M27 .44 special conversion questions

[TJm15.38]

I'll have to admit, it's a nice-looking revolver. Thanks for the photos.

 

[PaulFowler]

Thanks! Not sure how I feel about the grips! I’m going to get it to the range soon and I’ll let you guys know how it shoots. I’ve got the reloading bench ready to go.
I have a lot of .44 mag brass/components but had no .44 special brass. I ended up with three boxes of ammo with the deal and $15 in change at the end of the deal. I’m excited to work up some handloads for it.

Paul

 

[stansdds]

It looks like it was put together very well. Someone must have really loved the .44 Special cartridge and did not care much for the .357 Magnum cartridge to convert a Model 27 to .44 Special.

 

[BillyMagg]

Too Late to save you now friend!

Hey guys,

I picked up the pistol yesterday. It’s a model 27-2 The barrel is marked “.44 S&W CTG.” and is not checkered like the top strap. The cylinder is recessed and the yoke has a different serial number than the rest of the pistol.
I’ve attached some photos. It is definitely a well-used firearm with considerable wear to the finish but seems solid mechanically. Let me know what you think about the cylinder/barrel as far as how the conversion was done.

Paul

Sad to say its now too late to save you from a fate worse than death! I'm afraid you've got the same affliction as the rest of us poor souls here on the S&W forum... and just think, 4 months ago I had no idea what 44 Hand Ejector 1st model New Century really meant??? (no money again ever, for rational gun purchases)

 

[StrawHat]

It looks like it was put together very well. Someone must have really loved the .44 Special cartridge and did not care much for the .357 Magnum cartridge to convert a Model 27 to .44 Special.

Lots of us have converted small bore revolvers to larger cartridges. As mentioned in post 4, I did a Model 28-2 to 45 ACP.

Kevin

 

[jcelect]

Converisions?

Why would you convert a gun to any other model and/or caliber that you could buy across the counter We all need another excuse to buy another gun! If you wanted a gun(caliber) that was never made by S&W, then that is a good reason!
Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Here is two of my conversions. An original pre mod 17 .224 Harvey K-Chuk and a 17-6 converted to a K-Chuk
Another one in my safe is a 29-5 7 1/2" unfluted cylinder converted to 22 Hornet. Sorry no pics!
jcelect

 

[Doug M.]

This helped spur the interest in converting m28’s into .44 spl. And obviously a 27 here and there too. Heck maybe even an RM out there was converted. lol.

***
My recollection is that member Dave Keith has posted about doing so.
This conversion seems to have a barrel swap, as it is not consistent with an M27 barrel, but if the cylinder is recessed, it is likely that is was punched out from the original. I think the easier barrel swap-would be from an M28 and remarking, but I have the mechanical skills of a brick, so my opinion is modest value.

 

[Abbotson]

I own a Model 28 Highway Patrolman which had been converted to 44 Special before I bought it in a multi-gun deal. Came from Chicago area dealers that used to do business with the famous HH Harris, but don't know if there was a connection.
It shot very accurately, moreso than the Model 24-3 I had.
Mine was a bored out Highway Patrolman 357 Magnum cylinder.
Concerns:
There is no way to know how safe these guns are without some sort of proof-testing.
The area between the ratchet locating pins and the chambers was very thin on the ratchet. They may space them further out on the big bores, I've never checked to see.
The facets on the ratchet had not been filed correctly and I was getting what is called a wedge fit on a couple chambers.
This was a very popular conversion amongst Skeeter Skelton/Elmer Keith fans a few decades ago, and the workmanship can vary widely. The work might have been done by a professional, or it might have been done by a home hobbyist. It might be a factory 44 Special cylinder or one that has been reamed out. Post pictures of the cylinder after you pick it up, and we may be able to help determine which you have.
I converted mine back to 357 Magnum and sold the 44 barrel and cylinder, generating far more dinero than the gun cost me.
Much more could be said, but I'm already a bit long.

Once upon a time these conversions were easily and fairly cheaply done. But at the same time our pockets jingled with silver coins, Hemi 4 speeds lived on dealer lots and gas was 19 cents a gallon.
Now parts are unobtanium, machinists are nonexistent and well, you know the rest.