Both are sturdy .357 magnums.My first gun was a 28,and owned a few more after that one.The 28 is an aquired taste due to the utility finish compared to the bright blue offered on other models.Not un common for some model 28's to sit on dealer's shelves for many many years before being sold.For a good 20 year run it was considered somewhat of an ugly duckling,where the 686 was sought after.The 28 is more popular now then it has ever been, meaning more people are purposley buying them than being issued one due to Police budgets.But all said and done I personally would go with the 28 at this point in time.