Chamber re bore-.357 to .45acp

[gaucho1]

I have a very freckled 6 inch model 28 that is mechanically sound.

I keep looking at converted heavy duty's that really appeal to
me.

I have a .45acp barrel in new condition bore wise.

Does it make any sense to have the cylinder bored? I can handle the barrel replacement.

The only price I have found is $179 to re bore. Seems like it could quickly add up to enough to buy an unconverted one.

Thank you for your views and advise.

John

 

[n4zov]

There are so many great .45 ACP revolvers available these days that it seems impractical to convert a gun to shoot that cartridge. I would leave it as is and look for another revolver. Just my two-cents.

 

[Aircrewman]

I have to agree with n4zov! Lots of great Smith and Wesson 45's out now. It seems a shame to convert an otherwise great old Patrolman. Just for info, I have an old 28. It had some serious wear issues on the finish. I sent it to Smith and Wesson and had the mat finish done to it. Came back good as new and looks great with the mat blue, better even than the original mat finish to the Patrolman.
Recently, I just had to have a new/old 1917. Bought a 25-12 from a forum member. Really great price and such a nice revolver! Years ago it seemed that conversion of 28s to 44 was the thing to do for a 44spl. However, Smith now has dedicated 44spl and 45acp revolvers in production again. I think that trying to obtain one of those would suit you better in the long run and have that old 28 refinished. You would have two great revolvers in two very reliable and fun calibers (357 and 44spl or 45acp)!

 

[gaucho1]

You guys are nailing it. I like project guns, but the cost just doesn't seem to work out.
If the 28 had a real professional blue job it would be in great overall condition. I wonder about metalife hard chrome also.
Thanks for the counseling.

 

[38-44HD45]

As you might guess by my forum name, I am a Hamilton Bowen customer. I do not know who Hamilton uses to do his rebores, or if he's doing them in-house, but if somebody will do it right for $179, that sounds like a good price to me. Of course, I'd probably go to .45 Colt or .44 Special...

Two Bowen .45 Colts and a .44 Special, all HDs:

This is a 5" 27 converted to .44 Special by Jim Stroh. I bought it from a Forum member here about 3 or 4 years ago:

 

[gaucho1]

Just when I get my mind right, you have to go and post the exact
reason I am losing it.

Those are ringing my bell.

 

[2152hq]

Bowen was having Jim DuBell do his barrel rebore work (Clearwater Reboring) and as far as I know he does cylinder rechambering in house. I don't think anything has changed but it's been a couple of years since I had him do a rechamber on a HD cylinder for me.

One thing to consider on a M28 cylinder is where the extractor guide pins (2) are located,,how far out from the center they are.
A couple of budget job rechambered cylinders I've seen on conversions to 45(Colt) , the chambers came right to the edge of one of the pins on one chamber as they are out far enough to be near the full diameter of the larger chamber.

I don't recall if some cylinders have the pins closer to the center or not but it would help,,and less than perfect rechambering work does not.
The original large caliber cylinders are set up to avoid that.