|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,143
Campfire Kahuna
|
OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,143 |
My LGS has a NIB S&W N-frame Commemorative Texas Wagon Trail Model in 44-40 caliber. They were made in 1986. It has the highly desired 5" barrel length, and I can probably pick it up for around $800.
Question is what it would cost to send it to Hamilton Bowen or Dave Clemments and have it converted to a .44 magnum???
I'm at the Ranch and don't have a loading manual handy, and I don't recollect the bore diameter for the .44-40 caliber. But if I bought it for $800 and spent like maybe $400 or $500 for the conversion, I would finally have me a very nice .44 mag N-Frame with a 5" barrel!
Thanks in advance for the advice! Neal
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston
Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
|
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
.427", but as you know at least older ones varied a bunch.
I can't imagine a .429" cast bullet wouldn't fit.
Just a thunk, but if you got it I think I'd slug the barrel then get a 44 special cylinder fitted and rock out with your cock out.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,143
Campfire Kahuna
|
|
OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,143 |
I would think it would work, too. I've always wanted a 5" Model 29 for a hunting / packing pistol. That's the ideal barrel length for all around work, IMO.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston
Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
|
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
I'd rather fork over the money for a 5" M29, or a 6-6 1/2" and make it a 5", but that's me.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,067
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,067 |
Seems to me,Steelhead has the best idea.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
|
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
I figure 35K 44magnum loads are 429 bullets in a 429 bore, not 429 bullets in a 427 bore.
Without a new barrel you have a bastard 44 magnum and that's ok if that's what you want, but it ain't a true 44 mag.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,143
Campfire Kahuna
|
|
OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,143 |
Yep. He's right. But the Factory 5" barreled Model 29's are bringing CRAZY prices these days. It would be cheaper to find an old one with a 6.5" bbl and have it cut down. I'm just being a tight ass. 
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston
Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,272
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,272 |
I did own one of those 5" .44-40's. I don't think I ever shot it before I lost interest and sold it. I noted that the quality of machining wasn't terribly great. That was before S&W went to the "Endurance package" which made them more resistant to heavy loads. You can pick up 5" Full lug Classic 629's pretty easily, and they will have excellent machining, and the endurance package. If you're really set on removing the lug, that's a pretty simple task compared to making a new cylinder to convert a .44-40 to .44 mag. Occasionally the 5" full lug 29 Classics turn up as well. ![[Linked Image]](http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww127/tex_n_cal/stainlessnframes_zpsf64defb6.jpg) YMMV, of course
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,143
Campfire Kahuna
|
|
OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,143 |
I've looked long and hard at the 629 Classic with the 5" full lug BBL. And I just personally hate the full lug! Wonder what it would cost to get the lug milled off of there? That might be the best AND cheapest way to go???
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston
Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,272
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,272 |
A saw, a file, and sandpaper would be the cheapest way of all  But with full house loads I really prefer the 5" full lug compared to lighter guns
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,660
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,660 |
Conduct is the best proof of character.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500 |
Another one here who hates a full underlug barrel. Handguns are supposed to be LIGHT and easy to carry.
I also think an unlugged 5 inch 44 Mag would be awfully cool and handy. Good luck with this project! I will try to follow the progress as you go along with your search.
LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.
About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,152
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,152 |
I would almost bet that the 44-40 has a barrel identical to the 44 magnums dimensionally. They only did them in a couple commemorative runs and not that many of those. I doubt they tooled up to ream and rifle .427" bores when they had a ton of .429s lying around that would work.
It would be a gamble but I doubt they'll let you slug it before you buy it. If I was in your shoes I'd buy it and have a 44 mag cylinder fitted before the sun went down, (I have a couple extras lying around for just in case scenarios, saved them when doing 45 Colt conversions).
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121
Campfire Oracle
|
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
I would almost bet that the 44-40 has a barrel identical to the 44 magnums dimensionally. They only did them in a couple commemorative runs and not that many of those. I doubt they tooled up to ream and rifle .427" bores when they had a ton of .429s lying around that would work.
