44 SPL conversion value question

Gene · #1 01-13-2009, 08:12 AM

Does anyone have an idea what a Trapper Guns 44SPL conversion of a M-28 is worth? The guns barrel is cut to 3 1/2", roundbutted and satin nickled. A coworker offered me this gun as part of a trade and I need a dollar value. He also had a 4" nickeled M-58 that was in pretty good shape. I have no idea what that one is worth either. Any help would be appreciated. I have a chance to shoot the 44 later this month. Others that have shot it said it's definately a good shooter.

Gene · #2 01-13-2009, 08:12 AM

Does anyone have an idea what a Trapper Guns 44SPL conversion of a M-28 is worth? The guns barrel is cut to 3 1/2", roundbutted and satin nickled. A coworker offered me this gun as part of a trade and I need a dollar value. He also had a 4" nickeled M-58 that was in pretty good shape. I have no idea what that one is worth either. Any help would be appreciated. I have a chance to shoot the 44 later this month. Others that have shot it said it's definately a good shooter.

ladder13 · #3 01-13-2009, 08:29 AM

Don't know about either, but I'd sure like to see the 28.

T. McIntyre · #4 01-13-2009, 09:42 AM

Sadly,

The likelyhood of getting your money back out of a custom gun is usually slim. This of course varies by the the type of work done and who the gunsmith was.

Personally, I would give $500 for such a piece if done nicely.

Calaveras Slim · #5 01-13-2009, 10:21 AM

I would admire to see pix of the 44.

Gene · #6 01-13-2009, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the comments. If I make the trade I'll try to get pictures posted. The 44 looks very much like the 4" 624's that were made in the 80's. It has a red insert on the ramp front sight. I've picked up a 624 and a 24 with 6 1/2" barrels over the years. I always wanted a 4" and I love the look of the 3 1/2 M-27's. I would have preferred blue but the nickel is good. Not sure if I have a need for the .41 Mag but any older Smith is interesting.

Andy Taylor · #7 01-13-2009, 10:41 AM

Assuming it is in good factory original condition the M58 will be worth more. i would guess that the conversion would be worth about $500. But that is only a guess.

Gene · #8 01-13-2009, 10:45 AM

Keith44spl...That gun is beautiful. I was typing my last post when you sent that. If I made the trade this would be a keeper so getting any value later is a moot point. I'm glad to hear you use yours. A looker and a shooter is hard to find. Thanks

big50_1 · #9 01-13-2009, 01:11 PM

keith44spl-A work of art. Who did the grips on your gun?

big50_1 · #10 01-13-2009, 02:42 PM

keith44spl-When I was a kid, my grandparents and aunt/uncle lived near each other on separate farms in PA. My family moved to the city (Phila.) when I was 7 or 8. For about 6 years or so, when I was in elementary school, I spent my summers on the farms doing whatever was required (drove a tractor gathering hay at 8).

Guns were tools; there was a loaded single barrel shotgun behind the front door. So I understand the comfort that good quality tools give to workers who use them daily in that type of unforgiving environment. It works or you are SOL. Good for you that you got your constant companion a new "suit of clothes and shoes".

R-Tex · #11 01-13-2009, 02:54 PM

Hi, all -

I recently picked up (from the November Kull & Supica auction) a 28-2 converted to .44 Magnum. On the frame inside the crane and above the serial number is engraved (in cursive, not stamped individual letters) the word "Trapper" and below that, "Gun". I guess this would probably be one of the examples from Trapper Guns, eh? Darn, this forum is a great place to learn things!

Except for the addition of a red ramp to the front sight, it looks just like a plain ol' Model 28 except for a bit higher level of polish on the barrel and cylinder. The barrel has been restamped to read "44" instead of ".357".

I have noticed, however, that .44 Specials chamber and extract much more easily than the .44 Mag rounds. As a matter of fact, I had to clean the chambers most diligently to get the magnum round to seat all the way. Even then, an empty mag cartidge case will not seat without some "help" unless it's crimped. Loaded rounds will chamber OK, but have very sticky extraction. I've decided to use only .44 Special loads in this one. It's very accurate with 7 grains of Unique under a 245 grain LSWC.

Gene, I won the 28-2 with a bid of $475 but the gun had not been nickled or round-butted, nor had the barrel been shortened. Hope that info is useful...

Gene · #12 01-13-2009, 03:06 PM

Thank you R-Tex. That's good information to have. If I get this one I'll try that load.

mm6mm6 · #13 01-13-2009, 03:28 PM

Dave, that .44 is GORGEOUS!!!! Who did the engraving?

Smilin-buddha · #14 01-13-2009, 04:38 PM

That is one beautiful gun.

big50_1 · #15 01-13-2009, 05:08 PM

R-Tex-For some reason the cylinder on your conversion is "short". If the cylinder is not reamed far enough the mouth of the cartridge will not open up completely, forcing the powder to "blow" the bullet over the restricting lip.

Obviously a .44 mag. will blow the lead over the resisting brass lip and out but pressure will skyrocket and accuracy may be "so, so". Something is not "right" with the conversion if, in fact, it is .44 mag. I've had several .44 mag. pistols over the years and never encountered what you describe with original .44 mag. guns.

