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

[Nightowl]

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!

 

[357larry]

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.

 

[dr. mordo]

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.