Hear is the plan, a friend that knows that I like to work on older S&W revolvers has offered to let me have a old 38/44 frame that he has had for a long long time. After thinking on this for about a month I am thinking OK, this is a n frame. If I use n frame parts,( 44 barrel 3 in, 44 spl cylinder, need a yoke do I stick with a 44spl yoke or will any n frame line up the cyl and barrel. The internals all need to be found, but I in joy looking. When all parts are rounded up I thought it would be smart to have a skilled gunsmith assemble and tune it before bluing. I thought a 44spl would be a good pick to keep pressures down. Is this a do able idea or a dumb one. Shore:

Sounds like an excellent plan. I built 3 Willy's Jeeps by part looking. Started with a frame and body.

I've done the same with guns. I enjoy the hunt for parts and fixing them up. To me it is a satisfying hobby.

Right now I have an early 50's Win (pre) 70 target bbl in 30-06 with the stock and have been looking for a late model 54 or rough pre 64 to get the action. The BBL has been zip tied to the stock for a long time. I keep looking. Now that I'm retired it needs to be really cheap. An early Sako action has the same BBL threads and would fit, but they too are pricey.

Bottom line, go for it.

All yokes don't work, some have a different front profile, but some of those can be reshaped by a skillful person. If the 38-40 has the original yoke that would be best. Cylinders are another story. Some go right in but, there is some length variations. Most of which can be worked with to fit. Some stuff goes right together. It is very possible and I find it interesting and challenging. Plus, you can pretty much have what you want in a revolver if you look around and either know a good smith or like me have a small machine shop.

Pretty much what steelslaver said. The yoke & sideplate may be a real problem. If you can handle it, go for it.

__________________
Why, I aughta.....

Thanks , this all helps.just not sure witch way to go.posibly back to stock.
Later Shore

If you have the barrel and cylinder (as well as the frame, of course) you have the hard work done. If you got the original yoke with the frame, so much the better. If you are going to be looking to buy the cylinder and barrel in 44 cal, be prepared for a long and/or expensive search, and if you plan to have them rebored from say 38/357, be prepared to wait a long time for the work to be done. It sounds like a nice project, but unless you can do it yourself or have the parts I mentioned above, it will probably be more pricey than buying a similar gun. Good luck with it, regardless.

Froggie

PS I didn't even consider the side plate... unless the original comes with the frame, I wouldn't even consider the project as fitting that one piece tends to be a serious gunsmithing job!

Thanks , for the replys guys. I sent the parts I have found, and the frame off for assembly and fitting. This is going to take awhile. I can't hardly wait. I settled on putting her back all most to what she was only change is ( longer barrel 6 1/2 from 5 ) going to be a long wait.
Shore