Modified Highway Patrolman Thread

[A10]

I've been a big fan of the HP for as long as I can remember. Part of the appeal is they were developed specifically to fill the needs of the street cop.

Since they, at one time anyway, were a less expensive Nframe, they became platforms for modified and customized guns. I thought it might be good to start a thread featuring custom 28's and their stories. Any interest?

Here's mine to get started. This started out at one of the Washington State Patrol commemorative 28s, high polish and the WSP badge stamped in the side plate. This was my Dad's gun. He had it stored in his basement which had flooded. The unfired gun had rusted badly and the presentation case completely disintegrated. I found a nice 27 barrel and took it to a great local gunsmith for polishing and modification. This is one of my favorite revolvers.

 

[OldSmiths357]

. I found a nice 27 barrel and took it to a great local gunsmith for polishing and modification. This is one of my favorite revolvers.

You completed what I want to do. Have the host gun, now just need the 3.5 inch 27 barrel in which I have not been able to find. You have a great looking HP.

 

[22hipower]

Nice, great that you could salvage that Highway Patrolman. It looks just fine now. As to modified ones, indeed, and some wanted them with bigger holes in the barrel and cylinder.

Here's one modified to 45ACP with a 5 inch 1950 Target barrel and cylinder.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qmTsMA https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Kansasgunner]

28-2 shipped April 1977 converted to .44 Special by Clements Custom Guns, David Clements. Grips by Craig Spegel

 

[S&W Fan]

I’ve posted this 28-2 before and ended up selling it on here a few years ago. Modified in the style of the Jovino guns, ball detent, round butt and converted to .44spl. I bought it from a now passed friend, retired Denver cop, that got it on a trade. I never lettered it, was fun to shoot.

 

[StrawHat]

I have posted this numerous times. Years ago I wanted a 4”, 45 ACP, N frame. The factory had made very few so I converted this Model 28-2. The barrel was removed and sent to Dick Nickel who bored and rifled it. I fit a 45 ACP cylinder, a frame lug, rounded the grip frame, and did an action job. It turned out great and yes, I would do it again.

Kevin

 

[RKmesa]

This Smython started out as a Model 28 Highway Patrolman. It is a great gun...






... and with target hammer and trigger and some KB Ropers...

 

[stansdds]

The Colt Python barrel looks like it belongs on the S&W N-frame.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Posted this before - 28-2 converted to .44 Spl by George Matthews of Downey, CA ca 1973. Used a S&W 1950 barrel, so it has the proper rollmarks. Chambers are recessed. That's a one-off Micarta Hogue Monogrip. Tasco ProPoint first generation red-dot (Japan).

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Marksman]

I recently acquired a M/28-2 that had been converted to .44 Magnum using a M/24 4" barrel and cylinder which had been reamed to .44 Magnum. I draw filed the barrel to remove the .44 Special markings, had it re-engraved .44 Magnum and rust blued. I plan to add a red insert to the front sight to complete the project. It also now wears a set of Sanbar Stag grips with S & W medallions. It's one of my favorite S & W revolvers.

 

[22hipower]

I recently acquired a M/28-2 that had been converted to .44 Magnum using a M/24 4" barrel and cylinder which had been reamed to .44 Magnum. I draw filed the barrel to remove the .44 Special markings, had it re-engraved .44 Magnum and rust blued. I plan to add a red insert to the front sight to complete the project. It also now wears a set of Sanbar Stag grips with S & W medallions. It's one of my favorite S & W revolvers.

We'd like to see pictures of that one.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[A10]

There are some very cool firearms here! These are fine examples of gunsmithing art and capabilities.

 

[Retired W4]

The 28 was cheap to buy years ago and it's the perfect N frame for a creative gun smith. I like the recessed chambers for this 44 special and whoever did the work left the bead blast sections of the HP in tact. This one is amazingly accurate. I have a 4th Model Target and this modified 28-2 holds it's own against it.

Kim Ahrends built the rosewood targets to fit my hand. That was years ago.

 

[22hipower]

I recently acquired a M/28-2 that had been converted to .44 Magnum using a M/24 4" barrel and cylinder which had been reamed to .44 Magnum. I draw filed the barrel to remove the .44 Special markings, had it re-engraved .44 Magnum and rust blued. I plan to add a red insert to the front sight to complete the project. It also now wears a set of Sanbar Stag grips with S & W medallions. It's one of my favorite S & W revolvers.

A couple of us mentioned we'd like to see pictures of this one and Bob sent them to me to post. Neat looking gun and a very nice job on the barrel caliber marking and re-blue!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qED436 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qEyvkn https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Green Frog]

The Colt Python barrel looks like it belongs on the S&W N-frame.

And the Keith Brown stocks finish it off just right!
Froggie

 

[busy2mch1]

What to do, what to do...

Hello all! I have been a big fan of the HP for some time. In fact, the very first pistol I ever owned was a 6-inch Model 28-2 back in 1984. I had to sell it due to personal issues, and I always wanted another to replace it.

The feel, the balance, the way the big frame absorbs a lot of the recoil, it was just a joy to shoot.

Well, friends, I'm here to say I found one.

It's a 4-inch with Pachy grips, and it looks WELL USED! I also found another cylinder and barrel for it.


The old barrel and cylinder were the parts that showed the most wear. The frame itself is still pretty nice. The replacement parts are in really nice condition, and I was thinking about just making my well used 4 into a nice looking 6. Then I stumbled onto this thread.

So, I was wondering - if I wanted to make my 28 into a 29, do I just need to replace the barrel and cylinder? Is it that easy? Or, are the threads for the barrels cut differently?

Also, if I go 44Mag, will I regret the recoil? Looking for opinions.

 

[Muley Gil]

Hello all! I have been a big fan of the HP for some time. In fact, the very first pistol I ever owned was a 6-inch Model 28-2 back in 1984. I had to sell it due to personal issues, and I always wanted another to replace it.

The feel, the balance, the way the big frame absorbs a lot of the recoil, it was just a joy to shoot.

Well, friends, I'm here to say I found one.

It's a 4-inch with Pachy grips, and it looks WELL USED! I also found another cylinder and barrel for it.


The old barrel and cylinder were the parts that showed the most wear. The frame itself is still pretty nice. The replacement parts are in really nice condition, and I was thinking about just making my well used 4 into a nice looking 6. Then I stumbled onto this thread.

So, I was wondering - if I wanted to make my 28 into a 29, do I just need to replace the barrel and cylinder? Is it that easy? Or, are the threads for the barrels cut differently?

Also, if I go 44Mag, will I regret the recoil? Looking for opinions.

The barrel threads are the same. The barrel would probably have to be fitted to the M28 frame. Be aware the finish between the replacement parts and the frame will be different.

As to recoil, it depends on the ammo used. I would advise you to shoot a M29 first before you do the conversion. Many, many people over the years have bought M29s, shot 6 rounds and either sold them or stuck them and the remaining 44 rounds in the back of the safe.

 

[Marksman]

I only shoot .44 Special level loads in my .44 Magnum converted M/28, I assemble these loads in .44 Magnum brass. My load consists of 7.5gr. of Unique and a 200gr. RNFP cowboy bullet, for an even lighter load I sometimes load 5.0gr. of Bullseye.

 

[thenodnarb]

who is the go-to these days for these conversions? I have a 6" 28 that has some pretty bad finish damage on the cylinder, but I would love to have it converted to a 3" .44 spl or magnum.

 

[SmithNut]

I never had a modified M28, but I did have a couple nickel ones (factory original).

Quite scarce....