Smith and Wesson Pre model 28

[Mark_Mark]

So why did they make a Model 27 and Model 28? same frame, same power pills

 

[J-Bar]

Law enforcement agencies wanted .357 Magnums but did not want to spend the money on the finely finished revolvers being produced at the time. So S&W offered the Highway Patrolman, later the Model 28, as a not-quite-as-pretty, less polished, less expensive choice.

 

[SwampWolf]

J-Bar is exactly right but it should be noted that the less expensive Model 28 shoots just as well in every respect as its more pricey twin.

 

[Walkalong]

So why did they make a Model 27 and Model 28? same frame, same power pills

The 28 is "The poor mans" 27. A duty gun, less frills to keep cost down. The "Highway Patrolman"

 

[Tallball]

They made the Model 28 so there'd be one I could afford.

 

[Biblethumpncop]

I have Herretts on 3 of my revolvers, but not my N frame... boohoo!

Here is my model 28-2 made in 1966 that my Grandpop gave me in 1985 before he passed away.View attachment 1154942View attachment 1154944View attachment 1154945View attachment 1154946

I was blessed with some new to me original grips! First time I've had original grips on it since it was given to me 38 years ago!

 

[reddog81]

No that is mostt assuredly what I did not do.
That act just hacks me off when I see someone do that.
Bogarting in this case means hogging something for yourself before someone else can get their hands on it.
I was a little rude about it but the guy was really annoying.

Hopefully the other guy is kicking himself for dragging the shop owner along trying to haggle on something that was already a good price. That’s one of those situations where you have to act quickly otherwise you end up SOL.

 

[CraigC]

So why did they make a Model 27 and Model 28? same frame, same power pills

The 28 was a lesser finished gun, while the 27 was the flagship model, derivative of the Registered Magnum. Where the 27 was mirror polished, the 28 had about a 400grit polish. Where the 27 was checkered, the 28 was bead blasted. Back in the `90's, one could easily find 28's under $300, while 27's were $500 or more.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The 28 was a lesser finished gun, while the 27 was the flagship model, derivative of the Registered Magnum. Where the 27 was mirror polished, the 28 had about a 400grit polish. Where the 27 was checkered, the 28 was bead blasted. Back in the `90's, one could easily find 28's under $300, while 27's were $500 or more.

they are not cheap anymore!

these old smiths are NICE

 

[CraigC]

they are not cheap anymore!

these old smiths are NICE

Now they're all nuts!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Now they're all nuts!

and getting more expensive as we speak! I’ll do my best to get some!

 

[jar]

Not a Pre-28 but rather my 1965 28 no dash that IIRC I bought in late 1967 or early 1968.

 

[mcb]

You guys can keep the model 27 and 28. A 357 Magnum N-frame only makes sense if its a 8-shooter. It should also be a round butt.

{runs and hides from the flames}

 

[Mark_Mark]

You guys can keep the model 27 and 28. A 357 Magnum N-frame only makes sense if its a 8-shooter. It should also be a round butt.

{runs and hides from the flames}

I’m serious looking at the Crazy looking 8 shot! very Star Wars ish

 

[stonebuster]

That's a nice looking shooter there stonebuster. It appears you have Herrett Shooting Stars on yours as well. They aren't flashy but should do well on an N frame.
My Ruger speed six 357Mag with 2.75" barrel carries and shoots very nicely with Shooting Stars on it. View attachment 1154602

As do mine...I share your taste in revolvers.

 

[Mark_Mark]

As do mine...I share your taste in revolvers.View attachment 1155376

i like the exposed back strap on those grips

 

[GunnyUSMC]

You got a pretty good deal. There’s one on consignment at a local shop for $1,200.
My buddy Matt was looking for a N frame 357 a few years ago. At the time they were going for around $800.
Another friend of mine, that doesn’t keep guns for long, had one for sale. I picked it up for $500.

When Matt came down to visit, I pulled it out. He was jealous. We went to the range and Matt must have shot 200 rounds or more of 357 and 38s. When we got back to the house, I told Matt that the only reason I bought it was to turn a profit. I had already told him what I had paid for the revolver, he asked me how much I wanted.
I told him $500.01. He looked at me like I was crazy. But we have been friends for years and the truth is, I knew Matt really wanted the revolver and I bought it just to sell to him.
Matt was so tired from shooting and excited about buying the revolver, he fell asleep with it.


The day before he headed home, we went to the local gun store and had the revolver shipped to a dealer in his state.

 

[SeanSw]

Outstanding deal. At $600 I wouldn't blink, although I'd probably be side eyeing the haggler hating on the gun.

Maybe 2 years ago I paid $700 for a nice model 28. It seemed like a lot at the time. I don't window shop (there's no where around here to do it anymore) and I find that excessive forum scouring and gunbrokering is a great way to hyperfocus and lose the fun of finding guns. Mine was found just 3 blocks away by a seller who had previously given me a great deal on a rifle and it felt nice to simply pay the asking price, shake hands, and go home.

Now my only issue is that N frames are quite large for my hands. Gotta find something that fits better than factory stocks.

 

[J-Bar]

You guys can keep the model 27 and 28. A 357 Magnum N-frame only makes sense if its a 8-shooter. It should also be a round butt.

{runs and hides from the flames}

mcb, if you have any of those N Frames that offend you, send me a list by private message. Maybe I can relieve your stress and give them a new home!

 

[mcb]

mcb, if you have any of those N Frames that offend you, send me a list by private message. Maybe I can relieve your stress and give them a new home!

I have several N-frames but most are in a caliber starting with a 4, most are full under-lug barrels and all are round butt. My one 357 magnum N-frame is my gamer gun and an 8-shooter that gets a steady diet of 38 Short Colt.

 

[jar]

IIRC my Highway Patrolman cost about $90.00 when I bought it in 1967 or 1968.

 

[CajunBass]

IIRC my Highway Patrolman cost about $90.00 when I bought it in 1967 or 1968.

That's probably about right. I have a memory of seeing one in a display case for $129.00 in the early 70's. Might as well have been a million dollars. I had about as much chance of coming up with one as the other.

 

[jar]

That's probably about right. I have a memory of seeing one in a display case for $129.00 in the early 70's. Might as well have been a million dollars. I had about as much chance of coming up with one as the other.

That's about what the 27 was selling for and I couldn't afford it at the time either so I went for the bargain. At the time IIRC I was earning about $500.00 a month.

 

[CajunBass]

You know. Maybe what I remember as a 28, was in fact a 27. I've always remembered it being in a presentation case, which I figured was a confused memory, but I suppose I could just as well have confused the model number.

 

[aaaaa]

I have a Model 28-2 but oddly it has a .41 Magnum barrel and cylinder. Paid $500 earlier this year. Had 0.10 end play that I took out with cylinder shims, but still has the big 0.10 gap so quite a side flash on this one. Still fun to shoot.