Sacrilige?

[SAFireman]

Okay,

So I had a WTB thread looking for a 58....I got really lucky and found 2...one Nickle, and one blue. The blue one has some finish issues, nothing that I can't live with, but it has me thinking....What if I sent it off and had the barrel cut to 3" and the grip made into round butt? I could keep it like it is and shoot it, or butcher it up and make something that nobody has...

What say the wheelie gurus?

If I'm wrong and somebody has this combination, please post a photo or two....maybe I should cut up a 28, but they don't have fixed sights....hmmm

 

[gaucho1]

My suggestion is to find a picture of Doc44s three inch plus
.44 mag.

Fixed sights, blue, round butt.

One of only three made by the factory, special order for a
special client.

To my eye, one of the finest looking revolvers I have seen.

Your model 58 is the perfect base to come close to perfection.

If your eyes see it the way mine do, your choice will be easy.

 

[murphydog]

Original model 58s are not so rare that you couldn't modify yours with a clear conscience. Personally, the lack of centered stampings on the barrel would bother me with the shortened barrel, and if you are worried about its collector status after modification I wouldn't do it.

How about a model 357 Night Guard?

 

[MERV5-5505]

I agree with gaucho1, my thoughts on this may make some purists cringe a bit, but:

I think we, (as gun guys, car guys are guilty too...) spend too much time worrying about issues of collectibility, originality, condition, rarity, etc...
That's not to say that there aren't completely valid arguements for these issues, but in this case, I believe it just comes down to a guy wanting a revolver exactly the way he pictures it in his mind. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. I say go for it, with speed & without regret.

I had a big-time car collector once lament to me once, that he feared, "...he was only keeping this stuff nice for other people to enjoy when he was dead..."

I kind of took that to heart. It only takes a big "bomb" to drop in someone's life to make all the little sh&% that once seemed so important to start looking like chicken sh%$. Life is too short...make that revolver the way you want & then share the pics. Good luck with the project.

 

[keith44spl]

Ol' Pard,

Why, that's a crackerjack of an idea...You'll want to have it re-finished anyway, so just have the barrel roll markings re-centered at that time.


Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[SAFireman]

who do you know?

Ol' Pard,

Why, that's a crackerjack of an idea...You'll want to have it re-finished anyway, so just have the barrel roll markings re-centered at that time.


Su Amigo,
Dave

Dave,

You got a good 'smith in these parts (TX)?

I could be tempted...I do also have a shooter grade 28 that wouldn't break my heart to cut up...the 58 is seen a lot less than those newer-ish 28's....

 

[SAFireman]

Doc's 44 3"

My suggestion is to find a picture of Doc44s three inch plus
.44 mag.

Fixed sights, blue, round butt.

One of only three made by the factory, special order for a
special client.

To my eye, one of the finest looking revolvers I have seen.

Your model 58 is the perfect base to come close to perfection.

If your eyes see it the way mine do, your choice will be easy.

I have dreams about that gun

I think that a 41 mag in the same configuration would just be peachy...I need some large format photos of his to send with the 58 so that it gets done "right".

 

[okie john]

If you're gonna do that, at least pick a 58 that's already been changed up some. All-original guns getting scarce and some current Smiths would be almost as good as a big-bore pocket revolver.


Okie John

 

[SAFireman]

If you're gonna do that, at least pick a 58 that's already been changed up some. All-original guns getting scarce and some current Smiths would be almost as good as a big-bore pocket revolver.


Okie John

Got one?

I have looked all over for 'shooter grade' guns and found exactly 2....one was really great (thanks to the kindness of a forum member) and I will not cut it down ....see my other thread http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/153006-finally-found-my-58-updated-range-report-9-9-a.html for a look at the nickle cousin to the blued one. Maybe I need to take some photos of the blued 58 and put them up so you guys can see what I am working with here.

As for the newer guns....the nightguard series is an alloy frame and stainless cylinder....that's okay for my 340, but the 41 needs some heft to soak up the recoil from those magnum loads...plus I really despise the evil lock.

 

[Steave]

To me it would depend 100% on how bad the finish is. If it's well worn and has value only as a shooter and not a collector, knock yourself out.

 

[SAFireman]

pics

see for yourself....

This is a first year, S Serial number, grips number to gun, all parts original....tight mechanically....have not taken it out to shoot it yet....

 

[gaucho1]

It is customary and polite to not too strongly advise
someone who you do not know about anything personal.

I will ignore that.

When I see the picture above, all I can see is Doc's gun
waiting to be released from the encumbrance of extra steel.

I have considered buying a 58 for that purpose. I am going to create a tribute to that gun in .45acp, knowing it will not be quite right.

The fact that you also esteem the .44 leads me to think all
other concerns rank very low on the cool choice list.

You can print a picture from the forum and with a bit of time
take it to exact size for the smith. No question what you want
that way.

Hope to see the results soon.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

No way. Don't do it.

That's a first year 58 with correct grips? It may have some finish issues, but those facts alone lend a degree of desirability to it. Maybe you should just sell it to someone like me who appreciates old worn guns to keep as is, and find a more run of the mill gun for that 3" project. No matter what, you'll spend quite a bit to do it and never be able recoup your money spent above the original cost should you ever decide to sell it (or need to).

