S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty from 38 to 357

[PT-Partners]

Question. I have found a S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty 1953 Vintage SN S9182X with a 4"barrel. It is by no means collectible grade. Well carried.

I want to get it reamed to 357 so I can shoot both out of it. I do shoot 357 a fair amount and have several K-frames around the house but want to be able to shoot 357 out of this N-Frame

I do, well I did reload and going to pick back up again and enjoy the heaviness of the N-frame firearms

I have heard not an issue but would like to get comments from others who have done it.

Thanks and best to all out there.

 

[jimmyj]

I had a nickeled one that I had bored out to .357 in the 1960s. Never had any issues.

 

[stansdds]

You can, it's an N-frame, just like the Model 27 and 28, but I would not. Reason: even though yours is well worn, when was the last time S&W made a 38/44 HD? Of those that were made, how many still exist in their original chambering? If you don't want a 38/44 HD, sell it and buy a 357.

 

[smithra_66]

You can, it's an N-frame, just like the Model 27 and 28, but I would not. Reason: even though yours is well worn, when was the last time S&W made a 38/44 HD? Of those that were made, how many still exist in their original chambering? If you don't want a 38/44 HD, sell it and buy a 357.

I agree. Keep that gun original and get an N frame 357 if that's what you want.

Many of the old 38/44's were reamed out. I have one from 1946 that was. I wish it wasn't.

Shoot some 38 Super Police re-creations and keep the gun original.

Unless you are hunting with it, why worry about a few hundred FPS and why batter an old gun with magnums?

 

[SS336]

I agree with the keep it original crowd.
If you reload, you could if you desired, go +P+ with you 38spl brass.

I would just enjoy it for what it is.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I'm with those that suggest you keep your HD original. I have a nice one, not bored out to .357; if it was, I would not have bought it. The HDs are moving into the collectible realm now, and you would ruin its future value to gain a few feet per second of velocity.

John

 

[The Gila Bender]

Just curious -- Could the OP swap a barrel and cylinder from a Highway Patrolman or Model 28-2 onto his '53 HD frame?

 

[Muley Gil]

Just curious -- Could the OP swap a barrel and cylinder from a Highway Patrolman or Model 28-2 onto his '53 HD frame?

I believe a non recessed M27 or m28 cylinder would fit and you wouldn't need to swap barrels either. The recessed cylinders would bump against the frame lug, which would have to be trimmed or replaced.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I am with the "Don't" crowd. It would work. Many were so altered back in the day. But I still wouldn't do it. Just doesn't feel right to me.

 

[vinn]

38/44

i have a well used one. "marked Boeing ". not gona ream it out.

 

[Tadeus67]

I agree with the keep it original crowd.
If you reload, you could if you desired, go +P+ with you 38spl brass.

I would just enjoy it for what it is.

What he says. If you reload, use the Keith receipe and you´ll be amazed of what a Heavy Duty is capable of.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

When I bought my 4"HD it was already reamed. So all it gets is .357's.

 

[sigp220.45]

I'm in the "its your gun" crowd. I know it was a pretty common modification back when it was harder to find a factory chambered .357 Magnum. Should be an easy job if you can find a smith to do it.

Or you could probably do it yourself:

357 Magnum - 4D Reamer Rentals

 

[oneeyedpete]

What he says. If you reload, use the Keith receipe and you´ll be amazed of what a Heavy Duty is capable of.

I'm with Tadeus on this one. 13 grains of 2400 under a 158 grain SWC is a powerful brew!

 

[JWintergreen]

I'm also in the leave it original camp. Even under current restrictive SAAMI specs, the old .38 Special is a wonderful performer when loaded to its full potential. A full power 158 grain load will do anything you need a handgun to do in the lower 48, without the noise, muzzle flash, and recoil of a .357 Magnum. A 158 grain bullet going about 1,000 feet per second out of a 4 inch barrel is a thing of beauty. If you don't get back into reloading, the Buffalo Bore and Underwood 158 grain hardcast loads mimic the performance of the old 38/44 loads quite nicely.

I have never really liked firing .38 Special out of .357 Magnum revolvers. I hate how the great versatility argument has killed off so many special only revolvers. A full power .38 load out of a wonderfully balanced, tapered barrel .38 N frame is a wonderful combination. At the end of the day it is your revolver. However, they are not going to be making any more of these again. There are plenty of Model 28s out there for firing .357 Magnum.

 

[Muley Gil]

I'm in the "its your gun" crowd. I know it was a pretty common modification back when it was harder to find a factory chambered .357 Magnum. Should be an easy job if you can find a smith to do it.

Or you could probably do it yourself:

357 Magnum - 4D Reamer Rentals

If you rent from 4D, rent their reamer handle also. I rented a couple of reamers a few years back and neither of my handles fit. I had to make do, but I got the cylinders reamed. It would have been easier with the correct handles. Otherwise, the quality of the reamers was first rate.

 

[jframejoey]

Now I want to ream my '57 6 inch Colt Official Police!

 

[6string]

Instead of reducing the number of unmodified HDs, why not offer yours for trade in the classified ad section?
I'm sure there are several members who would jump on the opportunity.
You'd get what you want and another member would as well.

Goodwill on the S&W Forum!

 

[StrawHat]

Convert a 38/44 to 357 Magnum? Sounds like something Phillip Sharpe would do!

I was a fan of the 357 Magnum for years. Carried one on duty (issued) and used one for hunting until I came to prefer larger calibers for both. Eventually a HD came to me in a great deal and I grabbed a box of the Skeeter load I had on hand after I got rid of my 357s. WOW, what an amazing combination. And it shows the true potential of the Special cartridge.

Would I convert it to Magnum? No, actually, I would convert it to 45 ACP, but you did not ask that.

Kevin

 

[PT-Partners]

Would I convert it to Magnum? No, actually, I would convert it to 45 ACP, but you did not ask that.

Kevin

Thank you. On the 45 ACP Found a very early pre 26 some one shortened the 6.5" to 4" Yes that is a keeper. Have put a lot of any kind of 45ACP I could find through it without any function issues. Was very fortunate as the fellow put a set of Farrant Grips on it. That is a real keeper and is one fun gun. Not that is a classic with personality

As we all are aging, so are others which means many of those not so perfect or 100% plus treasures are being recycled and the perfect treasures will be in estates. Sad to say.

Here is the Pre 26. Real cool thing is the gun was made on my year of birth

I also already have in the stable of personal treasures a 5" Model of 1950. I think that is the one where there was only a few made. Looks like the one you pictured only already made that way