I'm having an issue and it can be cured with a Bowen .45 Colt conversion. I'd like to see what you have regardless of caliber. If you don't mind showing off your beauties and giving a little info behind them, I would be grateful. Thanks in advance.
Show me your Bowen customs. I think I need one.
- Thread starter Sprefix
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No point in posting a picture; it looks just like any other Model 28, except it's in 38-40 caliber. The headspace is VERY tight,to the point where I have difficulties with handloads. And when he reblued the barrel, after taking off the inscription and adding '38-40 WCF', the purple color doesn't match the rest of the revolver.
He made it a real tack driver, though. And a bit of serendipty: when sighted in for 25 yds, 1 complete turn of the elevation screw and it's right on at 100 yds. I can't hit much at 100 yds, but that's me, not the revolver.
He made it a real tack driver, though. And a bit of serendipty: when sighted in for 25 yds, 1 complete turn of the elevation screw and it's right on at 100 yds. I can't hit much at 100 yds, but that's me, not the revolver.
That Special is a fine handgun for sure! I am looking for ideas on a base-gun, sights, top-strap style, grips, barrel length and contour, as well as other accoutrements. I am locked on 45 Colt for the caliber. Thanks again......
Marksman
Member
Bowen Pre 27 5" .44 Special Conversion..........
I used a 5" Pre 27 five screw as the basis for my Bowen conversion. I had Bowen do all the bells & whistles on this conversion, it turned out great.
I used a 5" Pre 27 five screw as the basis for my Bowen conversion. I had Bowen do all the bells & whistles on this conversion, it turned out great.
David Sinko
Member
Here's a Redhawk Alpine Conversion that Bowen made before Ruger offered either a .45 Colt or 4" Redhawk. Mine was the first time anybody had asked him to bob the hammer of a Redhawk and he was very reluctant to do it, thinking it would compromise ignition. I convinced him to do it and it worked just fine. It has a tall front sight that accommodates 335 gr. bullets at 1260 FPS as well as 255 gr. bullets at 944 FPS. It also has his extended firing pin conversion. The grips were made by Dee at Herrett's. There was a time I did A LOT of double action shooting with this revolver and the 255 gr. loads at various matches and it was also a full time concealed carry gun for a few years. It has been used in the field to take chipmunks, squirrels, groundhogs, a turkey and a deer. Eventually the transfer bar wore out and I had to send the gun back to Bowen when it would no longer fire slow DA. Once again it now functions perfectly but I rarely use it. I don't have time to hunt big or dangerous game and I use my 625s for concealed carry. At times I think about selling it but it has done so much for me that it's hard to let it go.
Dave Sinko
Dave Sinko
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I use the 28-2 or post war Heavy Duty because of the lighter profile bbl. your decision will be based on what type of sights you prefer. On any .38 spl or .357 mag. the front sight will have to be changed for a taller one. He makes one that is pinned in place.
Erich
Member
This Bearcat now has a really nice action and throws 40-grain jacketed bullets accurately at around 1450 fps. Jessie (NKJ Nut) and others who know Mr. Bowen were really instrumental in helping me to decide that it was worth sending him my neat but humdrum little gun. I sure am pleased that I did so - this thing's pretty much heirloom-quality now. 
(Gun is shown with Bill "Sack" Peterson's elk stocks and a Belt Mountain base pin that's not at all necessary for the power level of the .22 Magnum but looks cute.)
(Gun is shown with Bill "Sack" Peterson's elk stocks and a Belt Mountain base pin that's not at all necessary for the power level of the .22 Magnum but looks cute.)
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Well, I have posted this so many times I'm sure people are getting tired of it, but... since you ask:
1954 38/44 HD converted to .45 Colt by Hamilton Bowen. Carved elephant ivory stocks by Paul Persinger and engraving by Dan Love.
Sprefix, you should buy Bowen's book on custom revolvers. It is full of ideas, and you can learn the range of options available to you. It is a lot of fun to read, and would help you plan your project...
1954 38/44 HD converted to .45 Colt by Hamilton Bowen. Carved elephant ivory stocks by Paul Persinger and engraving by Dan Love.
Sprefix, you should buy Bowen's book on custom revolvers. It is full of ideas, and you can learn the range of options available to you. It is a lot of fun to read, and would help you plan your project...
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Frank237
Absent Comrade
Onomea,
I don't think ANY of us are getting tired of seeing that sweet old girl!
As Classy as it gets.
FN in MT
I don't think ANY of us are getting tired of seeing that sweet old girl!
As Classy as it gets.
FN in MT
Maximumbob54
Member
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I know I'm not tired of it in the slightest. I would like to see more pictures of it at different angles. And that little WMR Bearcat is a dream come true.
Thanks for the kind words, fellas. More pix:
More pix:
Erich
Member
Ahhhh. Lovely thing to see on a Friday afternoon.
+1 on the "buy his book" recommendation.
Lovely thing to see on a Friday afternoon. +1 on the "buy his book" recommendation.
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Bowen's website has lots of photos of work he has done. His services menu shows you what will cost how much and the range of the types of services he has available.
He has an article from American Handgunner magazine posted there that is about the conversion of a 4 inch .38-44 Heavy Duty to .45 Colt, with lots of excellent photos. It inspired me to have him build one for me. It is one of my favorite handguns. Also my most expensive! And it is exactly what I wanted.
Bowen will tell you, up front, that he doesn't like working on guns that have already been reblued or are in poor condition, as his end results won't be what he expects of himself and the extra work on such a gun is quite a bit more time and money than the customer buying a better condition gun to begin with. I bought and sent him a Pueblo, CO PD Model 20 revolver for the conversion. He called me and explained it's shortcomings and recommended I find a better base gun. I did.
Expensive? Yes. Worth every penny? Absolutely.
He has an article from American Handgunner magazine posted there that is about the conversion of a 4 inch .38-44 Heavy Duty to .45 Colt, with lots of excellent photos. It inspired me to have him build one for me. It is one of my favorite handguns. Also my most expensive! And it is exactly what I wanted.
Bowen will tell you, up front, that he doesn't like working on guns that have already been reblued or are in poor condition, as his end results won't be what he expects of himself and the extra work on such a gun is quite a bit more time and money than the customer buying a better condition gun to begin with. I bought and sent him a Pueblo, CO PD Model 20 revolver for the conversion. He called me and explained it's shortcomings and recommended I find a better base gun. I did.
Expensive? Yes. Worth every penny? Absolutely.
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woods-walker
Member
+2 on the "Buy the Book". I would also recommend John Taffin's book as well.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
One thing missing Arlo
Why no red ruby eyes on the steer head ivories. I guess you just ain't a Texican.
Beautiful....just special.
Why no red ruby eyes on the steer head ivories. I guess you just ain't a Texican.
Beautiful....just special.
Cooter Brown
Member
Oh Onomea, you know how I feel about that revolver--you could post pics of that one every day and I wouldn't get tired of it!
lawandorder
Member
Arlo that is one of the most beautiful revolvers I have ever seen and no matter how many times I have seen your images of it I never get tired of looking at it. Thank you for sharing them.
Erich
Member
Gotta make that plural - my man has quite a few.
Allen-frame
Member
How about an 80 year old Heavy duty converted by David Clements?
I fell for it at first sight and bought it instantly.
The invoice for the work included the rear sight and installation for $800.
I could not be happier with how it shoots.
Regards
Allen
I fell for it at first sight and bought it instantly.
The invoice for the work included the rear sight and installation for $800.
I could not be happier with how it shoots.
Regards
Allen
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