Conversion - Model 15 to 44 Special?

[nbedford]

Just thinking. I have noticed a time or two in different forums where it seems there are folks who will convert a Model 27 S&W (357 Magnum) to 44 Special. I have a Model 15 (38 Special) I bought a few years ago, and which I shot regularly until I got nice Model 67 no-dash (38 Special). The Model 15 has quite a bit of masonite wear on the cylinder from being stored in a drawer I assume. I have thought about and wondered if there was anyone out there who has converted a Model 15 to 44 Special? I of course would prefer a factory K frame in 44 Special, but due to Magnumitis I do not expect that to ever happen.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I can't imagine anybody who is both reputable and competent would do that conversion on a K-frame gun. I never heard of it being done. Just my thoughts for what that may be worth to you. I don't think there is enough "meat" on the frame to shove a .429 bullet out the front with any sort of safety at all.

 

[nbedford]

Due to the barrel shank diameter, etc., I am not sure if it is even feasible. I had noticed the Taurus 441 in 44 Special which allegedly has a K type frame; which got me thinking about it.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Nothing on a K frame is big enough for any caliber starting with a 4. The Taurus is probably more of an L frame size.

 

[Engine49guy]

The smallest S&W .44 I've ever seen was a 5 shot "L" frame.
The L frame has a bigger cylinder than the K frame, the fact they had to reduce that larger diameter cylinder to 5 shots suggests there is not enough K cylinder to open up to .44.

The "N" frame has always been the one for six shot calibers starting with the number "4".

 

[Papa Lee]

Taurus 441

Due to the barrel shank diameter, etc., I am not sure if it is even feasible. I had noticed the Taurus 441 in 44 Special which allegedly has a K type frame; which got me thinking about it.

I have a Taurus 431. It is a 5 shot .44 Special on a K frame. Identical in size and looks very similar to my S&W Model 66 except fixed sight. It works well except it will not accept the aluminum cased Blazer .44 ammo. Most S&W conversions that I have seen are Model 28s.

After reading some of the comments I decided to measure the 431. The cylinder is about .0625 larger than my model 66.

 

[One Holer]

I believe the Charter Arms Bulldog is the smallest .44 Special made, which looks to be even smaller than K frame guns. That being said, they are known to only be able to handle low pressure loads.

 

[gwpercle]

Nothing on a K frame is big enough for any caliber starting with a 4. The Taurus is probably more of an L frame size.

Correct , the Taurus 441 & 455 are more "L" frame sized .
My daughter has a 441 - 44 special (she let me shoot it ) and I have a 455 in 45 acp ... what allows it to happen , in both revolvers , is the 5 shot cylinder's .

I bought the 455 because S&W didn't make a snub nosed 45 cal revolver then (2005) .
Both are powerfull belly guns with 2 " barrels and fixed sights.
Gary

 

[ColbyBruce]

Years ago, ASP converted the Ruger Service series to .44 special, using five shot cylinders.

 

[murphydog]

It 'may' be dimensionally possible with several thousand dollars and a gunsmith willing to tackle the job, but the other posts suggest some other good factory-made alternatives in the same size range.

Have a look at the current model 69; it's stamped .44 Magnum but you don't have to use those.

 

[4thAlabama]

Nothing on a K frame is big enough for any caliber starting with a 4. The Taurus is probably more of an L frame size.

Yes, the Taurus 441 is comperable to an L frame. I have one and it fits perfectly in an L frame holster but will not fit in a K frame holster. By the way, I love my 441 and it is my favorite for woods packing.

 

[nbedford]

It 'may' be dimensionally possible with several thousand dollars and a gunsmith willing to tackle the job, but the other posts suggest some other good factory-made alternatives in the same size range.

Have a look at the current model 69; it's stamped .44 Magnum but you don't have to use those.

I had a 629 6" until I got my first 44 Special - a Lipsey NM BH 4 1/2". I sold the 629 not long after that; since I didn't shoot it anymore. It now looks as though I need to look at a Taurus.

 

[glenwolde]

Besides replacing the cylinder with a 5 shot (if that is even dimensionallly possible) the entire internal lockwork would have to be retimed from a six shot to five shot. Seems like all the internals would have to made from scratch.

 

[Protocall_Design]

All the lockworks are the same for K through N frame, and 5 through 10 shot, except for: The hand is narrower at the top for 8 and 10 shot, and the N frame hammer and hammer block is taller than the KL frame hammers and blocks.

 

[murphydog]

I had a 629 6" until I got my first 44 Special - a Lipsey NM BH 4 1/2". I sold the 629 not long after that; since I didn't shoot it anymore. It now looks as though I need to look at a Taurus.

I would definitely compare any Taurus with the L frame model 69; the K or equivalent and L frames are not greatly different in size.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

You might want to try one of these.
Model 696.

 

[glenwolde]

All the lockworks are the same for K through N frame, and 5 through 10 shot, except for: The hand is narrower at the top for 8 and 10 shot, and the N frame hammer and hammer block is taller than the KL frame hammers and blocks.

I stand corrected then. I guess I don't get how a six shot K frame could index properly as a five shot with the same parts. I'll have to ponder that.

 

[nbedford]

You might want to try one of these.
Model 696.

My cousin had a couple of them at his pawnshop, and I looked at them. But it appears they are all just 3". If S&W had made them with a 4" barrel, I would have probably gone for it. My thinking is that in order to take full advantage of the inherent accuracy of the 44 Special cartridge you need a 4" barrel. Maybe I am just old and set in my ways.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I stand corrected then. I guess I don't get how a six shot K frame could index properly as a five shot with the same parts. I'll have to ponder that.

The ratchets on the extractor are cut according to the number of chambers. The hand pushes the ratchet until the cylinder locks up, then any excess hand travel just goes on up past the ratchet.

Edit to add - If you take off the sideplate and look in from the rear, you can see the interaction of the hand pushing the ratchets as you pull the trigger. Best to do this with the mainspring and hammer out.

 

[Farmer17]

I had a five shot 3 inch fixed site, Taurus 44 special and I remember it cost about 185 bucks brand new when a Smith and Wesson 44 special was about triple that much. It had very comfortable wood factory grips and was a lot of fun to shoot for the money. Recoil and blast was much more pleasant than a 357 magnum.