25-2 in .44 spl

[tennexplorer]

The barrel looks to be a Model 1950 Target barrel. The ampersand between the Smith and the Wesson on the left hand side is what they call a lazy ampersand as the bottom loop is large. That is from the 50's. Also, the barrel extension inside the frame window looks a little short for the .44 Special. You might want check and see if it will chamber a .44 Magnum round.

 

[Rudi]

Need much better pics. Light background.

 

[AudieMurphy]

I do not buy the story of it being a special order factory item. A Model 25 will be in either 45 ACP or 45 Colt, not 44 Special. The rest of the story is going to be in what fits in the chambers. My guess is that someone had a 25-2 and really wanted a Model 29, so a 29-3 cylinder and a Model 24 barrel were found and a swap was performed.

that wont work...the 44 special barrel is longer inside the frame the cylinder wouldn't close...been there tried that

 

[StrawHat]

that wont work...the 44 special barrel is longer inside the frame the cylinder wouldn't close...been there tried that

Any good gunsmith, professional or amateur, can fit a barrel shank that is too long.

Kevin

 

[murphydog]

As stated above, the most likely explanation is a previous owner wanted a .44 Magnum (or Special) and found a 1950 .44 Target barrel and Magnum cylinder to fit. The barrel is safe to use with Magnums.

The conversion was likely done before the mid ‘80s and the reintroduction of the model 24-3. Or someone just decided what the heck.

 

[stansdds]

It's a whole lot easier to fit a barrel with too long of a shank than one that is too short.

 

[steelslaver]

I would bet it is an aftermarket conversion. Too bad, I could use an ACP frame.

It is not as simple as swapping the barrel and cylinder. The frame lug would need to be changed also. Not a tough job but noticeable if not done.

I converted a Model 28-2 to a 4”, 45 ACP. I had the 357 barrel bored and rifled for the ACP bullet, fit a new cylinder and frame lug while the barrel was gone. When the barrel got back it needed to be turned in a thread or two to make the barrel cylinder gap acceptable. Two turns was too much so the barrel shank had to be shortened. I did the work myself but unlike Steelslaver, I used hand tools. Mostly a portable hand held milling machine, ie, a hand file. The total into the conversion was well under $200. I want to say under $150 but do not recall. I know it was not much.

Kevin

If you ever go to do it again I will send you a handy day deal I made. I use them in my lathe. But a guy was telling me how he uses a drill press and the light came one.

If you chuck the live center end of this double taper deal, shown here in a drill press, and use a file, with the sides dresses off, on the barrel shoulder, where the indicator tip is riding, as it turns to take off small uniform amounts. Round and round your barrel goes, completely on center.

 

[Jim Watson]

For the price i could not pass it up. I will research getting a letter

The cost of a letter will wipe out a good purchase price.
And all it will tell you is that you have what used to be a .45.

Years ago, a friend came upon some NOS .45 barrels, two 1950, one 1955.
He put them on M27 and M28 frames and had Bob Snapp rechamber the cylinders to .45 Colt. He had the mold for the short-nosed SWC that would fit the cylinders. No doubt by now somebody has said "What did I just buy and what is it worth?"

 

[Num1fordfan]

So i got the gun home , 44 magnum does fit in the cylinder .... so a 25 frame a 44 mag cylinder and a 44 special barrel

 

[22hipower]

Ok, now go shoot it and let us know how it does. And we'd sure like to see pictures of the whole gun. . . .and the target with one ragged hole in the center.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[glenwolde]

.44 Special conversions were all the rage in the 80's thanks to Skeeter Skelton's relentless promotion of said caliber. Unlikely that it's factory. There were a lot more barrels and cylinders available back then than there are now.

 

[A10]

Some would call it a frankengun. I think it's just someone's idea of a custom that fit their desires. At the very least you have a shooter .44, which isn't a bad thing!

Awaiting a range report and more pics!

 

[StrawHat]

If you ever go to do it again I will send you a handy day deal I made. I use them in my lathe. But a guy was telling me how he uses a drill press and the light came one...

Jim,

Thank you for the offer! However, no lathe, no drill press but still have a selection of hand files!

Besides, I live near three different gunsmiths and am happy to keep them in business. That gives me more time on the trigger.

Kevin

 

[steelslaver]

Jim,

Thank you for the offer! However, no lathe, no drill press but still have a selection of hand files!

Besides, I live near three different gunsmiths and am happy to keep them in business. That gives me more time on the trigger.

Kevin

The idea of using files on guns freaks a lot of people out. But, incredibly fine precision work can be done with them. I have the complete set of tools to trim barrel for the correct gap. But, if it is close I use a file with both edges safed and put a piece of stainless foil in the gap over shank to protect the top strap. With the barrel in my brass jawed vise, I can hold the file dead flat to the rear barrel face and 10-12 stokes takes of .001 and leaves me a nice smooth finish. If you use the cutter on the rod you will get fine chatter marks.

 

[steelslaver]

If it is a 44 mag cylinder and a 44 special barrel it was definitely modified after it left the factory. I would like to see a side shot picture of the cylinder in the frame. Factory 44 mag cylinders are longer than 44 special or 357 cylinders so the gap in front of cylinder is thinner. It would also mean the 44 specials barrel shank got trimmed down. But, it may be a 44 special cylinder that was reamed to 44 mag. Also if it is recesses it more apt to be an original 44 mag cylinder although you can make the shorter recessed cylinders starting with a recessed 357 cylinder

Need side picture

Jim,

Thank you for the offer! However, no lathe, no drill press but still have a selection of hand files!

Besides, I live near three different gunsmiths and am happy to keep them in business. That gives me more time on the trigger.

Kevin

The idea of using files on guns freaks a lot of people out. But, incredibly fine precision work can be done with them. I have the complete set of tools to trim barrel for the correct gap. But, if it is close I use a file with both edges safed and put a piece of stainless foil in the gap over shank to protect the top strap. With the barrel in my brass jawed vise, I can hold the file dead flat to the rear barrel face and 10-12 stokes takes of .001 and leaves me a nice smooth finish. If you use the cutter on the rod you will get fine chatter marks. I just got done fitting a 44 special barrel and cylinder. Nailed a .004 gap

 

[CH4]

I am with those who think it’s a barrel cylinder swap.

 

[A10]

Jim,

Thank you for the offer! However, no lathe, no drill press but still have a selection of hand files!

Besides, I live near three different gunsmiths and am happy to keep them in business. That gives me more time on the trigger.

Kevin

3 gunsmiths available?? Wow!

Here in the Lands of Darkness (pretty much Mordor) we would be lucky to find a gunsmith that even recognizes what a revolver is let alone someone who is competent!

 

[Retired W4]

The barrel looks to be a Model 1950 Target barrel. The ampersand between the Smith and the Wesson on the left hand side is what they call a lazy ampersand as the bottom loop is large. That is from the 50's. Also, the barrel extension inside the frame window looks a little short for the .44 Special. You might want check and see if it will chamber a .44 Magnum round.

Yep, that barrel looks like my Model of 1950, 4th target from 1954. Why oh why? I guess because someone could.

 

[lkabug]

Ifin Bubba can find someone to hold his beer, the possibilities are endless.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Recently acquired a s&w 25-2 in 44 spl.

How much was it?