WTH is this? S&W 28-2 45 acp...

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DocRock

DocRock

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I know nothing really about S&W DA revolvers. But based on the minimal research I have done, the Model 28-2 was chambered only in 357 Magnum. So, what is this? Abomination? Rarity? Mystery?

Frame is marked Mod 28-2 and Serial number S333185. Barrel is marked 45 CAL Model 1950. That just doesn't seem right...

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/898982678
 
That is odd. I will try and remember to crack open my S&W Standard Catalog tomorrow morning and see if this is listed.
 
I’m getting a 1969 year of production, very near to the switchover to N prefix serial numbers and nowhere do I see a reference to a 28-2 in 45 ACP. I do see that in the 60’s and 70s there was a gunsmithing industry in converting the more common Model 28s to less common cartridges including 44 Mag, 44 Spl, and 45 LC, so I suppose this must be one of those? The screw through the top strap looks...funky...
 
DocRock said:
I know nothing really about S&W DA revolvers. But based on the minimal research I have done, the Model 28-2 was chambered only in 357 Magnum. So, what is this? Abomination? Rarity? Mystery?

Frame is marked Mod 28-2 and Serial number S333185. Barrel is marked 45 CAL Model 1950. That just doesn't seem right...

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/898982678
Click to expand...
The only thing I can think of that this is one kind of hybrid, frame form 28-2, barrel and cylinder from 25 for 45 ACP. I doubt that something like this will ever leave S&W.

If properly done, especially if 357 cylinder is used and line bored, this could be excellent shooter.
 
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I doubt S&W put that combination together for any reason.
I vote abomination. Custom gun smith or what ever, I can't imagine why when you could have bought a Model 25 with a much better finish and matching parts.
 
We have seen cases where S&W assembled guns on mismatched frames before- sometimes they would overstamp the model number, sometimes not.

That said, its definitely a M28 frame, not a M25. The front of the crane and trigger guard are unpolished, which is typical of a Highway Patrolman, and the rear sight is ungrooved, also a cost-cutting measure seen on the 28.

It seems well done, in any case, and the condition is good. As long as the price didnt go much higher, I might roll the dice on it.
 
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I was bidding on a 28-2 that was converted to .44 Special, but I got outbid a little while ago. As DocRock and DR505 stated, several gunsmiths used the more common N-frame 28 .357 to make less common caliber conversions for customers. Some, like that .44 Spl. I was interested in, are amazing :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
DocRock said:
I’m getting a 1969 year of production, very near to the switchover to N prefix serial numbers and nowhere do I see a reference to a 28-2 in 45 ACP. I do see that in the 60’s and 70s there was a gunsmithing industry in converting the more common Model 28s to less common cartridges including 44 Mag, 44 Spl, and 45 LC, so I suppose this must be one of those? The screw through the top strap looks...funky...
Click to expand...

Agreed. I just looked at my 2nd and 4th editions of the Standard Catalogs of S&W and can find nothing in model 28 conversions or special runs with caliber conversions. I also looked through the Performance Center list of codes for model 28 and could find none.
 
Having learned to never say "never" - or, "always" - where gun production is concerned, I'd sure like to see the side of that box.

It may well not apply to that pistol but, just the same, I'd like to see what the box went to.


Todd.
 
Riomouse911 said:
I was bidding on a 28-2 that was converted to .44 Special, but I got outbid a little while ago. As DocRock and DR505 stated, several gunsmiths used the more common N-frame 28 .357 to make less common caliber conversions for customers. Some, like that .44 Spl. I was interested in, are amazing :thumbup:

Stay safe.
Click to expand...
And what was final price for that 44 Special 28-2?

IMHO, 44 Special 24 or 624, especially with endurance package (long bolt notch on cylinder https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/y...320/#lg=attachment_xfUid-1-1619884016&slide=0 ) is much better deal. Unfortunately, 24/624 are in my area extremely rare. However, If there is a chance, I would grab -3 or -4, with 6" or 6.5" barrel in a heartbeat. I can't imagine better balance between power, reasonable weight and quality.
 
