Model 28-2 Converted to 44 Special

[zipty6]

I traded into this revolver a little while back. I understand that these conversions used to be somewhat common. This is the first that I have handled in person. All the seller could remember about it is that the work was done by a gunsmith in Kansas City.

The flats on the bull barrel have been stippled, along with the upper portion of the backstrap. The combat trigger has been smoothed and polished. This action is really slick.

I put a set of VZ 320 grips on it, but I'm not sure that I'll keep them there. They're a lot slimmer than I thought they'd be.

 

[LittleCooner]

Nice looking gun. If Skeeter Skelton was still around he would give you a quick like also on this one. wow. almost a holy grail gun for this guy.

 

[PatriotX]

The gun looked 'off' at first glance, simply because it's something different.


The more I look, the more the lines work for me. The attention to detail is very nice.


Congrats on a beautiful gun.

 

[zipty6]

The gun looked 'off' at first glance, simply because it's something different.


The more I look, the more the lines work for me. The attention to detail is very nice.


Congrats on a beautiful gun.

Thank you.

The front sight shroud looks really odd to me. It is removable, but I plan to leave it in place.

 

[Muley Gil]

"I understand that these conversions used to be somewhat common."

Yes, after Skeeter Skelton wrote some articles in Shooting Times, there was a cottage trade in converting N frame .357s into .44 Specials. But I can't say that I've ever seen one like that before. Skeeter liked the lines and handiness of the lighter .44 Specials with the tapered barrels. He also had a few mid sized frame Ruger Blackhawk .357s converted to .44 Special.

I have owned several S&W .357 to .44 Special conversions and a couple of Ruger .357 to .44 Special conversions. They all wer good handling revolvers.

If it had been me building the revolver you bought, I would have made it a .44 Magnum, to take advantage of that heavy barrel.

BUT, the important thing is that YOU are happy with this one and that is all that really matters.

 

[StrawHat]

The Model 28-2,was the basis for a lot of conversions because it was plentiful and inexpensive. I am aware of some chambered for 45 long Colt, 44 Remington Magnum, 41 Magnum, a 44 WCF and the one I converted to 45 ACP.

Kevin

 

[S&WIowegan]

Model 28 conversion

I have several; the most unusual is probably a 4" 28-2 which has been converted to 38-40 WCF; another 28-2 was converted for me into a 38 Super 8-shooter. This conversion was done in the mid-1990s because S&W was dragging it's feet on producing 8-shot 627s. Mine has a very heavy barrel so I shoot 627s now and keep the 28 as a conversation piece.

 

[Pavia]

Skeeter Skilton load 7.5gr of Unique over a 240gr SWC Keith bullet. Duty round for my lipsey Ruger flattop Blackhawk

 

[AKtinman]

Looks like a fun shooter.

What kind of grips are those?

 

[zipty6]

Looks like a fun shooter.

What kind of grips are those?

They're the "320" style G10 grips from VZ Grips.

 

[6string]

Nice Work

Whoever did the work, they appear to have done a great job.
The front sight and target crown on the barrel suggest the gunsmith had a background in rifle work. Plus, he had a great sense of style.
What's the barrel length?
The fact he kept the ejector rod lock-up is a nice touch!
I wonder if this was intended as an early silhouette competition gun?
There's a bunch of things I'd be going over if I had it in my hands....barrel/cylinder gap, forcing cone type, bore and cylinder throat dimensions.
Yeah...this would be a LOT of fun on the range and at the loading bench.

Excellent acquisition!!

Enjoy!!

Jim

Y

 

[peter-paul]

Obviously the stippling was put there in order to allow the shooter to easily press check and rack the slide !



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[6string]

For use w/ Creedmoor

Obviously the stippling was put there in order to allow the shooter to easily press check and rack the slide !



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Actually, that's another reason I think this might be a Silhouette build. The stippling would be a tremendous aid when shooting from the prone "Creedmoor" position favored by many competitors.
You lay on your back, with strong side knee bent. The pistol is held in one hand with elbow on the ground and the side of the barrel braced against the lower leg.

Jim

 

[zipty6]

Correct the barrel length

Whoever did the work, they appear to have done a great job.
The front sight and target crown on the barrel suggest the gunsmith had a background in rifle work. Plus, he had a great sense of style.
What's the barrel length?
The fact he kept the ejector rod lock-up is a nice touch!
I wonder if this was intended as an early silhouette competition gun?
There's a bunch of things I'd be going over if I had it in my hands....barrel/cylinder gap, forcing cone type, bore and cylinder throat dimensions.
Yeah...this would be a LOT of fun on the range and at the loading bench.

Excellent acquisition!!

Enjoy!!

Jim

Y

I appreciate your insight.
Correction: The barrel length is 7.75".

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Yes, Skeeter would be quite happy and that looks like a very professional job.
There was also the .357 Bain & Davis.
One caution I read on these conversions, because the locking notch on these N-frames is right over the cylinder you must make sure the thickness of the metal at that spot is up to specs.

 

[6518John]

I just forwarded this to Dave Keith, I doubt he has seen this. I don't think anyone has anything over on him on modifying or tinkering with guns.

The more I look at it, the better I like it. I think the only thing that was giving me pause initially was the hooded sight, I had a Daisy BB gun that had a similar sight with various inserts you could swap out. (I was constantly changing them out as a youngster)!

 

[Protocall_Design]

Might be an early Ron Power gun. He did a lot of stippling. There were plenty of others building guns in that time period, though.

 

[keith44spl]

If I were to build a 'Bowling Pin' revolver....It would be like the OP's.

It looks like a fast roller.

.

 

[Art Doc]

Nope. Sorry. No offense but that barrel is hideous to me.

 

[Jason Demond]

Nope. Sorry. No offense but that barrel is hideous to me.

I don't hate it, but would find it more aesthetically pleasing if it were not slabbed and stippled.