Model 28-2 is transitioning to a 44spl

[biblethumpincop]

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.

I just got off the phone with Frank. He doesn't care to use the factory front ramp so I need to find a new Weigand ramp or it will be staying a 6.5" barrel.

 

[keith44spl]

357 converted to 44 Special…
That’s a Capital Idea


///

 

[Retired W4]

After reading through this thread and looking at pictures of the OP's gun I just have one question. Are the chambers recessed for the 44 special rims. The gap between the cylinder and recoil shield looks pretty tight.

I have a 28-2 in 44 special and the cylinder is recessed. 44 mags will not fit.

 

[biblethumpincop]

After reading through this thread and looking at pictures of the OP's gun I just have one question. Are the chambers recessed for the 44 special rims. The gap between the cylinder and recoil shield looks pretty tight.

I have a 28-2 in 44 special and the cylinder is recessed. 44 mags will not fit.

Yes, my chambers are recessed.

 

[biblethumpincop]

These will look great on my 44spl and a great price!

 

[biblethumpincop]

The new Altamont grips arrived.

 

[biblethumpincop]

I took my gun to Phoenix last weekend while visiting my parents. I dropped it off with Frank Glen. I just got a call from him, saying he fixed the timing and set the barrel back to fix the cylinder gap. I'll pick it up next month when visiting family at Christmas. Very cool!

 

[BillBro]

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

That my friend is a beautiful piece right there. I rather like the contrast between the frame and cylinder.

 

[CherryRiver]

I, too, have a strong urge to convert my 28-2 to a large bore.
It's the second gun I ever bought, back in August 1973. I believe the price was something like $125, new.
But I'm a .45 guy, and as much as I like this gun, I know I'd be happier were it a .45.
The .45ACP conversions above are captivating, to me.
So part of why I would want to convert instead of find another gun is simple attachment, plus I also know I shoot this gun better than any other revolver I've had, for some reason I can't figure out.

 

[biblethumpincop]

I brought my 44 home from AZ this week and shot it today. It was cold here in ID so I shot for about 45 min. My fingers got a little numb.

The gun is wonderful! Some Skeeter loads and freezing temperatures made for sore hands! Even with Pachmyars! I tried wood grips for a few shots and decided the rubber grips felt better...HA!

I shot offhand at 15 yards. The gun liked Skeeter loads better than 200gr RNFP and 180gr JHP. This will be fun!

Frank Glenn fixed the gun up for me and short of cutting the barrel to 5", this was a dream come true!

 

[biblethumpincop]

Freezing cold, offhand at 15 yards with some Skeeter loads. I look forward to shooting in the warmth and with deliberate shots to see how this old dog can shoot!

 

[Luke Duke]

I think you're gun looks very good. I think you did the right thing keeping the original barrel length.

 

[biblethumpincop]

I picked up a pair of discount Altamont rosewood grips. They fit like garbage at the backstrap and apparently had a crack which was glued together. I modified them to fit the gun and my hand better. I shortened the length as well.

I still desire to have the barrel cut to 5". I noticed the front sight base is narrow due to the taper. If I had the barrel cut and the sight remounted, it would be narrower than the rib due to the taper.

For those who have done this before, did it look like poo? I guess I could try to find a ramp from a non-tapered barrel like a 6" model 19 or 29 and have the sides machined to fit the rib taper? Thoughts?

 

[BC38]

Well some of us like the fact that the 27/28 might be a bit over built for the .357. That means a no-nonsense load like a 158 gr cast SWC at 12-1300 fps is a piece of cake for the N frames.

I was one of those folks - until I got a 28-2

If you want to shoot full-power 357 magnum ammo, there is no better tool than an N-frame. Feels about like shooting a 38 +p in a steel K-frame.

I still don't get shooting a 38 special from an N-frame (38-44), but then again, I've never actually shot one.

 

[raljr1]

Glad you turned Grandpap's gun into something you like. For those who ask why 44 special and doubt the accuracy, here is one of the first targets I shot at 25 feet with my second model.

 

[A10]

I still don't get shooting a 38 special from an N-frame (38-44), but then again, I've never actually shot one.

Try it sometime. I learned to shoot with my Dad's HD, the low recoil allowed me to develop my skills without being intimidated by all the fuss a .357 puts up. Learning at that level allowed me to become the magnum happy fool I am today!

 

[alwslate]

I was one of those folks - until I got a 28-2

If you want to shoot full-power 357 magnum ammo, there is no better tool than an N-frame. Feels about like shooting a 38 +p in a steel K-frame.

I still don't get shooting a 38 special from an N-frame (38-44), but then again, I've never actually shot one.

Shooting .38 special from an N frame isn't really about matching the gun and load. A 4" 38/44 HD is just a great chunk of steel revolver with visual appeal and great balance. I have two and love them. Wouldn't sell them for more than they are worth

 

[SuperMan]

A job nicely done...

Have converted a few guns to 5". Found a rusty 5" 27-2 and had it made into a .41 Magnum. Was going to have the original cylinder rebored and make it .41 Special but it was too pitted so replaced it with a Model 58 cylinder and had the barrel shank cut back... It is out in Idaho right now as my friend Ted needed a .41 to develop his .41 loads for his ammo company, Lost River Ammo. My gun is the one pictured...

.41 Magnum 215 grain Keith Style lead Semi Wadcutter at 1,210 FPS. (100 RND)

By starting off with a 5" barrel didn't have to worry about remounting the sight, which would be difficult on a tapered barrel. The 27 barrel was rebored and is very accurate.

Before going all .41, I was a .44 Special fan...had the whole 24-3/624 set of six guns...3", 4" and 6.5"...

Glad things are working out well for you...Bob

 

[SuperMan]

I still don't get shooting a 38 special from an N-frame (38-44), but then again, I've never actually shot one.

...that's because you haven't shot real .38-44s from a Heavy Duty or an Outdoorsman...

A 158 LSW at 1100+ fps isn't a .38 Special or even a +P. They are in the 28k psi area...

Ammo was available up through the early 1970s as "HIGH SPEED" and there was loading data in the Lyman manuals.

Fortunately today Lost River Ammo, Underwood and Buffalo Bore all have revived this great round in both hard cast solids and soft HPs... It's just listed as +P but when you look at the actual muzzle velocity, 1050 fps from a 2" snub isn't exactly SAMMI +P...

It's all I carry when carrying a .38...HD or not...

Bob

 

[sodacan]

I have my grandfather's 100+ year old gold pocket watch, and I'm thinking of converting it to a quartz movement. What do you guys think?