It's a custom. Decades ago, it was common to convert budget model .357's like the model 28 or Ruger Old Model Blackhawk to big bore chamberings. The base guns were relatively cheap and the custom work relatively affordable. It was easier and cheaper to convert a model 28 to a more useful chambering than to buy an original 1950 Target. Actually, that is still true. This is simply a model 28 with a 1950 barrel and a rechambered cylinder. The later 25's have the bull barrel and while it is slight, the difference between them and the tapered barrel 1950 is noticeable.
 
I almost had my 28-2 bored out to .45 Colt but THR talked me out of it. I had it repaired at the factory instead and now it’s a great shooter. 28s were cheap as chips a few decades ago as police departments all transitioned to semi autos. Lots of people did all sorts of conversions using 28s as the base.
 
I tried to have a very well known gunsmith convert my unfired 28-2 to 44 special but he didn't want to do the job. Later I tried to get him to install an adjustable J-Frame target sight on my fixed sight model 31-1 32 long revolver. He couldn't do that either. I have no further use for that gunsmith.

I am guessing the gun the OP linked to is just a conversion.
 
Onty said:
And what was final price for that 44 Special 28-2?

IMHO, 44 Special 24 or 624, especially with endurance package (long bolt notch on cylinder https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/y...320/#lg=attachment_xfUid-1-1619884016&slide=0 ) is much better deal. Unfortunately, 24/624 are in my area extremely rare. However, If there is a chance, I would grab -3 or -4, with 6" or 6.5" barrel in a heartbeat. I can't imagine better balance between power, reasonable weight and quality.
Click to expand...
It’s at 1100 +\- a few bucks with a day left.

Stay safe.
 
Ultra Rare Prelock Target Model Smith & Wesson 28-2 .45ACP 1950 Mfg. 5clips

What a crock. It's amazing what some sellers will claim.

Of course it's ultra rare, it is simply a standard Model 28 with a 1950 45 target barrel installed.

Does anybody think S&W would ship a Model 28 with the wrong barrel plainly labelled?

It's even possible it has the 1950 Target cylinder, which would probably be a straight swap and would not need to be reamed for 45ACP.

The frame looks a little bit shinier than most Model 28s, could be a new barrel and cylinder and a refinish.

This is how the barrel should be marked.

pmOeS2PIj.jpg
 
I would agree with most people here, it's a conversion. I've seen a couple over the years,first one was in a Vegas pawn shop about 1980 or so. It was very well done, but I wasn't interested.
 
ThomasT said:
I tried to have a very well known gunsmith convert my unfired 28-2 to 44 special but he didn't want to do the job. Later I tried to get him to install an adjustable J-Frame target sight on my fixed sight model 31-1 32 long revolver. He couldn't do that either. I have no further use for that gunsmith.

I am guessing the gun the OP linked to is just a conversion.
Click to expand...

I will say one good thing about your gunsmith. "A man needs to know his limitations". Better he turned you down rather than screw up your guns by not being able to do the job right.
And "yes" it is not a rare factory gun, nice try by the seller, it is as mentioned, a gunsmith converted gun.
 
This is my Model 28-2 that I got in the 70s. I wanted a 4”, N frame, 45 ACP. Between the various 1950 and 1955 Models I am guessing S&W made less than 20 with adjustable sights. So, I sent the barrel out to be rebored, fit a new cylinder and frame lug and rounded the grip frame to accept K round grips. Except for the rebore, I did all the work myself, with hand tools. All in probably less than $300.

That is why the Model 28-2 was used.

E6647E8C-EDE3-4A67-9E3C-E41F64BF183C.jpeg 25182E8C-CFE8-466F-87AF-286E7BAF284C.jpeg

It was my EDC for many years and also a duty revolver for a few months.

Kevin
 
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