357/44 Bain & Davis Magnum???

[flash60601]

I have a couple of model 28's, one was bought new in the early 70's with the intention of converting to the 357/44 B&D magnum. I never got around to it then, but now, I have a question or three. If I got another cylinedr for it so as not to alter the "original" one, would this be a viable cartridge?

Would it be a good choice to have the work done?

Would they do it at S&W?

What are the opinions of the persons who have shot this cartridge?? It was a thing in the 70's, a bottlenecked, rimmed cartridge for revolver intended to goose 357 projectiles along at "better than 357 velocities".

Yes, I have done the "search" but have come away with no more than I started with. That's why I'm asking here.

Thanks.

Flash

 

[MDaly]

I have never fired one of the 357 B&Ds but if you need data, I do have some in the archives. Hodgdon published the data in a few manuals from the 70's to early 80's. If you are interested shoot me an email to [email protected] with your mailing address. I will copy the data and send it out to you. If you prefer, you can call me mon - Thurs 7:00 am to 5:30 Pm 800-622-4366 ext 110 and give me the address. If you go to voice mail, I am on the phone leave a message and tell me you are from the S&W forum, I'll get you to the top of my call back list.

MDaly

 

[29aholic]

I have fired the 357/44 B&D in a TC and have found it to be a wonderful round. I have planned for years to do a dual caliber conversion on an HP but thus far have not done so. There was one listed on Guns America a while back that was a true dual caliber gun but I thought they wanted more than what I thought it was worth. I can tell you a 300ib hog is no match for the round

 

[BUFF]

S&W won't do the conversion.

Bain & Davis is probably still in business. A buyer of one of my guns used them as their transfer FFL a couple of years ago. I bet they can still do the work.

Quite a few years back, I owned a M-28 so converted. The seller told me B&D did the work but it wasn't marked in any way. It shot quite well, a bit faster than the regular .357 with the same bullets, but at normal handgun ranges I don't know how much difference it would make, in either bullet drop or stopping power, especially in a 6 inch barrel. I thought mine shot flatter at 200 meters, but it might just have been it shot LOUDER!

I had thought about using it for handgun metallic silhouette matches, but at the time, the rules would have put it in a class shooting against trick XP-100's and T/C Contenders.

 

[Omil]

B&D ( San Gabriel ) is still in business, I was there late December 09 ).

 

[drgbike]

B&D

I have 3 of them 2 smiths and a Sterling single shot. One of my conversions actually cut thru the cylinder stop notch, I have not shot that one, scares me!!!! Also have a Banshee conversion, which has the chamber bored straight and uses a plastic collar around the tapered neck. http://smith-wessonforum.com/picture.php?albumid

 

[S.B.]

B&D ( San Gabriel ) is still in business, I was there late December 09 ).

Seems lots of states have cities named San Gabriel please enlighten us?
Steve

 

[dnater]

Bain & Davis is/was on Valley Blvd in San Gabriel, CA. Bought several guns there before leaving CA in 2005.

 

[Dump1567]

From a post on Calguns:

Hello everyone, on behalf of the new owner, I can 100% Confirm that Bain & Davis was purchased in it's entirety by Oscar's Gunworks in early 2016.

Only recently has the store been able to open as a skeleton operation so please bear with our staff as there is quite a bit of Transitional work to be completed before the store can operate smoothly and 'normally'. Oscar is a great guy and we hope that you continue to shop at the San Gabriel location. Thank you for your patience and we hope to see you soon.

The phone number has not changed, you can still call (626) 573 4241

Below are Oscar's Gunworks various online contacts:
w. Gun Shop & Gunsmith in San Gabriel, CA (online store coming early 2017)
fb. Facebook
ig. Oscar (@oscarsgunworks) • Instagram photos and videos

Best regards,
-scott

 

[steelslaver]

I have read this thread with interest as conversion guns and odd calibers interest me. Had read some on the Bain & Davis some in the past also.

I also have several shooter quality 28s. Cylinders are pretty easy to come by. I also have machine tools.

So

Problems with the loading and function of converted guns? Do they have similar requirements on chamber cleanliness like the model 53 in 22 Jet. Set back etc.
How did a stop notch get cut through?? Must have been a deep notch as same cylinder size is made or sometimes modified often to 45 acp and colt.

Favorite loads, velocities etc.

Curious and may well make a cylinder.

 

[Abbynormal]

Always wanted to do a 6" M28 conversion to .357/.44 B&D.
Get a spare cylinder/crane converted to .357/.44 B&D, have Verne Trestor do his MicroAction job, grind smooth the trigger and have it re-casehardened and RR/WO sights.

Ultimate 200 yd deer handgun!!

 

[drgbike]

Have never measured the cylinder in Question, it was acquired with some other stuff. May even be out of round? The gun pictured came as is, but have a 27 8 3/8 to put on it. I will have to cut the rib length to fit as its now close to 10 inches , or may leave off. Recoil is not that bad but the blast incredible. Have not had any extraction problems with the Banshee version, or the Sterling single shot in the regular chamber. Loaded ammo can found at Reeds ammunition, but cases are easily made with one pass in the B&D sizer.

 

[BigBill]

I wouldn't convert a s&w but I would do a 357 Blackhawk.

http://www.singleactions.com/BainandDavis.pdf

Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading

 

[Snapping Twig]

I recently bought a 4" 27-3 that was a B&D conversion.

For me it was a matter of wanting the rare 4" 27, but the pistol had the conversion and second cylinder.

I found a new 27-3 side plate to replace the B&D marked plate and keep the B&D side plate and cylinder in a safe place.

I have no interest in selling the cylinder and side plate and I have no interest in using them either as IMO the cartridge is tough on the revolver top strap.

If I want more power I can use a 44, no need to hotrod the 357.

I do value the conversion as a historical thing.

 

[BigBill]

I'm looking at the reloading ballistics the b&d runs around 1,700 fps. The 357 mag/125gr bullet is around 1597fps? The 44mag 200gr pumped up goes around 1450fps. I just find a totally different round interesting.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I owned and shot a 357 B&D many years ago. I happened onto a set of dies, brass, bullets and reloading data at a gun show. Talked to the seller a while and bought the whole shebang for $125.00. I simply put the B&D cylinder in one of my Model 28 6" barrel guns. This was before I learned on this forum that you can't do that! It worked just fine.

IIRC, the original idea was to load heavy bullets for silhouetting. Some people thought it was more fun to see how fast 125 gr bullets would go. I tried both heavy and light bullets. Played with it awhile and sold it to an engineer who was very curious. He came to my place, we went to the range and he shot my 6" 28 a bit. I sold him everything I had bought.

Haven't heard from him since.

 

[S.B.]

Interesting thread but, I'd have to say, most caliber conversions I've come across don't live up to the expectations of the owners? I did a .224 Harvey Kaychuck once only to be disappointed with it's performance.
Steve

 

[S.B.]

Interesting thread but, I'd have to say, most caliber conversions I've come across don't live up to the expectations of the owners? I did a .224 Harvey Kaychuck once only to be disappointed with it's performance.
Steve