The conversion seems to be well executed.
28-2 in 44 Special, w/ Range Report
- Thread starter Retired W4
- Start date
austintexas
Member
45 Colt
In 1974 I picked up a 6" Highway Patrolman cheap at a gunshow. Took it home and cleaned it up and discovered there was a hole drilled inside the barrel about 1" from the muzzle. I guess someone tried to drill out a stuck bullet and drilled to far. Anyway in '77 There was a gunsmith in Delaware that if you sent your barrel and cylinder to him he would convert it, $80. I sent the barrel and cylinder off and built at 45 Colt. Right away I discovered you couldn't shoot factory lead round nose. They were too long. Semi- wadcutters worked. All the round nose stuff I loaded, I sat out on the driveway and rubbed them on the concrete until they fit. I also learned that the original Highway Patrol barrel was too light and wippy. Lots of recoil with 250 grain bullets. When S&W started to produce 45 Colt revolvers I traded off the modified revolver. As usual I kind of wish I had it back. Had 2 opportunity's, saw it for sale in a pawnshop and a local gunshop.
SWCA 892
In 1974 I picked up a 6" Highway Patrolman cheap at a gunshow. Took it home and cleaned it up and discovered there was a hole drilled inside the barrel about 1" from the muzzle. I guess someone tried to drill out a stuck bullet and drilled to far. Anyway in '77 There was a gunsmith in Delaware that if you sent your barrel and cylinder to him he would convert it, $80. I sent the barrel and cylinder off and built at 45 Colt. Right away I discovered you couldn't shoot factory lead round nose. They were too long. Semi- wadcutters worked. All the round nose stuff I loaded, I sat out on the driveway and rubbed them on the concrete until they fit. I also learned that the original Highway Patrol barrel was too light and wippy. Lots of recoil with 250 grain bullets. When S&W started to produce 45 Colt revolvers I traded off the modified revolver. As usual I kind of wish I had it back. Had 2 opportunity's, saw it for sale in a pawnshop and a local gunshop.
SWCA 892
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StrawHat
Member
Andy Horvath is still working and could still do the conversion.
My Model 28-2 became a 45 ACP revolver many decades ago. Nothing like building the revolver you want!
Kevin
My Model 28-2 became a 45 ACP revolver many decades ago. Nothing like building the revolver you want!
Kevin
Blackhawk .357 Magnum converted to 44 Special caliber by Hamilton Bowen. Click on the photo for a better look.
Bill
Bill
Green Frog
Member
Bowen used to do this kind of conversion on both Rugers and Smiths. A couple of years ago he announced he would no longer work on Smiths. A few years before that I did see an article (in American Handgunner?) that showed both Rugers and a S&W he had converted to 327 Fed Mag, but it wasn’t too long after that he discontinued work on Smiths. I bet he did a bunch of 44s back in the day, though.
Froggie
Froggie
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.44 Special conversion on Model 28 by Dave Clements.
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I did that with a mod. 28, you used to be able to buy cylinders in .45 ACP and .45 barrels from J&G in Arizona and do the work your self it was a fun job...
My envy meter is heading for the red zone.
My very second gun ever was a brand-new six-inch 28 bought in June, 1973 for the princely sum of $140, as I recall.
A couple of decades later I screwed on a four-inch barrel. For some reason, four inches is the right spot for me. My other revos (non-snubs) sit in the safe mostly on range days.
Well, now it's a half-century in my possession and still the revolver I shoot the very best of them all (sorry, Colts I love).
But I still have a wish for it to be a big-bore. Why not just buy a four-inch 25 or something? Because it wouldn't be THIS gun. Pretty attached after all these years.
I have (almost) enough mid-bore .36s that I can shoot, so having the old Highway Patrolman in .357 isn't all that critical, and of course, in my later years, I'm none too concerned about keeping it original.
Along with the .45 Combat Commander I bought the month before (and also still have and shoot), these two are the ones that seem to be my guns most of all.
If there's a recommendation out there for a currently-operating smith to do a conversion, I am open to suggestions.
Meanwhile, W4, congratulations on your great good luck.
My very second gun ever was a brand-new six-inch 28 bought in June, 1973 for the princely sum of $140, as I recall.
