CajunBass
Member
Not at all unusual. At one time Model 28's were relatively inexpensive, and were used as a starting point for a number of caliber conversions. Skeeter Skelton was one who wrote extensively on this. 45 Colt was a favorite.
Smith and Wesson Pre model 28
- Thread starter Matthew Clark
- Start date
jar
Contributing Member
Yes, my 28 just came in the Bangor Punta Blue Box with a rod and some brushes.
Come to think on it my 27 also just came in the Blue Box.
Jim Watson
Member
I had a .44 Special conversion in the works but the gunsmith was killed in a car wreck. The barrel blank is on a shelf someplace, the NOS Smith barrels having dried up even then.
Trials of 200 grain .357s pretty well cured me of caliber conversions. But there are a lot of what used to be Model 58s out there with customers who thought a .44 or .45 was somehow better than a .41.
My greatest regret is having it cut to roundbutt configuration.
Trials of 200 grain .357s pretty well cured me of caliber conversions. But there are a lot of what used to be Model 58s out there with customers who thought a .44 or .45 was somehow better than a .41.
My greatest regret is having it cut to roundbutt configuration.
CajunBass
Member
I remember many years ago, seeing, and being offered the chance to shoot a Model 29 that the fellow had, had the barrel cut to 2 1/2" inches, then had the barrel Magna-Ported, a new deal in those days. I remember him telling me how they had started with a 4" barrel to keep the roll marks looking right. Then he had a well known local gunsmith (Fred Schmidt of Mechanicsville, Va. Some of you may have heard of him) do an action job on it, and as I recall him saying, cut the grip off, and replace it with a K-frame grip. Rather my old memory is right on that or not I'm not sure, but it was a beautiful gun. People in those days didn't hesitate to customize a gun to suit what they wanted, because you couldn't always find what you wanted from a factory. I don't suppose Smith and Wesson even made a Model 29 with a 2 1/2" barrel back then (late 70's I suppose. I was driving a new 78 Bronco when I belonged to that range).
How'd it shoot? Well as I said he offered me a chance to shoot it. I had never fired a 44 Magnum before. I had seen "Dirty Harry" and to be honest I was scared to death to try it, but more scared to admit I was scared, so I fired three rounds. Man that thing was SWEET. Recoil was not bad at all, although I have no idea what kind of ammo he loaded for me. Maybe 44 Specials. I like to think I shot three 10 rings from the 25 yard line with it, but I probably only hit the berm behind the targets.
Still it was COOL. I remember it to this day. My only flirtation with a full custom gun.
How'd it shoot? Well as I said he offered me a chance to shoot it. I had never fired a 44 Magnum before. I had seen "Dirty Harry" and to be honest I was scared to death to try it, but more scared to admit I was scared, so I fired three rounds. Man that thing was SWEET. Recoil was not bad at all, although I have no idea what kind of ammo he loaded for me. Maybe 44 Specials. I like to think I shot three 10 rings from the 25 yard line with it, but I probably only hit the berm behind the targets.
Still it was COOL. I remember it to this day. My only flirtation with a full custom gun.
Jim Watson
Member
A blast from the past, a friend has a Schmidt short cylinder wadcutter gun for PPC.
CajunBass
Member
CajunBass
Member
That was one of those guns I lusted for when I was a youngster. I'm from Mechanicsville originally, and while I didn't know Mr. Schmidt personally, he was sort of a local legend in the gun community. I've never seen one of his short cylinder PPC guns, but even today, I might could be tempted to grab one, "just because."
No, probably not.
nofendertom
Member
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- Sep 12, 2019
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Mark Mark --- What knurling (knerling) on the 28 ? The checkering is on the 27.
Mark_Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
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- 18,022
you think Hand Checked ? or machine
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Probably machine checkered. I imagine the Registered Magnums were probably hand checkered.
OP
OP
Matthew Clark
Member
Hey everyone, thanks for all of the wonderful information. I hope to one day be as well informed as most of you on the ways of the Smith & Wesson Revolvers. Not to be a snob on modern design and technology but I just prefer the era of manufacturing that has the firing pin mounted on the hammer and either a 5 or six shot cylinder when it comes to S & W wheel guns. Just my preference, so I like to center what I learn around that era. I learn a ton on this blog every time I get chance to get on here.
I'm picking up the Highway Patrolman Thursday and plan on giving it a good cleaning and internal inspection and replacing the rear sight blade first thing. Then shooting it all afternoon Saturday. I sincerely hope it likes 158 gr. SWC loaded with 13 gr. of Alliant 2400. I have a truckload of those loaded up that my Piettas just love and they are a nice, accurate, easy shooting round in them that doesn't lead the barrel with Rock River bullets, flat base no gascheck.
Range report to follow ASAP.
Talk soon and happy shooting!
