Dad gave me his old "Highway Patrolman" S&W... wow...

[Sean Dempsey]

I've got my springfield XD 9" (3" and 4"), and those are the only handguns I've owned. So I get the idea to ask my dad if I can "borrow (keep)" some of his guns, since he has a dozen or so he hasn't shot in maybe 15 years.

So I get up there, and he's got about 10 rifles, hunting type, and 1 handgun, this:

(see attachment)

A Smith and Wesson Highway Patrolman, 1978 m-28

So I go grab a box of WWB .357 magnums, take it down to my local desert range, and fire off a few. The gun really surprised me. I wasn't expected such a stripped down weapon. No safeties, no levers, latches, anything. Just put in 6 rounds, cock the hammer, and its about a hairs width to fire. Having just shot the 9mm XD, It was quite different. I could "feel" the bullet going faster... but maybe that was just my imagination.

Does this gun happen to have a reputation for anything? Is it a good ol' fashion standby, a favorite of handgun shooters, reliable, anything special about it. Or is it just a cheap revolver that everyone probably has.

He did say it has the frame that is really tough and durable, and also it had some replacement grips, sorta rubbery black, not like the picture.

Anyways, the price was right! What do y'all think?

 

[RonJon]

"Does this gun happen to have a reputation for anything?(Yes! - It was a great Law Enforcement revolver!) Is it a good ol' fashion standby (Yes!), a favorite of handgun shooters (Yes!), reliable (Yes!), anything special about it (Yes! - It's an 'N' frame, built like a tank!). Or is it just a cheap revolver that everyone probably has (No! - but everyone wants to have one!)."

Ron

 

[Sean Dempsey]

Well good to hear it's a gun with some heart & history.

It's pretty dirty. I am gonna go home and give it a good cleaning and oil the important parts. There is considerable wear on it... not too bad for a gun that's probalby almost as old as I am (25).

It's a strange feeling... shooting a polymer autoloader, and then hefting this badboy. I was so busy awwing myself, I didn't really pay attention to my shot placement or groupings

 

[XavierBreath]

The Smith & Wesson Model 28 is in many ways the working class step child of the N frame Smith family. The whole reason for the Model 28's existence is the elegance and beauty of it's brother, the Model 27. The Model 27, introduced in 1948 as the .357 magnum, is often called Smith & Wesson's Mona Lisa, a true masterpiece of polished and blued steel with ornate checkering. Police departments loved everything about the Model 27......except the price.

Five and a half years later, Smith & Wesson released the Model 28, in the form of the Highway Patrolman. The Model 28 is everything the Model 27 is, without the costly polishing and expensive checkering. It wears a matte blue finish, but is every bit as accurate, durable, and well fitted. The Highway Patrolman was S&W's answer to the police demand for a high quality low budget N frame .357 in April, 1954. The Highway Patrolman is everything the S&W Model 27 is, without the high polish and ornate topstrap checkering.

Comparing this fine old Smith and wesson to an XD9 was no doubt educational. When they can still be found for under $300, you now understand why so many of us find them addictive. They are great guns.

Here's my Model 28 Highway Patrolman.

 

[ACP230]

I posted on several threads about the M28 in the past. You could find them by using the search function. There's some good stuff on those old threads.

I also posted on a thread asking about accurate shooting "on demand" and used my four-inch ex-cop issue M28. Someone got close to suggesting I was sandbagging.

It took me many years to get my paws on an M28 but, now that I have, I won't be turning it loose any time soon. I switched grips from the issue wooden ones to Pachmayr Presentations a few months ago. The black rubber Pachs have a certain classic look of their own IMO.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

I'll get a picture up. It's REALLY weird to have the 6" barrel.

On a side tangent - I got a box of 357 winchester white box "centerfire" ammo, and they looked like hollowpoints with partial jackets. Is this a quality round for target shooting AND self-defense against human/animal? I thought the bullets would be full jacketed like my 9mm plinkers.

Anyways, its really a great piece of handgun history.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

Here's some pics. Anything anyone notice about this gun? I read around the boards and got some info about some changes being made in '82 and then in '84 when they stopped production. Any of those telltale signs on this one?

EDIT: Also a question: how are the sights supposed to be lined up. Top-to-top like on my XD 9mm? Or do I line up the "lower-half front sight" with the rear sight, and then have the little thin top piece on the "top-half front sight" stick out where I want my target? Like use a 6'oclock aim, but have the thin part right on my target, but the fatter part lined up in the rear sights?

