Andy Horvath did a couple of these conversions for Skelton, he is still doing them!
Kevin
My model 28-2 identifies as a 44spl
- Thread starter Biblethumpncop
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Andy Horvath did a couple of these conversions for Skelton, he is still doing them!
Kevin
.38 Special
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I generally am against the perversion of fine old guns, but make an exception for the .44 Special. Ruger's mid-frame Blackhawk chambered for the cartridge is one of the few perfect things in 2023, but for those who still hanker after a good DA, the OP's approach seems to be the only one available - and that he found the cylinder and barrel seems a minor miracle!
Riomouse911
Member
In my mitts, nothing balances nicer than a 5” to 5.5” barrel. Once that .44 Special comes home I think you’re going to love it. 
I had a Model 14-4,. 38 Spl with an 8 3/8” barrel that had a small bulge in the barrel when the previous owner stuck a bullet in the barrel.
I sent it to get the barrel cut to 5”, a new front sight added and it was reblued. It is one of my favorite shooters.
As for the .44 Special, gotta love it. My 6.5” 624 is currently back at Springfield because the gun started locking up (I think it may be a warped crane.), but my 5.5” flattop Blackhawk is a great shooter.
I can’t wait to see what it looks like and how it shoots for you when you get it back.
Stay safe.
I had a Model 14-4,. 38 Spl with an 8 3/8” barrel that had a small bulge in the barrel when the previous owner stuck a bullet in the barrel.
I sent it to get the barrel cut to 5”, a new front sight added and it was reblued. It is one of my favorite shooters.
As for the .44 Special, gotta love it. My 6.5” 624 is currently back at Springfield because the gun started locking up (I think it may be a warped crane.), but my 5.5” flattop Blackhawk is a great shooter.
I can’t wait to see what it looks like and how it shoots for you when you get it back
.Stay safe.
halfmoonclip
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I've settled into .45 Colt for my punkin roller caliber, and have a variety of revolvers and carbines in the caliber.
But a .44 Special would be cool, and a rabbit hole I'll avoid. How common are Model 24s?
Moon
But a .44 Special would be cool, and a rabbit hole I'll avoid. How common are Model 24s?
Moon
lightman
Member
Thats good advice!
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I have given really serious thought to doing this model 27-2. I got it for less than $400 quite a few years ago because it's freckled with rust. So there is no collector value, which I don't care about anyway. It'd make a dandy 4" or 5" .44Special.
He's doing one for me!
My converted M28 was very accurate and after a through action job, the DA pull was excellent.
One day at the range, I was playing with chicken metallic silhouette targets at 50 yds. I loaded the M28 with my standard .44 Spl handloads and proceeded to knock down 5 chickens DA in about 8 seconds.
My shooting buddies were stunned. "Let's see you do that again!" they demanded.
Knowing that hitting those chickens at that range was mostly due to dumb luck, I shoved the gun into my range bag. "Sorry," I said. "Out of ammo!"
One day at the range, I was playing with chicken metallic silhouette targets at 50 yds. I loaded the M28 with my standard .44 Spl handloads and proceeded to knock down 5 chickens DA in about 8 seconds.
My shooting buddies were stunned. "Let's see you do that again!" they demanded.
Knowing that hitting those chickens at that range was mostly due to dumb luck, I shoved the gun into my range bag. "Sorry," I said. "Out of ammo!"
Craig,I have given really serious thought to doing this model 27-2. I got it for less than $400 quite a few years ago because it's freckled with rust. So there is no collector value, which I don't care about anyway. It'd make a dandy 4" or 5" .44Special.
You are never going to convert that to 44 S&W Special and you know it. Just send it to me and I WILL convert it to 45 ACP.
I will pm you my ffl information.
Kevin
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I'll send it to Horvath tomorrow just for spite!
Thank you, I can pick it up from Andy when I see him next!I'll send it to Horvath tomorrow just for spite!
Kevin
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OP
OP
Biblethumpncop
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I got my gun back. I noticed the cylinder is a little late locking up if slowly cocking it, and it had .010" end-shake. I put some shims in today, so the end-shake is gone. I will be taking it with me to Phoenix in a couple of weeks and will take it to Frank Glenn to cut the barrel to 5" and will ask him to correct the timing and gap.
The Smith charged me $100 to swap the parts over. I could ask him to set the barrel back but figured Frank would just do it while he has the barrel off.
