Came across a model 28-2 4" today at the LGS. Brief inspection showed it to be in at least 95% or better condition in my estimation. They had it priced at $799 (yes, that's seven hundred ninety nine american dollars). Holy sticker shock Batman! Of course the salesman stated "We can do a little better than that". He checked with management and told me they'd let it go for $589 plus tax and background fee; OTD would be just under $630. I know that's a high price, but I'd really like to have it. What sort of things should I check out and / or research? I've seen posts regarding manufacture date in relation to serial number, serial number printed on the inside of grips, number of screws on the sideplate, etc. Any advice from the revolver gurus would be grealty appreciated.

11/05/11 Update
I have succumbed to temptation. The 28-2 that has been calling my name for the past two and a half weeks followed me home this evening. The manager on duty at the store actually had the nerve to accept my offer. Why did he do that? Now I have to buy it! Why do I do these things? I hate myself. Oh, woe is me. Anybody know of any support groups out there for this sort of thing? I've heard of a little known obscure web site called smith-wessonforum.com that's supposed to be a decent place for recovering gun nuts.

Attached Images

	Model 28 #1.jpg (51.8 KB, 253 views)
	Model 28 #2.jpg (46.6 KB, 270 views)

If the stocks are original to the gun, they'll be numbered inside the right-hand stock. If the revolver was made prior to ca. 1968, the stock will have the diamond centers.

Check the lockup by cocking the hammer, holding the hammer back and pulling the trigger. The cylinder should not have any appreciable turn, and no front-to-back play (end shake).

A Model 28-2 should have three screws on the right side plate.

Check for rust beneath the stocks, pitting in the barrel; all the usual check points.

Good luck.

A 4" early 70's, ANIB went for over $800.00 on GB tonight.....
I didn't get it.

Semper Fi

Doesn't sound too bad to me, but then I paid $650.00 for my 4", 28-2 a few months ago. It did come with the box and at least some of the papers. It seems to be in pretty good condition.



I buy most of mine too soon I suppose.

Not long after this one I found a 6" "S-Prefix" from 1968 for $400.00. It did have a big scratch on the cylinder. No box or papers.

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John 3:16 .

I have a 28-2, ser no S 250,000 that I'd sell for 750 plus shipping. Lettered to a S&W employee. Nice gun. That 28-2 seems a little high to me. Larry

MIST,

If it's a good gun (I just got one for $550), it's a small price to pay.

The Model 28s are wonderful guns. Sounds like you got a nice one.

I am very happy with mine and would like another. The bad things is that 'Mama Bear' doesn't want another.

Good luck with your purchase. You'll look back on it and not regret it. Good shooting!

a few years ago I bought a 28-2 refinished in nickle for 359.00 The finish wrecked the collector value but what a good shooter! If I had the bucks I'd buy a nice one . 750.00 doesn't sound that bad to me if it's in nice shape.

I have found that the prices on the M28-2's have gone through the roof in my area. While I personally think that price is on the high side, it boils down to, if you want it, and can afford it, buy it. Your money. They absolutely great Smiths.

Guys, wake up, 28-2s are NOT $750 guns. Someone must be confusing them with 27-2s.

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Dick

I paid about 750 for my 27-2 and it's finish is flawless.
Most the 28-2's in my area look a little rough so the price isn't close.
I'd get another collector grade if I was trying to spend 800.

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

Maybe you don't think so. I don't know that I think so, but it wasn't too long ago, I was being told they weren't $650.00 guns either.

27-2's where I shop are $950.00 guns. If you see them.

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John 3:16 .

Who would have thought prices would have escalated so much when I bought mine new in 1977 for $190. Never thought about saving the box or papers back then. Instantly put target grips with target hammer and trigger. Still got the orginal grips. The hammer and trigger laid around in the junk drawer for years. No telling where they are now.
Of course no where near new condition now. A few years of wearing it while a LEO and rolling in the dirt/asphalt will take its toll.

The first thing I'd check is if it's an S or N prefix gun
The S being more desireable

And thus, we continue to create our own inflation.
Problem is, we are looked up to on the internet as the experts on what WE are willing to pay and others follow suit and then some people complain about the escalating prices over the last few years. With the internet we no longer live in a closed vacuum.

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Dick

agree $750 is very high. A couple months ago i bought a 4 inch S series dating to 1961, everything matching and in 95-97% condition for $500, shipped!

they are great guns. keep a close watch and you can find a good one for a good one in the $450-$550 range.

And here I was feeling like I had stretched a little putting $350 into a 4" M28 I just picked up a few weeks back. It had been a duty gun and looked it. Internals perfect and tight as can be.
Guess $350 wasn't too bad.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Seems a little high to me. I picked up a like new M27 off the forum a while back for $550.

CC

Problem is, they aren't making any more of them. I bought mine, a 1976 model, new in the box in the mid eighties for $125.00. There's no way I would let mine go for $600.00. Probably not $700.00 either but we're getting close.

I've been following this thread and waiting for a chance to have access to a camera, because I got this 1979 28-2 a week and a half ago from GB for $450. That was the starting bid (no box). I bid on a Sunday and sweated till it ended on Wednesday, and nobody bid against me. Shocking. The gun is about 99% -- a hint of muzzle wear, and that's it -- and the undinged black-washer magnas look like they grew on it. I guess I'm saying either (a) there are reasonably priced 28s out there, or (b) God loves me and blinded everyone else for three days. The target stocks were $171 on eBay, so they were more than 1/3 the price of the gun. (I remember when they were practically giving 28s away.) In any case, $650 would seem to be robbery.





