In Raton this year, Rob Leahy was shooting a 6" bbl tapered barrel N-frame S&W 44 mag with Herrett's grips on it. He let me shoot it some and it just felt great, and looked cool to boot. IIRC, it was a custom gun by a Andy Cannon (?).

So, I'm walking around a local gunshow yesterday looking for neat guns, as always, and spot this plain-jane 6" bbl Model 28-2 with a tag that reads "44 mag". Surely that must be a mistake, says I, as all 28s were 357s...heck the barrel on this gun even says so. A quick discussion with the 81-yr old table holder and it turns out it was converted to 44 mag. He didn't know by who, but other than the caliber not being changed on the barrel, it seemed to be well done.

A few minutes of haggling, and it came home with me for less than the sum of what a regular Highway Patrolman was worth 15 years ago!!

I figure a steady diet of 44 Specials and mild 44 mags should be just the ticket. I'm not much of a 44 mag guy, those of you who know me know that I much prefer the 45 Colt, but it can't hurt to have one (OK, three) in the safe, right?

I have already replaced the grips with a set of Herrett's that I got from Rob at SH, so that will improve shootability. I will see how she shoots soon!!

Anyway, I thought you guys would enjoy this, especially on a COLD global warming day.

Matt

Yep Mine was built by Andy Cannon. It's about my favorite of all guns.

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

...conversion last year.

Is that cylinder long enough for a full length .44 Mag round? I would shoot it as a .44 Special myself....

Looks good to me, sounds like you got a good deal on a fun gun. Would be 44 Special load levels for me.

Yours was in the back of my mind when I saw it!!

Matt

nm

I tested it at the show with 240 gr JHP and it was fine. I don't have a lot more room so may not be able to load Keith bullets for it, at least in 44 mag. I'm thinking it will likely be a 44 Special any way

Matt

nm

nm

...for the .357 Mag (same length case) with the Keith SWC (shorter nose than the .44 Keith SWC). Think of that gun as a .44 Special and you'll be happy.

Why didn't S&W ever make that as a production gun is what I wonder, with a 29-length cylinder and heat treatment, and the 6" tapered barrel? Seems to me like that would be the ultimate outdoorsmans revolver. Yeah, it'd kick some, but sure would be a delight to carry.

Mountain Gun, I anoyed the clerk mightily by asking if it came in a 6" version...I was living in my tipi at the time, under the Mogollon Rim and wanted a light accurate powerful pistol. I should have bought THAT particular 4" MG but...didn't.
It took me some time but I have made up for that poor choice since.

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

Have you found it to be significantly more controllable than a 4"?

I like the 4" guns better than any of the shorter N I have owned. They hide better for me.

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

The 4", although "perfect", feels slightly butt heavy in comparison, although it packs a bit easier.

How's that new/old 5" 629 working out for you (again), Rob?

and I know you really NEED a 5" .44 MAGNUM! Could you post a picture of that ratty old thing?

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Of the Troops & For the Troops

Hey, I cut and sewed a crappy leather axe mask today. Managed to stain/cut/stab/make a fool of myself, all for mixed results. But the axehead is covered, so mission accomplished. Gotta get better at the planning and measuring part, though.