Custom S&W Model 58's?

[oregon45]

I've got an S-prefix Model 58 whose frame is in great shape, but the barrel is pitted on the outside making it the perfect candidate for a custom remodel ;D

So I need some inspiration. I've been thinking about having a Model 25 barrel fitted and the cylinder rechambered to .45 Colt or, maybe, .45 ACP (with the cylinder modified for moon-clips).

Another thought was to acquire a 38/44 Heavy Duty barrel and have it rebored to .41 caliber and leave the cylinder .41 Magnum (the cylinder on my revolver is really clean; I think the barrel pitting is from being wrapped in a wet rag or left in a case).

Yet another thought was to get ahold of a Model 28 4" barrel, have it rebored to .45 caliber and cut to 3.5" for a shorty .45 Colt.

Another route would be to acquire a Model 57 barrel and have it cut to 5".

The name of the game here is not practicality (I've got plenty of factory standard S&W N-frames for that) but rather to have something interesting and unique.

Thoughts? Any pictures would be appreciated.

[kings6]

I personally think any of the above options would be neat. I just mailed a nice 58 to Hamilotn this week along with a 4" model 57 barrel to get the barrel changed and his J frame style fixed rear sight and white line front sight added. I debated the same thing as far as the HD barrel since I like the looks of the one he has on his Projects page but I frankly didn't want to hang around for the rebore time.

I just about grabbed a model 25 barrel of GB that has been listed for several rounds to go the 45 Colt route but the guy is stuck on $300 which seems high to me. That is why we are sticking with the 41 choice for now.

I really like the looks of the 5" barrel but if I go that route on one I thnk I will stay with a 57 and adjustable rear sights for the 5" barrel. No realy difference except personal taste I guess.

Who are you going to have do the work?

[oregon45]

Sounds like a cool project!

I'm going to have Bowen do the work on mine as well. He replies quickly to emails, has a transparent pricing system, and seems genuinely enthusiastic about odd-ball S&W projects.

I passed on a nice 4" M57 barrel on the S&W forum last week; guy wanted $76 for it. $300 for an M25 barrel (unless its a blued Mountain Gun barrel) is an unrealistic price.

[kings6]

I wish I had seen that 57 barrel for $76! I had to pay about double that for the 4" 57 barrel I got for this project.

[oregon45]

I was close to buying it, but it was a later 57 barrel without the "lazy ampersand" S&W roll mark on the left hand side, wouldn't have matched the age of my M58.

[aaron]

Send it to Jack Huntington and have it turned into a five shot 475 Special. Think 350 gr bullet at 950 or so. He is doing one on an N frame for me now.

Aaron

[Ken O'Neill]

My favorite 58 is owned by Zeus, who left it a .41 Magnum. Bowen white outline fixed sights, grips by Paul Persinger, I believe. Post a photo, Glenn?

[kings6]

I'm not Glenn, but here it is anyway Ken. When Glenn's gun built I did not know the Magna stocks would pound my thumb as hard as they do so it moved on to Glenn's house. The one Hamilton is doing now will be identical except for the 57 barrel with the enclosed ER and Roy or Keith Brown will be doing exhibition French walnut Roper style stocks to alleviate the thumb knuckle pounding.

[bushog]

I talked to Jack on Friday about doing a .475 special on a N-frame gun. The way he explained it to me Taylor throating will take some of the stress off the frame. Don't kill the messenger here guys.

Sounds like a fun gun but I've still got a .45 Colt in mind on my M58. 5" barrel sounds good too. That Robb/Glen gun got me going...from first sight.

Brown Slim Roper grips with his tulip pattern checkering will go on it.

I had a Bowen 38/44 .45 Colt conversion. It was a beautiful gun but something about it didn't jive with me.

[targetshootr]

Here go, 45 colt, rounded and smooth trigger, shoots likes a rifle.

i.imgur.com/qBhkQ.jpg

[Ken O'Neill]

Full charge loads in that gun smack my knuckle a little bit too, Robb, but I like it soooo much, I wish Glenn would get tired of it. I offered him $100 for it a couple years ago, but he didn't bite.

[zeus]

Yep. Robb built that one and it ain't going no where, not even for the whopping sum of $100

[Frank V]

kings6
That is beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.
Frank

[ohnomrbillk]

The Smith & Wesson of zeus's was one of the customs he dangled in front of me the day we met.

It is a contributing reason I have guns being customized now. Be afraid....it's a slippery slope

[zeus]

See there, another one blames Robb for his custom habit. Hahahahaha. Good job Robb!