I have been offered a .357 magnum highway patrolman with 6 inch barrel. It comes with target grips. It has the rear adjustable sights and I am told is in "good" condition.

1. Is this gun a K frame? or?

2. what price range am I looking at, assuming average condition. I am looking for a shooter not a collectable.

3. Any other comments, things of interest?

thanks

it is an "N" frame

selling around here in good condition, around 4-5 hundred dollars.

very solid guns w/a low polish blue.
not all that long ago you could buy one of these and a model 57 or 58 for what you will pay for one model 28 now.
both the 41 mag and the patrolman have acquired star status.

As stated 4-5 hundred. Good price would be under $400. Prices seem to be going up. 4" are usually more desirable. The Highway Patrolman (model 28) was kind of the generic version of the model 27. These are large N frame 6 shot .357 magnums that should handle anything you put in it. A 6" should make a great target shooter with very little recoil when shooting .38 spl. The new production model 327 (alloy or scandium frame) and the stainless 627 now have the cyclinders cut to hold 8 rounds.

More good info. & Pics.

The ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.including N frame ser# ranges

I paid about $650 OTD recently for mine. It was like new with original box and papers.

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Watch & Pray

These are not rare so if it looks kinda beat up you may want to just walk.

The thing is, some people say "good" when the gun is Like New. Others say it's good if the rust hasn't gone all the way through the frame yet.

I do not have the NRA definitions in front of me here but as I recall NRA Good means it is in good functioning order although the finish is well-worn and it may have some rust that does not affect functionality. Most folks don't want any rust at all. Those who can tolerate some rust expect the price to be lowered substantially.

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You're shy a few manners.

How much larger is an N frame than a K frame. I guess I am most interested in the size difference from a gripping standpoint.
thanks

This site may help you with some size comparisons.
A nice Model 28 will serve you well and last forever.


Smith

The grips sizes are basically the same except the N-frame grips are thicker, therefore bigger circumferance, than the K-frame in the thumb-index finger web area at the top.

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Dick

If the price is right and the finish and mechanics suit you I suggest you buy it and shoot it.

Then find a comparable barrel length K-Frame and L-Frame and if available, shoot them as well.

If you like something other than the Highway Patrolman you can easily sell it and might get enough to buy the frame size you want.

Or........you will become like the rest of us and buy all barrel lengths of Highway Patrolmen and then the same in the K and L frames....

AND....then you will have to have ALL of the K and L frames in nickel....AND THEN you will have to have all of the K and L frames in stainless.........

It's real simple, you're not gonna be able to get out of "here" with just one S&W!!

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

I already have several J frames, a model 10, and an M&P 9.

The J frames fit my hand really well. With the right grips I like the Model 10. But since i have small hands I was wondering about the highway patrolman. It was offered to me by a guy I know 1500 miles away, so I can't just pick it up.

but hopefully my LGS will have one I can examine.

3. Any other comments, things of interest?

does the serial # start with S or N

This is one I picked up today

but hopefully my LGS will have one I can examine.

Not Likely

I tried several LGS and none of them had a model 28 or 27. I told the guy I would take it so I guess it just wait and see.

thanks.

There are lots of variations and versions of grips that fit N frame guns. Do some looking around before you get too upset about fitting your hands.

Magna grips like those in post #3 with a Tyler T-grip are a big hit with many. Ahrends, Hogue, Pachmyar and many others offer a plethora of options.

A highway patrolman is a really cool gun to have so that's important.

Secondly the slightly heavier frame makes it easier to hold still. I put Hogue wood grips on mine and it just sits beautifully in my hand without needing to grip it hard which causes shake. Plus being big, it handles heavy .357 loads fine. I shoot extra light .38 wadcutters through mine and LOL it feels like a pop gun.

i got it. serial number S731xx. can someone determine date of shipment. LGS guy said it was 5 screw. 6 inch barrel.

thanks.

1949-1950 born date per Standard Cat of Smith and Wesson, you would need letter to confirm ship date

A 6 inch highway patrolman was the First gun I bought when I turned 21. It was the gun I carried in uniform. It was the gun I competed with in inter departmental matches. When we went to dept issued guns it still was in my briefcase as a backup. You will IMHO love it..