Hwy Ptlmn - 28-2 in .44 Special

[RodCurrie]

In my 'younger' years I used to backpack in Black Bear country. I carried a .45 Colt 1911 on the off chance that if a bear did attack the caliber might be heavy enough to stop same. Upon thinking about it I realized that all the .45ACP was going to do was piss the bear off. I was reluctant to go to a .44 Magnum as every ounce counts when it's on your back.

I found an ad in Shotgun News for a used S&W Highway Patrolman modified to .44 Special. I bought same and carried it for some years backpacking, fortunately never having to use it in 'real life'

This revolver is perhaps the most pleasant pistol I have to shoot. I use factory loads and the recoil is mellow.

My concern is this. It appears that the standard cylinder was bored out [as well as bbl] to achieve the .44 Special loading. There is not much 'web' material between each contained cartridge. Works fine now, but.............

QUESTION: Would this be a gun that one could reload for and, perhaps, 'pump' up the charge above the standard factory loadings? Opinions? Lastly, I'd include a .jpg pic of the cylinder, but don't know how to bring it out of my computer hard drive into this message. T.I.A.

Rod

 

[Mike in SC]

I have two Model 28's in .44 spl. and one in .45 ACP. Soon I will have one in .45 Colt. My 44's have shot 240-250 grs SWC loaded w/ 7.5 grs of Unique without any problems. That's assuming your cylinder re-chambering was done correctly. Don't try to make a magnum and you should be OK.

 

[Doug M.]

To attach a photo, use the "go advanced" option at the bottom of the space into which you are typing the post or reply. On the top line of the two lines of options, above that big white space, you will see a paperclip about 2/3 over to the right. From there, follow the instructions. Hope that helps.

Cylinder: not my wheelhouse, but I am pretty sure it would be roughly the same size across the N frame lineup since the frame window is the same or nearly so. I don't think the heat treating etc would be different, either. The guy I would consider to be most likely to know off the top of his head the answer to your question is "Keith44spl", since he is a major league .44 Special fan and has posted a bunch of converted N frames that he has done. My recollection (worth what you are paying for it, or maybe less), is that he has converted both by swapping and by boring out existing parts.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I have a M28-2 converted to .45 Colt & extra cylinder in .45 ACP.
Only thing is no hot loads in the .45 Colt and have to use no more then 230 gr bullets as the 250 gr KSWC's are too long for the cylinder.

 

[30-30remchester]

Could I ask everyone who has such a conversion to please look at the serial numbers on your grips. While working on a friends model 1950 target, another friend asked if I had any spare grips for an early N frame. Saying yes and telling them where they were, he accidentally took the grips of the 1950 target. The gun he put them on was a model 28 converted to 44 special. Upon realizing the mix up the model 28 had been sold. I felt terrible since the gun was left in my care and have been trying to track down the original grips. I had like kind grips to replace the lost grips but they aren't serial numbered correctly.

 

[Art Doc]

A S&W made in 44 caliber would have the same cylinder dimensions.

 

[RodCurrie]

Thanx, all, for the inputs. I feel a little relieved. I remember Elmer Keith's loads for the .44 Special and did not want to go that far, but also felt that the factory load was probably super low in the power department.

Let's see if the other advice offered will get the cylinder picture on this page.

Rod

 

[Doug M.]

Since it still recessed, it may be somewhat deceptive in terms of how much metal is left between the chambers. The recessed area is going to mean the chambers look closer than they are, but unless I am really wrong, will have no impact on strength of the cylinder.
I would not go with the near magnum stuff in any .44 special, simply because if that's mission appropriate I'd want a magnum. However, I doubt anyone would disagree that the original .44 Special is way too light for serious use, plus I am not aware of any purpose for which a round nose bullet is a good performer. (IIRC, the Special was loaded to the same wimpy specs as the Russian, but in a longer cylinder.) I think a well designed SWC of about 250 grains at 1000 fps would do pretty much anything that needs doing in most settings without being too hard on revolver and shooter; heck, even at 800 fps there would be a big improvement over the factory stuff. In a factory JHP, I have a bunch of the 200 grain Gold Dot, and use it in both my 296 and 629MG.

 

[Jack Flash]

Are the ballistics of the .44 Special that much better than the .45 ACP?

Not arguing, just asking.

 

[A10]

Are the ballistics of the .44 Special that much better than the .45 ACP?

Not arguing, just asking.

Factory loads aren't that much different but there is a greater variety of bullet shapes you can use...

To the OP, I would think a 240 Keith loaded to around 1000 to 1100 fps should be sufficient and still keep your pressures reasonable for your gun. Cool conversion!

 

[Crabtree]

I'll try to make a long story very short. About 3 years ago at Christmas time my dad did a very very nice thing for a former employee. In return, she gave him a 4" 28-2 in absolutely awful shape and a fairly nice semi-auto. While I was home for Christmas he pulled them out and asked me to pick the one I wanted. I'm the "gun guy" compared to my brother so he gave me first choice...all the while knowing I'm gonna go for the revolver. Of course I opted for the 28-2. It was a no brainer because I knew my brother would much prefer the auto and I also knew that I could find help for the 28-2.

I dropped it off at my local "gun doctor" for a conversion, re-blue and tune up. While there, I also got Mr. Bowen to personalize a copy of his book "The Custom Revolver" for my son. I now have the gun, the book and am working on a custom case, all of which I will present to my son at Christmas or maybe his graduation depending on the circumstances. He's only 5 right now so it will be a while.

I apologize I do not have more pics but when I picked the gun up I took a picture of the barrel marking to show dad and put it away. The sideplate fitting, edges, trigger work, etc are truly amazing. It's one of my favorite revolvers.

