Turn a M28 into a M27 in 3 1/2"...Anyone Done it or Considered Doing It?

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

I'd like to toss out something here and see what you all think of it. See if it's a nutty idea of one worth saving a bit here and there to one day give it a try.

One of my very favorite handguns is the M27 with the 3 1/2 inch barrel...particularly in Nickel with the smaller grip where a Tyler's T-Grip can be used. If anyone has one set up like this, please post some pics. I never get tired of seeing them. Just makes me want one that much more.

Anyway, as you all know, the prices of these wheelguns has went WAY up in the last decade or more. I'd say a nice, shooter M27 with the 3 1/2" barrel in nickel would likely fetch near $1,500 or more today.
With that said, I thought about a shortcut. What if you got a M28 with a 6 inch or 8 3/8 inch barrel and send it to a qualified 'smith and have the barrel cut back to 3 1/2" length and the ramp front sight replaced. I don't know about the grip though. If the grip can be modified to the shape of the smaller sized M27 style grip or if the M28 already has that type of grip where a Tyler's would fit right on it without any mods.

Now I know that it wouldn't be the same as a M27, but it would give me the look and feel of a 3 1/2 inch M27 without the really high price.
With literally millions of M28's out there, I would think that if one were patient, you could pick one up in decent shape for around $400 or so. Maybe less if you get lucky.
Then all you have left is the barrel cut and sight replacement and the grip work, if any is needed. You could go with it at that point and get it re-finished at a later time or as money allowed and have it done in whatever finish your heart desires.


I think it would look great. You also wouldn't have to worry about putting it in a holster and heading out on camping or hunting trips. If you scratch it, drop it, ding it, whatever, no big deal, after all it's NOT a M27 that you are constantly worrying about.


So...am I a NUT for thinking of a project like this? Anyone else thought of something like it? Thoughts?

What custom wheelgun ideas do you have floating around in your noodle that you'd like to see come to fruition some day?


Have a good weekend everyone.
Larry

 

[6518John]

I see all sorts of what I would deem to be “crazy” project guns mentioned or shown on here (but I keep my opinion to myself, if one can’t say something good, don’t say anything, plus what others do with their time and money is none of my business) but I think this the best idea I have seen since I have been on the forum. 1. Because they are so hard to find and 2. They are so expensive.

But I don’t know what the costs of the modifications would be. It seems to be a fairly universal truth spoken here that the costs of all the work will exceed the cost of simply buying the model you want (assuming you cand find one).

Anyway, great thought.

 

[Patrick L]

Collectors, purists, and those that weigh everything in sheer dollars and cents will all tell you you're nuts.

Those of us that do what makes us happy would say it's your gun, if it makes you happy...

Personally I wouldn't do it at this stage of my life, but I'd be lying if I said I'd NEVER have considered it.

 

[Patrick L]

Oh, grip is the same.

 

[Xfuzz]

I took a 6" model 28 that lived on a Shrimp Boat for many years.
Caught the seller at the right time just by happenstance.
Chopped it, bead blasted and I forget the coating.
Was concerned about the front sight so I went with a bead.
Slap dead on at 15 yards.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

IIRC the M-28 was discontinued in 1986 and there are not "millions" of them out there-it's not like the M&P. So to turn one into a "faux" M-27...
I could see taking a beater such as Xfuzz did, but otherwise I think a factory correct M-28 in good shape should treasured for what it is.

 

[ggibson511960]

Alternate Suggestion

As others have noted, this is an exceedingly bad idea. All you are gaining is truncating 1/2 in. of barrel. If you find a clunker grade M-28 to butcher up you still have to bolt on the 3 T's to get to M-27 functionality. That could easily run to $400. What to do about the 1/2 in. of barrel and a re-fitted front sight? Please, please find any N-frame barrel, cut it to 3-1/2 in., fit it to your conversion piece, and save the original 4 in. or 6 in. barrel. You still have to spend $400 to get the 3T's and whatever it takes to get a new front sight on your conversion, but you will have the original barrel to put back on and preserve the value of the M-28 when you've had your 3-1/2 in. bbl experience. A 4 in. M-28 is a wonderful shooter. My best suggestion is to find a really good one and enjoy that extra 1/2 in. of bbl. If you gotta have the whole experience, spend the money and enjoy the checkered top strap only found on M-27's and polished blueing.

 

[mod57]

I think swapping in a 3 1/2" barrel wouldn't be a bad idea, but cutting the barrel leaves you with partail or off center rollmarks which I think look less than professional. If one could find a 3 1/2" barrel....

