Does anyone have an idea what a Trapper Guns 44SPL conversion of a M-28 is worth? The guns barrel is cut to 3 1/2", roundbutted and satin nickled. A coworker offered me this gun as part of a trade and I need a dollar value. He also had a 4" nickeled M-58 that was in pretty good shape. I have no idea what that one is worth either. Any help would be appreciated. I have a chance to shoot the 44 later this month. Others that have shot it said it's definately a good shooter.
44 SPL conversion value question
- Thread starter Gene
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Does anyone have an idea what a Trapper Guns 44SPL conversion of a M-28 is worth? The guns barrel is cut to 3 1/2", roundbutted and satin nickled. A coworker offered me this gun as part of a trade and I need a dollar value. He also had a 4" nickeled M-58 that was in pretty good shape. I have no idea what that one is worth either. Any help would be appreciated. I have a chance to shoot the 44 later this month. Others that have shot it said it's definately a good shooter.
Don't know about either, but I'd sure like to see the 28.
T. McIntyre
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Sadly,
The likelyhood of getting your money back out of a custom gun is usually slim. This of course varies by the the type of work done and who the gunsmith was.
Personally, I would give $500 for such a piece if done nicely.
The likelyhood of getting your money back out of a custom gun is usually slim. This of course varies by the the type of work done and who the gunsmith was.
Personally, I would give $500 for such a piece if done nicely.
Calaveras Slim
US Veteran
I would admire to see pix of the 44.
Thanks for the comments. If I make the trade I'll try to get pictures posted. The 44 looks very much like the 4" 624's that were made in the 80's. It has a red insert on the ramp front sight. I've picked up a 624 and a 24 with 6 1/2" barrels over the years. I always wanted a 4" and I love the look of the 3 1/2 M-27's. I would have preferred blue but the nickel is good. Not sure if I have a need for the .41 Mag but any older Smith is interesting.
Andy Taylor
Member
Assuming it is in good factory original condition the M58 will be worth more. i would guess that the conversion would be worth about $500. But that is only a guess.
Keith44spl...That gun is beautiful. I was typing my last post when you sent that. If I made the trade this would be a keeper so getting any value later is a moot point. I'm glad to hear you use yours. A looker and a shooter is hard to find. Thanks
big50_1
Member
keith44spl-A work of art. Who did the grips on your gun?
big50_1
Member
keith44spl-When I was a kid, my grandparents and aunt/uncle lived near each other on separate farms in PA. My family moved to the city (Phila.) when I was 7 or 8. For about 6 years or so, when I was in elementary school, I spent my summers on the farms doing whatever was required (drove a tractor gathering hay at 8).
Guns were tools; there was a loaded single barrel shotgun behind the front door. So I understand the comfort that good quality tools give to workers who use them daily in that type of unforgiving environment. It works or you are SOL. Good for you that you got your constant companion a new "suit of clothes and shoes".
Guns were tools; there was a loaded single barrel shotgun behind the front door. So I understand the comfort that good quality tools give to workers who use them daily in that type of unforgiving environment. It works or you are SOL. Good for you that you got your constant companion a new "suit of clothes and shoes".
R-Tex
Member
Hi, all -
I recently picked up (from the November Kull & Supica auction) a 28-2 converted to .44 Magnum. On the frame inside the crane and above the serial number is engraved (in cursive, not stamped individual letters) the word "Trapper" and below that, "Gun". I guess this would probably be one of the examples from Trapper Guns, eh? Darn, this forum is a great place to learn things!
Except for the addition of a red ramp to the front sight, it looks just like a plain ol' Model 28 except for a bit higher level of polish on the barrel and cylinder. The barrel has been restamped to read "44" instead of ".357".
I have noticed, however, that .44 Specials chamber and extract much more easily than the .44 Mag rounds. As a matter of fact, I had to clean the chambers most diligently to get the magnum round to seat all the way. Even then, an empty mag cartidge case will not seat without some "help" unless it's crimped. Loaded rounds will chamber OK, but have very sticky extraction. I've decided to use only .44 Special loads in this one. It's very accurate with 7 grains of Unique under a 245 grain LSWC.
