[jdberger]

A while ago, I saw an article in the the Blue Press (catalog published by Dillon Precision) about the 38/44 conversion to .45 Colt that Hamilton Bowen does.

Of course the wife tossed the catalog as garbage. I NEED that article. Does anyone have a copy that they could send/pdf to me? There were some descriptions and pictures in there that are different from anything I've been able to find in Bowen's book or on the web.

Thanks to all.
(sorry if I posted this in the wrong place)

[rWt]

You can see a photo of such a conversion in his book and on his website-not sure if it's the same as the one in the article. It is a handsome gun!

[jdberger]

Have the book and seen the website. In the article I'm referring to, the author had a few additional modifications made to the revolver with pics.

[rWt]

What were the additional modifications?

[jdberger]

Don't remember, exactly (that's why I need the article). ;) I think that they were primarily cosmetic.

Gold line around the base of the cylinder and the barrel, different or modified front sight. I think that the grips were different, too. Not the ivories in this pic.

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/images/map0000a.jpg

[cxm]

Why in the wide world of sports would anyone converet a 38/44 HD to .45?

The conversion would surely cost as much as just buying a 1917 .45 and you would have only one revolver when finished rather than two.

In the late 1960s and 1970s when you could not get a good S&W unless you knew Fred Miller or Roy Jinks it might have made sense... Today? No way.

FWIW

Chuck

[thatguy]

Another gunsmith has advertised reboring barrels and chambers on S&W to larger calibers for $425. Danged if I can recall his name.

[jdberger]

I'm well aware of the debate regarding the conversion. Here are my reasons.

1) I have a 1917 (actually a 1937 Brazilian) and think it is great, but it is .45 acp, not .45 Colt. I want .45 Colt.

2) M25s are few and super expensive in the great but misguided state of California.

3) I like the lines and the fixed sights of the 38/44 but prefer the increased 'whap' of the .45 Colt in the Bowen conversion.

4) The 38/44 that I have has a non original barrel (different s/n) and has been reblued so there are no worries about hacking up a collectors piece.

5) I want an example of H. Bowen's work for my own. I also want an original Picasso, the Bowen is less expensive.

6) Why not? :p

[Vern Humphrey]

I bow to no one in my love for the .45 Colt, but you can find S&W Model 25s in .45 Colt on www.gunbroker.com for under $700, including shipping and FFL's paperwork fee.

[thatguy]

Vern, please note again that jdberger lives in CA. State law prohibits buying any gun off GunBroker that isn't listed on the CA "approved handgun list" and that excludes just about all used models. A CA resident can't simply find what he wants on GB.

[Vern Humphrey]

Vern, please note again that jdberger lives in CA. State law prohibits buying any gun off GunBroker that isn't listed on the CA "approved handgun list" and that excludes just about all used models. A CA resident can't simply find what he wants on GB.

My mistake.

I'm so old that I can remember when it wasn't considered heroic to contract a sexually-transmitted disease, nor an act of generosity to pass it off to someone else. And this was still a free country, with a constitution. :o

[rWt]

Another reason for the conversion vs using a 1917 is to obtain better chamber, throat and barrel dimensions. Thus-a better shooter-at least in theory. I think that the 38-44 also has slightly better (visible) fixed sights.

The reason for the conversion vs a 25-5 is the fixed sights vs adjustable sights arguments/tradeoffs. I prefer the looks of the fixed-sighted flavor,but my old eyes like the adjustable picture much better.

[Mossyrock]

JD,

You won't hear an argument from me regarding having a 38/44 converted to .44 Special or .45 Colt. I considered for YEARS having a 28 converted to .44 Special until I stumbled upon a 4" model 24. I have a single action .44 Special by Clements and, someday, I WILL have a Bowen gun. Just do yourself a favor....when you have Bowen do your conversion, have Roy Fishpaw make the grips. It will be pricey, but it will be an investment you will never regret.

[jdberger]

Ha!

5 years later and I still haven't pulled the trigger on this thing, yet. But I did find the article I was looking for!

I guess I'll have to start squirrelling away some money for this.

FWIW - I don't think that the California handgun roster is going to last all that much longer, anyway. :D

[CraigC]

Lots of good reasons to convert a decent .38-44. If that's what you want, go for it! I bought a really nice 6 1/2" several years ago for a song to have converted but decided I wanted a 4". Traded it away for a lovely Mundenized 629MG to somebody who DID have it converted, by Bowen. Bought a rough 4" a few years ago for $200 but it ended up being too much work just to get it properly functioning. Just about couldn't give it away but finally managed to sell it for $150 last year. One of these days I'll have a spiffy little fixed sight 4" N-frame .44Spl!