I'm picking up the Highway Patrolman Thursday and plan on giving it a good cleaning and internal inspection and replacing the rear sight blade first thing. Then shooting it all afternoon Saturday. I sincerely hope it likes 158 gr. SWC loaded with 13 gr. of Alliant 2400. I have a truckload of those loaded up that my Piettas just love and they are a nice, accurate, easy shooting round in them that doesn't lead the barrel with Rock River bullets, flat base no gascheck.
Range report to follow ASAP.
Talk soon and happy shooting!
Coyote3855
Member
My rancher dad had two handguns. A Colt Woodsman and S&W 28. The 28 was well worn and has gone to his grandson. If for whatever reason, I could own only one handgun, my M28 would be a contender.
OP
OP
Matthew Clark
Member
Tallball,Congratulations! You're going to enjoy it a lot. Looking forward to the range report.
You sir were absolutely correct!
I had never fired an N frame 357magnum. That was a treat indeed, can't believe I had waited this long to give it a try. The difference between The Highway Patrolman and my 19, 66, 686 and GP100 was literally night and day.
OP
OP
Matthew Clark
Member
Now as promised a range report:
Ok, I admit it I was lazy today. It was hotter than the hinges on the gates to the other place and trying to get good groups with sweat running down my face and into my eyes was futile at best. Instead of bench resting for groups I opted for a standing combat stance at 10yds. from a man silhouette target and went for center mass. Low and behold, a slight breeze made all the difference in the world. I had replaced the rear sight on it when I brought it home with a plain black blade .146 tall. It called for a .136 which I did not have. I rolled the dice and won, .146 was perfect. I also painted the front sight orange, this combination worked very well. I put almost 100 rounds through the Highway Patrolman and not one single round found its way outside the X ring. I was going for accuracy and not speed and with a standing combat stance at 10yds all shots were inside a 2.5 inch oval of sorts. I am no master handgunner by any means but I am very proud of that accomplishment. I can't normally do that with my Speed Six that is my EDC weapon with 38spcl +P's. I usually shoot for speed and accuracy with that and slip a few into the 9 ring at least
I do intend to do more accuracy testing at a full 25yds. from a bench rest on a lot cooler day.
I do feel that the ergonomics of the gun with those Herrett grips and the weight and balance of it aided greatly to my success today. That along with an extremely smooth double action trigger. It honestly would take some effort to shoot poorly with that revolver.
Again thanks for all the input to everyone. I am a very happy Smith & Wesson Highway Patrolman owner.
Happy Shooting everyone!
Ok, I admit it I was lazy today. It was hotter than the hinges on the gates to the other place and trying to get good groups with sweat running down my face and into my eyes was futile at best. Instead of bench resting for groups I opted for a standing combat stance at 10yds. from a man silhouette target and went for center mass. Low and behold, a slight breeze made all the difference in the world. I had replaced the rear sight on it when I brought it home with a plain black blade .146 tall. It called for a .136 which I did not have. I rolled the dice and won, .146 was perfect. I also painted the front sight orange, this combination worked very well. I put almost 100 rounds through the Highway Patrolman and not one single round found its way outside the X ring. I was going for accuracy and not speed and with a standing combat stance at 10yds all shots were inside a 2.5 inch oval of sorts. I am no master handgunner by any means but I am very proud of that accomplishment. I can't normally do that with my Speed Six that is my EDC weapon with 38spcl +P's. I usually shoot for speed and accuracy with that and slip a few into the 9 ring at least
I do intend to do more accuracy testing at a full 25yds. from a bench rest on a lot cooler day.
I do feel that the ergonomics of the gun with those Herrett grips and the weight and balance of it aided greatly to my success today. That along with an extremely smooth double action trigger. It honestly would take some effort to shoot poorly with that revolver.
Again thanks for all the input to everyone. I am a very happy Smith & Wesson Highway Patrolman owner.
Happy Shooting everyone!
Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,814
Yeah, it was definitely the right choice for you.
Mine is like that, too. It seems like the bigger the frame, the more likely it is to have a smooth trigger.
It's nice to have all of your hand easily touching the grip, too. An N frame just feels right to larger handed folk.
Plus the weight to absorb the recoil.
My favorite 357 out of many.
Mine is like that, too. It seems like the bigger the frame, the more likely it is to have a smooth trigger.
It's nice to have all of your hand easily touching the grip, too. An N frame just feels right to larger handed folk.
Plus the weight to absorb the recoil.
My favorite 357 out of many.
Just so you are aware, theCompany no longer offers that service. If you want a letter, they are offered by the S&W Historical Society and the cost is $100.00.
Kevin
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,713
Fixed it for you...
$600 is an excellent price these days for ANY N-frame...
$600 is an excellent price these days for ANY N-frame...
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