akjaeger
Member
I'm interested in converting a 5" model 27 to .44 special, who do you guys recommend?
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Model 27 .44 caliber conversion-who?
- Thread starter akjaeger
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shaggist
US Veteran
S&W Model 27-2 5" barrel
This is probably, in my opinion, one of the best, if not the best, .357 n-frame that S&W ever made. The 5" barrel provides enough length to maximize the hottest rounds for that caliber in that gun. It has a balance of symmetry that no other barrel length has, and the weight balance of the gun is perfect. There were not a lot made in that barrel length, so it has collector value in addition to its esthetic value.
Why not do the conversion on a Model 29 and save the Model 27. They are not making any more like that one-ever.
This is probably, in my opinion, one of the best, if not the best, .357 n-frame that S&W ever made. The 5" barrel provides enough length to maximize the hottest rounds for that caliber in that gun. It has a balance of symmetry that no other barrel length has, and the weight balance of the gun is perfect. There were not a lot made in that barrel length, so it has collector value in addition to its esthetic value.
Why not do the conversion on a Model 29 and save the Model 27. They are not making any more like that one-ever.
I gotta go along with Shaggist on this one. That M27 is too fine a piece on its own merits to convert it to something with actually less value. I'm a real .44 Spl fan myself, with a half-dozen revolvers in this caliber, but unless that M27 is damaged in some way that keeps you from shooting it as a .357, go find yourself a solid M28 to convert. There are plenty of them around at reasonable prices, and Hamilton Bowen can easily trim a 6-incher to 5" during conversion.
Just my $.02 worth.
Larry
Just my $.02 worth.
Larry
rkrcpa
Member
Wouldn't it be easier to find a M24? Why cut up a M27 if the factory already made the model?
keith44spl
Member
Oh contrair,
The model 27 is the revolver of choice for my conversions.
My 5" 27 conv. A 1950 .44Special barrel / .44 Mag cylinder.
Shoot mostly my handloaded .44 Spl 250gr. 429421 over a dollop of 2400.
My all time favorite .44Special, 27-2 conv. to .44Spl................................No safe queens around these here parts, I use 'em.
Oh well, a 38-44 HD conv. to .44 Special,. Just for an everyday work gun.
And just for grins & giggles, a pre-model in .45 Long Colt.
For someone to do a conversion, I'd think Hamilton Bowen would be the man.
Su Amigo,
Dave
The model 27 is the revolver of choice for my conversions.
My 5" 27 conv. A 1950 .44Special barrel / .44 Mag cylinder.
Shoot mostly my handloaded .44 Spl 250gr. 429421 over a dollop of 2400.
My all time favorite .44Special, 27-2 conv. to .44Spl................................No safe queens around these here parts, I use 'em.
Oh well, a 38-44 HD conv. to .44 Special,. Just for an everyday work gun.
And just for grins & giggles, a pre-model in .45 Long Colt.
For someone to do a conversion, I'd think Hamilton Bowen would be the man.
Su Amigo,
Dave
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Keith Brown
Vendor
I think the model 27 is the perfect gun for the conversion. It was the Caddy of the Smith line once upon a time. By using a 27-2 you get the checkered top strap, recessed cylinder and pinned barrel, and the five inch gun is not a rare one at all. If the five inch gun is what your after it's probably best to start with an original one to avoid the trouble of making a new front sight and getting it and the crown to look correct. keith44 spl, great guns!
Keith
Keith
Hamilton Bowen without a doubt to convert your 27 to either 44 Special or 45 Colt. It will make a very neat using gun. I have sveral of his conversions and have been more than happy with all of them. I should also say I currently have one going of to Andy Horvath and I will be anxious to get it back. It is a Colt , however, and I think he's the man for that type of conversion.
Model 27s rare?
In 1980-1981 era the Gun Shop I worked at parttime had a sale on Model 27 5" because there were a glut of these Models turned out by the factory.
In 1980-1981 era the Gun Shop I worked at parttime had a sale on Model 27 5" because there were a glut of these Models turned out by the factory.
Marksman
Member
I have had two 5" M/27's converted to .44 Special, the first was a M/27-2 Jim Stroh of Alpha Precision did that one. My current .44 Special conversion is on a Pre 27 5" and Hamilton Bowen did that one. Cost for either 'smith to do the conversion was comparable as was the wait time. The Stroh conversion had a La Bounty rebore and the Bowen a Delta Gun Shop rebore, both shoot great. My choice would be Hamilton Bowen if I were you and don't let any naysayers convince you not to use a M/27 as the basis for your conversion.
