[Zeede]

This gun has recently caught my eye, but I don't know a lot about it other than I like the matte bluing, as opposed to the fancy deep lustre shine on the Model 27's. I was all set on a stainless steel one but these caught my eye!

What kind of prices should I expect to see? Are they extremely rare? Are all of them 6"? A 4" would probably be a bit more versatile.

Cameron

[dwf6666]

The Mod 28 is the "Working" version of the Mod 27 aimed at the LE market. Just as fine a gun as the Mod 27 without the gingerbread. I believe that the 4" is more common than the 6".

[Majic]

Prices used to be really reasonable but now folks are paying the same as they would for any other N frame.

[earplug]

A big heavy medium bore revolver that does nothing better then a lighter better L frame.

[Deanimator]

A big heavy medium bore revolver that does nothing better then a lighter better L frame.
Except:

1. Have less recoil
2. Not have a lock
3. Be blued
4. Have no MIM parts
5. Have firing pins on the hammers

Other than those things, the current L frames have it all over the classic N frames...

[ultramag44]

Quote:
A big heavy medium bore revolver that does nothing better then a lighter better L frame.

Except:

1. Have less recoil
2. Not have a lock
3. Be blued
4. Have no MIM parts
5. Have firing pins on the hammers

Other than those things, the current L frames have it all over the classic N frames...


What he said!!!!!!!!!!!! :cool:

[mwpslp]

"A big heavy medium bore revolver that does nothing better then a lighter better L frame."

How exactly is the L frame better?

[Reid73]

Well, the L-frame will generally fit into holsters designed for K-frames. And the L-frames' grips are K-frame sized, which might be helpful for women with small hands.

The N-frame is undeniably stronger than the L-frame. While the latter is strong enough for regular .357 Magnum shooting (unlike the Models 19 or 66), the heavy N-frame is even better.

If - like me - you appreciate features S&W subsequently deleted to save money (viz., pinned barrels and recessed cylinders), and abhor a feature added to save the company from lawsuits (viz., locks), the Model 28 Highway Patrolman is your .357 of choice.

As dwf6666 said, the Model 28 was targeted mainly at the police market. So 4" barrels are more common than 6". 4" is better for carrying (more convenient in belt holsters), 6" is better for shooting (longer sight radius, better ballistics). But either length is fine.

Manga grips were standard, "target" grips were available for a slightly increased cost. My 6" 28 has Pachmeyer "grippers", which are in keeping with the gun's low-profile finish. Adding the Tyler T-grip adapter to Magnas is another popular modification that looks sharp and works well.

[Storm]

The 28 is one on my list.

Back when I was a kid in late 60's and early 70's my dad and I used to go to a shop in Cleveland called Sam's World of Golf. While it was a golfer's store (years ahead of its time) they had a case of guns in the back corner. Sitting in that case for a long, long time was a Model 28. So, there I was, a 14 or 15 year old kid with his nose pressed up against the glass, wanting that gun more than Ursula Andress. There was something about it, with the matte finish, heavy barrel, and magna grips that made it even more desirable to me than the Model 19. The image of that gun in that case has stayed with me for 35 years, and the next time I see one in a case it will be mine.

[Ala Dan]

I've owned several of these Smith & Wesson model 28 .357 magnums.
In law enforcement circles, they are known as S&W's "workhorse .357".
Built on S&W's N-frame, they are the largest and heaviest in the S&W
line of .357's. Usually, you will find the 4-inch guns wearing a set of
service grips from the factory; while the 6-inch guns enjoy Goncalo
Alves target grips. Price usually runs between $275 for an 80% gun,
to $450 for an unfired model NIB with tools and docs~! :scrutiny: ;)

[harmonic]

I see your location is kalifornia. I was there till about 3 years ago and the possibility of your locating a model 28 is very slim. It's no longer manufactured and you'll have to find a PPT via FFL. No easy task.

However, if you don't mind the lock, Smith is manufacturing the model 27.

[Phil DeGraves]

Well, the L-frame will generally fit into holsters designed for K-frames.

No, it won't unless you mean the "one size fits all" Uncle Mike's holsters. The L-Frame is the same as the GP 100 or Python, which is larger than the K-Frame.