BTW, I took a loss on an exc condition HK USP40 to finance this, and felt glad to do it. : )

Great looking 28, gp.
And it's strange - I've had that happen on GB and other auction sites too - a relatively sought-after model that I was pretty sure I'd be outbid on, and ended up getting it for a sorta fair price.
Congrats on getting a nice one. I too, recall when the M28's were categorized as the 'poor man's big .357' and garnered very little attention.
My first one (a 6") was as a early 20-something new to handloading and wanting something to endure the nuclear handloads I was building. Lord does indeed suffer fools.

Oh, and they build H&K plastipistols every day. You made the right decision.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

$450 + shipping two weeks ago!

With the box, you did even better than I did. That's a sweet deal and a beautiful gun. An S-, right?

I find myself taking the 28 out just to look at it. When I was 20, I saw my first Gun Digest, and in those days they had a drawing of a Highway Patrolman, not even a photo. I fell for the proportions, I guess -- the big cylinder and the small grips. When I got the target stocks today, I thought they actually took a little something away from the look, but they're nice for target shooting. I have a tan basketweave Safariland M25 coming for this gun, and I'll carry it with the magnas.

Some nice 28's
I'm picking a 6" up tomorrow to keep little bro happy



OOPS forgot to add this one was 300.

$500 OTD unfired with box and goodies.
[IMG][/IMG]

I think Dick's observations are true for shows in my neck of the woods as well. A nice 28-2 w/o box can be had for $500 -$550 tops. A nice 27-2 w/o box will cost about $700 - 750.

Jerry

They aren't $750 guns just yet, but give them a little time.

It wasn't too long ago that 27-2's were $500 guns, but they have certainly surpassed that mark.

This saying comes to mind:
"You didn't pay too much, you just bought it a little early"

Forgot to add to my post that the gun has been fired and the box, although original to the era, is not original to this particular gun. Yours looks immaculate and you got a heck of a deal on it. Congratulations!

Visited the shop today to shoot a few of my handguns. Afterward I strolled around and sure enough the model 28 is still in the used case. I'd just about made up my mind to buy it and asked for their best price. This time I was told they could let it go for $649. Needless to say I left the store without it. There'll be another one down the road that'll come home with me.

Maybe they've been reading this thread!

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You're shy a few manners.

It's mine. Didn't get a smokin' deal, probably paid too much but don't feel like I was taken to the cleaners. Bottom line; I wanted it.

Attached Images

	Model 28 #1.jpg (51.8 KB, 47 views)
	Model 28 #2.jpg (46.6 KB, 55 views)

That's all that really matters. It's a very nice pistol and will last a life time. In a few years when you tell people what you paid they will think you stole it. BTW, have you shot it yet?

I was really very fortunate on the one that I purchased earlier this year.No box or papers,just a nice barely used revolver.The price of $450 that I paid was exceptional,considering that it was in Ontario, Canada.I really envy you guys to be able to legally buy a 4 inch or under barrel.They are classified as prohibited here,unless grandfathered and eventually they will go the way of the dinosaur.

Haven't shot it yet, but can't wait to get it to the range.

Wow! That is beautiful. And a smoking deal to boot.

Howdy Mist,

Let me help you rationalize this.

I do believe that in my area I might find a M28-2, or even earlier version in the $400 to $500 range if I looked really hard and maybe long.

But I can also find the same gun at $550 or maybe more.

I'm talking in very good condition.

In other states the prices might be more, or less.

But, life is short and sometimes time spent searching as well. Not everyone has the time to hit every possible "gun place".

If you keep that M28 long enough it will be worth what you paid for it. And you will get that money back if you sell it. Try that with your next beach vacation.

Lastly, try to find a revolver of that quality or better brand new manufactured today for the price you paid. As far as that goes try to find ANY modern made revolver that is as well made as any Highway Patrolman, M28, or M28-2.

Congratulations on your purchase.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

I picked up a 6" 28-2 in the box last week at Cabela's for $599.

Thanks. As previously posted my first price quote was $589 plus tax and background fee, second quote a week or so later was $649 plus. Less than a week after that I paid $550 plus. Didn't set any record for deal of the century but I don't feel I was taken to the cleaners either. I did some research on Gunbroker, but the guys in here helped tremendously.

I've got a 28-2 6" unfired serial # N954xxx. The gun has recessed
cylinders, but not pinned. I'm seriouly thinking of selling it, but
havn't decided on price. What's it worth in today's market?

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NRA Life Member/Vietnam Vet

There's a 28-2 4" sitting forlornly in the used handgun rack downtown here. $499.00 asking price, most likely will dicker on it, as it's been sitting there for two months now.
Last one I picked up was a 4" S-frame for $250.00 OTD, couple years ago.
I just brought home Dad's 6" that we bought for him in 1970 for $96.00 with the employee discount from my part time job, + 3% Idaho sales tax. Spent most of it's time in a good case, and I don't think Dad had more than two boxes of shells through it. Hated the way I got it, though. I'd rather have my Dad back than his revolver......

I guess the $750 I paid for a 95% 27-3 with box and docs wasn't so bad. I thought I overpaid a little, but if 28's in similar condition are going for this much...............

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

Monday I bought my first 28-2 6in serail#s265xxx in mint condition $530 otd!This is my second rev my other is a GP100 4 in.The 28 has smooth presentation grips.The main reason I bought it was the condition! Also I've been looking for a no lock 586-686.I love the 28 shoots great a lttle heavy but helps absorbs the recoil.I learning about the older smiths now and want a 27 or a 15 would like a 4 in 28 too!