EDIT AGAIN: I added a illustration of what I mean with the sights. I think I did it wrong today out at the range. I was doing essentially method C... but now in looking at the gun, I am thinking that method B is probably right... or D, but not A or C.

Thanks!

 

[gomer]

Really nice revolver. I had a 28-2 and sold it a few months back.. I still wake up at night missing it sometimes

 

[Old Fuff]

One point: Your model 28 does have a safety, two in fact. But they are internal and mechanical so you don't have to worry. Unless the trigger is held all of the way back and kept there while the hammer falls the safeties will be "on."

 

[Chuck R.]

It’s a great revolver, I used to carry one when I worked for my local PD. I bought mine used as a police trade in after having to go swimming after a knucklehead while carrying my Python.

The 28 was much cheaper while being just about as accurate.

The N frame takes quite a bit of the “bite” out of the .357 Mag. Unfortuantly I sold mine when I re-entered the Army.

Chuck

 

[ceetee]

Sean, if I'm looking at your illustration right, then "C" is probably the best image to go by.

The top of the front sight blade should be the exact same height as the top of the rear sight blade, and there should be equal slivers of light showing on each side of the front blade as well. The point of impact should be the center ot the top of the front sight blade.

 

[Maddock]

All of the sight pictures that you illustrated, including "C", are hard to consistently duplicate, leading to less accuracy. Any sight picture that can be repeated will work, but the attached sight picture is generally accepted as the most easily repeatable with open sights. The eye’s focus is on the target, with the front sight centered horizontally in the rear sight notch with the tops of the front and rear sights level. For field or practical shooting, most folks adjust the sights so that the point of impact (POI) is directly atop the front sight at the desired distance. For Bullseye or other target shooting, a “Six O’clock” hold where the entire bull sits on top of the front sight. The then adjust the sights so that the POI is the center of the bullseye. The bottom of the bullseye is a more precise aiming point than the center.

 

[Dienekes]

Ah, yes. Just about the best gun, dollar for dollar, that S&W ever made. Have owned three in 4", sold the first two while temporarily demented. Picked up another recently. Don't shoot them much as I have a K frame sized hand--but there's just something about a big N that I do like.

Police price was about $69 when I got my first one.

Gas was about 34 cents a gallon.

 

[VonFatman]

Maybe I'm seeing things but...

Sean,

Judging by that first photo, the one with the wood stocks, it looks like your gun is a "four-screw"...with a trigger guard screw.
Trigger guard screws were eliminated in 1961 with advent of the "dash two" (Model 28-2)

IF it has that fourth screw...

Your gun may be as old as...1954 when the Highway Patrolmans were first produced or as young as 1961 (or close to 1961).

That would make the gun as old as 52 years or as young as 45 years.

Does the gun have a model number stamped inside the crane, on the frame? You would see a model number when you open the cylinder up and look on the frame in front of where the cylinder resides while closed. (Perhaps "Mod 28" or "Mod 28-1" or "Mod 28-2"? ) If so, it was manufactured after 1957. I believe 28s with no dash or a dash one are not as common as dash two guns.

If no model number is on the frame, it's a "pre-numbered" Highway Patrolman (manufactured pre-1957 when S&W started numbering their guns) ...a VERY nice gun...a very desirable gun.

Those wood grips are also very desirable...don't let them get away from you...keep them with the gun.

Your dad did you a nice turn offering you this gun...congratulations!!

You can get a specific date of manufacture (if you are interested) by calling S&W Customer Service @ 800-331-0852 then touch 7 for Cust. Svc.

F.W.I.W. The gun in the same first/top photo also looks to have a "trigger shoe"...and a set screw on the trigger...the gun may have had a bit of 'smithing done at one time or another.

Bob

 

[Hutch]

I concur that the revolver is ~ 40 years old, give or take. Keep those wooden stocks (grips) handy. They enhance the value of the gun considerably more than do the rubber grips. Notice the diamond relief in the checkering around the screw? That's your first clue that the gun was made on or before 1968. The pin thru the frame and barrel was eliminated ~ 1982.
Just to satisfy our curiosity, do the grips have the serial number of the revolver engraved in them? It's usually the right side grip panel on the inside. It may only have the last few digits stamped in there. If so, they are the grips that came w/ the gun. BTW of all the numbers stamped on the gun, the serial number will be on the bottom of the grip frame.

Enjoy it, you've got a prize there.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Nice Gun Sean!

