Howdy
Tallball: congratulations on your new Model 28. You are going to love it.
Personally I don't much care for firing 357 Magnum ammo out of a K frame, if I am going to pop off some 357 ammo I usually grab a Model 28.
Some folks are surprised how good the trigger is in a Model 28, figuring that because it costs less than a Model 27, the action will not be as good. This is a misconception. The only difference between a Model 27 and a Model 28 are cosmetic differences on the outside. Inside they went through the same hand fitting of parts and quality control as any other Hand Ejector of the same era.
The Model 27 began as The 357 Magnum, in 1935. It was an outgrowth of the older 38/44 Outdoorsman. This was the adjustable sighted version of the heavy N frame 38 Special revolvers that S&W introduced in 1931. These were developed for the high velocity 38 Special ammunition that preceded the development of the 357 Magnum. The 38/44 Heavy Duty was the fixed sight version.
This is a 38/44 Outdoorsman.
In 1935 S&W developed the 357 Magnum cartridge. It was about 1/10" longer than a 38 Special so it could not be chambered in a standard 38 Special revolver. The name S&W gave to this new revolver was simply The 357 Magnum. The first ones were the Registered Magnums. This was a marketing campaign by S&W to interest buyers in the new guns. It was the height of the Depression, and S&W was charging a premium for these revolvers. The Registered Magnums came with a certificate certifying what they were. They had a special Registration number stamped on them, and the buyer could send his name to the factory to 'register' the revolver to himself.The 357 Magnum was available with a variety of options, including different barrel lengths and different front sights. Eventually The 357 Magnum became so popular that S&W could not keep up with the demand, so the 'Registered' idea was dropped. At this time the number of options available were also limited. One of the features of The 357 Magnum was checkering on top of the top strap and barrel rib, as well as the tang of the rear sight being checkered. These were simply cosmetic modifications to set the gun apart from others, they did not do much of anything to make it a better gun.
In 1954 S&W introduced the Highway Patrolman model. This was simply The 357 Magnum without the high polish finish and the checkering on the top strap and barrel rib. Otherwise, it was the same as The 357 Magnum.
In 1957 S&W changed over to a Model number system. The 357 Magnum became the Model 27, and retained the cosmetic features of the 357 Magnum. The Highway Patrolman became the Model 28, retaining the less polished finish of the Highway Patrolman.
I must disagree that the sights of a Model 27 are any better than the sights of a Model 28. At least the sights of my Model 27 are not any better than the sights of any of my Model 28s.
The Model 27 (and its predecessor the 357 Magnum) were thought of as target pistols. The standard front sight was a Patridge front sight. The Highway Patrolman and its successor the Model 28 were thought of as service revolvers, so the front sight was a quick draw Baughman style. This sight was designed so it could be drawn smoothly from a holster without hanging up.
In this photo you can see the difference in the front sights on my Model 27 at the top and a Model 28 at the bottom. Other than that, and the finish and cosmetics on top, both revolvers are identical. Both have six inch barrels. Do not be confused by the perspective of the photo, making the Model 27 look slightly smaller. The frames are identical.
Here are the tops of the two revolvers. Not the best focused photo I have ever taken, but the checkering on the top strap of the Model 27 in the foreground should be visible, as well as the silly checkering on the tang of the rear sight. The top of the Model 28 has a matte finish to prevent glare. You can see the two hammers are identical, you cannot see that the triggers are identical too, but they are. Other than the checkering on the Model 27 rear sight, the rear sights of both revolvers are identical. (This Model 27 is a No Dash, it left the factory in 1959. I can't swear that later versions are the same.)
The finish on Model 28s has varied over time, some have been more highly polished than others. Some almost look like the standard high gloss finish of any other Hand Ejector of their era, most have more of a matte finish. That is where the difference in price figured in, less man hours for highly skilled polishers to buff them to a mirror finish. Playing around with both revolvers, I can detect no difference in the action and trigger of either.
I'm not much help in the holster department since my Model 28s are range toys and I don't carry them. I did find this holster in the bargain bin in one of the local shops one day, and it fits my four inch Model 28 very well.
I'm pretty sure it was made by Triple K. If you are interested, here is the model number.
Anyway Tallball, I'm sure you are going to love your new Model 28.
