I was given this 1966 model 28-2 by my Grandpop a few months before he passed away in 1985. I don't shoot it much, because a gun that big beckons to be a larger caliber. 357 is great in an L frame size revolver.

44spl is one of my favorite calibers and I reload so I love making the Skeeter loads. I found a 6.5" 44spl barrel (pinned) and it came with 2 cylinders (44spl and possibly 44-40?). Since I will never sell my gun, I love 44spl, and it will be more shootable, I will have a local gunsmith swap the barrel and 44spl cylinder.

I think the parts are from a 1950 Target 44, but I'm not certain. I don't see much use for the 44-40 cylinder so I probably won't have it fitted.

I can't wait! Maybe it will get trimmed to 5" some day!

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I have had a few M/28's that have been converted to .44 Specials, including one that I had shortened to 5". The late Skeeter Skelton was a big promoter of of the 5" barrel, I like 5" barreled N-frame S & W's because I find this barrel length to have ideal balance. I would certainly encourage you to proceed with the conversion you have in mind.

I recently went through the same process with a 28-3. Just posted a thread about it, in fact, if you care to take a look if you haven't already.
I can get along with anyone packing a .44spl.

A "Special" State of Mind (The .44 Kind)

I saw those parts offered for sale and thought about doing just what you’re planning. I’m glad you got them and will put them to good use. I would encourage you to have the 44-40 cylinder fitted as the project is done (assuming it’s not just another 44 Spl cyl). It won’t cost that much in the big scheme of things, and you never can tell. The 44-40 is a fun round to shoot. I’m thinking of having a 32-20 cylinder made for my custom stainless 327 Fed Mag (Project 616). If I’d had the cylinder in hand when I had the original build done, I very likely would have had it built for both!
Froggie

The 2nd cylinder is the same length, but when I drop 44spl rounds in the holes, they stick up about 1/8". I presume that means it's a 44/40 cylinder?

Make sure you send it to a smith who knows revolvers.
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I built a 45 ACP from a Model 28-2. The only thing I had done by someone else was boring and rifling the barrel. Turned out great! Still have it and shoot it.

The 44 S&W Special is a good cartridge also. If you are thinking of a 5” barrel, have it done now, with the rest of the work. It will not add that much time or money to the project and you won’t have to get new leather.

Keep us posted!

Kevin

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My .44 Special built on a Model 27.
It had already been hacked up/re-blued as a .357 so with no collector value it was the perfect candidate.

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I agree 100% about N frame needing to be larger caliber. Every time I bring it up I get lectured about the 27/28 being the finest revolver S&W ever made blah blah blah. It might be but it’s like having a big block V8 that puts out 100 hp….. why bother?

You’re asking me? I have a Model 29-2 (44 Mag) I haven’t shot in years and recently sold my Uberti/Navy Arms Henry in 44-40 after a hundred rounds or two. I’m not the expert on 44s by a long shot. Do you have (or can you get) a 44-40 round to try in it? If the chamber is too fat at the back and won’t accept a 44 Spl round at the throat, I’d say 44-40 is a good guess.
Froggie

Great project, you could sell the model 28 barrel & cylinder also to help fund the project. Personally, I would have the barrel cut when you convert it. It’s all done. You could enjoy a great barrel length right from the start. Good luck, Larry

I guess somebody has to keep those gunsmiths in business.

They're dropping like flies around here.

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Several years ago I ended up with a M27-2 that had been rebarreled to 3.5", and a so-so reblue. I had a spare M25-2 cylinder and wanted to have the 27 converted to 45 ACP by reboring and fitting the 25-2 cylinder. I contacted a very well thought of pistol smith to discuss the conversion. He told me that you couldn't rebore the barrel because the way that S&W attaches the front sights, you could not rebore because the sight "may be dovetailed into the barrel and you would ruin the barrel by reborring." Sold the gun and ended up getting a 24-3 4"" instead. My feeling to this day is that he just didn't want to do the job.

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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.

WOW! I am aware of NO Model 27s, from the factory, with dovetailed sights. He is FOS!

I agree, he did not want the job. After that comment, he would get none of my work. Is he still working? As a gunsmith?

Kevin

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The ramp on N Frame barrels sits on top of the ribb, but has a key piece that goes in a slot in rib and the key is cross pinned. You would have to completely bore the front section of barrel away to even come close to hitting the bottom of that slot. But op states he has a barrel in 44 to start with.

I have a 28 cylinder I reamed to make a recessed 44 special cylinder, I just haven't came up with barrel yet

My gunsmith called and said it has great lockup. Very solid. He said the gun is having light strikes so he ordered a hammer nose. Hopefully that will take care of the issue.

One of the causes of light strikes is a weak mainspring or a strain screw that is not seated tightly or has been over shortened by a bubbasmith in an attempt to lighten trigger pull. If the new firing pin doesn't cure light strikes I'd suggest replacing both of those parts.

I have a really nice 4” 28 in like 99% condition if it were rougher I would also think about this swap.

Given that it is an heirloom and the M-28 is long out of production, I would leave it as is, but since it's yours.....recall Skeeter Skelton's articles from 1972 about converting one. An M-28 is as close to an all around revolver as we have.

