Frankengun Model 28-2 to 41 magnum question

R

renroh

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
313
Reaction score
119
Hey guys,
I have a 11/1972 Model 28-2 4" that I am fond of-great shooter! This past weekend at the Gunshow I purchased a 28-2 4" NYSP model so now I have two. I blew the top stap off my 4" 657 (long story-don't want to relive it.) What do you think of using the 28-2 frame, adding the 657 barrel and a replacement 657 cylinder I bought to make a Pinto type Frankengun?
 
Register to hide this ad
I would leave the 28s alone and look around for another .41 Magnum, but they're your guns and parts. Unless you can do the required work yourself, it seems like sending good money after bad, to me. But having said that, I admit I've probably done a little bit of that myself. :o :)
 
I'd worry about dissimilar metal corrosion between the barrel and the frame. So I'd really want to research that before starting such a project.
 
Stephanie B said:
I'd worry about dissimilar metal corrosion between the barrel and the frame. So I'd really want to research that before starting such a project.
Click to expand...


I am not sure why that would be. The frame, barrel and cylinder are all steel. From what the OP posted I am assuming he plans to use nickel plated barrel and cylinders to make a "Pinto" similar to what the factory has done.
 
Stephanie B said:
I'd worry about dissimilar metal corrosion between the barrel and the frame. So I'd really want to research that before starting such a project.
Click to expand...

That is called galvanic corrosion. It's an electrochemical reaction of 2 different metals in the presence of an electrolyte. It happens a lot with aluminum in contact with steel. The electrolyte can be something as simple as moisture in the air.
It isn't normally a problem with S&W revolvers.
 
The 28-2 frame with 657 barrel and cylinder conversion will work with enough work, but the full lug/wide rib .41 Magnum barrel will look mismatched to the .357 frame that has a tapered, narrow rib barrel. Good luck in your decision.
 
I have a 28-2 that was converted to 44 special. It was a very professional job and I love that gun. However, I would be leaning towards a nice model 58/57 and keep the 28-2 as is.
 
The value of older Colts and S&Ws bottomed out a long time ago and prices for most guns in decent condition just keeps increasing. There was a time when converting a model 28 to .44 Special or .45 ACP may have been ok but at this point in time I think it is best to enjoy a Model 28 or 27 as is. Just my opinion.
 
Model19man said:
I am not sure why that would be. The frame, barrel and cylinder are all steel. From what the OP posted I am assuming he plans to use nickel plated barrel and cylinders to make a "Pinto" similar to what the factory has done.
Click to expand...
657's were stainless, so it would be a blued and stainless Pinto. Sounds like it would look great, but I agree with the others, leave the M28 as is and look for another .41M.

Congrats on finding the NYSP M28-2. A popular LE marked gun, and not a large amount of them out there (around 3000, I think). Does yours have the white outline/red insert combination?
 
Does yours have the white outline/red insert combination?[/QUOTE]

Yes sir it does, and wide smooth trigger
 
Protocall_Design said:
That is called galvanic corrosion. It's an electrochemical reaction of 2 different metals in the presence of an electrolyte. It happens a lot with aluminum in contact with steel. The electrolyte can be something as simple as moisture in the air.
It isn't normally a problem with S&W revolvers.
Click to expand...

I know about aluminum and steel. It was a big problem for an entire class of warships (steel hull, aluminum deckhouse). Steel and stainless steel are also dissimilar metals, but I don't know if the difference is enough to worry about. On the other hand, the two metals would likely be in contact for several decades, so....
 
That extra model 28 will go a long way towards paying for another 41 Mag. Sell it or trade it towards a 57/58 or 657. You will be better off financially in the long haul.

John
 
gmborkovic said:
Mr. renroh, can you relay how you blew the top strap off your 657?

My old buddy/co-worker bought the 4"657 and didn't really want it, so I talked him into selling it to me. It came with a box of 50 reloads which he instructed me to pull and use the components of, and not to shoot as they were loaded by someone else to max charge with fast powder. I made 50 of my own 41's and set off to the range to try it out. Unfortunately, I drove 30 minutes to the range with new gun and it's unknown reloads, but had left my newly minted plinking loads behind. I thought, heck I'll shoot 5 what will it hurt? I shot 4 hot loads in one tight group and the 5th shot blew the top strap off. By the Lord's grace I received no damage. I went home and sold the commercial reloads in .308 I had, and have never shot any but my own reloads since. I also won't load any bullets for anyone else lest I make a similar mistake. I'll have to post a pic of the frame and cylinder. I have it on the wall in front of my reloading bench as a reminder to always pay attention to what I am doing with the progressive press. It was a nice shooter grade 4" 657 in the original box with the tools.
Click to expand...
 
I won't shoot anyone's handloads but mine.

One Monday afternoon a man came to the police department to turn in ninety-nine rounds of .40 cal. ammo. He had purchased it off a table at a gun show in town the previous weekend. It was handloaded ammo labeled "extra hot." The first round blew out the frame on his Glock 22.

A friend of mine at work wanted to get into reloading. I suggested a single stage to learn the process well and agreed to show him how to do it. He had plenty of money and started fresh with a Dillon 650. I kept offering to help him, but he decided to do it all on his own. Fair enough.

He came to my range with a brand new Sig 1911 and a box of his first handloads. He squibbed round three in a mag and blasted the remaining four rounds before I could say anything to him.

He literally split the barrel from the lugs to within an eighth inch of the muzzle. The frame and slide were okay, and a new barrel resolved the damage.

He also had a full sleeve of primers cook off in the primer tube of his 650 and had primer shrapnel embedded all over his ceiling. I never figured that one out.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
New to me 28-2 Snub Nose
3 4 5
Replies
83
Views
3K
Lance Boyle
L
S
Model 28-2 info
Replies
5
Views
399
S&W revolverman
S
helmsp
Show-and-tell: 27-2, 28-2, 36-1 and 41
Replies
11
Views
1K
Model29-26.5
M
Y
Anyone care to offer thoughts on this 4" 28-2?
Replies
18
Views
1K
ColumbusJBR
C
W
657 41 Magnum question
2 3
Replies
53
Views
3K
DeafSmith
D

Latest posts

Back
Top