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nawilson
US Veteran
Skeeter wrote an article on this very thing. He used a damaged M27. The article makes for interesting reading. I am not sure about posting links, so try Googling "Converting 357s to 44 Special" and Skeeter. A fella by the name of Dark Canyon has that article posted.
5" N-frames are like a disease!
Thanks for the replies.
Great looking guns, Keith44spl
I found a 5" 5 screw model 27 for less $ than the 28's I'd been looking at!
With the checkered topstrap, service trigger and standard hammer that I prefer it would make an awesome 44 special.
Once it shows up, I'll shoot it, do a little research on it and if it's not an exceptional 357, send it off to Bowen's to get bored out. If it's something special it will join my 5" 29, my 26-1, and I'll keep looking for a candidate for the conversion.
Thanks for the replies.
Great looking guns, Keith44spl
I found a 5" 5 screw model 27 for less $ than the 28's I'd been looking at!
With the checkered topstrap, service trigger and standard hammer that I prefer it would make an awesome 44 special.
Once it shows up, I'll shoot it, do a little research on it and if it's not an exceptional 357, send it off to Bowen's to get bored out. If it's something special it will join my 5" 29, my 26-1, and I'll keep looking for a candidate for the conversion.
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Alan Horton did several .357 to .44 Special conversions for me- two Ruger Blackhawks and a M28. He does excellant work.
Here's my M27 conversion-done by Walker Arms back in '76:
Here's my M27 conversion-done by Walker Arms back in '76:
Here’s a 27-2 conversion I had done by a now-retired gunsmith near Dallas. The originally nickel-finish 27 was a SE Alaska “boat gun” with some major finish problems. Now an excellent .44 Special shooter.
I keep having recurring thoughts of sending in my old 27-2 8 3/8” for .44 Special conversion and refinish as a Pinto.
I keep having recurring thoughts of sending in my old 27-2 8 3/8” for .44 Special conversion and refinish as a Pinto.
I did one of these for a gentleman who had an"expert"make some reloads for him. Buldged the barrel on a mint model 27. I could not get a barrel at the time, and gunparts had barreles in 44 special. SO I proceded to fit an UNINDEXED cylinder and a 44 special barrel to the gun. What a job. When I was done however, it was the most accurate 44 Special I had ever fired. THen the nitwit told me he never used the sights, just shoots from the hip, like the "real Cowboys do". What a shame. Nice gun though.
Green Frog
Member
The bane of any 'smith's existence... the guy who wants a Rolls Royce then drives it like an old pick-up truck! Take satisfaction in knowing it was a job well done. I can't help but wonder whether the gun's owner was the "expert" who made the overloads in 357 Mag in the first place, though!
It would be nice if those barrels and cylinders were still as ea$y to get now, wouldn't it?
BTW, if you want a 5" 44 spl, the Model 27 barrels are going to probably be the most abundant for reboring... they do have a certain mystique about them, though. 
Froggie
Most of the re-bore work from who ever you send the revolver to for the conversion ends up at Clearwater Reboreing/Delta Gunshop.
Bowen still sends his stuff there AFAIK. Dave Clement used to. Don't know if he still does.
Clements Custom Guns
(I don't even see Dave doing DA revolver work listed other than Ruger.)
Cliff LaBounty retired from the rebore business and sold his equiptment and passed on his expertise to Jim DuBell (sp) who runs Clearwater.
Nice, nice work. You can send stuff directly to him for work, but I doubt you'd see it any sooner than if one of the names did the conversion,,or any cheaper.
Bowen was doing the cylinder rechambering work in house last I had any contact with them. They used to do that process as one of things priced on their gunsmithing list. I don't think they do that anymore.
An early M27 converted to 44sp is just a class revolver. That checkered top strap & bbl rib and the smooth action can't be beat.
Bowen still sends his stuff there AFAIK. Dave Clement used to. Don't know if he still does.
Clements Custom Guns
(I don't even see Dave doing DA revolver work listed other than Ruger.)
Cliff LaBounty retired from the rebore business and sold his equiptment and passed on his expertise to Jim DuBell (sp) who runs Clearwater.
Nice, nice work. You can send stuff directly to him for work, but I doubt you'd see it any sooner than if one of the names did the conversion,,or any cheaper.
Bowen was doing the cylinder rechambering work in house last I had any contact with them. They used to do that process as one of things priced on their gunsmithing list. I don't think they do that anymore.
An early M27 converted to 44sp is just a class revolver. That checkered top strap & bbl rib and the smooth action can't be beat.
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Looks as though the OP hasn't posted in over a year and a half...wonder if the conversion ever got done.
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