The weight of the L-Frame is about the same as the N-Frame (at least in the 6") because of that big heavy lug under the barrel, and to me does not balance as well as the N-Frame.

M28s used to be reasonably priced, but now nice ones are running about $450. The M27s about $550 -$600.

So, there I was, a 14 or 15 year old kid with his nose pressed up against the glass, wanting that gun more than Ursula Andress.

Ursula Andress wanted a Model 28?

[Storm]

Quote:
So, there I was, a 14 or 15 year old kid with his nose pressed up against the glass, wanting that gun more than Ursula Andress.

Ursula Andress wanted a Model 28?

Good point. Let me restate that: "So, there I was, a 14 or 15 year old kid with his nose pressed up against the glass, wanting that gun more than I wanted Ursula Andress."

Besides, the Model 28 has probably held up better than Ursula :D

[panther22]

The model 28 is a great revolver. The N frame is a little heavy to carry, but it is a very reliable, accurate revolver. I've known people that carried the 6 inch model out into the deer woods.
Prices for any N frame gun are going up as people realize how well made they were. Around here $300-450 is the average price for a good used one. If it is in great shape, and has a matching box, it'll go for $500.

[Hawk]

I got an ok deal on a 28-2 that was probably better than 95% cosmetically but exhibited nearly everything that was darkest Bangor Punta. It checked out ok but just seemed rough as a cob - it's unclear what my dealer saw that caused him to mark it at 300-ish - perhaps the hammer meandering from side to side in double action like a drunk navigating between lamp posts.

But knowing it needed a little love and pricing under the prevailing mid 400s is part of why I'm loyal to that guy.

A little Kuhnhausen, Miculek DVD, assorted Brownell's stones, springs and Power trigger and hammer bushings and it's a keeper. The trigger is in dire need of smoothing (in texture, not quality - it's "grooved") for DA work but I may leave it as is and dig one of my old shooting gloves out. I'm a little hesitant to go filing stuff on older S&Ws even if they're not actually collectible. Mine is the 6" / large stock version and, to my eye, looks pretty decent.

I'm not impressed with the finish but it's servicable. "Matt" bluing from the 70s seems to be able to combine the fragility of traditional bluing with the uninspired appearance of the modern finishes without benefiting from the increased toughness of the newer stuff. Kind of an "all pain, no gain" sort of thing.

It is a cheap buy-in to pinned, recessed and hammer mounted firing pins if you're into that sort of thing. I can take it or leave it - I've got a 1948 K-22 with frame mounted firing pin, a Python with both a frame mounted firing pin and non-recessed chambers and they don't seem to suffer for it.

It's an eternal mystery of the revolver forum that when S&W abandons recessed chambers and hammer mounted firing pins it's a "move to cheapen the product" but when Colt floated the Python in 1955 with neither feature it took on cult status near immediately as a quality piece. This dichotomy seems to defy explanation, though I don't recall ever seeing an attempt at an explanation.

[krs]

It's really very simple, Hawk - in 1955 a Python was $179.95 while a Model 27 was $89.95.

Higher price = instant aura. Some things never change. :)

[Hawk]

It's really very simple, Hawk - in 1955 a Python was $179.95 while a Model 27 was $89.95.

You may have something there - charge more and nobody would have the heuvos to question why you didn't recess the cylinders or put the firing pin where Sam Colt never intended.

In Colt's case the non-recessed cylinders and frame mounted firing pin isn't a cheapening of the product because ... the product isn't cheap! Masterful marketing. And over a half century later, revolver folk are still accusing S&W of cheapening their product when they stopped providing what the Python never had. There's got to be a post-grad marketing thesis in there somewhere.

But, we shouldn't make the difference worse than it actually was:

[Reid73]

No, it won't unless you mean the "one size fits all" Uncle Mike's holsters.Phil, the only K frames I own are a couple of K-22s (well, actually one, plus a pre-war Outdoorsman), and I don't own an L frame. So I have no hesitation in defering to your personal experience.

FWIW I note that Bianchi's 5BH (http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=5BH) is said to fit both K and L frames. :confused:

[SwampWolf]

And that extra $90.00 or so got you a Colt Royal Blue finish- money well-spent in my view! :)

[Hawk]

And that extra $90.00 or so got you a Colt Royal Blue finish- money well-spent in my view!
Well, actually it was only an extra 35.00 if the model 27 pricing is correct.

