and pieces. Most all the pristine guns are in someones collection and most of the newer ones lack ties to the times before. About as close as we can get to the Good Gentlemen of yesterday the likes of Keith and Skeeter, and the Experimenters that paved the way. Is to get in the game . I build and test to my own way of what serves me best. My guns are suited to my shooting and if they do what I need and serve the purpose We...llll that's what a Handgunner does. Inovation, adaptation, experimentation, we all spend the money one way or another , why not have something unique to lay on your table for us all to talk about. SR

[Lee's Landing Billy]

If that nickel 28 is an original nickel 28, it may be worth way more than the end result would be. Just a thought.

[Joed49]

Why not just buy a model 29? I know people who have converted a 28 to a model 24 but not a 29. Conversion to .44 Spl was a popular conversion years ago.

I would prefer to not find out the 28 can't take the pressure of a .44 mag.

[GunarSailors]

This .41 magnum cylinder is the same length as a model 29 cylinder.

[BigBill]

I would just purchase a m29.

[BruceM]

+1

At the end of the day, the converted M28 would be nothing more than a assembled pile of spare parts and worth about as much.

Then again, if you're one of those folks who just has to putz with something because you can, indulge yourself.

Bruce

[steelslaver]

Model 28 value $500 up
model 29 barrel $100 up
model 29 cylinder $100 up
Gunsmithing $100 up
Model 629 $750 up
I do some gun projects on my own, have lathe and milling machine.
Unless you find cheap parts and guns and have tools its not worth it.
I have done a couple 629 to 45 colt conversions and they were worth it TO ME because I got the 629-1 cheap ($500 +$560) and was patient looking for barrels, both were over $100 and I already had a reamer and tools. I have a couple spare shooter grade 28s and 45 barrels and will probably convert those too, but good S&W 45 colts are not easy to find or cheap.. But, unless you want something that is rare or odd like my K frame 22 Harvey Kay Chuck its better to just find what you want.

[steelslaver]

PS. The recessed cylinder is not a problem because model 28s also had the same recessed cylinders. The frame window is the same. Model 28 cylinders are shorter, but their barrel shanks are longer. A model 29 cylinder is longer, but the barrel shank shorter. I personally doubt that their is any difference in the heat treat of the guns after the 50s or 60s. Just doesn't make sense. It is no more trouble or expense to do a good heat treat than an poor one if you do a heat treat.

[Biggfoot44]

Back when I had hair, such projects were semi-common, and reasonably well accepted.

Back in the day, M28's were dirt cheap, and inexpensive donors for such projects. But modern day is modern day. All N frames have significant value in origonal configuration, and gunsmithing shop rates are $$$ .

I get that the OP already has the parts on hand, but unless he also has the skills and equipment to also do the 'smithing himself, the aquire the M29 stratagem probably comes ahead.

Not that I'm catagorically oposed to custom projects. If this was in furtherence of a cal or configuration that either wasn't offered or exceedingly impossible to find, then mixing and matching , rechambering, reboring, etc become the order of the day.