A couple of decades later I screwed on a four-inch barrel. For some reason, four inches is the right spot for me. My other revos (non-snubs) sit in the safe mostly on range days.
Well, now it's a half-century in my possession and still the revolver I shoot the very best of them all (sorry, Colts I love).
But I still have a wish for it to be a big-bore. Why not just buy a four-inch 25 or something? Because it wouldn't be THIS gun. Pretty attached after all these years.
I have (almost) enough mid-bore .36s that I can shoot, so having the old Highway Patrolman in .357 isn't all that critical, and of course, in my later years, I'm none too concerned about keeping it original.
Along with the .45 Combat Commander I bought the month before (and also still have and shoot), these two are the ones that seem to be my guns most of all.
If there's a recommendation out there for a currently-operating smith to do a conversion, I am open to suggestions.
Meanwhile, W4, congratulations on your great good luck.
.38/44 Post-war transition model chambered in 45 Colt by Hamilton Bowen. Stocks by Keith Brown. Note long range front sight.
Bill
Bill
Pizza Bob,
I used to work for Mathews back in the early 70s. George did a ton of S&W conversions and was a very talented pistol smith. he did a lot of things to S&Ws that mimicked King's work but with a touch of Mathew's flair. George could be grumpy but I enjoyed working for him because I learned so much that gunsmith school didn't teach. He used to keep a loaded Triple Lock that hung on the side of his tool box in an old leather holster. I still have a couple of N frames I converted under his tutelage. Good times.
I used to work for Mathews back in the early 70s. George did a ton of S&W conversions and was a very talented pistol smith. he did a lot of things to S&Ws that mimicked King's work but with a touch of Mathew's flair. George could be grumpy but I enjoyed working for him because I learned so much that gunsmith school didn't teach. He used to keep a loaded Triple Lock that hung on the side of his tool box in an old leather holster. I still have a couple of N frames I converted under his tutelage. Good times.
A forum member turned me on to the location of a early HP with a coated cylinder,, hammer and trigger. I converted itt to 45 colt and now one of my 2, 5 screw, pinned and recessed 45 colts. r
StrawHat
Member
WildBillWJW
Member
Doc44-love the Blackhawk, one of the nicest I have ever observed. Like your modified Outdoorsman as well. You guys rock.
WildBill
WildBill
WildBillWJW
Member
S&W .44 Special double action, almost
Years ago I was wanting a short barreled double action 44 special. Mainly for the lighter weight, and easier packing, than the std 44 mag. And most of my shooting is with lighter loads anyway. Then I discovered the S&W 629 mountain gun (pictured)…basically a 44 special that can still handle the 44 mag. For me a win-win solution. I have since acquired the two Colt SAAs in 44 special, 2nd picture. All three are pictured with accompanying lever-actions ( Marlin and Win. They’re all accurate as well.
WildBill
Years ago I was wanting a short barreled double action 44 special. Mainly for the lighter weight, and easier packing, than the std 44 mag. And most of my shooting is with lighter loads anyway. Then I discovered the S&W 629 mountain gun (pictured)…basically a 44 special that can still handle the 44 mag. For me a win-win solution. I have since acquired the two Colt SAAs in 44 special, 2nd picture. All three are pictured with accompanying lever-actions ( Marlin and Win. They’re all accurate as well.
WildBill
Attachments
When Skeeter was writing about these conversions, this issue only affected the .45 Colt cylinder re-bores. One converted cylinder actually cut through the chamber.
I remember reading that as I loved Skeeter and have wondered about that happening. All N frame cylinders are the same outside diameter. I have made a few 45 colts from 357 cylinders with no problem. Now I use 44 mag cylinders, because of their length, but also less material to remove. Way easier to find 44 mag cylinders than 45 colt and doing it myself assures me of having one with proper throats. Plus, with recessed 44 mag cylinders I can have to "super cool" recessed chambers. LOL I personally doubt the steel in a model 29 is any stronger than a 357 cylinder
Ones that had issues had to either had to have extra deep cylinder cuts or a slightly over sized reamer or a combination of both. It is possible that at one time a machine with that cutter was set a bit deep and as it would make very little difference in an N frame 357 they were used. I believe they must use a small keyway cutter.
