Should I buy a S&W model 28

[EMT40SW]

So I found a used S&W model 28 with a 4" barrel & square grips. Its blued & the finish is 80% with mainly holster wear on the frame & barrel. The barrel looks good, no rust noted & no lawyer lock. Asking $450 cash + tax. thought & advise?

My experience is with a 4" S&W 65 that I loved. This will be a self defense & hunting side arm. I will be shooting full power .357 mag through it.

 

[PabloJ]

It is up to you. The prices for those have risen in recent years. A sample in very good condition brings over $600. Personally if I had to pick something this large and heavy it would be in .44Magnum not .357.

 

[the Real Alpo]

That's at least 200 less than the last three 28s I've seen for sale, and one of them had been nickeled, and the nickel was flaking off. He still wanted 750.

450? I'd jump on that in a heartbeat.

You do realize that it's about a pound heavier than that 65, right?

 

[Kendal Black]

It's a strong, heavy gun that will hold up to lots of use. As a carry gun it's a bit on the heavy and bulky side, particularly if you want to conceal it.

You can't always count on the Blue Book because of regional price variations, surges or drop-offs in demand, etc. But for what it is worth, for 80% condition, it's showing $450 for a model made 1954-57, and $275 for one made 1957-86. Hope this helps.

 

[billybob44]

I'll put it this way...

If that was me in your position, that 4" Model 28 would be in my safe right now, along with my 6" Model 28 and two 6" Model 27's...Bill.

 

[PabloJ]

If it is in very good mechanical order and times well I would buy it for what you intend to use it for. As they mentioned it is nearly indestructible and the gap between front of cylinder and frame is nice to have as if you want to you can hang it up on clothing hook.

 

[Starter52]

A solid dependable revolver that has served law enforcement and the shooting public for over 50 years.....a no-brainer at that price.

 

[JC111]

That's not a bad price. Model 28's have gotten pretty pricey over the years. You can always have it refinished if you buy it. It's your then. Great revolver by the way if it's in good mechanical shape.

 

[Gladius]

Another vote for Yes. And at $450? Heck yes.

 

[witchhunter]

This is like asking a car salesman if you need a new car. The answer is "yes" of course! Once it is paid for, it doesn't matter how much it cost, It's paid for!

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

In these parts, $450 for any N frame revolver is a good price. If I didn't already have three of them I would jump on it.

Just so you know, the Model 28 is an N frame, your Model 65 is a K frame. I have one of them too. The N frame is a much bigger, heftier beast. You can shoot full power 357 Mags out of it all day long and your hand won't hurt at all. Can't say the same for the Model 65.

Here is one of my Model 28s.

 

[Iggy]

They made prettier S&Ws but none better than the Model 28.

You best be on that feller's doorstep in the morning.. That won't last long at that price.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

They made prettier S&Ws but none better than the Model 28.

You best be on that feller's doorstep in the morning.. That won't last long at that price.

Yup, the M27 is a much nicer N frame finish wise but both are the same revolver. You get the M28 at a much lower price.

The M27 was the Registered Magnum that was highly hand finished but at a premium price. The M28 was the Highway Patrolmen and every bit as good as the M27 without the highly polished finish saving a lot of money.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

The M27 was the Registered Magnum that was highly hand finished but at a premium price.

Not quite. Here I am being a school marm again. Folks make these kind of statements all the time. The Registered Magnum was the Registered Magnum. Period.

Smith and Wesson introduced the 357 Magnum cartridge in 1935, and the N frame revolver that was designed to shoot it was simply called The 357 Magnum in the catalog. This cartridge and revolver were a further development of the 38/44 Outdoorsman and 38/44 Heavy Duty, which were N frame revolvers chambered for 38 Special and meant to fire the 38 Special High Velocity rounds. With the slightly longer 357 Magnum round it would no longer be possible to accidentally put a 38 Special High Velocity round in a standard K frame 38 M&P, which would probably have blown up the revolver.

Anyhoo, S&W started a clever marketing plan where each new 357 Magnum revolver would be registered at the factory to the owner. The gun was stamped on the frame under the yoke REGXXXX, and the number would be registered at the factory to the particular owner. These were the Registered Magnums. The Registered Magnums were custom guns. Each one was made to the owner's specifications. The owner could choose from 23 different barrel lengths, 6 different types of sights, Blue or Nickel plated, either finish could be engraved, and standard service grips or Magna grips. And of course, the top strap and barrel rib were checkered.

S&W never expected the Registered Magnums to be a high volume item, it was the height of the Depression after all. The cost of a Registered Magnum was $60, $15 more than any other revolver in the catalog. That was a lot of money in 1935. But S&W was overwhelmed by the response. The factory could only turn out about 120 Registered Magnums per month. By 1938, after building about 5,500 Registered Magnums, the registration program was dropped. The revolver continued to be produced right up until 1941, but they were no longer Registered Magnums, they were simply The 357 Magnum. The custom stamping of a Registration number on the frame was discontinued, and the amount of options available was reduced.

The 357 Magnum was reintroduced in 1948, with a new short throw hammer and the modern hammer block.

In 1957 Smith and Wesson changed over to the current model number system, and The 357 Magnum was renamed the Model 27.

So The Registered Magnums evolved into the Model 27, but they are not the same thing.

 

[LeonCarr]

Yes

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Radagast]

I would buy it. I've a 6 inch Model 28 that I will not part with. Recently I've shot a couple of 4 inch Model 28s. They are much easier to control than the K frame Model 66 and the N frame grip is more suited to my large paws. When the toy fund has recovered enough, I will be looking to buy one.

 

[jmr40]

It is heavier than a 66 or 65, but still lighter than a 686 or 586.

 

[bannockburn]

EMT40SW

I'm a big fan of the S&W's L frame but at that price I would certainly be adding an N frame Model 28 to my collection.

 

[gotboostvr]

If you can afford it and want a shooter, that's the one to pick I'd say.

I'm partial to K frames because I don't shoot alot of 357 and like a smaller package.

If I need alot of horsepower on tap I step up to a 44

 

[CajunBass]

I probably wouldn't even bother to try to talk them down, because I know if I didn't take it, the guy beside me would.

 

[Walkalong]

If mechanically sound it is a pretty good deal IMHO. I have a 6" that is worn some as well, but mechanically sound and shoots quite well. It is a joy to shoot compared to lighter .357 Mag revolvers. A great range gun.

If you like .357, and you like to shoot, it's a perfect choice.

 

[243winxb]

Smith and Wesson Model 28 6"

Good revolver. 1972 was $118 new. After many years replaced the hammer nose, main spring, strain screw.

[/URL][/IMG] I did replace the original grip with target ones.

[/URL][/IMG] Had a new Colt Trooper 357 6" before the Smith. It didnt hold up well with use. Barrel cracked at the forcing cone. Factory repair came back with a barrel defect and 6 lb trigger in single action. No more Colt revolvers for me.

 

[1KPerDay]

It is heavier than a 66 or 65, but still lighter than a 686 or 586.

??? really?

 

[243winxb]

Weight of Smith and Wesson M28

Weight of M28.. The 4" is 41 3/4 oz. The 6" is 44 oz. A 686 in 4" is 39.7 oz..

 

[Iggy]

I bought one in 1978 for $200.00. It rode around in a holster hanging from the gun rack in my pickup on the ranch for 20 years.
I sold it a couple of years ago for $575.00

Get the picture?