 

[rbmac52]

3-t's are NOT essential to get Model 27 functionality. In fact, the greater majority of Model 27s did not come with them. They were standard only for the last few years of production.

And they would be out of place on a short-barreled version, in my opinion, as short barrels and standard hammers and triggers are considered more appropriate for combat shooting.

 

[george_lehr]

I like what ggibson said because I believe that model 28s should be celebrated for what they are.

 

[Fishinfool]

Frame / Grip frame is the same on the 27 / 28. Same stocks. By cutting down a model 28, you will have barrel stampings that are not centered, and still be missing the 27's defining feature - The checkered top strap. No high polish blueing either.

I think a 4 inch model 28 with service grips and a Tyler grip adaptor comes very close to what you are wanting, without the hassle and expense of cutting down a 6 inch gun. Mine is pictured below.

Larry

 

[flagman1776]

The Model 28 came in 4" and 6" with a service type finish. The M 27 can with more barrel length choices, better finish and checkered top strap. There's not that much different between a 4" 28 and 3 1/2" 27. Changing the barrel length gives you a 3 1/2" modified 28... probably worth considerably less than you have into it. Just buy a 4" 28 if that's all you can afford and shoot it.

 

[steelslaver]

If I ever find a 8 3/8 model 28 Iwould not chopthe barrel as it is rarer than any 3 1/2" model 27. Model 27s and 28s have the same sized frames, cylinders grips etc. I have done a lot of things to some guns, but wouldn't cut a 28 to 3 1/2" because the difference between one at 3 1/2 and those available in 4" is minimal.

I have a couple 27s but, none in 3 1/2" I have 28s in both 4" and 6". Only advantage of the 27s is the better finish and the the checkered top strap.

A nice model 28 is worth about 600-700 now days, if I spend a bunch of hours taking the the front sight off and cutting the barrel to 3 1/2" then reattaching the front sight, cutting it for a red insert, replacing the reaar sight body with a grooved one and a white outlined blade, then hand checkered the top strap, I would still need to sent it out to get it high polished and that deep blue. If I paid for the machine work cutting the barrel it would be a couple hundred, The grooved sight assembly would be about $60, then the polish and blue maybe $3-500 depending, Now my original $600 model 28, plus $500-750 would be worth ------Hey maybe $600.

 

[seldon14]

Afaik all N frames have the same grip frame, throw whatever grips and adaptors you like on them

Would probably be a cheaper option, as long as you got a decent deal on the base gun, especially if you save money by getting one with a bad finish. Can't get behind nickel though, probably my least favorite finish.

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

please,just get a 4 inch gun. Model 27,28. So much simpler

 

[Andy Taylor]

Either save up for a real 27 3.5" or just get a 4" 28 and put on the grips of your choice.

 

[Watchdog]

I wouldn't do it. Wouldn't waste the time and my money. After all's said and done, all you'll have is a modified 28; a wannabe 27. Don't forget the checkering on the top, either. That is not going to be cheap, and you wouldn't have a pretend 27 without it.

And really, does that .5-inch shorter barrel actually make that much difference, appearance-wise? Speaking for myself, the answer is no.

If I should ever want to modify a 28, it'd simply be a 4-inch converted to .44 Special. But that's a whole 'nother ballgame.

Push comes to shove, there are only two things that separate the 27 from the 28. The checkering and the finish. Other than that, they're the same gun.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I kinda like the 28 better than the 27. It’s the same gun just a bit more plain. And it says highway patrolman on the barrel. But I think it’s your gun. Do what you want. I chopped a super Blackhawk to 4 inches. If the front sight was a bit easier I’d chop a Smith too. I like em all I guess. Factory and modified. Kinda like muscle cars.

 

[6string]

The "PRICE" of an original 27-2 w/3.5" barrel may seem high, but it's an investment that could likely be recouped or exceeded when the time comes.
A chop job on a 28 will be mostly money lost.

What about the rollmarks on the barrel? Would you pay to have them removed or restamped? Seems like it would be kind of an eyesore to see them after the cut was made...

Jim

 

[GerSan69]

Go for it!
I love projects! Pretty much every roadblock can be overcome on something like this. Remember, you aren't doing it for resale value, it's for your personal satisfaction. (Trust me on this - I'm the one with the rebarreled Model 10 thread on this sub-forum.) You probably won't want to do all the work yourself, so shop around for a gunsmith that's not only willing, but has a lot of revolver experience. You don't want one of these guys who's never handled anything but plastic and stamped-metal parts.
Oh, and shop for a few parts, like the barrel. They're scarce, but you won't know until you check around.
Anyway, good luck! Sounds like a great project!