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