caliber change

[k-9dogo]

Heys guys
Got kind of a dilemma. I have a model 58 that has seen better days. And factory 41 ammo is too expensive anyway, I'm looking for a change .I would like to get a caliber change .44spl or 45 acp/ar or 45 lc. I was thinking shorten barrel and round butt . Kinda like a big model 10 snubby. So question is........
1 which caliber?
2 who would you get to do the work?
Thanks for any input

 

[JJEH]

Is the reason for this consideration purely because of the cost of ammunition? If so, I think selling this one and buying another revolver in the caliber you mentioned would be the better choice.

But since you asked, I'd send Gary Reeder or Dave Lauck an email.

 

[stansdds]

This sort of thing can get real expensive real fast. As Jorge said, you might be better off selling your Model 58 and purchase what you really want.

 

[chief38]

I TOTALLY AGREE with the replies above! Sell it and get what you want. You will be much better off in the long run!

 

[Hondo44]

Any particular reason you want to keep/modify the 58? Because if not, I agree with those above; sell what you have and buy what you need/want.

Since ammo cost seems to be you're main incentive, of your options, 45 auto has the advantage.

FORGET THIS, was thinking Mod 28: Also based on cost, think about a 9mm cyl conversion, with or w/o full moon clips.

Or use the money you were going to use to convert it/buy something else, to buy reloading equipment.

You can also load .41 Special for more enjoyable shooting fun!

 

[k22fan]

Your first four replies are 100% correct.

On the other hand, a bigger bore fixed sight revolver that looked like a Model would have been neat. A local gunsmith likes to tell his story of converting a Model 58 to .44 Mag. for a customer. He cannibalized a Model 29. He used the Model 29's cylinder. To line up with the top of the fixed sight frame the Model 29's barrel rib had to be cut lower in a milling machine then a new front sight installed. That was easier than finding a business that would rerifle the Model 58 barrel. There's more involved than you might have envisioned.

A couple of local gun stores sell used reloading tools that I believe they take in as part of estates. With patience and browsing I could buy a single stage reloading press and everything needed to reload for $100. It's a good hobby and would make .41 ammo less expensive that any centerfire factory cartridges.

 

[2152hq]

The 58 does make a nice base gun for conversion projects.
The cylinder can be rechambered to 45Colt or 45acp.
If you want the older fixed sight look of the M&P w/o the rib,,the frame at the front can be recontoured simply w/ file work and a M25 bbl reworked to remove it's rib all together then fitted. Cut the bbl to what ever length you want. Leave a small section of the orig rib as a sight base and add a pinned blade for the front sight.

Same can be done in 44-40 for the gun and use a 44mag bbl The 429 bbl groove dia will be slightly oversize from the orig spec but it's what SW used in their Mod 544 IIRC.
Ammo is easier to find than 41M, but still likely an added reloading hobby for you as well to save $$ over plain 45acp for example.

Refinishing/rebluing the metal parts,,the handwork to file things to shape, machine work to rechamber cylinder and mill (or perhaps file) ribs off of a bbl and sight work,,ect, ect.
It all adds up to quite a lot if you are straight out paying someone else to do the work and are not a DIY type.

Tired of the 58 and the orphaned ammo, but like the fixed sighted N frame?,,
I'd seriously consider selling the 58 and putting the money into a less than perfect condition model 520 (357Mag).

Cheap shooter for sure and still the same N frame fixed sighted revolver.
They aren't plentiful nor generally cheap. But I'd bet the difference in cash betw what you get for your 58 and what the asking price of a less than NIB 520 is quite a bit less than what you'd have to shell out to convert the 58 to something else.

JMO

 

[SAFireman]

You mean like these??

The top gun is a model 58 with a model 29 barrel and cylinder. The barrel has been chopped and smoothed, with a new profile front sight.

The bottom gun has a model 57 barrel that was shortened. Both guns were round-butted. The bottom gun is still a 41 Magnum.

Sell the model 58 to someone that wants one. Then buy what you want, they are out there. Here is a 25-2 that was customized by John Jovino's shop in NYC in the 80's

Or heck, give the 41 Mag a chance....they ARE addictive

You can join the rest of the addicts here: The 'unofficial' 58 Club

 

[StrawHat]

Here is a Model 1917 with a 4" barrel. You might find something like this. Very much like a big Model 10.

Kevin

 

[steelslaver]

A cut 1917 barrel and a cylinder from one of them or a model 25 would make for an easy conversion. But, as many have said it might be better to sell the 58 and buy something closer to what you want. 58s have a following and bring decent money

Right now there is a 58 on GunBroker that has been converted to a 44 mag. Hammer has been de spurred and quite a bit of blue gone. Be interesting to see what it brings 11 days left.