Feasibility of rechambering a Model 28

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wordfan

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I've read of people having Model 28s rechambered to .44 special, I was just wondering how feasible it would be to have one rechambered to .41 magnum? Anyone have a ballpark figure of how much something like this would cost? I think Bowen lists a caliber conversion for an S&W as right around $1k, but I was wondering if that's an average cost, or if there's another quality gunsmith who would do it cheaper. I know it would probably be cheaper to just find a good 4 inch model 57, but I really like the tapered barrel of the 28, and the only way I've seen to get that on a 57 is to find a Mountain Gun, which seem to be pretty rare in .41 mag.

Thanks
 
IT CAN BE DONE and has been done. Anything is possible if you throw enough money at it. The only real problem is now finding someone who can, and will, re-bore and re-rifle THAT M28 barrel. And of course there is always the biggest question of all; WHY ? Think past what you like.
And so it goes...
 
Probably the only issue would be the cylinder length. S&W made their N-frame .357 cy linders shorter than the 41's, .44's and .45Colt's. If the cylinder is long enough for the loads you would run through it, go for it! I seem to recall a 6½" .38-44HD that I traded to a guy that had Bowen turn it into a .45Colt so the .41Mag shouldn't be a problem on the 28.
 
S&W made M57 and M657 Mountain guns, they have tapered barrels. It'll probably expect to pay around $1000, but if sell your M28 that could offset some of the cost.
I looked at the Bowen site and I don't see where they're converting M28s to .41mag, the barrel may be too thin to handle it, always worth a call. I don't know of anyone else doing that sort of work except maybe Clements, they build 10mm Ruger GP100s, you might check with them and see if they'd tackle it.

CraigC said:
Probably the only issue would be the cylinder length. S&W made their N-frame .357 cy linders shorter than the 41's, .44's and .45Colt's. If the cylinder is long enough for the loads you would run through it, go for it! I seem to recall a 6½" .38-44HD that I traded to a guy that had Bowen turn it into a .45Colt so the .41Mag shouldn't be a problem on the 28.
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The .357mag cylinder could always be replaced with a factory .41mag cylinder if it's too short.
 
It would be one thing to rebarrel to a lower-pressured cartridge (.41 Colt), but to rebarrel to .41 Magnum, which pressures run at those of .357 Magnum, would be dangerous. The pencil barrels are already thin.
 
Before the access given by the internet, finding a nice Model 57 .41 mag would probably have been very hard. Nowadays, just wait long enough, have your pennies ready, and snag one off gunbroker. You will have a gun that retains it's value, and probably get by cheaper than converting and reboring a Model 28. As mentioned, the 657 Mountain gun would be very close to what you want, and if you like a dark gun, you could always have a black finish applied.
 
The .357mag cylinder could always be replaced with a factory .41mag cylinder if it's too short.
Click to expand...
That's always an option if one can be found. A good idea if you want to utilize longer bullets like the Keith.

Pressure is not an issue. These guns get converted to larger cartridges than the .41Mag without issue. The tapered barrels of N-frames are all the same diameter. Barrels don't contain pressures anyway.

Bowen has always been higher than most others. This is not really an involved conversion and any of the reputable `smith's could handle it. A rechamber is typically $200 and a rebore another $200. Throw in a $100-$150 action job and you're set.
 
Anything is possible if you have deep enough pockets.
But What would you have when you are done.
I shy away from converting one model into another model that you can already buy .
Now if you want to convert a 28 to something that they do not make, then it makes sence, and personnally would be worth your effort.
Like converting the 28 to .357 Bains and Davis or some exotic caliber.
But to convert it to .41 or even .44 you just end up with a Frankingun that has little resale value, and possibly functioning issues compared to an original model.
 
I disagree. Firstly, you can't buy a blued, tapered barrel .41Mag with adjustable sights. Secondly, properly built custom guns by reputable `smith's like Bowen are not a losing proposition. I routinely see them going for replacement value. Conventional wisdom simply no longer holds true. The only valid question is whether or not the individual wants to spend the money to get what they want.
 
I see a bunch of model 57's on gunbroker with bids from $650 and up. Maybe be easier to sell your model 28 and pick up a 57.

By the time you find a smith to do the work on your 28 I expect you would have most of the cost of one of those 57's into it.
 
CraigC said:
I disagree. Firstly, you can't buy a blued, tapered barrel .41Mag with adjustable sights. Secondly, properly built custom guns by reputable `smith's like Bowen are not a losing proposition. I routinely see them going for replacement value. Conventional wisdom simply no longer holds true. The only valid question is whether or not the individual wants to spend the money to get what they want.
Click to expand...
The M57 Mountain Gun is blued and has both the tapered barrel and adjustable rear sight.

However, I agree with you that a Bowen customized gun can bring a premium just because it is a Bowen gun.
 
The market for a high dollar Bowen .41 mag on a M28 would be limited. There would be more buyers for a .44 Special than .41 Magnum. Recouping your money would be more difficult.
 
I agree if you sent your gun to a KNOWN Custom Gun Customizer, then the investment is worth it.
Then you have the name with it, and it can speak of the Quality.
But you will pay thru the nose, and it is worth it.
 
I outlined how much it would cost by a big name `smith and you don't have to pay Bowen's tariff to get it done. I don't see a .41Mag being any more difficult to sell than a .44Spl. Both are aficionado cartridges. Personally, I don't see this as a "high dollar" custom gun. It's actually rather basic.

S&W did do a run of 57 Mountain Guns and they have the internal lock. None showed up at Gunbroker.

No offense meant but as usual, lots of folks who have never had work like this done finding excuses not to do it. Lots of folks who've never bought or sold a custom gun saying you'll lose money on them. Sometimes the manufacturers don't offer exactly what you want and you have to take matters into your own hands. Like I said, the conventional wisdom about custom guns and resale value is no longer valid.
 
It is one thing to talk about altering an original Colt Paterson to shoot .38 Special and quite another to be concerned about the collector's value of a Model 28 altered to another caliber. The Model 28 is a fine gun, but it is not a high dollar collectible. If a conversion seems worthwhile and practical, go for it.

But, as has been suggested, it might be a lot easier and cheaper to simply buy a .41 Magnum; they are around and a Model 57 would cost a lot less than a conversion job on the Model 28, especially if you are willing to take less than NIB condition on the Model 57.

Jim
 
Had an old Georgia State Patrol M28 modified to .44 Special back I the 1970s after the Model 24 went out of production. The barrel was bored and a liner installed. The cylinder was bored and chambered. I took the gun to Europe in the Service in the 1980s and it was amoung the guns held by customs at Charleston on my return. The customs guy that was examining it was fascinated with it as his carry gun was a M28 in its correct .357 chambering. He asked if I minded him playing with it while we awaited my paper work and seeing no reason to antagonize a nice guy that was confiscating ( hopefully temporarily ) my guns I said sure and went on home. A couple of weeks later a nice wooden crate showed up with all my guns and paper work......all the guns having been cleaned and repacked and a thank you card from the customs agent with it. He claimed to have carried my .44 at work from the time I left Charleston until it was crated with out his boss noticing!

-kBob
 
Converted a 28 to 45 Colt several years ago. Re-bored the cylinder and replaced the barrel with a 1950 45 bbl. It's a great shooter. This was done before Smith brought out the 25-5
 
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