make a .44 spec from M27?

[JoeS]

So I have this model 27-2 6" I got a while back. Very tight, probably shot very little It does have numerous nicks in the blueing which make it less than pristine.
Would one be a total heathen if I were to send it off to someone like Linebaugh to make a .44 special out of it?
I haven't seen that done to a 27, possibly because they are a more expensive gun to start with.
I dig the checkered top strap and have to believe it would make a nice looking gun. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[phils]

So I have this model 27-2 6" I got a while back. Very tight, probably shot very little It does have numerous nicks in the blueing which make it less than pristine.
Would one be a total heathen if I were to send it off to someone like Linebaugh to make a .44 special out of it?
I haven't seen that done to a 27, possibly because they are a more expensive gun to start with.
I dig the checkered top strap and have to believe it would make a nice looking gun. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

IMO, no. I would not do that even though it could be done for a high price. I would find a nice .44 special, or a M29.

 

[peyton]

I would suggest you look for a model 24/624 in 44 special, I see them listed often here in our classifieds. If you budget does not allow purchase offer a want to trade WTT using the 27. The price for 44 ammo is crazy right now, if you can find it.

 

[borntoraisehogs]

I consider the 27 one of the all time greats . You need them both .

 

[v8svo]

It could be done but it will cost you as much as another revolver. To rebore the barrel to .429 is $150. Then you will need a new cylinder from S&W which will be about $80. You will need someone to fit it and probably reblue it and of course freight back and forth for the various places. If you could get it done for less than $450 I would be very surprised.
I have had this done a couple of projects but they we done to make something that the factory did not already do.
Buy a model 24, 29, 624 or 629 if you want a 44 and then you can have both.

 

[Leonard]

Andy Horvath built this 44 special on a non collector 27.

 

[Marksman]

I have had two .44 Special M/27's, the first a Jim Stroh/Alpha Precision conversion of a M/27-2 5" and the one I own now which is a Hamilton Bowen converted pre-27 5". I shoot the Bowen conversion often and it would be the last S&W that I'd ever let go of. Total cost of the pre-27 + Bowen's conversion work + Keith Brown grips is $2250.00, some of the best money I ever spent on a S&W.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I don't even like 27's, and I wouldn't do it. Probably cheaper to just buy what you want, and then you'd have two guns.

 

[44wheelman]

I had a 38/44 1950 model Outdoorsman that I converted to 44spl. It was in sad shape, timing was loose and finish was poor. I lucked out & found A) a 1950 44spl barrel $82, & B) a duplicate 38/44 cylinder for $50, and C) a parts kit off Gunbroker for a 28-2 (everything but frame) for $87. Then I bought 2 piloted reamers & finish chamber reamer all for about $75.

It shoots very well & if I want to convert back to original, I can (allthough the original cylinder has external pitting & extractor/index pawls are very worn.) So, for $300 +$200 for the donor gun, I have a 1950 44spl that still needs to be refinished. I had to do a ton of metal prep work to get this gone ready for re-blueing. One of these days...I'll get it finished.

So if the gunsmithing aspect interests you, or if you are looking to really customize & make an interesting gun; then go for it. Otherwise; after you pay someone to do all this work just to make a close to stock gun...it will cost three times what you can buy one for.

 

[brucev]

Find a M-24/624 and buy it. If you are not wild about the 27 and money is a problem, use it to trade for what you want. If you convert the 27 into a .44 Special, you will spend a lot of money and end up with want may in respect be the equivalent of a "Frankensteingun." JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[2152hq]

I had a M27 converted to 44sp that I bought from an estate. Nice job but no idea who did the work. Bought it right, kept it a while and sold it. Nice gun and the M27 features made it even nicer IMHO.

I don't think the cost of converting a 27 is any diffrent than a 28 if you have it done by Bowen or Clements or any of the others. Bowen's conversion 'package' on S&W starts around $700 using your gun.

If your 27 isn't anything special like an early gun or pre27, I'd probably look for a M24 instead like others have stated and sell the 357 unless you really, really have to have the M27 checkered top strap feature.

I like the conversions myself, but then I like custom handguns and custom guns in general. Others have differing opinions. I wouldn't take any gun that had any collectors value and alter it though.

 

[feralmerril]

I cant say much more than others have said, only to vote NO! You will end up spending several times what you can buy a 24 for, and when you go to sell it you will get a fraction back. I have done similar, and I own 6 .44 specials. Most of us did that stupidity before the 24-3s etc came out.
It would be a good stmilas for some gunsmith though.

 

[Joe in SC]

I have a GA State Patrol marked model 28-2 that was converted to 44 special. It is the most accurate revolver I have. I would not trade it for a new model 24-3. I do have a 27-3 that I am seriously considering as a candidate for 44 special conversion. Not a popular idea around here with some of the members. Nothing wrong with that either, if that's the way you feel about it. This has come up before and a much larger number of forum members own 44 special conversions than the responses to this thread, thus far, indicate.

I for one believe in quality conversions that are reasonable. Man, this is America, land of dreams fulfilled. If you want a 44 Special with the deluxe attributes of the model 27 and you have the wherewithall to bring about a quality conversion, then more power to ya! I've certainly seen alot worse done to the gun. The key to the whole thing, in my opinion, is to insure that the right person is chosen to do the job.

 

[rhodnett]

I have a Model 27/.44 Spl that I bought from someone here on the forum because I couldn't find a 24-3 at any price. I then made the mistake of sending it to a well known gunsmith near Athens, GA to have the barrel tapered ( it had a straight, heavy barrel that had been cut to 4"). What a disaster. I sent it to this smith on the recommendation of Hamilton Bowen...neither Bowen nor David Clements wanted to mess with it since someone else had done the conversion. This guy finally made it as "right" as he could, but it was like pulling teeth. He argued right down to the last breath....my first and last experience with him. What a jerk.

 

[toroflow1]

It's your money. If you want to throw away that much money to have one converted by Bowen or the like, then go for it!

 

[Evil One]

I love the idea of a pistol made exactly to your specifications.
If you like the Cadillac of S&Ws, the 27, and the .44 special ctg... then by all means HAVE AT IT!!!
I would.


Jim

 

[Raider]

Its Joe's money and Joe's gun. If he wants the conversion and his mod 27 isn't a rare collectible then I would say go for it. There is a lot to be said for a custom revolver made to his specs as long as he doesn't have to sell it.

Charlie

 

[wraco]

I wouldn't do that to a M27 when I can shoot 44 spec. with a M29. Just my 2 cents worth.

Rod

 

[feralmerril]

Well, he did ask for our opinion!

 

[Grayfox]

IF you can do the work yourself.
IF you can find a barrel and cylinder at a reasonable price.
IF you have the tools.
IF you have the time.
Then a project like this can be fun, satisfying and rewarding.

Paying someone else to do this kind of work when there are similar models to what you want avalible is just a waste of money.