A Tweaked, Re-Barreled S&W Model 28

[TheFrontRange]

…that happens to be another I let get away. I do wish I’d held onto this one.

Advertised as a four-inch 28, I kept thinking the barrel looked a little too short for that. Even after receiving the gun (a little story itself, for another time), I could tell it was a 3-1/2” barrel but was convinced that it had simply been cut to that length. I shared the pics on a S&W-specific forum and was advised that this appeared to be a 28 with a 3-1/2” barrel from a Model 27 installed. That finally made more sense to me given the barrel checkering and the center-placement of the barrel markings.

Neither I nor the seller had any idea who did the work on the gun: the re-barreling, bobbing of the hammer, installation of a trigger stop, installation of a gold-bead front sight, some level of action-work (this gun had a superb trigger), and a “flat-black” finish of unknown composition - all was nicely executed.

I had it long enough to pose it for some nifty pics and to run a couple hundred rounds through it. Alas, someone else approached me about buying it and I relented. I hope and have a feeling that it’s being put to regular range and carry use. The one thing I would have changed if I still owned it would be to change the Patridge-style front sight to a ramp.

I started missing it before too long - that’s what spurred me to first 3-1/2” Model 27 purchase.

 

[shoebox1.1]

You obviously have exquisite taste and an eye for photography!

 

[Jim Watson]

A friend wanted to do that to his M28 with a M27 barrel he would have to have de-nickeled.
And it is a 4" M28 no dash with PD marking.
Spend a bomb to save that kewl half inch and devalue an already uncommon gun.
Crazy.

 

[horsemen61]

@TheFrontRange that’s a gorgeous revolver I for one couldn’t have possibly sold it!

 

[shoebox1.1]

We all have moments of weakness.. lol I know I have

 

[Riomouse911]

In have bought and sold a few guns in my day, but that one would have stayed with me just as it was.

Love the front sight! I shoot a lot with ramped front sights and I have come to realize that they are best at high noon shooting outside. Any other angle of light, or less intensity, throws the sight picture off for me as the ramp plays against it.

Your 3.5” Model 27 is a beauty though, so you did good.

Stay safe.

 

[EMC45]

Great photography and amazing pistol. I would have never sold it. That's a working gun.

 

[CraigC]

Someone very good did the work on that one. They knew the finishes would be nearly impossible to match. Looks like a soft bead blast blue. Very well done!

 

[1KPerDay]

Gorgeous

 

[Pat Riot]

<—- That’s me, green with envy.

Add me to the list of those that would have held onto it. No offense meant at all. I hope you don’t see it as such.

You did give me an idea though. I am one that never offers to buy or trade guns when I see a cool one that I like. I think I will start doing that. They can always say no, but a seed might be planted.

 

[TheFrontRange]

@Pat Riot no, no, no offense taken at all. I really should have held onto that one haha!

I’ll admit - even owning a 3-1/2” 27 like I do…looking back on the pics of this gun make my mind wander toward the likes of Tiger McKee with Shootrite and his semi-famous line of “Chopper” revolvers he’s becoming known for. If you follow him on social media, he’s working on what I believe is his first N-frame, a Model 28 that’s been cut from a six-inch barrel down to 3-1/2.”

It’s a tempting notion…well…that…or another “shorty” 27 haha…

 

[1KPerDay]

Looks like whoever swapped the barrel swapped the rear sight assembly as well. Very cool. I can't believe you sold it LOL

 

[CraigC]

Looks like whoever swapped the barrel swapped the rear sight assembly as well. Very cool. I can't believe you sold it LOL

Good eye!

 

[DR505]

One thing I know about selling guns; in short order you don't have the gun and the money seems to disappear just as fast, so you end up with neither. Then regret often sets in.

That looks like a nice revolver. Must have been a great offer to let that go.

The barrel was one of later production since it doesn't have the lazy ampersand between the Smith and the Wesson. See photo below for example of the lazy & on this S Serial 27-2 from '67:

 

[johnjohn]

I would never sell that beauty.

 

[natman]

Very pretty and great craftsmanship, but I can't figure out the intended purpose. DA hammer and shortish barrel say carry gun. Sights and trigger stop say target gun. The modifications work against each other.

 

[StrawHat]

I think the Model 28 to be the perfect canvas for reworking into a functional revolver. Here is mine,





Aside from the obvious alterations, I also installed a new cylinder and frame lug, had the barrel bored and rifled and now have a great, lightweight, 45 ACP revolver.

Kevin

 

[TheFrontRange]

@StrawHat - love that .45 ACP conversion - that’s fantastic!

 

[TheFrontRange]

@DR505 - I like the look of that lazy ampersand. I have two S&Ws old enough to bear that. I knew that “style” of ampersand had a proper name and couldn’t recall it until your post haha!

 

[Alaskamike]

I may be wrong, but that 27/28 hybrid in the original post also looks like the trigger was originally a target trigger that was recontoured into a combat trigger shape, probably at the same time as the stop was installed.

 

[TheFrontRange]

@Alaskamike you may indeed be right. Now that you mention it, I think I recall that the trigger surface was polished / smoothed - can’t find a definitive picture on that.