S&w model 28 or 19 ?

[riflenut]

HEY S&W FANS! LOOKING TO ADD A ANOTHER OLDER SMITH TO MY COLLECTION OF REVOLVERS. I SAW A MODEL 28 AT A LOCAL GUN SHOP FOR SALE IT WAS A HIGHWAY PATROLMAN 357 MAG 4" BARREL. I PERSONALLY LIKED THE FAT SQAURE BUTT GRIPS THAT WERE ON IT.CAME HOME LOOKED AT SOME OTHER PHOTOS ON LINE, AND SAW A MODEL 19 THAT I LIKED ALSO LOOKED ALOT LIKE THE MODEL 28.ANY OPINIONS ON EITHER WOULD BE APPRECIATED THANKS!

 

[Guillermo]

They are both great guns


The model 28 is very strong but heavy. The N frame guns are workhorses.


my preference is the Model 19 is a K frame...much lighter and easier to carry. it handles like a sports car.

it was the idea of the legendary Lawman Bill Jordan and many consider it one of the finest revolvers ever made.

no bad choices here

have fun

 

[Black Knight]

I have a 4" 28-2 and it will take any factory ammo you choose to give it all day long. It will take loads that may damage the 19. The K-frame 357s had a problem with the forcing cone spliting whe fired continuously with the light 357 Magnum loads. As long as you use the heavier bullet loads in 357 Magnum you should be fine with the 19. Of course 38 Special +P will safely fire in either the 28 or 19. I love my 28-2 even though it is a heavy monster on its own.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The M-19 will have a nicer finish, as the M-28 came with the brushed "service" finish

 

[AKElroy]

19. Better high luster blue; phenomenal trigger. Classic lines.

 

[David E]

For shooting a lot of magnum rounds, the M-28.

For shooting mostly .38's with a few magnums tossed in, then the M-19. (this was Jordan's anticipated use for the 19: Shoot 80-90% .38's, the rest were magnums.)

 

[Taroman]

Why compromise? Get both!

 

[Iggy]

Aesthetically speaking, I would choose the Model 19. They just don't come any sweeter than the Combat Magnum.

However, comma, the last handgun I would let go would be my Model 28. It will do anything you can reasonably ask of a handgun and last forever.

For everyday enjoyment the 19. For a rough tough using gun, the 28

Your choice.

 

[wnycollector]

the last handgun I would let go would be my Model 28.

Amen brother! I feel the exact same way.

 

[Walkalong]

Both outstanding revolvers. Very different sizes obviously. I have both, and will give up neither. I shoot the 28 at the range a lot more due to its size and ability to soak up recoil. For carry, the 19 can't be beat.

 

[snooperman]

I had a model 28 many years ago..

and traded it to my brother-in-law for his 4" model 19. I thought I got the better gun but after shooting hot 357 magnum loads on a regular basis the model 19 forcing cone cracked. Now, he still has my old model 28 and has a smile on his face when we shoot together.

 

[RugRev]

All depends what you plan on shooting in it. As others noted the 28 will take sustained magnums a lot longer. The 19 has a nicer finish and is a lot lighter if you plan on carrying it around much. It also is more compact and if you have smaller hands will fit better.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Both are excellent revolvers.
The M28 was developed to be a lower cost version of the M27 which was S&W's premium revolver (And the first ever .357). It is lower cost in finish only. The important stuff is all still there. The N frame that the M27 & M28 are built on is larger and heavier and therefore will have less felt recoil with any given load.

The M19 was developed to be a smaller, lighter, more easily carried .357. It fulfills that role very well. If you shoot a lot of full powered, light bullet (12gr and lighter) .357s it MAY crack the forcing cone as the K frame it is built on was originally developed for .38 Special. Shoot mostly .38s and/or heavy bullet magnums and you will be fine.

If you plan on carrying it, I would go with the M19. If you are planning on shooting mostly full powered magnums, I would go with the M28. Otherwise, see which fits your hand the best.

Neither is a bad choice.

 

[harmonic]

Dude, stop typing in CAPS! It's irritating.

But, it depends upon what you want to use it for. The 19 is not good if you like full charge magnum loads all the time. Cracked forcing cones, etc. But it is good for full-time carry vs. the 28 because of its light weight.

The 28 is ok for extensive firing of full charge magnum loads, but not for constant rapid double action work. The cylinder on the 28 is so massive that rapid rotation batters the cylinder stop and cylinder stop lever.

For most of us, however, since we really don't shoot that much, either is fine. Buy 'em both.

 

[roaddog28]

In my opinion the M19 is the best handling 357 revolver ever made. Best balanced and easy to carry. The M19 was designed to practice with 38s and load 357s for "business". I do not recomend shooting 125 gr full house magnums in a M19. If you decide on the M19 shoot 38 specials and occasionally run some 158 gr 357s just for fun.

The M28 along with its brother M27 is the best shooting 357 magnum revolver I have ever had. It was design to shoot 357s. But it is very heavy and not a pleasure to carry.

Being your are going to add these two classics to your collection I would first buy the M19 and then the M28 or a M27. If you have the money buy both.

Good luck,
roaddog28

 

[HappyHunting]

Am I right that the 28-2 was the serviceman revolver with the economical finish, and that the 28(no dash) would have the nicer finish?

Or was the 27 the nicer one.

Either way, I will probably one day get a 19, 27, and 586. All blue, all beautiful.

 

[rcmodel]

No, dashes had nothing to do with it.
The Model 28 Highway Patrolman has the satin blue brushed finish, no serrations on top-strap or grip frame. It was a plain jane service revolver.
MSRP in 1982 was $261.75.

The Model 27 .357 Magnum has the finer high gloss finish with serrated top strap, grip frame, etc. and was the top of the line quality at the time.
MSRP in 1982 was $383.00.

rc