Gene, I won the 28-2 with a bid of $475 but the gun had not been nickled or round-butted, nor had the barrel been shortened. Hope that info is useful...
I recently picked up (from the November Kull & Supica auction) a 28-2 converted to .44 Magnum. On the frame inside the crane and above the serial number is engraved (in cursive, not stamped individual letters) the word "Trapper" and below that, "Gun". I guess this would probably be one of the examples from Trapper Guns, eh? Darn, this forum is a great place to learn things!
Except for the addition of a red ramp to the front sight, it looks just like a plain ol' Model 28 except for a bit higher level of polish on the barrel and cylinder. The barrel has been restamped to read "44" instead of ".357".
I have noticed, however, that .44 Specials chamber and extract much more easily than the .44 Mag rounds. As a matter of fact, I had to clean the chambers most diligently to get the magnum round to seat all the way. Even then, an empty mag cartidge case will not seat without some "help" unless it's crimped. Loaded rounds will chamber OK, but have very sticky extraction. I've decided to use only .44 Special loads in this one. It's very accurate with 7 grains of Unique under a 245 grain LSWC.
Gene, I won the 28-2 with a bid of $475 but the gun had not been nickled or round-butted, nor had the barrel been shortened. Hope that info is useful...
mm6mm6
Member
Dave, that .44 is GORGEOUS!!!! Who did the engraving?
Smilin-buddha
Member
That is one beautiful gun.
big50_1
Member
R-Tex-For some reason the cylinder on your conversion is "short". If the cylinder is not reamed far enough the mouth of the cartridge will not open up completely, forcing the powder to "blow" the bullet over the restricting lip.
Obviously a .44 mag. will blow the lead over the resisting brass lip and out but pressure will skyrocket and accuracy may be "so, so". Something is not "right" with the conversion if, in fact, it is .44 mag. I've had several .44 mag. pistols over the years and never encountered what you describe with original .44 mag. guns.
Obviously a .44 mag. will blow the lead over the resisting brass lip and out but pressure will skyrocket and accuracy may be "so, so". Something is not "right" with the conversion if, in fact, it is .44 mag. I've had several .44 mag. pistols over the years and never encountered what you describe with original .44 mag. guns.
Conversion gun $500 M-58 $750
R-Tex
Member
Thanks, big50_1 -
I thought that was probably the case. I appreciate the information & I'll bet you're absolutely right.
I thought that was probably the case. I appreciate the information & I'll bet you're absolutely right.
R-Tex
Member
Mi Amigo Keith44spl,
THANKS!!! I had a sneaking suspicion that something like this might be the case. In looking down the cylinder chambers from the rear, I can't see a "step" or a ridge between the chamber and the throat that one can usually see in a "regular" cylinder. I had reached the conclusion that the reaming had been done with something that resulted in more of a "conical" (for lack of knowing the proper terminology) throat than one in which the sides were absolutely parallel to each other.
Also, I had taken note of the fact that the caliber designation restamped on the barrel said "44" rather than "44 Magnum".
I noticed you said, "some of the reamers made back then". Can you give me an idea of the time period during which they did these conversions?
Thanks again for the information and for the VERY valuable caution. I really appreciate it very much.
Oh, and BTW, that's one really stunning 27!
If you run across a Trapper Gun conversion, you can rest assured that it was done right. Trapper stamped all his conversions.
I've known Lynn Trapper for years and he has always done right by me.
I see him about once a week and he is still hanging in there, semi retired. He is helping his grandson Eric take the business over.
Ditto on not shooting that converted 28 with 44 Magnum ammo, the cylinder was not heat treated for those pressures.
I've known Lynn Trapper for years and he has always done right by me.
I see him about once a week and he is still hanging in there, semi retired. He is helping his grandson Eric take the business over.
Ditto on not shooting that converted 28 with 44 Magnum ammo, the cylinder was not heat treated for those pressures.
R-Tex
Member
Thanks for the info, keith44spl!
$50 or $100 used to be a whole lot harder to come by than it is now, didn't it?
I'll bet that cow pony could tell some tales!
Thanks again for the heads up on the 44 conversion.
$50 or $100 used to be a whole lot harder to come by than it is now, didn't it?
Thanks again for the heads up on the 44 conversion.
