28-2 45colt?

[SOUTHERNGUNNER]

One of the local peddlers has a 28-2 that has been converted to 45 colt, the barrel is stamped 45 model 1955 and is pinned to the frame. It look like it has been throated for about 1/4" from forcing cone which is sharp and flat. I can;t tell if the cylinder was rechambered or changed as a unit. I would like to know if anyone has any experience with a similar conversion. I plan on going back to the shop and check the bore size's and barrel before I decide .It has not been reblued as the frame is still a matt finish and the tube is bright blue, the action seem tight with good lockup and a typical S&W trigger pull.The price is $350.00.
THANKS Terry::

 

[epj]

I might jump all over that. Be sure it has a proper b/c gap, since the barrel has obviously been changed out. Don't know if the M28 and 45 Colt cylinders are the same length.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Another caution with these conversions is to check the depth of the cylinder locking notches. If the cylinder was an M-28 converted to 45 LC the cylinder walls at the bottom of the notch may be just a little too thin.

 

[Art Doc]

Would they be any thicker on an original 45 cylinder?

 

[Philblack]

I might jump all over that. Be sure it has a proper b/c gap, since the barrel has obviously been changed out. Don't know if the M28 and 45 Colt cylinders are the same length.

Nope M 28 barrel length = 1.62", M25 barrel length (in .45 Colt) = 1.67". So little difference, this can be fixed...

 

[BUCKAWHO]

A 28 to .45 Colt?

Hi...I have a postwar 38-44 that has been converted to .45 LC. It has the original cylinder rebored to size, with a .45 LC model of 1955 barrel shortened to 4" and pinned in place. A Patridge front sight is machined and screwed to the muzzle of the barrel, and the sight groove has been machined for an adjustable rear sight to be mounted. The trigger face has been smoothed, and the frame fitted with Pachmayr grips. It's not a collector gun, but it sure is fun to shoot. Someone had great skill for the job. BT

 

[RdrBill]

Terry.
I have one of similar nature. Mine started out as a 27-2 according to the Model numbers on the frame. Someone installed a .45 ACP cylinder and installed a Model 1955 Target .45 barrel. It looks good and shoots OK. There was no grinding in the metal or boring of anything.
When I bought mine there was also a 28-2 that had the cylinder bored to .44 and a 1950 Target .44 Special barrel on it. It was interesting until I found out it would chamber a .44 Magnum. I did not want to buy a .44 Mag with a light taper .44 Special barrel. I felt that the recoil would not be fun. I have several.44 Special and .44 Magnum guns. It takes working up an attitude to shoot .44 Magnum in a heavy barrel gun, not going to do it with not enough barrel.
Pic of my 27-25 S&W .45 ACP:

Bill@Yuma

 

[RdrBill]

Would they be any thicker on an original 45 cylinder?

SP.
No.
The cylinders would have the same exterior dimension and the notches would be same for similar dash numbers. I have to assume that a well made conversion would be the same as a factory cylinder. Bore it out oversize and you would have problem.
Bill@Yuma

 

[SOUTHERNGUNNER]

I went back to the shop and checked a few things on the 28-2, the B/C gap is .0008, the cylinder mouths are uniform at
451 the throating appears to only be about 1/8" by the forcing cone. I think the cylinder was rebored to 45 colt but i can't say for sure. If I get the gun I will only shoot mid range loads,not any heavy 45's because I have other guns that can handle the hotter loads with no problem. I will probably post some pics tomorrow after I pick it up Thanks for the replies,
Terry

 

[MikeD49]

I had David Clements Clements Custom Guns perform a conversion for me. Base Gun was 28-3 converted to .44spl. Dave states on his homepage conversions of .357 to 44 spl. or 41Mag to 45 Colt. He does not mention a conversion of .357 to .45 Colt. Doesn't mean it can't be done he just doesn't offer it. You might want to e-mail Dave at [email protected]. He does oustanding work and will advise you as to safety of such a conversion.

 

[BUFF]

In Skeeter Skelton's SHOOTING TIMES magazine article about converting N frame S&W's to .45 Colt (June 1976), he mentions that he and his gunsmith Bob Sconce (Minature Machine Co.) found that the depth of the cylinder notches varied quite a bit. The samples they checked averaged .043" to .044" but one Model 27 was .051" deep. They rechambered it to .45 Colt and sectioned a chamber and found the metal left at the bottom of the notch to the inside wall of the chamber was only .016" thick. He wrote that Roy Jinks confirmed that the depth of the notches varied with time. He (Skelton) suggested anyone considering such a conversion check the depth of the notches before they begin the work.

 

[SOUTHERNGUNNER]

28-2 45 colt

Here is a couple pics of the gun in question