There is, what appears to be, a very nice 1960's model 28 4" barrel for sale nearby. It is not cheap but it also has not gone up in price due to the pandemic, riots, or upcoming election. I'm worried that if I were to inquire any further it would only heighten my interest. There's so much research to be done on the old Smiths that perhaps I should just accept the price at face value and resign myself to it?
I think I want a S&W Highway Patrolman
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Not exactly a huge fan of the .357 but couldn't pass on this one.
Corpral_Agarn
Member
You want one. Believe in yourself.
Super great revolvers. Pops has one. Just a joy to shoot.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Grab it if you can, they are only going to get scarcer as time gos on. Unbelievably, there was a time when gun know-it-alls would turn up their noses at the M28 because it wasnt a 27- and prices reflected it.
Now, folks realize that any old N-frame is treasure and Highway Patrolmen are disappearing into collectors safes, seldom to see the light of day again........
BobWright
Member
In my opinion, the N-Framed Smith & Wesson is over built for the .357 Magnum cartridge. I did have a 4" Highway Patrolman many years ago. Its a fine gun, as were all S&W revolves of that day. If it suits you for a range gun, go ahead and buy it.
As my opinion, and mine alone, I much prefer the L-Framed Model 586. With its longer cylinder, it will handle .357 Magnum cartridges that just poke their noses out the front of N-Frame's cylinders.
I have to say I believe the Model 586 to be the best .357 Magnum DA revolver yet devised.
Bob Wright
As my opinion, and mine alone, I much prefer the L-Framed Model 586. With its longer cylinder, it will handle .357 Magnum cartridges that just poke their noses out the front of N-Frame's cylinders.
I have to say I believe the Model 586 to be the best .357 Magnum DA revolver yet devised.
Bob Wright
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The 586 is the perfect .357!
ontarget
Member
Come on guys, what about the 686? Don't we also need the bright and shiny one to wear at the BBQ?
OP
OP
J-Bar
Member
Well I appreciate the support and great photos, and I already have a Model 19 and a Model 686, and two Ruger Old Model Vaqueros in .357. I’m also covered for EDC needs with J frames and a CZ RAMI. But I’m hoping I can add some pix of my very own Model 28 after the Springfield gun show on October 10. And there will be target photos as well. I do not find safe queens appealing. Whatever I own gets dirty quickly.
I’m eager to join the Highway Patrolman ranks!!
I’m eager to join the Highway Patrolman ranks!!
Go for it. An N-frame 357 Magnum is good to have in the safe and fun to shoot at the range.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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Wouldn't say the N frame is overbuilt for the .357, I have read the round was originally loaded to higher pressures than today. The S&W Combat Magnum came about in the 1950s at the urging of Bill Jordan, required different heat treating, was not simply a matter of putting a longer cylinder on a K frame. Since the M-28 is long out of production I would grab one when I saw one. I was looking for a 4", the 6" was at a good price and in excellent shape.
UncleEd
Member
BlackhawkNJ,
Not sure about higher pressures back in the day for .357s.
But the round for the N-frame .357s originally had a
bad reputation because of accuracy problems.
Seems Smith in its hype for the velocities was using the
8-inch barrels and lead bullets which badly fouled the
barrels. So after a few rounds, the barrels became
"smooth bores" and accuracy diminished quickly.
But as an aside if I can believe writer Skeeter Skelton,
and I do, .357 ammo was nearly non-exisitant after WWII,
so shooters took .38 casings, loaded them with more
powder and didn't seat bullets as deeply as normal for
.38s. This was to realize the fuller potential of the then
new mid-1950s Model 19s.
Not sure about higher pressures back in the day for .357s.
But the round for the N-frame .357s originally had a
bad reputation because of accuracy problems.
Seems Smith in its hype for the velocities was using the
8-inch barrels and lead bullets which badly fouled the
barrels. So after a few rounds, the barrels became
"smooth bores" and accuracy diminished quickly.
