S&W 28-2

[kimbernut]

A local gun shop has a Solid S&W 28-2 for sale. It is a nice,tight revolver showing some holster wear at the muzzle and front edge of the cylinder and has no box or original grips. Grips on the gun are Pachmeyer Presentations. His price tag is $400 which sounds a bit rich to me and I'm about to counter at $325. Am I out of line or does this sound reasonable to you all in the know.

 

[denfoote]

$300 -$325 is considered a fair price.
I paid that for mine.
$400 is steep!!!

 

[MatthewVanitas]

I paid $340 for mine, same situation as yours. I thought that was an okay price.

I would politely point out that the lack of original box and grips really kills the collector's value, and then ask him "what's the best you can do on this"?

I like to avoid being the first one to toss out an offer, because there's that slim chance that he might say "$300 even", saving me $25.

It's a pretty cool revolver, and folks say that they're starting to go up in price this year due to changing tastes in classic S&W sixguns.

-MV

 

[CSA 357]

$400 is high he might come down , he might not realy want to sell it! *csa*

 

[P95Carry]

Without a lot of digging, I forget now what mine cost - it was maybe around $375. It had had a trigger job, chamfered chambers and bobbed hammer so - a cut above the average. I added CT's later.

You didn't mention barrel length but if a 4" then $325 to $350 should be about right - but of course regional factors play a part too. Leaving aside cosmetics - main thing is to check lock-up and assess timing, crane truth and wear etc.

 

[ACORN]

My 6" is in similar condition to the one you're lookimg at. The dealer I bought mine from had 2 marked for $299. He told me i could either for $260. That was about 2 years ago.
They are great revolvers. Bull strong.

 

[Starter52]

$400 is high for the plain-Jane Model 28. I'd pay that much for a Model 27. $300 -$325 is more reasonable for the Model 28 with no box or original stocks.

 

[isp2605]

Bought this Mod 28 in 1974, new, $134 out the door.
A week later the same dealer offered me a Mod 58, new, that he had sitting on his shelves for too long. He just wanted to get his money out of it. $75, tax included, out the door. Didn't have the money as I had just bought the 28 the week before. Now I wish I'd robbed the piggy bank for that one.

 

[Chindo18Z]

kimbernut: $400 is a bit high. On the other hand...

They ain't making 'em (M28s) anymore.

You are as likely to see $450 as $325 the next time you run across one in nice shape.

Make the best deal you can, but if you really like it, get it.

Agonizing over $75 will look silly at a later date when you still don't have one.

I held off buying a Python for years due to precisely the same kind of reasoning. I am kicking myself today.

 

[SaxonPig]

I bought a 4" pre-28 and a 4" 28-2 last year of AuctionArms for $290 and $260 respectively. I personally wouldn't pay more than $325 for a 28.

 

[nitesite]

I have a 4" 28-2 and it's a fantastic revolver, especially since I am now getting back into reloading.

It's in better shape than what you describe the one you are considering. For $400 you should be looking at one a little bit nicer with correct grips and box.

BUT... if you don't think you'll be able to acquire one anytime soon if you let this one pass you by...

well, $350 is not entirely unreasonable if it hasn't gotten loose or been abused (I think the 4" commands a bit more money).

 

[Husker1911]

N frame Smiths, especially blued, have been appreciating handily the last several years. That may just be going price these days.

 

[Dienekes]

Picked up a very nice 4" M28 about 6 months ago, 99%+ blue and barely fired, in the box for $375. Probably a bit high but they're not making them anymore and the trend seems upwards. I suppose if you just consider them to be a .357 Mountain Gun it all falls into place.

 

[Iggy]

A week later the same dealer offered me a Mod 58, new, that he had sitting on his shelves for too long. He just wanted to get his money out of it. $75, tax included, out the door.

Yowsa!! I paid $81.00 NIB for one in 1966!!!

 

[MatthewVanitas]

A week later the same dealer offered me a Mod 58, new, that he had sitting on his shelves for too long. He just wanted to get his money out of it. $75, tax included, out the door. Didn't have the money as I had just bought the 28 the week before. Now I wish I'd robbed the piggy bank for that one.

Of course, if you'd invested that $75 at 10% average annual rate of return in 1974, it'd be around $1200 by now.

So take $800 of that $1200 and buy a nice 58, then go spend the other $400 on something fun.

You did invest that $75 that you didn't spend, didn't you?

-MV

 

[isp2605]

Of course, if you'd invested that $75 at 10% average annual rate of return in 1974, it'd be around $1200 by now.

While true, all I would have had now was $1200. Had I had the $75 at the time I would have had the past 32 yrs shooting the 58. That figures out to $37.50 per year, or about $3 per month, for the enjoyment of having had a 58 for all that time. But figuring I could turn around and sell the 58 for at least $600 that actual cost would have been only $1.50 per month. I'd rather have had the 58.

You did invest that $75 that you didn't spend, didn't you?

I didn't have the $75 then, having just bought the Mod 28. Had I had another $75 back then I would have had the past 32 yrs enjoyment of shooting the 58.