I took some pictures with different grips. The finger groove grips were some which my Dad modified from an original set of Target stocks about 40 years ago. I also mounted a Millett rear sight.
The Smith charged me $100 to swap the parts over. I could ask him to set the barrel back but figured Frank would just do it while he has the barrel off.
I took some pictures with different grips. The finger groove grips were some which my Dad modified from an original set of Target stocks about 40 years ago. I also mounted a Millett rear sight.
unspellable
Member
That's my problem. Two 445's, several 44 Mags, and several 44 Specials. I have a box of 44 Russian cartridges but no revolver.
As for Model 28 finishes, they are nominally matte, but I find them quite variable, some getting close to the model 27 finish.
P.S. I added a 357-44 cylinder to my model 28.
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About as rare as 32 SWL K-32's
A bit less if you throw in the stainless Model 624's.
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For the OP, don't worry about changing the gun over to 44 Special, there are plenty of Model 27 and 28 revolvers out there.
While a converted to 44 Special Model 28 is not as valuable as a Model 24, the enjoyment in shooting a 44 Special revolver is priceless.
I have a couple S&W Model 624's, a Classic 24, and a couple Ruger 44 Special revolvers. I enjoy shooting them all. In fact, I load primarily 44 Special loads, albeit in 44 Magnum cases, for my 44 Magnum revolvers.
30 years ago, I belonged to range near Aiken, SC that had IHMSA sighter targets on railroad car springs. My 45 Colt S&W Model 25 would ring the "gong" and the target would sway back and forth from the hit. The fast movers would hit the target with a splat. I did not have a 44 Special revolver at the time, but I am sure it would have had the same reaction to the targets as the 45 Colt did.
I really like the large diameter, slow moving, heavy bullet rounds from the transition from black powder to smokeless powder era.
While a converted to 44 Special Model 28 is not as valuable as a Model 24, the enjoyment in shooting a 44 Special revolver is priceless.
I have a couple S&W Model 624's, a Classic 24, and a couple Ruger 44 Special revolvers. I enjoy shooting them all. In fact, I load primarily 44 Special loads, albeit in 44 Magnum cases, for my 44 Magnum revolvers.
30 years ago, I belonged to range near Aiken, SC that had IHMSA sighter targets on railroad car springs. My 45 Colt S&W Model 25 would ring the "gong" and the target would sway back and forth from the hit. The fast movers would hit the target with a splat. I did not have a 44 Special revolver at the time, but I am sure it would have had the same reaction to the targets as the 45 Colt did.
I really like the large diameter, slow moving, heavy bullet rounds from the transition from black powder to smokeless powder era.
halfmoonclip
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Okay, got it.... now the conversion makes sense.About as rare as 32 SWL K-32's
A bit less if you throw in the stainless Model 624's.
I'm content enough with a M25 in .45 Colt, and understand the appeal of .44 Spl.
Thanks,
Moon
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DM~
Member
You think they are rare, try to find a model 19 chambered in 44spl..About as rare as 32 SWL K-32's
A bit less if you throw in the stainless Model 624's.
DM
I've gone as far as getting solid base wadcutter bullet moulds for 44 and 45 caliber bullets. Fun shooting at the range for a day of plinking.
At least one of my M624s is a Lew Horton Special. No way I'm going to hide that feature.
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I don't think it's anywhere near that bad.About as rare as 32 SWL K-32's
Yes, maybe.
Wait for my post on the Manurhin MR32 revolver. We are in the middle of a drain clogging in the house I need to get resolved before shooting the the MR32.
unspellable
Member
doubleh
Member
I remember the 44 special as being Skelton's favorite caliber and John Taffin says it makes the "perfect packin'' pistol". I won't disagree with either as I really like them too.
When a person inherits a gun or buys an older one I see it as their's to do with as they wish. I have inherited 3 and received another as a gift from a long time friend. Each will remain exactly as it was when I received it because that is MY wish. Call it sentimental value which counts for nothing except to me. Nothing meant against the OP's choice.
When a person inherits a gun or buys an older one I see it as their's to do with as they wish. I have inherited 3 and received another as a gift from a long time friend. Each will remain exactly as it was when I received it because that is MY wish. Call it sentimental value which counts for nothing except to me. Nothing meant against the OP's choice.
