|
|
Post by enfield on Feb 2, 2024 18:23:26 GMT -5
I know this could turn out to be a very complicated question, but here it goes anyway...
Will a current generation barrel fit directly on any short action frame? Will recessed cylinders swap into later, non-recessed guns? Are modern model 29 cylinders compatible?
I'm wanting to have a .45 colt built and trying to weigh my options. I was considering buying a prelock 29, swapping out barrels and having the .44 cylinder reamed to tight .45 colt dimensions. Then I saw builds using model 28s and they are substantially more common and less costly than a 29 of that era. This led me to posts saying that the cylinder walls are too thin on a 28. Seems like the outside diameter would be same as a 25 or 29? Is that incorrect? Maybe bolt notches are deeper on a 28? Either way, would it be wiser to swap the barrel and cylinder on a 28 frame? I can find decent prices on both vintage and modern 29 cylinders...
I apologize for the rambling nature of this post, just trying to get feedback on a scattering of ideas. In a nutshell, What is the best route to a custom 4" .45 colt N frame?
|
|
|
|
Post by bushog on Feb 2, 2024 18:44:10 GMT -5
Cylinder walls on a M28 are fine. The cylinder is too SHORT for a .45 Colt conversion.
I’ve used M57 or M58 cylinders for the ones I’ve had built.
BTW, I have a number of M29 barrels that had Bowen get rebored for .45 Colts for me that I’d sell if you’re looking for one….
|
|
|
|
Post by rjm52 on Feb 2, 2024 20:56:48 GMT -5
If it were me, first call would be to Jack Huntington at JRH and run it by him... He has done two caliber conversions for me, .22 Jet to .327 Federal and .357 Magnun to .41 Special both as rebore/rechamber and they came out great.
Would NOT use S&W original parts if you want a REALLY accurate gun. The rifling in the .45 barrels are lacking and made mainly for jacketed bullets and the cylinder throats are usually way too big. I did commercial reloading for a lot of officers with 25-5s and at best accuracy was lackluster... A local Smith smith also did a 5" Model 27-2 to .41 Magnum by replacing the cylinder with one from a 58 and the barrel was rebored and then the shank cut back to match the longer cylinder. That is the .41 Lost River Ammo has in the website pics...
Bite the bullet, buy a P&R 29-2 or a 57 as both have long cylinders. The chambers and throats can then be cut to minimum specs and the barrel rebored with nice deep rifling. Find one with some wear and it will probably be less than a 28 these days...don't use original .45 S&W parts...
Bob
|
|
|
|
Post by Burnston on Feb 2, 2024 20:58:26 GMT -5
Sir, depending on what you mean by “current generation,” it may be a non-starter. After cracking the frame and the forcing cone of a 29-3 with some ill-advised 300gr loads, I sent it to S&W and they replaced it completely free of charge with a brand new m29-10. I think the help and influence of a certain gunsmith I was working with at the time was largely responsible for this deal. My plan was to replace the barrel with a 5in version along with some other bells and whistles but the barrel to the 29-10 was pressed in as opposed to threaded. This of course changed everything, and I was unable to complete the project.
|
|
|
|
Post by enfield on Feb 2, 2024 21:01:01 GMT -5
Cylinder walls on a M28 are fine. The cylinder is too SHORT for a .45 Colt conversion. I’ve used M57 or M58 cylinders for the ones I’ve had built. BTW, I have a number of M29 barrels that had Bowen get rebored for .45 Colts for me that I’d sell if you’re looking for one…. I was reading about the cylinder notches being cut into when reaming, but that was only two instances I saw. I also swear I've read that 27s and 28s had shorter cylinders than L frame .357s, but I can't find data on that now. I'll PM about thise barrels, thank you. |
|
|
|
Post by enfield on Feb 2, 2024 21:02:36 GMT -5
If it were me, first call would be to Jack Huntington at JRH and run it by him... He has done two caliber conversions for me, .22 Jet to .327 Federal and .357 Magnun to .41 Special both as rebore/rechamber and they came out great. Would NOT use S&W original parts if you want a REALLY accurate gun. The rifling in the .45 barrels are lacking and made mainly for jacketed bullets and the cylinder throats are usually way too big. I did commercial reloading for a lot of officers with 25-5s and at best accuracy was lackluster... A local Smith smith also did a 5" Model 27-2 to .41 Magnum by replacing the cylinder with one from a 58 and the barrel was rebored and then the shank cut back to match the longer cylinder. That is the .41 Lost River Ammo has in the website pics... Bite the bullet, buy a P&R 29-2 or a 57 as both have long cylinders. The chambers and throats can then be cut to minimum specs and the barrel rebored with nice deep rifling. Find one with some wear and it will probably be less than a 28 these days...don't use original .45 S&W parts... Bob Thanks for that info. I knew the .45acp guns had shallow rifling, but not the colts. I'll keep an eye out for a deal on a 29... |
|
|
|
Post by enfield on Feb 2, 2024 21:03:20 GMT -5
Sir, depending on what you mean by “current generation,” it may be a non-starter. After cracking the frame and the forcing cone of a 29-3 with some ill-advised 300gr loads, I sent it to S&W and they replaced it completely free of charge with a brand new m29-10. I think the help and influence of a certain gunsmith I was working with at the time was largely responsible for this deal. My plan was to replace the barrel with a 5in version along with some other bells and whistles but the barrel to the 29-10 was pressed in as opposed to threaded. This of course changed everything, and I was unable to complete the project. That's interesting and exactly the kind of stuff I'm interested in. Thanks |
|
|
|
Post by rjm52 on Feb 2, 2024 21:09:39 GMT -5
Cylinder walls on a M28 are fine. The cylinder is too SHORT for a .45 Colt conversion. I’ve used M57 or M58 cylinders for the ones I’ve had built. BTW, I have a number of M29 barrels that had Bowen get rebored for .45 Colts for me that I’d sell if you’re looking for one…. I was reading about the cylinder notches being cut into when reaming, but that was only two instances I saw. I also swear I've read that 27s and 28s had shorter cylinders than L frame .357s, but I can't find data on that now. I'll PM about thise barrels, thank you. The cylinders are shorter than both the K and L frame guns... When S&W "invented" the .357 in the 357 (pre-27) all they did was make a gussied up Outdoorsman with a longer chamber..that's it. When the K-frame Combat Magnum (pre-19) came out the cylinder was longer and will take a Keith bullet crimped into the proper groove not over the front driving band like with the 27/28. |
|
|
|
Post by 45MAN on Feb 2, 2024 22:24:34 GMT -5
ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT CAN BE DONE TO AN N FRAME 357 CYLINDER S&W HAS DONE EXCEPT MAKE 'em LONGER.
|
|
