I was in my local gun shop a week ago last Saturday, and had a chance to buy this old Highway Patrolman (Model 28-2) serial number S223XXX made about 1961-62 for $450. As I was checking it out there were several other persons eyeing it as well, and in a split second decision I told the shop owner I'd take it. The revolver is in very good shape considering it's age, but after thinking about it, I realized when new this gun was probably around a $100 and maybe $15 more for the target grips. Man has inflation gone crazy. Paying almost 4X the original price, and not getting the original box or paperwork with it, and the wrong kind of target grips. The front face of the cylinder has an "H" and an "L" stamped on it, which indicates change of thread on the extractor rod and dull finish. The bore is bright and shinny and the action is very smooth. The questions are, Did I buy it right, or not? And would you have paid $450 for this old war horse?

Well considering that just the stocks are worth $4-500...

Nice score!

Well, a 1957 Chevy Bel-Air new cost a lot less than they do today. Or and 1963 Chevy split window Corvette..ya done good!

The envelope please-
No, not that one, the correct one.
And the answer is- YES!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

You betcha ! All day long for that price.

Nice cokes-the gun was free

You are kidding.....right?

Silly,silly question.All day We would.!!!!!

That's an immediate buy.

I couldn't pull out my wallet fast enough!

Well done.

Roger aka Mr. Wonderful

It may not be worth it to you, but I'd pick it up like a magnet.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

This



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Cuad

Unfortunately at that price I think that you got severely hosed. Since I really hate to see any fellow S&W collector take a beating, I will offer to take it from you for what you paid for it and your only loss will be the shipping cost to me.


Seriously, any S&W N frame that was not used as a boat anchor is worth $500 all day long in my opinion. Of course, that's my opinion and others may vary.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Great deal! The grips are worth more than you paid for the 28. Your 28-2 appears in nice shape and would easily bring more than you paid sans the Coke grips in my area. You got a once in a lifetime buy.

Are you trying to be funny? Making a joke? Or just torturing us by showing off your sweet new Model 28?

Would I pay $450? Sure, just tell me where to send payment!!

Well bought.

well anyone with eyes and a pulse would have bought that in a second...that was a steal...very well done...

This is from S&W's 1961 product catalog which is sitting in front of me. Prices are effective May 1, 1961.

You've probably gotten the message by now, but yeah, you done good. Real good. Congrats.

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Retired Dep Sheriff & Armorer

I give you permission to feel warm and fuzzy. You scored big time.

I'd pay $450 for a Highway Patrolman in a heartbeat. It's been a long time since I saw even a beater Model 28 for under $500. My first gun was a '61-'62 vintage Model 28 6". The Highway Patrolman is one of the best revolvers there is, you can never have to many.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

I don't believe that it makes sense to question paying more today for a gun in good shape that cost only $100 in 1961. Best thing to do if you are ever in this situation again is to use a Consumer Price Index(CPI) table and see what a 1961 dollar would be worth today.

You're annoying

This is especially annoying to me (not your fault ) because it reminds me of my worst gun mistake:

2009, G-Broker, S-Prefix 28 w/4" BBL wearing MINT Cokes, auction completed @ $498 and no bids from SLT223.....

Take 3 guesses, the first 2 dont count!

My wallet would have probably caught on for taking it out of my pocket so fast... Great buy, sometimes you just have to pull the trigger quick on great finds like that.

No, they are not kidding. The "Coke" grips shown, which can be considered enhanced target grips, with the enlarged checkered area and a shape akin to a Coke bottle, feel better in the hand and are somewhat rare. AND, very pricey.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

You paid $450 for $1200+ worth of revolver.

Used to be you could get a 28-2 easily and for around $400, those days are over. Now a 28-2 is rare to find and when you do they are @ $700.

The cokes, unobtanium and easily $4 ~ 5 hundred.

Because I'm feeling generous today, I'll see JSR's deal AND I'll pay the shipping.

Yes, and what SPEEDGUNNER said. And don't worry about the dull finish, that's the way it is supposed to be.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Muley, I was referring to the question as to whether $450 was too much to pay, i am well aware of the value of "Coke" grips. Try to keep up. (just yankin' your chain)

You did great. Don't have anything else to add. The grips....the gun....the price, damn. Good stuff.

"Would You Pay $450 For This?"
Yes.

"And Why Or Not?"
Because it's a $500-550 gun with a $300-400 set of Special Target Stocks.