I'm impressed with the factory engraved version starting at 245.00.

[earplug]

The M-28 being the same size as a big bore M-29 or M-25 does nothing for me.

[Hawk]

^--- svelte, it ain't. ;)

[Zeede]

Well, the reason I asked about the Model 28 is I tend to like the more "work horse" models than the fancied up ones, as none of my guns are safe queens. Same reason I snapped up a 1939 (first year of production) Winchester Model 24. I really wanted a side-by-side from Winchester, but I didn't want to pay the exhorbitant prices even "shootable" Model 21s were going for.

I've hemmed and hawwed for months now, and I think going for an older Smith & Wesson is the best route for me. I dislike the internal locks mainly because I do not want to have that doubt in the back of my mind for a gun I will have in the home possibly to defend it with, and I dislike the spirit of having the locks on there. I also don't like Ruger products since the late Mr. Ruger has some part in why I'm not allowed to own guns with magazines that hold more than 10 rounds here in California. But I still wanted to buy a Made in USA product, so I thought I was stuck.

But now I'm looking at older Smith & Wessons since it was Made in the USA, and it doesn't have an internal lock.

The prices I'm finding online for NIB Model 28's is closer to $600-700. Where are y'all finding $350 and $450?

Cameron

[shootr]

Well... I like older S&Ws and a short time ago, picked up a very nice, well cared-for M28, 6" from a friend who owned it for 20-some years. Paid $350. Got the box, original and spare sets of grips as well as a few other accessories. Money well-spent.

Took it over to Magna-port for an orange front sight insert and then to the range.

Easy shooter. Tight little groups with .38 SWCs and a little bigger with full-house .357.

Recessed cylinder bores, pinned barrel, lovely barrel contour, handles well and shoots like a dream. Lots to like! Shop around, you'll find one.

[mattd987]

The 28 is a nice solid N frame. Yes, it is heavy or heavier than some of the other 357's out there. But, nothing really compares to the 28. It is a very great shooter. I could not be happier with my 28-2 Highway Patrolman....

I picked my 28-2 up for a very reasonable price. I say find one that fits your price range and buy it. You will not be disappointed.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff90/mdutcher/IMG_1200.jpg

[Shade00]

The only thing you really need to know about the Model 28 is that you should buy one if you find one reasonably priced.

I'm sure you've heard it before, but they ain't getting any cheaper OR better.

[Hawk]

The prices I'm finding online for NIB Model 28's is closer to $600-700. Where are y'all finding $350 and $450?

Dallas. Specifically Singleton Blvd. But the lower range covers only darkest Bangor Punta (Bangor Punta, I heard, is Spanish for "tool mark").

Less troubled Bangor Punta will hit 450 easily and anything else will sail past that. A guru on another forum maintains that the nicest S&Ws are those from the early 90s right after Tompkins PLC paid for all the CNC stuff. I'm inclined to agree. Some earlier stuff may be nicer still but us mere mortals are unlikely to find any of that stripe that one would actually shoot. Too bad the 28s never saw this period.

Older is not necessarily better when one is comparing 1975 to 1986.

The 28 ran from 1954 through 1986. Good and bad can be found in all years but if you have to roll the dice on something that can't be checked, avoiding 75 through 79 couldn't hurt.

I love my 78 but a lot of that has to do with the amount of skin I have in it. Had I bought it new in 78 I'd probably be cussin' S&W to this day.

[Zeede]

Hmm okay, I was going to ask when the Bangor Punta days were, but avoiding 1975-79 is easy enough.

Cameron

[Hawk]

Fuff might expand or contract the year range to some extent and I will cheerfully defer to his expertise.

But 75 through 79 will do until he shows up.
Bangor Punta covered a much wider range than that but some parts are dicier than others.
:D

[harmonic]

avoiding 1975-79 is easy enough.


It's a moot point. You're in kalifornistan. You can't find 28s there. The private party supply dried up long ago and they're not on the approved list.

[Zeede]

DOH, you are correct! Back to the drawing board...

Looks like some of the pre-lock 586's and 686's would fit the bill.

Cameron

[mattd987]

I was just reviewing a list dis-allowed guns in California. Wow! I am glad that I don't live there. That would suck!