It would be a gamble but I doubt they'll let you slug it before you buy it. If I was in your shoes I'd buy it and have a 44 mag cylinder fitted before the sun went down, (I have a couple extras lying around for just in case scenarios, saved them when doing 45 Colt conversions). Just going by what I've read on the S&W forum, they were 427 bores.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54,284
Campfire Kahuna
|
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54,284 |
My LGS has a NIB S&W N-frame Commemorative Texas Wagon Trail Model in 44-40 caliber. They were made in 1986. It has the highly desired 5" barrel length, and I can probably pick it up for around $800.
Question is what it would cost to send it to Hamilton Bowen or Dave Clemments and have it converted to a .44 magnum???
I'm at the Ranch and don't have a loading manual handy, and I don't recollect the bore diameter for the .44-40 caliber. But if I bought it for $800 and spent like maybe $400 or $500 for the conversion, I would finally have me a very nice .44 mag N-Frame with a 5" barrel!
Thanks in advance for the advice! Neal I almost bought one of those a few weeks back. I've always kinda wanted one, but I'd like to have one to shoot, not just lay in the safe and I'm not keen on shooting the new off a collectible. 7800 produced in 1986. I guess they're not uncommon but...hate to see one cut into a 44 Mag. I don't know what the craze is for some of these guns of late. $3000 Pythons I guess make $1200 model 29's look cheap.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54,284
Campfire Kahuna
|
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54,284 |
Looks like you've got the Safariman seal of approval so you're good to go.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,150
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,150 |
Any S&W N Frame in great shape for 800 is a steal. But if it's not what you want, you're wasting your money.
"It's a source of great pride, that when I google my name, I find book titles and not mug shots." Daniel C. Chamberlain
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,000
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,000 |
this thread made me think of something. I should post a picture. First generation colt saa, made first or second year of production in 44.40. Also somebody chopped the long barrel, i was told that was a indian modification as they didn't like the long barrels. It came out of an estate along with some other stuff. But, this revolver came also with a 44special cylinder.
I went so far as to buy some 44.40 brass, and a box of factory shells, but have hesitated to shoot it because of its age and afraid of breaking parts. I think it's all there.
but people were making these modifications a long time ago.
THE BIRTH PLACE OF GERONIMO
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
I did own one of those 5" .44-40's. I don't think I ever shot it before I lost interest and sold it. I noted that the quality of machining wasn't terribly great. That was before S&W went to the "Endurance package" which made them more resistant to heavy loads. You can pick up 5" Full lug Classic 629's pretty easily, and they will have excellent machining, and the endurance package. If you're really set on removing the lug, that's a pretty simple task compared to making a new cylinder to convert a .44-40 to .44 mag. Occasionally the 5" full lug 29 Classics turn up as well. YMMV, of course I gave my 5 inch 629 to my son and now have only the 6 inch and 4 inch, preferring the 4 inch over both other barrel lengths.
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,000
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 16,000 |
.427", but as you know at least older ones varied a bunch.
I can't imagine a .429" cast bullet wouldn't fit.
Just a thunk, but if you got it I think I'd slug the barrel then get a 44 special cylinder fitted and rock out with your cock out. I went to my bible, ken watters, pet loads, on reading the thread. He mentions using .429 jacketed bullets in 44.40, but also mentions sizing lead bullets to .428. in his informative article he mentions on early rifles and revolvers in this caliber .424 barrel grooves, remington maintaining that standard and winchester going between .427 to .429. It also made me think of the relationship: .45 colt 250 grain 44.40 200 grain .38wcr 180 grain and about the same velocities.
Last edited by RoninPhx; 12/01/15.
THE BIRTH PLACE OF GERONIMO
|
|
|
|
|
668 members (007FJ, 163bc, 1lessdog, 12344mag, 06hunter59, 1234, 61 invisible),
2,888
guests, and
1,280
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,190,577
Posts18,454,007
Members73,908
| |
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|
![[Linked Image]](http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/boxhead61/media/Stroh45019.jpg.html)
![[Linked Image]](http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/boxhead61/media/Stroh45015.jpg.html)
![[Linked Image]](http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/boxhead61/media/Stroh45005.jpg.html)
![[Linked Image]](http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/boxhead61/media/Wisner_Harton29002.jpg.html)
![[Linked Image]](http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/boxhead61/media/Guns2011028.jpg.html)
