I have a decent old 44 in 38-55 that's rough on the outside but still locks up ok. I'd love to have a rifle I could shoot 32 SW long in. I have several 32 SW Long handguns and set up for reloading and casting that caliber. Chamber insert might be another possibility. 

Any thoughts on the idea appreciated. Cost is another issue, might just be more expensive to convert than it's worth.

I REALLY want a 44 in 38-55 so I would advise selling it to me and buying another Stevens 44.

I have a 25 caliber 44 that would make a great 32 SW. 

jimmy wrote on Oct 14^th, 2021 at 3:35pm:


Of course another selling point is that many of the 32  pistol class rounds and the 25s share a common extractor size. 

Froggie

PS  I think if I were to do this conversion, I'd chamber it in 32 H&R... not all the way up to the hairy pressures of a 327 Fed Mag, but better able to hold its own at 100 yds (maybe to 200 on a calm day.)  I did one of the flat side low walls this way and with an original, mediocre bore it still handled both cartridges pretty well.  I wish I'd kept that one!

.32 H&R spoils the O.P.'s desired compatibility with his pistols.

Would be worth knowing ahead of time whether it's a side extractor or a center extractor model. Most .38-55s I've logged are side extractor, so next you'll need to know the diameter of the lever pivot, since some are nominally .256 and later ones are nominally .288.  Wisners catalogs the .256 part.  CPA doesn't say whether theirs is .256 or .288.  Probably the latter.

For the Model 44 database, I'd love to know serial number, extractor details, whether it has the lugged hammer, and the sights. 

Maybe post a pic or two?