That's a nice HP you have Sean! I've got a 4" one that is one of my favorite S&W's.

 

[RonJon]

Sean,

Why does the picture of your gun in your post #1 not match with the picture of the gun in post #7?

These are not the same guns in the pictures. Why?

Not only are the grips different, but the trigger in #1 has a trigger stop screw, and #7 does not. Also the cylinder in #1 appears to be shorter than normal for a M28.

Ron

 

[Sean Dempsey]

the first post was just a picture from the internet, I didn't have any pics of the actual gun. I should go back and change that. I had meant to say that it wasn't my actual gun in that first post, but I didn't quite articulate that in my excitment.

I'm editing it now to reflect the actual gun.

 

[Sistema1927]

Post the serial number (use xxx for the last three numbers) and someone will be along in a minute to tell you when it was made.

It is probably older than you are, you young pup.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

I posted it in the other S&W thread, and it was id'd as a 1978

its 3 years older than me

 

[sgt127]

It's pretty dirty. I am gonna go home and give it a good cleaning and oil the important parts. There is considerable wear on it... not too bad for a gun that's probalby almost as old as I am (25).



Ok...first off...no matter how tempting, do not get a screwdriver anywhere near that gun except to take the grips off. There is stuff inside a revolver that will scare you. Its not like any auto you have ever handled. Everything that needs cleaning can be done without taking anything apart. Once its all cleaned up, put one drop of oil on each side of the hammer and work the action a few times. One drop of oil on the ejector rod where it goes into the cylinder and one drop on the crane, the part that pivots out of the frame.

You are not incapable of working on a revolver, you just don't know how to do it without screwing things up, yet. Lots of old revolver shooters here, me included, that can walk you through anything you want to do. But, more revolvers have been screwed up, screw heads buggered up, sideplates dinged up and timing problems caused by people who thought they knew what they were doing. I have personally contributed to that legend many times .

And, quit shooting it single action. Learn to love the smooth rolling double action trigger that makes Smith N frames so appreciated!

You have a fantastic old gun. And, its not your imagination, that bullet is leaving that gun at tremendous speed and power.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

I haven't taken anything apart but the grips. I just gave it a run with the boresnake and then cleaned the surface with. It actually looks pretty nice now. The bluing has rubbed off on a few spots, like the end of the barrel, you can see some silver, and the trigger is almost silver now too, but other than that, its a rugged beast.

I shot a few dozen rounds through it, it seems to function like a champion. its a 28+ year old gun, so I am impressed. I admit, I was shooting it double action... the cocked trigger will fire the gun with almost no noticable travel, its REALLY a hair trigger. I can learn to stick to single action though.

I need to grab a good holster for it. Not really into the leather/western stuff. Not even sure what I'll use this gun for, other than just fun at the range and showing it to the younger generation of "auto only" shooters. I sorta want to wear it on my left side when out in the woods, camping and such. If I do happen upon a beast who wants to attack me, I'll grab the 357 instead of the 9.

 

[jaybar]

Sight alignment vs sight picture !!!

EDIT AGAIN: I added a illustration of what I mean with the sights. I think I did it wrong today out at the range. I was doing essentially method C... but now in looking at the gun, I am thinking that method B is probably right... or D, but not A or C.

C - C - C and only C !!!!!!! By my calculations, assuming the blade is .250", methods B & D should put your shots at least 2 feet high at 25 yds , sight picture A would put your shots at least a foot high at the same distance. The top of the front blade even with the top of the rear blade, front blade centered in the rear notch with an equal amount of light on both sides is the correct sight alignment (method C). Whether you set the the top of the front sight on the center of the target so that your point of aim and your point of impact are the same or whether you take a six o'clock hold on the bottom of the bull and adjust your sights so that the bullet impacts the center is your sight picture.

 

[Ala Dan]

The S&W model 28-2 "Highway Patrolman" ranks at the top of MY list of service revolver's. I have owned three over the years, and every one of
them performed flawlwssly. Being a no frills, bead blasted .357 magnum
turned most shooter's off in the early days; with persons wanting the
more expensive (and better looking) S&W model 27. But, service life
beats out looks every time; and the S&W model 28 is a "work horse"
of a firearm~! I'm happy too hear that your dad passed along
a piece of S&W history. Enjoy

 

[BigG]

I picked up this one a couple months ago and despite my poor photographic skills, it is flawless. Ala Dan said it - "the best."