Maybe the firearms universe is trying to tell you something about this conversion plan?
Model 28-2 is transitioning to a 44spl
- Thread starter biblethumpincop
- Start date
OP
biblethumpincop
Member
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
Looks like I have 45ACP cylinders, not 44spl. Any interest in trading one for your 357 cylinder converted to 44?
Green Frog
Member
N frame 357 cylinders are pretty readily available, so finding one to convert should be pretty easy. This does make your deal into less of a screaming deal, but that factory 44 barrel is a nice find, and if somebody will give you a decent price for the 45 cal cylinders, you’ll be back in the green!
I built a custom K32 around a factory barrel I was offered on this forum and I had to buy a separate K22 cylinder to use with the K38 donor I bought. This is is the nature of building custom gun projects!
Keep plugging away at it, my friend. Non illigitimum corundum!
Froggie
I built a custom K32 around a factory barrel I was offered on this forum and I had to buy a separate K22 cylinder to use with the K38 donor I bought. This is is the nature of building custom gun projects!
Keep plugging away at it, my friend. Non illigitimum corundum!
Froggie
squidsix
Member
If you are gonna make it a .44, you gotta make it a 5 inch.
Them's the rules. I don't make the rules.
Them's the rules. I don't make the rules.
OP
biblethumpincop
Member
We are back in the game and a 44 cylinder should be here next week!
OP
biblethumpincop
Member
The cylinder arrived and I dropped it off at the gunsmith. Woohoo!
StrawHat
Member
No before pictures?!?!
Kevin
Kevin
OP
biblethumpincop
Member
This is the only one I took. I didn't take a picture of the model 28 cylinder from Jim.
Attachments
OP
biblethumpincop
Member
I'm looking for a Millett rear sight for my project if anyone knows of one!
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Why would you do that to grandpop's revolver? The Highway Patrol is a classic S&W revolver and they do not make them anymore and 1966 was a great year for S&W revolvers.
StrawHat
Member
He explained that in an earlier post.
Besides, the Model 28-2 is a good canvas for making great revolvers!
Kevin
Because for one thing now that the L frame exists, the N frame 357 is actually kind of silly.
Before you get to excited. I have 5 N frame 357s
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OP
biblethumpincop
Member
Found one!
StrawHat
Member
OP
biblethumpincop
Member
I got my gun back. I noticed the cylinder is a little late locking up if slowly cocking it, and it had .010" end-shake. I put some shims in today, so the end-shake is gone. I will be taking it with me to Phoenix in a couple of weeks and will take it to Frank Glenn to cut the barrel to 5" and will ask him to correct the timing and gap.
The Smith charged me $100 to swap the parts over. I could ask him to set the barrel back but figured Frank would just do it while he has the barrel off.
I took some pictures with different grips. The finger groove grips were some which my Dad modified from an original set of Target stocks about 40 years ago. I also mounted a Millett rear sight.
The Smith charged me $100 to swap the parts over. I could ask him to set the barrel back but figured Frank would just do it while he has the barrel off.
I took some pictures with different grips. The finger groove grips were some which my Dad modified from an original set of Target stocks about 40 years ago. I also mounted a Millett rear sight.
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Slightly thicker had will fix the late carry up. Need to take a turn off the back shoulder of the barrel to close the gap up.
It all looks good though.
It all looks good though.
Model 15-4ever
Member
OP, whatever makes you happy! Great country, America!
Back when S&W was cranking out in great quantity a large catalogue of revolvers, a calibre conversion was no big deal. Factory parts were readily available, as were identical guns.
Nowadays... not so much. Personally I would leave out-of-production guns as they are. Especially with the prices used S&Ws command these days.
Back when S&W was cranking out in great quantity a large catalogue of revolvers, a calibre conversion was no big deal. Factory parts were readily available, as were identical guns.
Nowadays... not so much. Personally I would leave out-of-production guns as they are. Especially with the prices used S&Ws command these days.
OP
biblethumpincop
Member
I appreciate your help making this happen!
Disregard all of the naysayers. I had a 3 1/2" M27-2 converted to .44 Special, way back in 1976. Thirty years later, I had the 6 1/2" barrel trimmed to 5".
Since you can't buy a 5" blue .44 Special, unless you find a super rare M24 or pre M24, ain't nothing wrong with building your own!
Green Frog
Member
I faced the same negativity when I had my K32 recreation and stainless K327 built. Most of the boos were covered up by the cheers when I got done. As the late Ricky Nelson sang, “You can’t please everyone, so you’ve gotta pleas yourself.”
I sure do admire your father’s grip work! They’re reminiscent of Fuzzy Farrant’s work!
Froggie
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