Turn a M28 into a M27 in 3 1/2"...Anyone Done it or Considered Doing It?
- Thread starter Nalapombu
- Start date
wheelgun28
Member
I almost never like chopped barrels, which can be a big turn off to me. They can look like a tough guy belly gun (hard to pull off but cool looking). Most often they look clumsy to me, just personal taste here.
What I Might consider is finding a nickel 3 1/2" barrel and complete cylinder. Have them fit to the 28 frame, maybe add a nickel cylinder release. Now you'll have what you wanted, it will look unique. It is also something that could be undone if wanted.
A custom pinto with the brush blue frame and nice grips could be a real looker...
What I Might consider is finding a nickel 3 1/2" barrel and complete cylinder. Have them fit to the 28 frame, maybe add a nickel cylinder release. Now you'll have what you wanted, it will look unique. It is also something that could be undone if wanted.
A custom pinto with the brush blue frame and nice grips could be a real looker...
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You can certainly buy a Model 28 and then maybe you can find a 3-1/2 inch Model 27 barrel somewhere, then send it off to a really good gunsmith who can swap the barrel, checker the top strap of the frame, polish everything to a brilliant shine without smearing the roll marks, then give it the correct electroless nickel plating. By the time you pay for all of this you could have bought a nickeled Model 27 with the rare 3-1/2 inch barrel and you will have a Model 27 that will continue to appreciate in value rather than a money pit Model 28. It's your money, do with it as you please.
Grayfox
US Veteran
a 27 is a 27 and a 28 is a 28. Never the twain shall meet.
I have a 3 1/2" 27 and it is a wonderful gun. I also have a 4" 28 that shoots just as well.
Years ago when 28s were cheap, many were used as a base for some really nice custom guns. But the value of 28s has jumped considerably since then. Cutting the barrel on one would cost you money and in the end you'd end up with a gun worth considerably less than the original.
Just save up your money and buy a real 3 1/2" 27.
But since we're on the subject of custom Model 28s.....
Some years ago I came across a bare nekkid Model 28-2 frame cheap. It took about two years to get all the parts together and then a good bit of work on my part, but I put together a custom Model 28 snubby in .45 Colt. I like it!
I have a 3 1/2" 27 and it is a wonderful gun. I also have a 4" 28 that shoots just as well.
Years ago when 28s were cheap, many were used as a base for some really nice custom guns. But the value of 28s has jumped considerably since then. Cutting the barrel on one would cost you money and in the end you'd end up with a gun worth considerably less than the original.
Just save up your money and buy a real 3 1/2" 27.
But since we're on the subject of custom Model 28s.....
Some years ago I came across a bare nekkid Model 28-2 frame cheap. It took about two years to get all the parts together and then a good bit of work on my part, but I put together a custom Model 28 snubby in .45 Colt. I like it!
Old Corp
Member
Now you've got me planning on converting my beater M28 4" to a RM.
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In my experience, some Model 28s were finished to a higher polish than usual. Also, some were shipped with target stocks rather than magnas. This one is a case in point. Also, it should be noted that 4" Model 27s are comparatively uncommon, whereas Model 28s in that configuration can be found more easily. Here's a really nice 28 that could darn near pass for a 27!
John
John
Pig Hunter
Member
Buy a 4" 27 or 28 and then start watching for a 3 1/2" take off barrel. They are out there you just have to look and you can shoot the 4" all you want till you find it.
There's a 3 1/2" 27-2 on that big auction site right now.
Needs some cosmetic work, but claims it's otherwise in great shape.
Needs some cosmetic work, but claims it's otherwise in great shape.
I've actually thought about doing that myself. I have an old "S" prefix Model 28-2 that I sent back to S&W a number of years ago for a rebuild that I don't have a lot of money in. The gun basically looks like a 4" 27 now. I have a 27 checkered rear sight and thought if I could find a nice blued 3 1/2" 27 barrel, I'd have my local smith swap it out. Although it wouldn't have a complete checkered top strap, it would have the barrel rib and sight that were (with a tiny gap in-between that was smooth). Hmmm, anyone have a nice 3 1/2" 27 barrel they can live without???
A couple of months back, I got the wild hair to make my 4 inch 29-2 into a 5 incher. By the time I bought the barrel, had it cut to 5 inches, refit to the the frame, a new Weigand front sight system installed plus all the shipping costs, it would have cost at least $700. For an extra inch of barrel did not seem worth the cost. Decided it was not worth the cost.
I think you could find an original 27 3 1/2 for the cost of converting a 4 inch model 28 and you would have a real 27!
I think you could find an original 27 3 1/2 for the cost of converting a 4 inch model 28 and you would have a real 27!
357larry
Member
The only N Frame 357's that ever appealed to me were the 3 1/2 inch and 5 inch barreled M27's, and that was just because of the odd barrel lengths. Smith missed the boat by leaving them square butt frames. My thoughts were that if I was going to carry an N Frame revolver, it would be in a caliber more substantial than .357 magnum.
That being said, I at one time considered doing a similar project to what the OP is talking about. Being unable to locate a 3 1/2 inch Mod 27 barrel, I was able to locate a 5 inch Mod 27 barrel for an FBI 50 year commemorative. I also acquired a brand new in the wrapper Mod 27 rear sight. All I needed was a decent Mod 28 to round butt, polish, checker the top strap, get the barrel installed, and refinish. Unfortunately, this was about the time that everyone decided that Mod 28s were valuable and were asking ridiculous prices for them. I was hanging onto the hope of finding a reasonably priced Mod 28 beater but finally gave up. I refuse to pay what people want for a Mod 28 nowadays as they do not have that kind of value to me.
I changed direction and decided to go with an L Frame, the 686. I bought a 686-2 4 inch and made it to my liking. It turned out great and I don't have to listen to anyone cry about making changes to it like we have heard here from fans of the Mod 28.
That being said, I at one time considered doing a similar project to what the OP is talking about. Being unable to locate a 3 1/2 inch Mod 27 barrel, I was able to locate a 5 inch Mod 27 barrel for an FBI 50 year commemorative. I also acquired a brand new in the wrapper Mod 27 rear sight. All I needed was a decent Mod 28 to round butt, polish, checker the top strap, get the barrel installed, and refinish. Unfortunately, this was about the time that everyone decided that Mod 28s were valuable and were asking ridiculous prices for them. I was hanging onto the hope of finding a reasonably priced Mod 28 beater but finally gave up. I refuse to pay what people want for a Mod 28 nowadays as they do not have that kind of value to me.
I changed direction and decided to go with an L Frame, the 686. I bought a 686-2 4 inch and made it to my liking. It turned out great and I don't have to listen to anyone cry about making changes to it like we have heard here from fans of the Mod 28.
I've actually thought about doing that myself. I have an old "S" prefix Model 28-2 that I sent back to S&W a number of years ago for a rebuild that I don't have a lot of money in. The gun basically looks like a 4" 27 now. I have a 27 checkered rear sight and thought if I could find a nice blued 3 1/2" 27 barrel, I'd have my local smith swap it out. Although it wouldn't have a complete checkered top strap, it would have the barrel rib and sight that were (with a tiny gap in-between that was smooth). Hmmm, anyone have a nice 3 1/2" 27 barrel they can live without???
I wouldn't change a thing about that gun, it's beautiful.
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