Thanks for letting me share the story and I hope I'm not intruding on the thread. If so, mods please delete. I saw the thread title and just started typing.

 

[feralmerril]

Years ago I bought a model 21 5" (44 special) barrel. I then looked for a Heavy Duty and found a old 4" cheap. Just had the chambers bored out to .44 special and the barrel put on. The model 20 became a 21. Both like models are only different in bore size. I suppose them to be heat treated the same. It shoots fine. I never did get it reblued but might someday. Would I do it again? No. I already have seven various .44 specials. It didnt cost me much but someone here once pointed out I made a mistake as it was a rare transitional model. Guess he could tell by the hammer or whatever. It started with a 4" barrel that I sold on this site. This one has little nail head marks on the butt like someone used it to put up some wanted posters.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Always a day late and a dollar short, in the early 70's I decided that what I wanted was a model 24 - of course they had been discontinued in 1967, and S&W did not have the same "Reintroduce it as a Classic" philosophy that they have today.

I was a big fan of Skeeter Skelton's and took much of what he wrote to heart. With the dearth of 24's to be had, he touted the Model 28 conversion. He hyped MMC's (Miniature Machine Company) conversion. First, I secured a 4" Model 28. Then I bought an original Model 24 6.5" barrel from J&G - fortunately in the same matte finish as the 28. Then I got on the "wait list" with MMC - which at that time was over a year long - so there must be a lot of these conversions out there.

Being young, also meant being impatient, so when I read an article in "Guns" magazine about another gunsmith doing this conversion, I contacted him right away. That gunsmith was George Matthews of Downey, CA. The only thing I had done other than the conversion was to change the front sight from the original Patridge to a Baughman ramp with a gold insert. He installed the barrel (pinned, of course), bored, recessed and refaced the cylinder and forcing cone (assuring a perfectly parallel interface) and did the sight.

That's now been 41 years ago and it is still among my favorite and most accurate revolvers. In keeping with Skeeter's philosophy, it has been fed almost nothing but 250 gr cast SWC over 7.5 grs of Unique. It now wears a first generation Tasco Pro-Point that was purchased new and has a rather unique Hogue monogrip on it made of Micarta. I have a contact at the factory and learned that these were custom made for a customer that supplied the material - predating their current G-10 revolver grips by 20 years. Sorry for running on, but this is a story near & dear to my heart - so without further ado, I give you my converted Model 28...

Thanks for indulging me - sorry for the thread hijack.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[feralmerril]

I guess I have a mean streak. Here again are my seven .44 specials. Two colt single actions, four smiths and a ruger lipsey special.
The 7 1/2" barrel single action started life in 1906 at the copper queen mine at bisbee AZ in 44 wcf 4 3/4" and later converted by old gun writer tommy bish and king gun works. The 4 3/4" I bought new about in the early 1980s. The triplelock was sent back to smith in 1949 and target sights added. The 4" 24-3 I bought I think around 1984. The 6 1/2" is a 1950 target from the 1950s. The 5" is a HD I had converted with a model 21 barrel. The last ruger is a 357 I had converted to .44 special back in the early 1970s. I dont have it anymore. I guess I read elmer and skeeter too much.

 

[brokenprism]

That is dead sexy. I love the Highway Patrolman rollmark. It was my first S&W, and I've always preferred it to the the 27.

I wonder how he managed to replicate the 28 blue... Smith told me years ago they no longer offered that finish, and I got the feeling they had lost the recipe or something.

And this... is beautiful. The magnas look awesome with a big fat barrel. Uncomfortable to get a grip on, but beautiful.

 

[lebomm]

I have a Model 28-2 that, like yours, has been converted by reboring the barrel and rechambering the cylinder. It has handled all my handloads without complaint, ranging from factory duplication to Elmer's heavyweight thumper. My opinion is that you needn't worry about any sensible load in that cylinder.

Good shooting,
Larry

 

[Green Frog]

You guys have got to quit doing this to me. Just when I was beginning to be satisfied with my lot in life and more-or-less happy with what I've got, you come along and dredge up memories of the Model 28 conversions to 44 Spl. Now I'm thinking I've got to have one. GRRRRRRR!

Froggie

 

[Doug M.]

Here, let me help you: It would be a stupid irresponsible use of money, and you will spend at least twice as much as it would cost to find a good used M24 or 624 here on the forum, plus a lot more time. I know this because I had a 629-4 converted to .45ACP by Bowen, who did exactly the great job his reputation told me to expect. If I had been patient, I would have bought one of the 625-4 MGs that got offered in the mean time for about 1/3 the cost.

Feel stronger now?

 

[Sebago Son]

Converted 28's...

Thanx, all, for the inputs. I feel a little relieved. I remember Elmer Keith's loads for the .44 Special and did not want to go that far, but also felt that the factory load was probably super low in the power department.

Let's see if the other advice offered will get the cylinder picture on this page.

Rod

View attachment 151394

This is my .45 Colt Woodruff converted 28-2 that I had made up in 1976. It's still here in the pile.



Rims almost touch when loaded.



Not much meat left after rechambering...



... or reboring & relining.



When I was younger I used to push this cartridge a little with a charge of 10.0 Unique under the old Speer 200 grain "Flying Ashtray". They would open up pretty well. These days I use a much more "casual" load with a 250 cast lead bullet.

The worst problem with this conversion is that the front sight is still of the correct height for a .357. It's off the paper with the heavier bullet loads at moderate velocities and the sights are all cranked out. But brother David Kieth is working on a solution for that right now...



Drew