 

[Steave]

In the second pic, is that pitting on the cylinder?

If there isn't any pitting, it looks like a pretty nice 58. Certainly not mint, but far from a piece that has been abused, looks like a nice, honest gun.

 

[SAFireman]

In the second pic, is that pitting on the cylinder?

If there isn't any pitting, it looks like a pretty nice 58. Certainly not mint, but far from a piece that has been abused, looks like a nice, honest gun.

Nope, the cylinder has a few spots where the blue is rubbed off from holster use, but no pitting.

The end of the barrel on the right side and the right side of sight blade have minor pitting and that's it.

The polish and blue is really deep, I am torn between leaving it as-is, sending it to S&W for refinish, or making it a project....

I have been looking a Doc44's photo of the fixed sight 29 and realize that the barrel has an ejector shroud, and the 58 does not....I don't think that it will look the same....I may just have to leave it be and live with my 3" 657's (maybe put a C&S rear sight on one to carry).

 

[ia1727]

If you feel the need to "Chop" something up--pick a 28--who's really ever going to miss a generic 27 anyway. Leave the 58 as is and enjoy it or sell or trade it to someone that will appreciate it for what it is. JMHO---but---please don't chop up the 58.

Steve

 

[Steave]

Nope, the cylinder has a few spots where the blue is rubbed off from holster use, but no pitting.

The end of the barrel on the right side and the right side of sight blade have minor pitting and that's it.

The polish and blue is really deep, I am torn between leaving it as-is, sending it to S&W for refinish, or making it a project....

I have been looking a Doc44's photo of the fixed sight 29 and realize that the barrel has an ejector shroud, and the 58 does not....I don't think that it will look the same....I may just have to leave it be and live with my 3" 657's (maybe put a C&S rear sight on one to carry).

Based on the pics and your description it sounds like a pretty decent M58 with a bit of character. If it were me, I wouldn't chop it or send it to S&W for a refinish, I think I'd leave it alone and enjoy it as is.

 

[Pilgrim]

I look at it this way:

take a gun worth $600, spend $200 (or more) and end up with a $400 gun.

 

[ia1727]

I look at it this way:

take a gun worth $600, spend $200 (or more) and end up with a $400 gun.

Pilgrim--

My point exactly--if I was working right now I'd try and buy that gun from him--just what I like ----ORIGINAL shooters.

Steve

 

[SAFireman]

finally decided...

After getting an earful from the 'purists' (you know who y'all are) ....I just can't bring myself to chop up this gun....and now that I have shot it, I think that I will keep her as-is....I have a couple of 3" 657's that I can carry and shoot anyhow.

...so, the new process begins to find a deplorable 58 for this type of project....any ideas? I have a "much nicer than deplorable" model 57 to trade a willing donor

 

[tallpaul]

I think the purists should look harder and beat us users to purchase. I say do it! It is worth more modified than the money the purist says. It would be done on a less common gun to begin with so if done right the value will be there to someone.

Just like not everyone appreciates the worn patina on an originals but some will pay more for some guys would pay the asking price for the proper conversion!

 

[old bear]

I've wanted a big bore belly gun for years. My vote is go for it! Please don't forget the stag grips and a Tyler's T-grip to finish off the package.

If you decide to take this on please keep us up to date.

thanks

 

[lebomm]

I'm definitely a shooter first and a collector second, and my .44 Spl M28 attests to my inability to walk away from a nice conversion. That said, a first-year 58 with matching grips and only minor finish issues? I don't think I could bring myself to cut that one up. But that's just me.

Larry

 

[semperfi71]

Here is a "M528" as described and built by a member here. His name I do not remember. He took a M28, cut the barrel to 3 1/2 inches and removed the rear sight setup using the rear channel as a rear sight. Then he adjusted the front sight blade for his ammunition.

I thought it was an easy and unique job.

 

[SAFireman]

Here is a "M528" as described and built by a member here. His name I do not remember. He took a M28, cut the barrel to 3 1/2 inches and removed the rear sight setup using the rear channel as a rear sight. Then he adjusted the front sight blade for his ammunition.

I thought it was an easy and unique job.

How is that rear sight work for you? Did he plug the holes for the rear sight? Did you see the Combat sights that are replacements for the adjustable rear?

...looks like a neat project...is it still 357?

 

[semperfi71]

SAFireman,

It's not my weapon. It belongs to a member here who posted pics of it. He used the existing channel left by the rear sight as his "rear sight".

He found that the base of the original front sight blade made a perfect "front sight" because of the width of the rear channel.

If I remember correctly he shot it and it worked out okay as far as sight picture. He said it was a BIG sight picture!

Yes, I think he left it in .357.

 

[Mack]

semperfi beat me to it, I was going to mention that the barrel will only lose 1/2" which hardly seems worth it. The RB would be nice though.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

If you truely have decided not to go with that one, perhaps you can find a doner gun to convert to a .41 special. I think the 41 special is a good idea as the full bore 41 mag would be a bit of a handfull. I think I remember talk about an L frame conversion.

 

[whitecoyote]

S&W mod. 28

 

[SAFireman]

Ahhh...you always have some of the nicest toys...I recall a Jovino style conversion on a 657 or 57...you have good taste indeed!