Has anyone converted a M28 to .45 acp?

[k22fan]

The gunsmith David Clements advertises conversions of 28s to .45 ACP for a base price of $650 plus shipping both ways. Starting with a 6" barrel would add the expense of shortening and mounting a new sight. Bear in mind that Clements is one of a handful of gunsmiths that have built a national reputation and consequently can charge stiffer prices than local gunsmiths which often are just as skilled. Especially if you use a less famous smith, it would probably work out to be less expensive to buy a 625 Mountain Gun barrel and a 625 than to buy a 28 and have it converted. New old stock 625 Mountain Gun barrels were on the market less than a year ago for $100.

On the other hand, I doubt you'd have started the thread if you only wanted to save money. S&W's sale of new old stock 625 Mountain Gun barrels indicates they couldn't sell the guns, so I don't expect they'll ever make blued .45 ACP Mountain Guns. If you want one, you'll either have to have it made or wait until a conversion pops up on the used market.

I don't see why the stud that stops reward cylinder movement when the cylinder is open cannot be changed to a .45 ACP stud. They are pressed in then staked. If S&W is out of .45 ACP studs, any good smith could make one.

Clements Custom Guns

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

I had the same thought and presented my idea to Hamilton Bowen and Cylinder & Slide. Both suggested different approaches. SO: From Bowen I got a 25-12 (one of the Heritage Series) in .45 Colt, and they put on a M28 barrel that had been rebored, the result-a .45 Colt 4" Mountain Gun in beaded blue with a Bowen action and incredible accuracy.
The C&S product was a 3" 625 in .45 ACP, added a cut down cylinder in .45 Colt (to fit the smaller ACP window), a Patridge type front sight with night sight insert, a grat action job and a revolver with 2 interchngeable cylinders. Not going to mention cost, my wife might see this.

 

[Andy Taylor]

I had the same thought and presented my idea to Hamilton Bowen and Cylinder & Slide. Both suggested different approaches. SO: From Bowen I got a 25-12 (one of the Heritage Series) in .45 Colt, and they put on a M28 barrel that had been rebored, the result-a .45 Colt 4" Mountain Gun in beaded blue with a Bowen action and incredible accuracy.
The C&S product was a 3" 625 in .45 ACP, added a cut down cylinder in .45 Colt (to fit the smaller ACP window), a Patridge type front sight with night sight insert, a grat action job and a revolver with 2 interchngeable cylinders. Not going to mention cost, my wife might see this.

So you got both?

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

I have always liked the 4" tapered barrel N frames. However, rather than convert a model 28, get a model 625 Mountain Gun in .45 ACP. I found this beauty last week! Looks and balances just like a 28 with the added advantage of stainless steel. Best of all, its factory: