I do not like the Key SW lock wheelguns. A new 27 will cost more than my old less than $100 Bill in the box. I think I will shoot it at 65 years old. What am I Saving it for?

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That is truly a beautiful pre-28, but they were made to be shot. Shoot it and give it lots of TLC.

When it comes to guns, nothing in life is more important than enjoying them. What brings you more joy.....shooting it or admiring it?
For me the only reason I wouldn't shoot it is money (diminishing the value)..... and money is not more important than the joy of shooting a fine revolver. So I would shoot it! If you derive more enjoyment from keeping it in pristine condition...then don't shoot it.

Do what makes you happy...an easy thing to figure out.

I would shoot it if it was mine.

I am thinking a 158 swc over 7 grs of unique.

Unless you have another Highway Patrolman that you DO shoot, why not shoot this one?

Life is too short to not shoot the guns you own.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Unless it’s 100% unfired post factory, there will be no loss in value if treated properly when shooting and cleaning.

Were it me..... I would shoot the blue off it and smile the whole way.

Just say'n.

Mine pre 28 gets shot but it has a lot more character then yours. But that's what they were made for!!!

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The fact that it's like new just means you shouldn't have any reliability issues while you shoot it!!! Don't abuse it, and it should never give you problems.

If the gun is actually "as-new" with box, tools & paperwork, I would delegate it to safe queen status. There are just so many shooter grade guns out there if you just "have to". Why take one of the dwindling number of collectible grade guns and degrade it's condition?

Most of these folks who say no matter what the circumstance, guns are made to be shot so shoot it have zero concept of collectible guns and for that reason, they almost universally don't own any collectible guns. I've made this analogy before; clothes are made to be worn so...... wear a white tuxedo to change the oil on your car.

Bruce

I wouldn't. It's too nice to take the chance of scratching it or dinging the grips.

Just one noticeable flaw from an accident and it's ruined for life as a perfect survivor.

These "in nice shape" are getting hard to find.

Save it - and be proud for having a safe queen.

Never fired after all these years? Don't shoot.

Been shot a little? Keep shooting it! I had the same issue with a K-38 I bought. Although I wasn't 100% sure it had been shot, I convinced myself it had and I've put a few through in in the year I've owned it.

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Psalm 27:2

Nice problem to have. Mine is nice, but obviously fired when I got it. I've shot it quite a bit, and enjoyed cleaning it just as much. It still looks as good as when I bought it.

If the gun has no particular sentimental value to you, sell it to a collector for $1200-$1500. Buy a shooter grade for $600-$700. Buy lots of ammo with what's left over, shoot, enjoy. I would posit that a nice shooter grade 28 is a far superior revolver to any brand new 27. Not to mention less expensive.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

This one gets shot, but it has a few more miles on it than yours...





... oh yeah... and it is a "newer" one - you know one of those 4-screw dealios.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

^^^^^THIS^^^^^^

It makes absolutely no sense to take a 62 year old gun in pristine "as-new" condition and shoot it just for the sake of shooting it IMO!!!

Bruce

My pre-28 Highway Patrolman is a great shooter, and tougher than, not only nails, but the keg they came in. There was no doubt it had been shot when I bought it and I'll shoot it til I can't get to the range...

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Join the NRA today

What year 1954? Or 55?

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Ok I'm voting for shooting it but I must say if I had an unfired new in the box condition firearm like that I would have to give it some thought but I know me and I would just talk myself right into it .

Very likely 1954.

If you are the original owner and are absolutely convinced it is unfired, personally I would leave it as is. However, someone at the factory shot it at least three times, and you would just be following up with a few rounds if you did too . Handle it carefully and your heirs will never know the difference. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Shoot it! what is sad, are all the very sweet nice old guns laying around because someone is trying to round up all the toys...

then to rub salt in our wounds they post all these pictures on the S&W forum to make everybody else "want one" or maybe want theirs?

include the sad admonition that this will "Never get Shot"?? the Bible sell to "lay up your treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust doth not corrupt".

so, you're 65, time to get your affairs in order with the Lord, enjoy that very pretty S&W, and decide who will be the Worthy that gets to enjoy that S&W when you've gone on to be with the Lord! LOL

Punching a little paper is a great way to keep your eye hand coordination, and your mind sharp. Better yet if there is someone in your family that will inherit this beautiful toy,,, invite them along and make some memories.

If its your wife, son, daughter, or grandchild,, put it in writing to make sure that whoever you want to be its next caretaker knows that, and ends up with it...

How many of these beautiful old guns will go to a "dealer" to whom your wife will reveal these treasures, purchase them for a nominal fee and put them back on the market, pocketing the "premium" they are worth?

I'm not a fan of by-passing Sons to pass on to Grand-sons?? but I would encourage all to share their gift while you are both able to enjoy it!

I'm on board with both sides of the fence here....
The econo-gun that Highway Patrolman/M28's were, were definitely made to be shot and used.

On the OTHER hand, you've been gifted with a unique opportunity - to seek out and find a more-used 'stand-in' HP/M28 for real use.

Fun part? - You get to make that choice!

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

As more of a collector than a shooter, I would vote to save it for a future collector to enjoy. As others have said, yes they were made to shoot but if you have one that is all original with box, tools and paperwork, why not keep it that way for some future collector to enjoy???

There are plenty of used model 28's and 27's available if you feel the need to shoot one but if you are merely shooting it because you are aging and want to beat someone else to it, then I don't see the logic.

If you owned a really old stamp in your stamp collection that had rare value because it was kept in original condition, would you use it to mail a letter just because you are aging????

Again it is your gun and you can do whatever you choose to do with it but since you asked, that is my opinion. There are only a few NIB S&W's still out there to find and to a collector it is like finding the holy grail of gun collecting. Why take that away from some future collector when there are other options available.

My .02

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James Redfield
LM #497

There's two kinds of guns in this world my friend. Shooters and keepers. I agree with BruceM above. That's a "keeper". How many pristine examples of revolvers of that vintage exist? How many of us are fortunate enough to own such a fine piece? (not me!!) I think that anyone fortunate enough to own such a piece has an obligation to preserve it in its current state. JMHO of course.

Keep it and find a 28-2 shooter. Heck, I'll sell you my S-prefix 28-2 4"!
Here's my first year HP from 1954. It's been shot, but is considered my "keeper" HP.
HP 114081 1954.jpg

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

I'd rather have this gun than one that's NIB with papers and such. And that's the truth.

I would think that most of the people that bought those guns 65 years ago bought them to use so I don't see why not use them now.
In 1965 I bought a Colt Python and it went out of the house every day with me for 40 some years and it shows it. A few years ago I gave it too my son so I could see him enjoy it. He is more proud of it than he would be than if I gave it too him unfired. The difference in the money of it in the used condition or unfired condition won't make any difference in his next meal or any other payments.
A couple of years ago I bought an unfired 3 1/2 in., 27-2 with all the papers, tools, box and original receipt. If I had bought it in 1980 I would have shot so I bought a holster and have been using it.
My thoughts are use and enjoy it. Larry

Shoot away, I just bought a 27-2 5" a little while ago, it may have been unfired, I took care of that the next day. It has become my favorite revolver. Life is too short for safe queens.

Shoot it or not, that is up to you. Great HP, but the box is at least ten years newer than the revolver (in case you were unaware).

Bill

Great catch Doc. I was so eager to post my answer that I never even noticed the Bangor Punta box that is from the mid 60's to mid 80's time frame.

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James Redfield
LM #497

If you are a collector, my vote is to not shoot it. Too many guns out there to shoot already.

Question: Why have you NOT shot it all these years? You can place it on GB and get the most bang for the gun. Why come here and question after all this time?

Nice gun. Many would love to keep it unmolested, and many would like to shoot it. What's with the box?

Oops wrong box,gotta go back to attic find yellow box. Life is to short not to enjoy. I have 3 sons to pass the torch to. Have a few safe gueens to shoot . Just shot my unfired Colt peacemaker from the late 1980's. Boy that is fun! Not running no museum anymore.

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