Model 27 converted to .44 special

[shawn mccarver]

Yes they are. Product: Model 27

Until recently they were also making Model 24s, although only with a 6-1/2" barrel.

I am well aware, and I am sure that Joe is as well, that S&W has made recent runs in its Classic Series of Model 27s and Model 24s. Both are still in the 2013 catalog.

I was, however, talking about the "real classics," the ones that really are not made any longer. Since the original post was about converting a 3 1/2 inch 27, my assumption was that the original question by the OP was about converting one of the old "classics" versus one of the new "classics" since the new classic 27 is not available with a 3 1/2 inch barrel.

Don't get me wrong. S&W is doing a great thing by making these new Classic Series guns, and they are very fine shooters, but those are not the ones I was talking about in my post!

As good as they are, with respect to the new Classic Series, they "just don't make them like they used to."

If the logic in this is hard to follow, I guess it is more of an intangible thing. Perhaps this comparison will help explain what I am trying to say about the old versus new classics:

Britney Spears or Grace Kelly?

Taylor Swift or Catherine Deneuve?

 

[Lenny_D]

Shawn,
You had me at Catherine Deneue.

Len

 

[akjaeger]

I've got a 5" model 27-2 at Bowen's right now being converted to 44 special. I hate to tell you guys but it didn't bother me one bit to send it off.
I've been shooting a S-prefix 3.5" 27-2 a lot lately and it shoots like a dream. Last Sunday I sighted it in at 50 yards then shot a 100 yard group on a combat silhouette target to see where it was grouping. 5 rounds were in 4" and the sixth was about a foot out. Phenomenal for such a short barrel.
But I keep thinking how much better gun it would be in .44

 

[shawn mccarver]

Shawn,
You had me at Catherine Deneue.

Len

Len:

That does somewhat mark us up as "old fogeys."

Shawn

 

[Joe Kent]

Shawn, aren't you just amazed at some of these young whipper snappers. Seriously, none of us "old Fogey's dispute either the classic "old" Smith's or for that matter the "classic"forms of some real ladies who truly are very "classy" All my best, one old fogey to another, Joe.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Shawn, aren't you just amazed at some of these young whipper snappers. Seriously, none of us "old Fogey's dispute either the classic "old" Smith's or for that matter the "classic"forms of some real ladies who truly are very "classy" All my best, one old fogey to another, Joe.

Joe:

I am very happy to be in "old fogey-ville" with you. By the way, if you are not busy, I have Grace and Catherine set up for a double date on Saturday. Drive-in movie sounds like a good idea, doesn't it? Do you think anyone else remembers those?

Best regards,

Shawn

 

[Joe Kent]

Shawn, I'd love to, however my wife of 37 years frowns on me dating, and the real scary thing is, she carrys a classic S&W also. There was a time when my two boys were little and my wife was teaching full time when I told her I was going to get a "hot"Swedish maid and she said if she was willing to do all the cooking ,cleaning , shopping and running the kids it was ok with her and I could do what ever I wanted with her. Needless to say, I had better sense than to test her. Best regards, Joe.

 

[Keith Brown]

I have an almost new in the box five inch 27 that I bought specifically to convert to 44 special, not sure when it might get done but someday it certainly will. What some are overlooking when suggesting using other guns to satisfy to "need" is that none of them are a "Cadillac" like the 27. Pinned & recessed, checkered top strap, Smith only made one gun like it, the 27. I enjoy both the top of the line 27 and the 44 special cartridge. The 28 regardless of whether you like them or not (and I do) it is/was the utility grade Smith not the top of the line Caddy. I have 24s, 624s and love them but someday I gotta have 44 special Caddy. It only has to make sense to me.

Keith

 

[Hellcat]

I bought a new 3" 24 last month. There were others in the display case. I am very happy with this revolver. I have a 629 Power Port for the hot stuff. Keith

 

[Tom K]

I am well aware, and I am sure that Joe is as well, that S&W has made recent runs in its Classic Series of Model 27s and Model 24s. Both are still in the 2013 catalog.

I was, however, talking about the "real classics," the ones that really are not made any longer. Since the original post was about converting a 3 1/2 inch 27, my assumption was that the original question by the OP was about converting one of the old "classics" versus one of the new "classics" since the new classic 27 is not available with a 3 1/2 inch barrel.

Don't get me wrong. S&W is doing a great thing by making these new Classic Series guns, and they are very fine shooters, but those are not the ones I was talking about in my post!