Lots of hype about the "wonderful' .44 spl. Some from Skeeter, some from Elmer in the pre .44 mag era. "Most accurate revolver ctg ever" Never bought into it myself. Extensive reading of handload tests of the .44 spl and mag as well as the .45 Colt by Brian Pearce reveal that the .44 spl is no more accurate than the other revolver ctgs when fired in accurate revolvers. The .45 ACP and Auto Rim does pretty well also. So...in my humble opinion spending a lot of money to convert a perfectly good S&W model 28 to .44 spl is an expensive project for little if any gain.

There are just some of us who prefer a lighter handgun to carry yet still provide the punch of the large bore. Myself, I prefer the ACP revolver but if the OP likes the 44 S&W Special, that is okay also. My ACP revolvers are about the same weight as a Model 19 but with a better cartridge.

Kevin

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I also like the light weight of the tapered barrel .45 ACP revolvers like the 1917 and 1937 Brazilian models with handloads in AR brass. To me it seems that a 4" model 29-2 would be a better choice in .44 caliber revolvers than a converted model 28 but to each their own.

In 1976 I bought a blue 3 1/2" M27 and a 6 1/2" .44 Special 1950 target barrel. I took the package to Walker Arms in Selma AL and had them re-chamber the cylinder & install the barrel. They were also supposed to cut the barrel to 5", but that didn't get done until 2004-5, when I had David Clements do it. It was my LE duty gun for several years.

It is a great shooter and the cartridge handgun I have had the longest. I have never regretted having it built. I have had a M28 converted to .44 Special, as well as two Old Model .357 Ruger Blackhawks.

If you can find a factory .44 Special, that is usually the cheaper way to go. If not, do the conversion.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I love the thump of the 44spl cartridge without the crack the 357 magnum has. It isn't about being cost efficient, it's about bringing joy to shooting by combining my favorite caliber and a revolver which I will never part with because of sentimental value.

I sold my Flattop 44spl I customized to fund this project.

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Your second sentence says it all!!!

You do what makes you happy. Life is too short to shoot common guns!

Kevin

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Looking at the replacement barrel, it looks like the front sight base is forged. How will they accomplish shortening it? Will they have to mill off the base and replace it? It looks like cutting an inch off the length would not leave enough base for the sight? Curious to know, not questioning wanting to do it.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

The front sight base has two pins and a seam so it isn't an integral sight.

Gotcha...I didn't zoom in enough....thx

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

This is a Model 25-2 that was shortened to 4 1/4”. The base was reattached but I will have to see if pinned or some other method.



This is how the front sight on a Model 1917 had the front sight reattached after the barrel was cut to 4”.



There are other methods.

Kevin

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The 28s are great guns. A 4" has made the rounds of all my brothers back to me and gone again, for 40 years. It has thousands of rounds through it. I would never buy a 19 when an N frame was the other choice. You can't break it, wear it out or overpower it. If you are out of ammo you can beat a man to death with it. Shot the head off a 4' coiled rattler with it, just like in the movies. Hope my brother doesn't sell it.

I've done several of these and you'll love it.

I like the .44 Spec and have went the conversion route a few times simply because real deal in that caliber aren’t that common or affordable.
From a practical standpoint, IMO one should get a .44 mag and have at it with either one preferred, wild or mild… mag or special.
The two pictured started as a 28-2, S#, 4” (best shooter of the two) and a well carried P-W Transitional HD.

I too enjoy shooting the 44 special, though my few have all been obtained in that caliber. My middle photo shows my Colt SAA in 44 special and my NF that is actually a 44-40, that came with an extra fitted 44 special cylinder. I have found that some of my reloads are really a little hot for my Colts, but just perfect in my S&W 629 MG shown in pic 1…the one with the most colorful grips. The 629 MG has been the best for me…light as a special with the capacity to still fire the occasional mag round. Something you might want to consider. My final pic is my only 5” barrel handgun, a model 27-2. And a favorites for shooting mag loads in…great balance, but does require it’s own holster. But, if you have an inexpensive model 28, and all the conversion parts, then full steam a head. Though, like others have mentioned, I would go ahead with the barrel length mod, while it’s being converted.
Bill

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My local gunsmith did some previous work for me which I like, but for this one to get cut to 5", I plan on taking it with me when I go back home to visit my parents in Phoenix in November. I'll stop by Frank Glenn and show him and see about him cutting the barrel, refitting the front sight and possibly refinishing the whole gun. It depends on how much difference in sheen there is between the 44 barrel/cylinder and the satin model 28.

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

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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

Well the one transition that a certain political group will be opposed to, while the other extreme group will cheer!
Froggie

Gunsmiths aren't collectors, or at least the ones I've used. Gunsmith is a term used by many who work on firearms. Sometime loosely applied.

Does your mechanic know the CID of an original 68 Challenger? Probably not, but he can replace the FI rail on your Toyota.

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Ugh... setback. The 2 cylinders I got with the barrel are 45ACP. Now I need to figure out what to do. My original 357 cylinder could be sent out to get reemed, I guess.

Maybe the firearms universe is trying to tell you something about this conversion plan?

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Looks like I have 45ACP cylinders, not 44spl. Any interest in trading one for your 357 cylinder converted to 44?

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

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.

We are back in the game and a 44 cylinder should be here next week!

The cylinder arrived and I dropped it off at the gunsmith. Woohoo!

No before pictures?!?!

Kevin

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This is the only one I took. I didn't take a picture of the model 28 cylinder from Jim.

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I'm looking for a Millett rear sight for my project if anyone knows of one!

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.