While of course any conversion is possible, as has been indicated, this is more trouble than it's worth.

Also, one has to ask the question: "What is the real difference between a .452" 230 gr. bullet going between 750 and 850 fps and a .429" bullet of 240 to 250 grs. doing the same speed?" No practical difference I can see.

How difficult is it to convert a S&W 1917 in 45 ACP to 44 Special ?

Where would one get the barrel and cylinder ?

Hammer

Try Numrich Gun parts, they list them in thier catalogue, don't know if they have them in stock tho". - Dan

I'll give you my opinion and thoughts...first of all you will have to find a 1st or 2nd model Hand Ejector barrel and cylinder. I have seen very few of those and if they were found I would guess it would be in the neighborhood of $400+ to buy them. You can add another couple of hundred for a smith to fit the parts and probably need a refinish on top.
If I were you I would buy a .44 special S&W and not bother with the conversion. Just my opinion having played with N frame S&W's for nearly 30 years. Good luck on whatever you decide. One last thought...Numrich/GunParts has had those in the catalog for as long as I can remember...I tried to buy a set in the mid 70's and they were out of them then. The person who I talked to said they were in their catalog mostly for reference.

Congomike,

Thanks for the information.

Most catalogs and ads are for reference only. The amount of routinely out-of-stock items for most companies should be embarrassing.

For a fixed-sight large-frame S&W 44 Special, what models should be sought after ?

Hammer

Hammer
If you would like to sell the 1917S&W to raise cash for a 44 special,I may be interested if the price were reasonable.

muck

POW,



Of course, you are right concerning the small difference in performance between the 44 Special and 45 ACP.



If we are going to be constrained by material differences, we will eliminate 90% of the current cartridges.



In rifle cartridges, what is the material difference in the 6.5x55 Swede, 260 Remington, 7x57, 7mm/08, 280 Rem, 284 Win, 308 Win, etc.? They all take care of the same class of game animals with only marginal difference in their peformance that the hunted animal could not distinguish.



In handguns, the 38/40, the 40 S&W, the current loadings for the 10mm Auto, the 41 Magnum, the 44 Special, the 44/40, 45 Colt, 45 GAP, and the 45 ACP again have very similar missions. But we enjoy shooting all of them.



And you're right, this conversion is probably not worth the effort.



Hammer

Hammer, pard, I ain't constrained at all! I own many overlapping calibers, such as you've mentioned. And I support your right (and everyone else's) to do as they want in such matters.

However, my point was to try to help everyone understand that there is little difference in practice in the two cartridges.

.44's are my favorite rounds. It's a little irrational, but true. Next come my .45 Colt guns and then a certain .45 ACP sixgun that is a gem. But I like them all, really, overlappers or not.