You must be looking at too many 1st Generation S & W autos. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

You got SCREWED!!

But in the interest of helping fellow members and being a man of the people like I am, I will take it off your hands for $400. Of course you will have to pay shipping and the FFL transfer fee.

Great gun you got there. I'm not sure, someone else here will be able to tell you more, but I don't think 28's ever came with coke grips. If it were mine, I would replace those grips and put them away then shoot that gun a lot. I haven't seen one yet that wasn't a great shooter. Good luck!

I do believe that was op's intent. Nice. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

uhhhhhhhhhhhhh...............yup... yes....you bet

I know model39 is pulling our collective legs, he knows quite well what that gem is worth, and that's fine with me!!

Great buy....and thanks for choosing this way to share with us. I'm always happy to see a fellow forum member make a great buy!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

My only response - Congratulations!

No, I would not buy that for $450. I don't care for M28 with a 6" barrel or those sharp pointy target grips. I do have a M28-2 with 4" barrel and smooth after-market finger groove grips.

Yes, the gun is in excellent condition and the grips are collector grade grips. This doesn't change the fact that I have no desire to own one.

WOW, WHAT A BARGAIN. You done good. Congratulations.

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S&WHF 366

I paid $415.00 OTD for a M28-2 with rubber grips about 3 years ago. I'll swap grips with you.

"The questions are, Did I buy it right, or not? And would you have paid $450 for this old war horse?"
Surely you jest.

The sense of humor on this forum can be obnoxious at times.
"oh, look, I got a 2kt diamond for $20. Did I get screwed?"

I sold a set of those grips at an on line auction a couple of years ago for $800.00. Two guys wanted them really bad and one of them won them. I've never seen them go that high before or after.

The CC would have been out fast - VERY fast !

At that price I'd buy it for the grips no matter what gun they were on.

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John

I think our friend Model39 is being coy. He's a SWCA member so I think he knows what kind of smokin' deal he got...

And FWIW, I think $450 would be a bargain for the Cokes OR the gun. I sold a pair of Cokes that weren't as nice as those for $500 on GunBroker last year...

Just come out and brag, no need to ask if you got a deal, you know you did, we know you did and anyone that reads this thread will know it. The only one who does not know it is the guy that sold it to you, he got taken to school on what he had.......

About 8 dollars in today's dollars.........

My thoughts exactly. I really like the old timers on this forum, and I love seeing the guns they own, but threads like this....

Of course, a couple of years ago, my dad gave me his first year issue Highway Patrolman, free of charge....but it's been refinished. What do you guys think? Is it worth the space it takes up in my gun safe?

Seriously though, thanks for posting pics of that beautiful old gun.

Depends on the round count and what the gun looks like with the stocks removed. : )

How's the cylinder timing? That's often worn on N-frame .38 and .357 guns, as the hand has to shove a heavy cylinder around. K and L-frame guns have smaller cylinders that hold timing better. The N-frame was designed for .44 Special ammo, and with the wider holes for the chambers, timing is not the issue it is when the gun is chambered for smaller .357 ammo.


In today's world, where a good gunsmith who can work on revolvers is rare, worn cylinder timing is more of an issue than for a cop 30 years ago who could just have his department armorer correct timing or cylinder endshake problems.


If you can even find the right gunsmith, he may charge $100 or more for such services.


IF the timing and other basic issues are okay, yes, I'd deem $450 a good price. The Coke style grips are a separate issue, but would surely seal the deal. But I think I'd keep them on the gun, not rush to sell them.


I have a Safariland M-29 holster, black, green suede lined and basket-stamped, for a N-frame S&W. That is ideal for open carry of this gun, and I wouldn't put it in a safe!


The Coke grips aside, I might spend that money on a nice M-686 or Ruger GP-100 and have stainless construction.


I've owned several six-inch M-28's and they are easy to shoot well. Using Remington 158 grain JSP and JHP .357 ammo, I've fired groups at 25 yards that often had all six holes touching. That's about as well as I can shoot. Or, I could shoot that well then, when I made it to the range several times a month.


A six-inch M-28 with those grips and the holster that I described is an excellent outdoorsman's gun.


Yes, I'd buy it.

Listen, I'll toss you an extra $100 and pay the shipping & FFL fees on both ends.......... See, we both WIN! You make a quick easy C-note and I pick an old clunker of a gun....with the 6" that I don't have!!!! LOL!!!

You bought an $ 800 gun for $ 450 , and you want to know if you
did ok ?

Lewis