I keep playing with the idea of making a cylinder mostly just to give it a shot. LOL
45 acps have the same base diameter and therefor same chamber size at the cylinder stop area and S&W made a lot of 45 acp cylinders with no problems
Ones that had issues had to either had to have extra deep cylinder cuts or a slightly over sized reamer or a combination of both. It is possible that at one time a machine with that cutter was set a bit deep and as it would make very little difference in an N frame 357 they were used. I believe they must use a small keyway cutter.
I keep playing with the idea of making a cylinder mostly just to give it a shot. LOL
45 acps have the same base diameter and therefor same chamber size at the cylinder stop area and S&W made a lot of 45 acp cylinders with no problems
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Maybe an unfluted, recessed .44 Special?...Paired with a tapered 3"barrel and a square butt?...Sign me up...
...Ben
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A 5 shot 44 cylinder is already available in 44 special. My 696, 396 and 296 all have one. Not unfluted though. Making a cylinder would be a labor of love that no one could afford. Bowen had some long blank K frame cylinders but he informed me his supply is long gone. I wish S&W would sell blank cylinders, but their liability lawyer's head would probably explode at the mention of such an idea.
My thought is a 5 shot N frame cylinder using a 5 shot L frame ratchet. Keep the stop notches away from chamber and make a hot rod 25 or 30 caliber rimmed cartridge using 30 30 brass. A shortened 30 Herrett. When I get home from this job I will finish making my X frame 30 Herrett cylinder. That one I have bored a 500 cylinder to .625 and am making inserts from a stainless 308 barrel and that I can ream too what I want.
Easist way I can think of is first take a junk cylinder and out the piece in the center that aligns the ratchet and the od of it down.
Then turn a piece of quality heat treated 4140 (I have some) to N frame od and bore and ream the center out to match a N frame yoke. Make a shallow step in thee one end you could press fit the portion you took from the junk cylinder. Mount it on a yoke and frame with no barrel, put a threaded inset in where barrel is supposed to go and have it threaded in the center to accept a allen head screw that you have made pointed on on end. Put a spring loaded drag on cylinder then cock the hammer and when it locks back turn in set screw. This would give you a mark fro dead center of where chamber should be. If you put Prussian blue on the cylinder stop notch are the stop would drag in it until the hammer locked back, marking where to make the cut for it on cylinder. Repeat for each chamber. Use a drill to pilot each chamber. Then mound each chamber on a rod of that pilot diameter and mound it on a jig in mill and use a small key way cutter the width of the stop to make the stop notches. You can come back later and make the lead ins with the side of a small end mill with the cylinder held tight for that.
It should work, but be what I call a lot of fiddling to get just right.
My thought is a 5 shot N frame cylinder using a 5 shot L frame ratchet. Keep the stop notches away from chamber and make a hot rod 25 or 30 caliber rimmed cartridge using 30 30 brass. A shortened 30 Herrett. When I get home from this job I will finish making my X frame 30 Herrett cylinder. That one I have bored a 500 cylinder to .625 and am making inserts from a stainless 308 barrel and that I can ream too what I want.
Easist way I can think of is first take a junk cylinder and out the piece in the center that aligns the ratchet and the od of it down.
Then turn a piece of quality heat treated 4140 (I have some) to N frame od and bore and ream the center out to match a N frame yoke. Make a shallow step in thee one end you could press fit the portion you took from the junk cylinder. Mount it on a yoke and frame with no barrel, put a threaded inset in where barrel is supposed to go and have it threaded in the center to accept a allen head screw that you have made pointed on on end. Put a spring loaded drag on cylinder then cock the hammer and when it locks back turn in set screw. This would give you a mark fro dead center of where chamber should be. If you put Prussian blue on the cylinder stop notch are the stop would drag in it until the hammer locked back, marking where to make the cut for it on cylinder. Repeat for each chamber. Use a drill to pilot each chamber. Then mound each chamber on a rod of that pilot diameter and mound it on a jig in mill and use a small key way cutter the width of the stop to make the stop notches. You can come back later and make the lead ins with the side of a small end mill with the cylinder held tight for that.
It should work, but be what I call a lot of fiddling to get just right.
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StrawHat
Member
Correct, because 45 ACP cylinders were available from the factory or many dealers. That is how I got the one to convert my Model 28-2 to 45 ACP. Unfortunately, my ex-wife ended up with the Model 28-2 cylinder!
Kevin
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