Advice needed on Model 28-2 found in pawn shop

[sleepyone]

I have been looking for a model 19 or 28 and a 28-2 is in one of our local pawn shops. It is pretty obvious this was a duty gun from where the loss of bluing has occurred, but there is no pitting, rust or other abnormal wear. The screws are clean, and the timing and lock-up are good on all cylinders. The wood grips are gone and replaced with Pachmayrs. There are no scuffs on the metal. It looks clean other than the normal bluing loss that a duty gun would experience. Sights are good as well.

There were two things I was not sure of. The metal is worn down substantially on the right side of the frame under the cylinder where the manufacture city is engraved. The engraving is worn pretty well but smooth; not rough like someone was grinding on it. Is that from normal holster wear? Also, the bluing is completely gone in a circular pattern on the right side of the frame next to the hammer. Almost like the shooter was left handed and his thumb rested high on the frame next to the hammer.

They are asking $425.00. Is that a fair price? Should I look for another one? I don’t mind the bluing loss. I did not check the barrel. I’ll go back tomorrow if you guys think this one is worth pursuing. I was thinking of offering $375.00. I really wanted one with the original wood grips but I don't want to pass on a gun just because of that if everything else checks out.

 

[rswartsell]

Even though your description is very thorough a picture is worth a thousand words. Even a cel-phone picture might help. That being said $425.00 seems to be a very good price for a mechanically perfect 28. If you are buying it as a shooter with no real interest in considering it a collectable you would be hard pressed to find a better large frame. For inherent value for a lifetime of use, you could afford to put a little into it after purchase and be well pleased. And the inevitable caveat, I am a bit troubled by your description of the metal being substantially worn down. If you are saying that a substantial amount of the frame steel is gone, that would be really wierd and all bets are off. Doubt I would trust it for a paperweight

 

[sleepyone]

Thanks. I need to take some pictures. The metal was worn enough to where some of the lettering was not as deep as the rest. Nothing is missing. Just a lot of wear in that one spot. You can't wear metal down like that from holstering can you?

 

[bainter1212]

Sounds to me like A LOT of holster wear. Maybe, say, 20 yrs of duty use? At that rate the sides of the barrel, as well as the edges of the cylinder should be bare of bluing. A poor fitting holster could have produced that kind of wear as well, in a situation where the gun moved around a bit in the holster.
I have a 28-2 myself, it has a lot of regular holster wear, mostly from drawing and reholstering. At $425 it is a steal, at least around here. Mine has S.F.P.D. stamped on the barrel.

 

[rcmodel]

the bluing is completely gone in a circular pattern on the right side of the frame next to the hammer.

Holster snap rubbbing on it for years.

rc

 

[Coltdriver]

If it locks up good I'd say that is a fair price. And you don't have to pay extra for the character Search the board for inspecting a revolver. There are a few fairly standard things you can do to determine if its still tight or if its been shot lose and needs re timing.

28-2's were going for $375 reliably here in Denver five years ago. If you want a full size revolver they are a true classic. And they make shooting .357 rounds downright pleasant.

 

[sleepyone]

the bluing is completely gone in a circular pattern on the right side of the frame next to the hammer.

Holster snap rubbbing on it for years.

Doh! Don't I feel silly!

That is why you are da man, RC.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Locks up tight,, , no scuffs/ just holster wear ,,clean screws,,, sounds like a good buy at $425.

Out of habit, before buying.
I'd check the Top Strap for flame cutting and the Barrel Forcing cone for cracks.
A 28 should handle many high powered .357 rounds but you never know till you check.

Enjoy the search.

 

[SunnySlopes]

Here's a comprehensive revolver check out thread that I use.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57816

If it meets the stated criteria, it's a good gun.

 

[sleepyone]

thanks, Sunnyslopes! great resource!

 

[sleepyone]

I just read this 12 page checklist. So, Sunnyslopes, how quickly can you run through all these steps?

It is extremely thorough. I will need to do some dry runs on my own revolvers before trying it on anybody else's gun. I would guess that it can be done in 5-10 minutes with practice. Any longer than that and you will be testing some people's patience I'm sure.

 

[788Ham]

Testing some ones' patience? Not if they want to sell the thing its not, if they can't be bothered, neither should you be! Take your time, if they want the money, they'll wait !

 

[silicosys4]

I would try and talk him down from $425, its a worldwide web out there, and I paid about $50 less in sticker price but about the same after all was said and done, for a 28-2 gun in what sounds like much better condition, about 6 months ago.
This was on an online auction, so no backroom between friend deal there. That said, I tend to think I caught mine on a late night auction with my competition snoozing on the keyboard...so if its right there in front of you, don't let $50 and a little bit of finish wear keep you from a fine revolver.
they are a very nice gun. Mine shoots very well, and is fun to shoot even with heavy loads.

 

[PabloJ]

Local price for one in excellent condition w/o box & papers is $500.

 

[Fishslayer]

Thanks. I need to take some pictures. The metal was worn enough to where some of the lettering was not as deep as the rest. Nothing is missing. Just a lot of wear in that one spot. You can't wear metal down like that from holstering can you?

That sort of wear is usually associated with a refinish job not done well. Look at the seams where the sideplate meets the frame. If the edges are rounded somebody's been doing some polishing. Might use that as a haggling point.

Doesn't sound like you're interested in collector grade though. At the right price it wouldn't bother me. If it is a mechanically sound and has just been "carried much, shot a little."

 

[savit260]

Seems a bit pricey to me for a worn 28.

They are great guns, but that seems a bit above what my local market would fetch for one in the described condition.

I'd say $500 for a nice one is about right.

With the wear described, I'd say $350 is more like it.

There was one locally in pretty good (some wear, but not bad) that languished in the case at the shop forever priced at $400.

 

[sleepyone]

Took several pics of gun to help determine worth

While in full lock-up, the front to back and the sideways cylinder movement is slight. The barrel seems good. Grooves may be a bit shallow. I don't enough about how deep the grooves should look or be to make an informed judgment. I could not find any cracks or any separation of parts. The underside of the top strap did not have any burn marks or signs of erosion. Let me know what you guys think. The pawn shop owner and my wife have been doing business together for many years. She is a music teacher and buys supplies from him and sends students his way when he has decent instruments in stock, so he might be willing to move on price quite a bit.

 

[sleepyone]

more pics

 

[sleepyone]

still more pics

 

[Sam1911]

I do believe I'd drop $425 on that gun. Nice character, and looks quite clean.

 

[sleepyone]

and more pics. no more after this.

 

[sleepyone]

I might be able to get him down to $375.00. My wife has sent business his way for years when her students need supplies and instruments.

 

[Sam1911]

That would be a steal. IMHO.

 

[rswartsell]

Agreed.

This is NOT a Model 10.

 

[Fremmer]

I'd buy it and shoot the heck out of it. Don't worry much about the price, it's close enough IMHO.