Good luck with whatever you can do in your search for a good revolver.

[harmonic]

Back to the drawing board...

Looks like some of the pre-lock 586's and 686's would fit the bill.


This guy scored this.......

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee126/northslope/27-2/27-2_5-inch0001.jpg

........from here:

http://www.bayareagunvault.com/

.........for a lot less than a new model 27 is being sold from Smith.

Here's his thread:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/6831048723

There are apparantly some P&R Smiths being sold. They're fetching a premium, though.

You can do what I did when I was living in kal (up till about three years ago), viz. compile a list of all the dealers who do consignment sales and who specialize in older collectable Smiths.

For me, that would be places like San Jose Guns, Collectable Firearms in Walnut Creek, Old Sacramento Armory, etc. I lived in Modesto and would drive around checking their stuff out. A couple hour drive in some cases, and it didn't always pan out. But sometimes it did.

It just requires some sleuthing on your part.

[Phil DeGraves]

FWIW I note that Bianchi's 5BH is said to fit both K and L frames.

Actually the 5BH is available for the K,L, and N Frames (I have some for my 624 and 29). But that is a model number of a holster. It doesn't mean that the one individual holster will fit all three frame sizes, only that that configuration is available for each frame size.

[Phil DeGraves]

The M-28 being the same size as a big bore M-29 or M-25 does nothing for me.


Except it makes training with your N-Frame platform cheaper because you can shoot .38 in it, though I will admit, it is overlarge for the cartridge.

[cherryriver]

My third gun was a six-inch M-28. I looked at the weight and thought it might help with getting my wife to shoot .38s.
In my youthful figuring, I neglected the size. Her small hands couldn't master this large gun.
But, this is the gun (in tandem with the spiffier 27) that the .357 cartidge was designed for, and shooting full-house .357s with a six-inch N-frame comes close to being pleasant. I have lots of .357s, but this one is the nicest to shoot with powerful ammunition. If I ever went hunting with a .357, this would be it.
On the other hand, so to speak, the large size makes fast double-action work a bit more problematic, with the longer trigger reach, stroke, and big, heavy cylinder to get spinning.
The 686 really does do better in this regard.
So, I still have the 28, 34 years later, but there's a 686 right next to it.
Meanwhile, I shoot a Python in IDPA. So there.

[CH47gunner]

Just have to be patient & be in the right place at the right time.
I picked up this Pre-28 5 screw at the last San Francisco, Cow Palace gunshow.
Serial number dates it to 1953-1954. Has the original Diamond Coke grips, no box or docs tho. Can't have everything.
It's, by far, the most comfortable .357 I've ever fired
They're out there, you just gotta look.
Yes, even in California.

Bruce

Smith & Wesson Pre-28
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/ch47gunner/newM19stuff/PA090003.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/ch47gunner/newM19stuff/PA090006.jpg

[Big Mike]

www.jgsales.com Check their website and get their flyer. Mike

[SwampWolf]

Anybody know what serial number range the Banga Punta made 28s are?

[Ala Dan]

FWIW, back in the fall of 2000 I bought a 6" Smith & Wesson
model 28-2 for $270, from Mount Vernon Gun & Coin in Mt.
Vernon, IL. Fit N' finish was near perfect, but this firearm
had internal problems; and I finally got shed of it~! :uhoh: ;)

It kind'a burnt me out on buying off the Internet, or sight
unseen.

[jmr40]

If you can find a 28 at a reasonable price buy it. They are no longer making guns like that anymore. Don't worry about the weight. There is virtually no difference in weight between an L frame Smith or GP-100 Ruger and a model 28. The 28's have a thin tapered barrel and no underlug which offsets the weight difference between it and the 686. The cylinder is only 1/8" thicker than a 686 and aftermarket grips can make the large frame fit anyones hands.

The L frame Smiths and GP-100 are fine guns but I sold mine years ago and have decided I like the large frames best. It started when I bought my 1st 4" 629 When I actually weighed it, I found it was lighter than the 686 I had and the difference in thickness was neglible. My 28 is only about 1 oz. heavier than a 4" 686. To get any substantial difference you have to drop down to the K frame. I believe Bill Jordon had the right idea after all.