As good as they are, with respect to the new Classic Series, they "just don't make them like they used to."
....

Yeah, I knew exactly what you meant, I was just bustin' your chops. After all, the original poster just said "Model 27" - he didn't say what flavor. And while it may be true that they don't make 'em like they used to, when have they ever? There are fellas that turn up their nose at a 27-2 because it's not a pre-27 .357, or a Registered Magnum.

On the other hand, for murphydog's suggestion to get a 24-3 4" and cut it back to 3-1/2, there are plenty of guys who would tar and feather the OP for that just the same as reboring a 27, even though the 24-3s did not sell well when they came out.

I suspect in ten years quite a few of us will be moaning that we should've gotten the current Classics when we had the chance, because "they don't make 'em like that any more"....

 

[feralmerril]

I only skimmed a few replys here so forgive me if what I say is redundent.
I have had similar conversions done. However they were like 40 years ago when guns, parts and gunsmiths were far cheaper.
Cost of donner gun, parts and gunsmithing minus what you might sell the project for later, I belive you would be faaar ahead just buying what you want now! Not only that but from what I hear how long the wait is to have some smithing done would decide it for me.
Now if you have a ton of money, dont care about the cost, and just want something different that you dreamed up, disregard everything I said.

 

[williamlayton]

NO gun is a reliquary.
If you own it do what you want with it. Folks been doing this for years until someone claimed one to be reliquary.
Blessings

 

[RichCapeCod]

Just for giggles here's a Ruger Speed-Six round butt converted to .44 Special (ASP conversation). Bobbed hammer, Tritium sights and Teflon coated. Very nice handgun.

Wrote this article for Combat Handguns when just a youth...

 

[GunguyDan]

A while back when I was looking for an S@W in 44 spcl., my nephew spotted one at a lgs and called my attention to it. As I looked at it, through the heavy glass case, it appeared to be a 6" barrel model 28. The clerk heard and said no sir, thats a 44 spcl., its been "customized". My jaw dropped as I checked the crane and saw that it was a 57-1 that someone had converted. It had the matte finish of the M-28 and it went home with me. It had a very sweet trigger, but in a fit of stupidity, I traded it off............Dan.
.

 

[Joe Kent]

RichCapeCod, a very neat and cool conversion. As far as a carry /using revolver, one of the neatest. Please correct me if I am wrong, but didn't they stop doing those because of some danger/liability concerns? Never the less ,I always thought that was a neat conversion with a very practical use. Again , I am a revolver guy and also have a number of Rugers{however, we don't often mention that in the polite company of our S&W forum} that are favorites as well. All my best, Joe.

 

[RichCapeCod]

Joe, I don't know why these had a limited run. I suspect the high cost was the primary factor.

Pleased to have mine. They're a rare bird.

Rich

 

[Muley Gil]

"On the other hand, for murphydog's suggestion to get a 24-3 4" and cut it back to 3-1/2, there are plenty of guys who would tar and feather the OP for that just the same as reboring a 27, even though the 24-3s did not sell well when they came out."

Really? It was my understanding they sold like hot cakes, so much so that S&W brought out the M624s, because they (the factory) had promised to make only a limited amount of M24-3s. I had a 4" one when they first came out. Wish I could have kept it.

In 1976, I took a 3 1/2" M27 and had it converted to a 6 1/2" .44 Special, using an original 1950 barrel. I later had it cut to 5" and reblued. The original finish had some spotting and it was the high gloss blueing, of course. The .44 barrel was more of a satin finish. Now it all matches.

 

[petehm]

What about cutting the barrel down on a Classics model 24?

I have a friend that would sell me a Classics model 24 with
6 1/2" barrel. Could S&W cut the barrel down to 3 1/2 or 4 inches? What front sight would you install? The Baughman or Patridge? Hammerdown has that beautiful 3 1/2" Registered Magnum with the Patridge front sight that looks awesome!

 

[BUFF]

S&W does not cut down barrels. You would need to find a good gunsmith to have it done right.

 

[Old Corp]

Just for giggles here's a Ruger Speed-Six round butt converted to .44 Special (ASP conversation). Bobbed hammer, Tritium sights and Teflon coated. Very nice handgun.

Wrote this article for Combat Handguns when just a youth...

I remember BUYING that issue!
It's what led me to buy a Taurus M441 4".
Basically, a 'sorta K frame', 5 shot .44 Spl. Used it for a woods gun for many years, always loaded with the 'Skeeter load'.