But as an aside if I can believe writer Skeeter Skelton,
and I do, .357 ammo was nearly non-exisitant after WWII,
so shooters took .38 casings, loaded them with more
powder and didn't seat bullets as deeply as normal for
.38s. This was to realize the fuller potential of the then
new mid-1950s Model 19s.
in the early 80's when revolvers were cheap and many law enforcement were getting rid of their revolvers I stumbled upon a 225.00 model 28 6"... I am glad I grabbed it and should have many more! Dad had a 6" 28 also... so I have it too... and a friend GAVE me a 4" when I took him in during a rough patch he had with his wife... we have given each other good stuff back n forth over the years... for the wood grip purists - ignore em... for shooting a good set of pachmeyers are a joy to shoot although I do ;ike for wood herrets... Sadly I have not shot these as much as I should have over the years... Model 28's are like Dan Wesson revolvers in the price arena- they used to be super cheap but the market has figured out they were worth more than they were going foor... should have grabbed more of both for sure
tightgroup tiger
Member
tightgroup tiger
Member
I paid $265.00 for the 1957 Model 28 on top, because as Nightload quoted, no one wanted them back then. The 28-2 on bottom is and unfired one that I paid $450.00 for about 8 years ago in my LGS.
In the words of MC Hammer- "YOU CAN'T TOUCH THIS" when it comes to old Smith and Wessons as far as I'm concerned.
As a range piece you will love the 6”. I bought a 6” 686 21 years ago and love it as much as the day I took it home. CCW is the only place it struggles but I carried it concealed in winter clothing for a time. Since you want a range gun you’ll never regret the extra 2”. If you opt for the 4” you’ll love it as well but want to buy a 6” to join it.
bangswitch
Member
The research isn't hard, there have already been a bunch of informative posts right here. You can find a lot of info on the Smith and Wesson forum, several members are extremely knowledgeable on the older guns. As far as the M28 goes, any info on the M27 is pertinent, the M28 was just a plain-Jane version started in 1954. Any model made before 1957 would be called a "Pre" M28, as model numbers weren't assigned until 1957. They would have "S" prefixes until 1969, then would have "N" prefixes. The model would be a plain M28 between 1957 and 1960, a dash-1 in 1961, and a dash-2 from 1962 until 1982, and production stopped in 1986 with the dash-3. Some barrel lengths were discontinued periodically, so more lengths were available earlier in production.
I'd love to have a 4" M28-2, but I already have a 6", if I go looking for something, it would probably be a M27 with a 4". Then I'd have a M27, 28 and 29, all dash-2.
So, grab that M28, and hang onto it.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I remember when you couldn't walk into a gun shop without tripping over a pile of sub-$300 HWP's. I paid $600 for mine 4yrs ago and remember thinking, "this just ain't right" but it was too nice to pass up.
Hmm. You make a good argument. I floated the idea with my wife, as it would be a large purchase, but was given some options. I think I will inquire on the model 28 further.
UncleEd
Member
Memories of a time when a glut of M28s and
probably M19s existed were in the late 1980s
and early 1990s when police were stampeding
to buy Wonder Nines.
Several years down the road and a lot of
gun owners were saying , "Oooooppps!"
probably M19s existed were in the late 1980s
and early 1990s when police were stampeding
to buy Wonder Nines.
Several years down the road and a lot of
gun owners were saying , "Oooooppps!"
kBob
Member
My M28 has Georgia State Police markings but came from the 1970's. GSP decided to go to the M19 and offered Patrolmen the option of purchasing their big iron. A buddy I got it from bought it from one of those guys soon afterward. He got to discussing the change with the older Patrolmen and the guy made an unusual statement "These knew little Model Nineteens ain't got the same knock down power of this old Dawg!"
Well my buddy tried to explain that a .357 out of a four inch S&W barrel is the same regardless of frame size.
"I know that, kid, but I tell you it ain't got the same knock down power!"
Trying to understand my friend asked him to explain.
"Well I've seen it a couple of times now with this new little gun. I used to come out of the holster and go up along some smart ass's head with the Model 28 and 'bam' he is down....but with this little 19 I have had to comeback with a back hand to the other side and another strike on the first side before folks went down! See less knock down power."
....and some folks wonder why I am even more careful to follow traffic laws in Georgia....
-kBob
Well my buddy tried to explain that a .357 out of a four inch S&W barrel is the same regardless of frame size.
"I know that, kid, but I tell you it ain't got the same knock down power!"
Trying to understand my friend asked him to explain.
"Well I've seen it a couple of times now with this new little gun. I used to come out of the holster and go up along some smart ass's head with the Model 28 and 'bam' he is down....but with this little 19 I have had to comeback with a back hand to the other side and another strike on the first side before folks went down! See less knock down power."
....and some folks wonder why I am even more careful to follow traffic laws in Georgia....
-kBob
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OP
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nofendertom
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kBob---off topic but---
Same goes for a 1911 over a Glock.
Same goes for a 1911 over a Glock.
Made an error in my first post...the Model 28-2 was $650 out the door....an unfired ANIB Model 58 I bought at the same time was $800. Sorry for the error.
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