Farmer17 · #16 01-13-2009, 05:14 PM

Conversion gun $500 M-58 $750

R-Tex · #17 01-13-2009, 05:35 PM

Thanks, big50_1 -

I thought that was probably the case. I appreciate the information & I'll bet you're absolutely right.

R-Tex · #18 01-13-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by keith44spl:
... When it was re-chambered, as mine was, some of the reamers made back then were a little long. It was popular to use a special designed reamer to chamber from .357 to .44spl. a reamer with a long pilot that fit the .357 throats to help center up the reamer on the org. cyl.
With 28s and 27 cyl we would c'bore (recess)for the cartridge head thickness using the c'bore step ground on the reamer itself....

SU Amigo
Dave

Mi Amigo Keith44spl,

THANKS!!! I had a sneaking suspicion that something like this might be the case. In looking down the cylinder chambers from the rear, I can't see a "step" or a ridge between the chamber and the throat that one can usually see in a "regular" cylinder. I had reached the conclusion that the reaming had been done with something that resulted in more of a "conical" (for lack of knowing the proper terminology) throat than one in which the sides were absolutely parallel to each other.

Also, I had taken note of the fact that the caliber designation restamped on the barrel said "44" rather than "44 Magnum".

I noticed you said, "some of the reamers made back then". Can you give me an idea of the time period during which they did these conversions?

Thanks again for the information and for the VERY valuable caution. I really appreciate it very much.

Oh, and BTW, that's one really stunning 27!

moosedog · #19 01-13-2009, 08:16 PM

If you run across a Trapper Gun conversion, you can rest assured that it was done right. Trapper stamped all his conversions.
I've known Lynn Trapper for years and he has always done right by me.
I see him about once a week and he is still hanging in there, semi retired. He is helping his grandson Eric take the business over.
Ditto on not shooting that converted 28 with 44 Magnum ammo, the cylinder was not heat treated for those pressures.

R-Tex · #20 01-13-2009, 08:23 PM

Thanks for the info, keith44spl!

$50 or $100 used to be a whole lot harder to come by than it is now, didn't it?

I'll bet that cow pony could tell some tales!

Thanks again for the heads up on the 44 conversion.

625 Shooter · #21 01-13-2009, 08:25 PM

Does Jeff Flannery have a website??

Or perhaps you could provide contact info??

R-Tex · #22 01-13-2009, 08:28 PM

Thanks to you also, moosedog. When you next see Mr. Trapper, please tell him that a young man (I'm only 65

) in Texas is having a really good time with one of his conversions.

Take care,

mm6mm6 · #23 01-13-2009, 08:28 PM

Dave, that Smith is really special. I have a Ruger Single Six engraved by Flannery, but your N-Frame is truly stunning! Those ivory handles look so dang classy on that gun! I bet you've got a slick lookin' holster for that whole setup! Just super!

big50_1 · #24 01-13-2009, 11:23 PM

So the next question is how often do you all see 27/28 44spl conversions floating around anymore? In times past, I've heard of them but never saw one.

moosedog · #25 01-14-2009, 09:50 AM

R Tex I will do that. I was just in his shop an hour ago, got to go back next week as I told him to hold another gun for me. I've got it bad.

Trapper was looking pretty healthy today, he just got over some health issues himself.

R-Tex · #26 01-14-2009, 01:12 PM

Thanks, moosedog! If Mr. Trapper is curious and/or interested, the 28-2 .44 conversion I have is serial number N2247XX.

Keith44spl, what a wonderful photo! Looks like something from a very different time. I'll bet one reason that "rememberin' is the best part of all..." is that it requires a bunch less effort and isn't nearly as cold!

Also, that's a beautiful rig you have - I'm appropriately jealous. Thanks for posting the pics.

Muley Gil · #27 01-14-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

So the next question is how often do you all see 27/28 44spl conversions floating around anymore? In times past, I've heard of them but never saw one.

Every time I open the safe.

The 6 1/2" S&W, top, is a M28 conversion. The 5" S&W, second from the top, is built on a M27.

The two Rugers are built on Old Model .357 Blackhawks.

The other revolvers are factory .44 Specials.

#28 01-15-2009, 03:58 AM

Dave please tell us about that last one you posted and also who is your leather maker? Thanks. Tony

big50_1 · #29 01-15-2009, 12:00 PM

Simply-Wow!

ladder13 · #30 01-15-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by keith44spl:

THAT is one nice-looking piece of iron.

Mickey D · #31 01-15-2009, 05:24 PM

That add'l 1/2 inch makes the N frame look nice. I have a 3" 24, but I like that 3.5 alot!

sjstill · #32 01-15-2009, 06:35 PM

Wow. Some good looking revolvers in this thread.

I have a 6" 28 that was electroless-nickeled. Have thought about converting it to 44 Special. But the tite-wad side of me says one more caliber to reload for...

RobO · #33 01-15-2009, 08:24 PM

I just wanted to say, there are some nice guns in this thread!

And by the way, Dave Clements IS NOT doing L frame conversions anymore.