I've got a notion that I'd like to pick up a Model 28 "Highway Patrolman" and am wondering what I might have to expect to pay. I'm far from being a high-end "collector". What I'd want would be a "shooter"; mechanically solid (timing, lock-up, bright bore, etc.), not too concerned about a perfect exterior (as long as it wasn't all "in the white"), and a 6" barrel. Any thoughts on a ball-park price?

Price can vary by location. Sometimes I pull up the model I'm wondering about on Armslist. You can see asking prices by state.

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>>ARMED LIBERAL>>

A lot depends on vintage too. "S" serial numbered M28s are valued higher than "Ns", condition being equal.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

If you are lucky, $600+/- and then up to 750 for a nice shooter. More if you want fancy. I traded into a $695.00 6" a couple of weeks ago that is in great condition for that price.

I lucked out!

I don't think I've shown this one on here before.

Right now, the 6" HPs are selling for just a little bit less than the 4" examples. I've seen them over the past few months as low as $550, but you should expect to pay a bit more. If you are talking about one in 85% condition, you probably can find one for under $600 pretty easily.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I just picked up a 4in shooter grade (slight muzzle wear and a drag line) in good mechanical condition with a set of dinged up targets locally for $425.

I would say I was on the low end of the spectrum but you should be able to find a solid shooter for 550ish.

Good luck and I'll keep my eyes open for ya!

I could make do with that one. $696.00 and I'll pay the postage!

The range posted here seems about right for our area (which is typically a bit high) I got a nice shooter 6" a while back for $500 out the door. Seems like prices have crept up some since then. Figure 600+ bucks, shop around and be happy if you get by cheaper.

Good luck. They are a very fun range gun.

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paws for friendship

Check the closed auctions like GonBroker and their competition. These are the SOLD prices and I use them to figure what should be a fair price as long as it was not the victim of a well healed case of "gotahaveit" gone haywire..
Kyle

I haven't seen one around here in a while. The last one I found was a four incher, think I gave 4 bills for it. That was a couple years ago, before people "discovered" them. I'd be surprized to see one for antwhere near that price any more.

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Even older, even crankier....

The majority of completed auctions did not result in sales. Check the bid column and you'll see a lot of them got no bids. I sort the results by # bids descending so those that have bids show up first.

Even if an item has bids, reserve may not have been met. You have to look at the detail to know.

I'm pretty well priced out of the N frame market. I know there are bargains out there, even on GB, but I just don't have the time to hunt them down.

I'm pretty well shopped out of the N frame market, made my purchases 2 years ago before prices went up.

Now it is just go shoot what I bought -- don't need more guns, powder, primers, or 22 LR -- just go shooting.

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S&WHF 366

There is one on ARMSLIST for ~450 or so right now. It isn't very pretty, but I bet it can still shoot really well.

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On the Oak Savannah

Not to be too contrarian here, but the prices of Model 28s seem to be at an artificial spike right now... if I wanted a 357 Mag N-frame in the current climate, I would look at Model 27s... since it is the "prestige" version, it holds its value steadily to a greater degree than the 28, so if you pay "current" price on the 27 during this time of 28 price spiking, you will be less likely to take a hit on what it does later price wise. This is JMHO, of course and worth at least what you paid me for it!

Froggie

Today, I would go with the L frame. The 28s have gone up too much. Unless you MUST have an N frame, the L will be about the same in handling. Check the prices on the M27 first, too.

The last M28 I saw was at a gun show for $750.00.

Yep. I'd do the same. In my area (admittedly not necessarily representative of the free states), I recently found a very nice Model 27 (no box or frills) for way less than what some folks are asking for their Model 28's. Crazy, but true. That's the price of the Model 28's having suddenly been discovered as collectible. Too bad for me that I've already got a couple of Model 28's or I would have snapped up that Model 27 in a heartbeat.

For many of us, gun buying is almost a spiritual experience, with logic only playing a small part. You've seen some good discussion here that reflects how logic may apply to this specific situation, though.

Everyone used to get 28s because they were less expensive, utility grade guns they could afford and didn't mind knocking around or customizing to fit their own purposes. Then it seemed that the newer generation heard about those neat Model 28s and just had to have one (without really knowing why) and the prices were driven up. I'm reminded of when Hondo44, DCW and myself kept talking about our cheap, fun little I-frames a couple of years ago. All of a sudden people who couldn't even spell I-frame just knew they had to have one! I just wish I'd bought about a dozen or so when they were really cheap and sold them during the boom. I think Model 28s will follow a similar trajectory of sales interest... JMHO, YMMV.

Froggie

I saw a 6 in., 28-2, unfired with box but no tools sell for $675. last week. Larry

What's more, you can still occasionally find some L frames that are PD trade ins. A slew of Aussie 681s showed up on Guns America a few months ago.

The M27s are absolutely beautiful guns, and I love the lines of a tapered-barrel N frame. But they're just too much iron for a 6-shot .357, IMO.

PS
Just checked GA and there's still plenty of the Aussie 681s in the $500-$550 range.

Also a couple of M28s around 6 bills.

Well, you know, you sometimes just fall into it . . .
A couple years back, while I was out of state on a business trip, my wife picked up this gem for me for $10. And no, there is not a zero missing. Just $10.
Best bargain. Ever.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Who would sell ANY fully functioning Gun for $10 let alone a S&W.,Sounds a bit shady to me

Well, it goes like this:
She went to a church bazaar. There was a raffle, with the tickets costing $10 each. She bought one. It was the winning ticket.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

So, not shady but a bit strange.

Now, that just ain't right!

Yes. You might say it was bizarre.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

That's a bizarre bazar.

I frequently fall into stuff, but it's more of a soft, smelly nature.

Jack, I can better then double your "investment" and I will gladly give Deb a few Tens for the next Bizarre you'll have in Palmer! I hope you took good care of the Mrs on this
Kyle

Kyle
I did, actually. Next time you stop by, you can see the greenhouse she got out of it.

But, hey, I got something out of that too! We have wonderful fresh tomatoes every summer now and just last night I ate more of the jalepeno peppers she grew this year!

Life is good!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

This was a G.B. gun. I have had it around 3 years now. I got it for $450 & ship etc. Had goodyears on it. Very good shape. S serial#, no dash, 1960. I have a very nice set of diamond targets for it. Good luck on your hunt! Bob

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Hi neighbor. I also started looking for a nice 28-2 last year. Found a really nice 6" for $720 with box, tools and papers, then an even nicer 'S' serial numbered 4" showed up locally for $600. I jumped all over that one too.