All,

About ten days ago I received my 4-inch 1975-vintage Model 28-2 back from 'Art' at the Performance Center.

For full disclosure, 'Art' has previously worked on my 3-1/2 inch Model 27-3 project, where he installed a 1950s 3-1/2 inch barrel onto a 1987 Model 27-3 that had a 6-inch barrel. Many said it couldn't be done, but 'Art' proved them wrong. It was not only done, but it is my nicest and most-cherished revolver.

Getting back to the 28-2, I spoke with the lovely Roz Sousa at S&W Customer Service. Roz and I spoke about the the project and she again recommended 'Art' to do the job. After several days, she sent me an e-mail that 'Art' would in fact do the work and for me to send it in with their pre-paid FedEx label. It couldn't be easier.

After 4-5 weeks, I got a call from 'Art' detailing some of the things that needed addressing and a general verification of the scope-of-work on the old gal. 'Art' told me that she needed refitting in addition to the refinish. The OTD cost was a reasonable $323.

After I paid the bill via a USPS M/O (from my hidden gun slush fund...), I got the gun back in 2 weeks. All told it was about 8 weeks. Reasonable for the work he performed.

When I received the gun, I was VERY impressed at the amount of work that 'Art' and his Team members in the Performance Center did to the piece.

They replaced the cylinder stop, hand, center pin, springs, front ejector rod locking lug and turned the barrel 1-2 degrees (ostensibly to tighten the B/C gap). The gun is 'Right as Rain' and shoots 158 (and 125) grain bullets into a tight cluster.

I have a set of Culina (Kurac) English Walnut Magnas in a matte oil finish with a matte T-Grip to give a venerated appearance. Unfortunately, the bulbous top of the Magna doesn't work too well with speed loaders. For this reason, I switched to the Deacon Deason Bear Hug grips (re-crafted by Tedd Adamovich at Blu Magnum Grips) made to the Skeeter Skelton format. They feel great (like the Magnas), but allow for the N-Frame Safariland COMP I .357 speed loaders to properly index into the charge holes.

For some, you may notice a slight luster to the Highway Patrolman blue. 'Art' specified the utilitarian Brush Blue to the piece. I gave it a rub down with FLITZ to give a slight sheen to the attractive Brush Blue. It's perfect.

She is now an heirloom-quality revolver with a deliciously smooth DA stroke at around 8 lbs. I don't use SA, so I can't tell you what it runs, but I'd imagine that it's smooth and light. 'Art' also radiused and polished the trigger face for DA work. Absolutely perfect .357 wheelgun!

Very nice!

Beautiful.

A couple of questions from a beginner.

OTD?

B/C gap? (barrel/cone?)

Target,

Sorry. OTD= Out The Door
B/C gap (Barrel to Cylinder gap)

Wow. It looks better than a cheap date on payday. Probably feels better, too. Well done, sir.

To say that you have a very nice revolver there is an understatement. I have a hunch several folks may be looking in the back of their safe after viewing your post, and calling S&W this week.

Thanks for sharing the pics! Do you happen to have any 'before' photos?

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- Post No Bills -

I just finished cleaning my 28-2 4". It is my all time favorite! Smooth as glass. My Dad had one when I was a kid and I've always wanted one. I picked this one up on Gunbroker 6 months ago. It came with 600 rounds of factory 357 and a speed loader for $550.

Thanks, gtop. I was close.

I'd love to send them one of my m28 no dash and let them go through it and nickel it.

Very nice work. When Art replaced the barrel on your 27, did he pin it? Any pics of that?

Oh yeah ... I'm one of 'those' folks! I'd love to send mine in for a tune-up and refinish some day.

gtopcop,

Thanks for posting about your experiences with performance center. I just recently picked-up a 28-2 for a very unreasonable low price. She is in desperate need of a makeover. Until your post I was on the fence about what to do. No longer, she is going back. My greatest thanks, hardcase60

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You want me to do what?

How and where does the S&W PC stamp a reno like yours? Just for reference.

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Wow! It came out great and $323 is a terrific price for the work AND the refinish. I like that they kept the original vibe while snazzing it up a bit, very nicely done. She's a keeper!

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

All,

Regret the delayed response. Been a CRAZY day at Camp Pendleton today. At any rate, here's the items that many of you asked about.

--The 27-3 wasn't drilled for the pin. The original 6-inch barrel had to be cut off (due to the 'crush fit' of the barrel). I enclosed pics of what she looked like after Art's great work.

--Below is the "Before" shots of the 28-2

--MuleyGil: Yes. They are shown below.

--As for the stamping, I can't see where they stamped it. I'll ask the question, however.

I'm VERY pleased at the way the 28-2 came out. S&W has done many guns for me in the past. Their work has been top flight.

How can i get this guy to work on my guns?

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Two McFlys, with the same gun

I'm also having my NYSP Model 28-2 refinished by S&W. Just yesterday I received the estimate back from S&W, approved it, and sent it back to Springfield. Looks like Art prepared my work order as well and is sched to do the work. Estimate indicated turn barrel (eroded @ forcing cone), reset gap, refinish to original highway patrol brushed blue, complete check and test fire. I'm pretty excited after seeing how yours came out. Also, having the extractor/ejector rod, R/R and W/O replaced. Thinking I'll have it back before the end of March.

Gorgeous gun! I'm on the hunt for a nice 28, just haven't found the one yet. Now to find the right gun!

Excellent work on a great pair of revolvers!

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John
S&WCA Life Member

My '61 28-2 6" is at S&W now for a re-finishing. Hope it comes out as nice. Having it re-nickeled, don't know if it was nickel originally, but finish was pretty old looking, although the gun seems to have been fired very little. Very tight, locks up great, and about a 2 lb. s/a trigger. Haven't had a quote yet, but they told me a re-finish would run about $275. May have it taken back to blue if it makes it worth more, but I love a nice nickel plated gun. Bought a pair of rosewood Altamont target grips w/logo, waiting for their daddy to come back home.

why is this guys name "Art" in quotation marks in your original post, is that not his real name.

I like the grips on the 27, very nice

What do these stand for?

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Two McFlys, with the same gun

He's talking about the sights

R/R = red ramp
W/O = white outline

Theoak84,

Easy. E-mail Roz Sousa ([email protected]) and apprise her of the work to be done and specify "Art" (yes, that's his real first name...) to work on your gun. He's been there for 40-years, so he knows his revolvers.

Hope this helps!

Great work done by a professional.

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Sure you did