Update - .41 mag to .44 spl conversion

[GunarSailors]

The wife and I just got back from a three week vacation in Denmark (where she is from). She has been trying to talk me into moving there PERMANENTLY. I thought about it, and thinking I would never be allowed to bring my most valuable (to me) S&Ws, I sort of didnt seriously considered it. But while I was there I was able to get in contact with an official at the local gun club there in Copenhagen. He tells me that it's absolutely possible for me to be able to bring my revolvers to Denmark for target/competition shooting... And even keep them at home. But Denmark doesnt allow .44 magnums .41 magnums or guns under 21 cm.
The only way I can bring my model 29-2 to Denmark is if I install a .44 special cylinder in it. I just purchased a complete used model 58 recessed cylinder that needs to be reblued. It might require a little fitment, but it should just be a rechambering of the .41 magnum cylinder to .44 special six times. The seller says the cylinder is 1.750" long and that is really close to the length of my model 29-2 cylinder. It is on the way.

 

[Tom_R]

I am of the belief that the cylinder itself is shorter. The reason being, you do not want a .44 special cylinder to be long enough to chamber a magnum.

Let me ck my standard catalog and see what it says.

Is the new chamber recessed like your 29 chamber?

 

[Tom_R]

A 29-2 would have a cylinder length of 1.74"

This is assuming it has recessed chambers.

A model 24 (which is .44spcl) has the following:
- recessed cylinder length of 1.57"
- non recessed - the catalog doesn't say...

But it would seem that it is smaller.

 

[Doc44]

Your plan will not work. The forcing cone on a 24-3 is about twice the length of the forcing cone on a 29-2 and the cylinder is about 3/16-inch shorter. You would be better off buying a used Model 24-3 to take into Denmark. S&W's revolvers chambered in 44 Special do not have cylinders with recessed charge holes.

Bill

 

[Art Doc]

I would NOT want to try transporting handguns internationally.

 

[Photog]

I havde to agree with Saxonpig. I would not transport any handgun internationally unless I had no issues with losing it. I am on one of the african hunting forums and the nightmares about transporting long guns, even when arranged with a professional hunter with all the documentation, is scary.
As for the 24 cylinder, if I am not mistaken, the new S&W M24 uses the same cylinder as the M29.

 

[Doc44]

If you are going to shoot 44 Special ammo, why not just buy the 24-3 to take to Denmark and keep the 29-2 original and in the U. S.?

Bill

 

[SLT223]

I havde to agree with Saxonpig. I would not transport any handgun internationally unless I had no issues with losing it. I am on one of the african hunting forums and the nightmares about transporting long guns, even when arranged with a professional hunter with all the documentation, is scary.
As for the 24 cylinder, if I am not mistaken, the new S&W M24 uses the same cylinder as the M29.

This needs to be reiterated, I think. Is it possible to just rent a gun at the range over there? I would not travel overseas with any of my Smiths.

 

[S&W Fan]

If you are going to shoot 44 Special ammo, why not just buy the 24-3 to take to Denmark and keep the 29-2 original and in the U. S.?

Bill

This sure seems like a much more reasonable alternative to altering a 29-2 unless you're moving there and really really want to keep the 29. Good luck with whatever your plan turns out to be and hope whatever you send arrives.

 

[GunarSailors]

This sure seems like a much more reasonable alternative to altering a 29-2 unless you're moving there and really really want to keep the 29. Good luck with whatever your plan turns out to be and hope whatever you send arrives.

Sorry I may not have said this before. But this would be a serious long term move. No plans on coming back to live. But the US Customs form 4457 should make coming back in the US with them easier if it ever needed to happen. I am not worried about it too much, my lawyer is making contact with several departments to figure out the red tape. Leaving behind my 29-2 isnt an option. Hopfully everything will work out and I ll be able to bring them, and they show up at the Copenhagen airport when I do.

 

[S&W Fan]

Ah, that helps put it in perspective. I for one will be very interested to hear not only how the conversion goes but also the import of your treasured 29.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Troystat]

Even with a 44 special cylinder you might have a problem because the barrel says 44 mag. Maybe changing the barrel to 44 special and leave the cylinder alone. Either way good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[feralmerril]

Another option is this: I own a 544. Thats the wagon trail commemorative in 44-40 (44 WCF). I also own a 29-2 in 5" and both it and the 544 have the same 5" barrels and look almost identical except for the 544`s shorter cylinder. I also have a triplelock, a HD I had converted to .44 special, a 1950 target and a 24-3. Maybe not in your case, but many people desire a 5" 29-2 and cant find one. I think its possible to fit up a 29 cylinder in the 544 and have a 5" 44 mag that would read 44-40 on the barrel. I bet they used a mag barrel and just put 44 wcf on it. Except for the smooth grip on the commemorative and short cylinder I cant tell my two apart. My top picture has my 29 below the 27 and the 2 nd picture is the 29-2 wearing smooth presentation grips and the last picture is my 544. The 544 does have a lower front sight.

 

[feralmerril]

I dont think so. Plus the 44 special is smaller in the rim. I am saying a 29 cylinder should be able to fit up in the 544 by shortening the forcing cone. It go`s like this. The 29 cylinder is the longest followed by the 44 wcf cylinder and the special is the shortest. Just a way a person could get a 5" 44 mag if they could find a 544. Everyone seems to want one.

 

[steelslaver]

Get a 41 mag cylinder (which is the same length as your 44 mag cylinder) and have it rechambered to 44 special. Done deal

 

[Muley Gil]

Now there is an idea... But I still need to know why the newer model 24s and the .44 Thunder Ranch has such a long cylinder.

Probably to simplify production. Make up a batch of N frame cylinders and then chamber them for whatever caliber you want-.357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, .45 Colt.

 

[BSA1]

Get a 41 mag cylinder (which is the same length as your 44 mag cylinder) and have it rechambered to 44 special. Done deal

Or a .357 magnum cylinder from a Model 27. The tolerances can be kept tight for more accuracy.

Your main problem is finding a good gunsmith that is not booked up for two years to do the work.

 

[lowriderfxr]

You can't have a 44 magnum in Denmark?!!!! Well in that case, there's something rotten in Denmark!

Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

[feralmerril]

"Now there is an idea... But I still need to know why the newer model 24s and the .44 Thunder Ranch has such a long cylinder."
They dont!! Take a look here. These six are all .44 special. The old heavy duty is a .44 special I had converted from .38 special when I found a .44 special barrel off a 21. The mag go`s almost the full length of the window.

 

[Muley Gil]

Or a .357 magnum cylinder from a Model 27. The tolerances can be kept tight for more accuracy.

Your main problem is finding a good gunsmith that is not booked up for two years to do the work.

The .357 Magnum M27 and M28 cylinders are too short to be fitted to a M29.

ferrillmerrill,

The newer .44 Specials from S&W use longer cylinders than do the older models.