[Master Blaster]

I really like 4 and 6" n frames, the 4's have the best balance and shootability of any handgun ever made, for me anyway.

I see very few 28s around here. I am wary of any old Smith that has perfect cosmetics,It could mean it had a problem the previous owner never had fixed. The last one I found a model 629 P&R model had endshake from the factory even though it appeared unfired, it was easy enough to fix, but like Ala Dan I dont like buying guns sight unseen.

I actually see more 27s for sale in local shops around here by far.

[Gun 4 Fun]

Zeede- to answer your question on bbl. length, yes they also made the 28 with a 5" bbl. A couple guys at our local gun club regularly shoot 5" 28's and they are original factory bbl's. As for the L frame fitting in K frame holsters, they almost always do. I have an L frame [pre mim, lock etc.] 4" and yes it fits beautifully in a Bianchi 5bh holster that i bought for a model 66. Any time Generally if you can't get an L frame into a K frame holster it's becuase of the underlug, some holsters are sewn kinda tight in that area. I just recently offed a 28-6" in cherry condition and I regret it. They are nice guns, and if you want the high gloss finish, S&W told me they can put it on for a rather reasonable cost. One word about 28's- with the recessed chambers [which add nothing in the way of strength with today's better brass] wont accept bullets with longer than factory lengh noses which are common on alot of todays cast bullets. That's only a concern tho if you reload that type of projectile.

[Gun 4 Fun]

I forgot to mention Williams Gun Sight in Davison Mi. usually has a few 28's on hand, for somewhere between 250.00 and 350.00.

[g.willikers]

I was chuckling at the price of the Colt in 1955.
While it doesn't seem like much in the horribly inflated money of today, back then $125 was about two weeks pay.
Good used cars could be bought for not much more.
By comparison, the prices today are actually lower relative to everything else.

[Reid73]

As for the L frame fitting in K frame holsters, they almost always do. I have an L frame [pre mim, lock etc.] 4" and yes it fits beautifully in a Bianchi 5bh holster that i bought for a model 66.Thank you! That accords with everything I have heard.

[Big B]

I bought a model 28-2 six months ago for my first handgun, for many of the same reasons listed in this thread. When I was shopping around (here in northern California) I saw about six different models from $500-$750. I paid 600+ fees. I haven't seen one in the local shops since then.
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll375/BigB01/100_0816.jpg[/IMG]

[dmicire@yahoo.com]

i own a mod,28 that was my duty weapon back in 1976(akron oh p.d. the weapon has been stored for years. it has a beautiful armoloy(sp) finish and new s&w target grips. for all intents and purposes. it's a ss model 28. it's like new in orig box and it would take a good buck to buy it. not forsale. thanks, dave

[BCRider]

Since this thread is reasonably current I thought I'd add my own news to the collection.

I just paid for this beauty yesterday and I'm looking forward to getting it out to the range in about 3 months once all my papers, permits and all the other ballyhoo is done... it takes longer for this stuff up here... :D

I never thought I'd be a wheel gun lover but after shooting a bunch of 9mm's to figure out what semi I would get for IPSC this coming season I was looking in the case of rentals and decided to try a K framed S&W for laughs. Well laugh I did but not with frustration or because I thought it was silly. Instead I was giggling to myself like I'd just found a new love. And I suppose I had.

The 19 felt really sweet but the solidness of the 28 combined with what feels like a really nice balance for shooting the .357's made me whip out the debit card. Besides, as mentioned around here a lot of times they ain't makin' any more of them so buy it and if by some miracle it's not for me then sell it. I'll get a 19 as well somewhere along the way but I'll probably reload .357 cases with a load equal to or slightly more strong than a .38 spl to keep more in tune with the size and mass of the 19. Meanwhile the 28 here will get the "full meal deal" or perhaps only slightly tuned down for IPSC revolver class playing. Gotta keep it strong enough to make major but keep the kick down a bit.

Oh yeah... it's gonna be a good summer coming up. Never got into guns other than an air rifle as a kid so this is a whole new world for this soon to be retired guy.

[Beagle-zebub]

BCrider, is your Highway Patrolman from before the era (1957 forward) when they were known as the model 28, or was "Highway Patrolman" the name of the 28 through the entirety of its production run?