Lots of hype about the "wonderful' .44 spl. Some from Skeeter, some from Elmer in the pre .44 mag era. "Most accurate revolver ctg ever" Never bought into it myself. Extensive reading of handload tests of the .44 spl and mag as well as the .45 Colt by Brian Pearce reveal that the .44 spl is no more accurate than the other revolver ctgs when fired in accurate revolvers. The .45 ACP and Auto Rim does pretty well also. So...in my humble opinion spending a lot of money to convert a perfectly good S&W model 28 to .44 spl is an expensive project for little if any gain.
Model 28-2 is transitioning to a 44spl
- Thread starter biblethumpincop
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StrawHat
Member
There are just some of us who prefer a lighter handgun to carry yet still provide the punch of the large bore. Myself, I prefer the ACP revolver but if the OP likes the 44 S&W Special, that is okay also. My ACP revolvers are about the same weight as a Model 19 but with a better cartridge.
Kevin
I also like the light weight of the tapered barrel .45 ACP revolvers like the 1917 and 1937 Brazilian models with handloads in AR brass. To me it seems that a 4" model 29-2 would be a better choice in .44 caliber revolvers than a converted model 28 but to each their own.
In 1976 I bought a blue 3 1/2" M27 and a 6 1/2" .44 Special 1950 target barrel. I took the package to Walker Arms in Selma AL and had them re-chamber the cylinder & install the barrel. They were also supposed to cut the barrel to 5", but that didn't get done until 2004-5, when I had David Clements do it. It was my LE duty gun for several years.
It is a great shooter and the cartridge handgun I have had the longest. I have never regretted having it built. I have had a M28 converted to .44 Special, as well as two Old Model .357 Ruger Blackhawks.
If you can find a factory .44 Special, that is usually the cheaper way to go. If not, do the conversion.
It is a great shooter and the cartridge handgun I have had the longest. I have never regretted having it built. I have had a M28 converted to .44 Special, as well as two Old Model .357 Ruger Blackhawks.
If you can find a factory .44 Special, that is usually the cheaper way to go. If not, do the conversion.
OP
biblethumpincop
Member
I love the thump of the 44spl cartridge without the crack the 357 magnum has. It isn't about being cost efficient, it's about bringing joy to shooting by combining my favorite caliber and a revolver which I will never part with because of sentimental value.
I sold my Flattop 44spl I customized to fund this project.
I sold my Flattop 44spl I customized to fund this project.
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StrawHat
Member
Your second sentence says it all!!!
You do what makes you happy. Life is too short to shoot common guns!
Kevin
Looking at the replacement barrel, it looks like the front sight base is forged. How will they accomplish shortening it? Will they have to mill off the base and replace it? It looks like cutting an inch off the length would not leave enough base for the sight? Curious to know, not questioning wanting to do it.
OP
biblethumpincop
Member
The front sight base has two pins and a seam so it isn't an integral sight.
StrawHat
Member
This is a Model 25-2 that was shortened to 4 1/4”. The base was reattached but I will have to see if pinned or some other method.
This is how the front sight on a Model 1917 had the front sight reattached after the barrel was cut to 4”.
There are other methods.
Kevin
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The 28s are great guns. A 4" has made the rounds of all my brothers back to me and gone again, for 40 years. It has thousands of rounds through it. I would never buy a 19 when an N frame was the other choice. You can't break it, wear it out or overpower it. If you are out of ammo you can beat a man to death with it. Shot the head off a 4' coiled rattler with it, just like in the movies. Hope my brother doesn't sell it.
I like the .44 Spec and have went the conversion route a few times simply because real deal in that caliber aren’t that common or affordable.
From a practical standpoint, IMO one should get a .44 mag and have at it with either one preferred, wild or mild… mag or special.
The two pictured started as a 28-2, S#, 4” (best shooter of the two) and a well carried P-W Transitional HD.
From a practical standpoint, IMO one should get a .44 mag and have at it with either one preferred, wild or mild… mag or special.
The two pictured started as a 28-2, S#, 4” (best shooter of the two) and a well carried P-W Transitional HD.
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WildBillWJW
Member
Model 28 caliber conversion
I too enjoy shooting the 44 special, though my few have all been obtained in that caliber. My middle photo shows my Colt SAA in 44 special and my NF that is actually a 44-40, that came with an extra fitted 44 special cylinder. I have found that some of my reloads are really a little hot for my Colts, but just perfect in my S&W 629 MG shown in pic 1…the one with the most colorful grips. The 629 MG has been the best for me…light as a special with the capacity to still fire the occasional mag round. Something you might want to consider. My final pic is my only 5” barrel handgun, a model 27-2. And a favorites for shooting mag loads in…great balance, but does require it’s own holster. But, if you have an inexpensive model 28, and all the conversion parts, then full steam a head. Though, like others have mentioned, I would go ahead with the barrel length mod, while it’s being converted.
Bill
I too enjoy shooting the 44 special, though my few have all been obtained in that caliber. My middle photo shows my Colt SAA in 44 special and my NF that is actually a 44-40, that came with an extra fitted 44 special cylinder. I have found that some of my reloads are really a little hot for my Colts, but just perfect in my S&W 629 MG shown in pic 1…the one with the most colorful grips. The 629 MG has been the best for me…light as a special with the capacity to still fire the occasional mag round. Something you might want to consider. My final pic is my only 5” barrel handgun, a model 27-2. And a favorites for shooting mag loads in…great balance, but does require it’s own holster. But, if you have an inexpensive model 28, and all the conversion parts, then full steam a head. Though, like others have mentioned, I would go ahead with the barrel length mod, while it’s being converted.
Bill
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biblethumpincop
Member
My local gunsmith did some previous work for me which I like, but for this one to get cut to 5", I plan on taking it with me when I go back home to visit my parents in Phoenix in November. I'll stop by Frank Glenn and show him and see about him cutting the barrel, refitting the front sight and possibly refinishing the whole gun. It depends on how much difference in sheen there is between the 44 barrel/cylinder and the satin model 28.
StrawHat
Member
This is a Model 28-2 I built into a 45 ACP revolver. The barrel is original to the revolver and was bored and rifled to accept the 45 caliber bullet. The cylinder is from when the factory actually had spare parts and sold them. You can see the difference in the polish of the cylinder and the rest of the revolver. It does not bother me as I carried it and shot it quite a bit.
Kevin
This was a pre model Highway patrolmen
Now sports a 6" 45 barrel and a recessed 44 mag cylinder I reamed 45 Colt, my favorite big bore cartridge
I have a 357 cylinder I reamed to 44 special, looking for a barrel
Now sports a 6" 45 barrel and a recessed 44 mag cylinder I reamed 45 Colt, my favorite big bore cartridge
I have a 357 cylinder I reamed to 44 special, looking for a barrel
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Green Frog
Member
Well the one transition that a certain political group will be opposed to, while the other extreme group will cheer!
Froggie
Froggie
Gunsmiths aren't collectors, or at least the ones I've used. Gunsmith is a term used by many who work on firearms. Sometime loosely applied.
Does your mechanic know the CID of an original 68 Challenger? Probably not, but he can replace the FI rail on your Toyota.
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biblethumpincop
Member
Ugh... setback. The 2 cylinders I got with the barrel are 45ACP. Now I need to figure out what to do. My original 357 cylinder could be sent out to get reemed, I guess.
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