Model 28-2

Bayou52 · #1 08-01-2018, 07:15 PM

About 6 weeks ago, I bought a Model 28-2, # N561XXX, from a fellow shooter. The finish was quite rough, but I shot it very accurately. There was quite significant pitting at the muzzle and on the cylinder along with some worn bluing. I decided this piece was going to be a keeper/shooter.

I determined that the Patrolman needed a facelift for my own personal gratification, as I'm going to keep it. I'm wholly unconcerned about resale value, quite frankly.

For fulness of discussion, I paid $400 for the 28-2 - this was the seller's asking price. I did not negotiate the price, as I felt it was fair, to me at least.

I brought the Patrolman to my LGS for a facelift. I would like to share the before and after pics:

The cost of the facelift surgery was $185. For me, money was well spent. I'm satisfied with the result.

Most of the pitting was removed. A couple of very minor pit spots remain as the smith said too much surrounding metal would have to be removed to completely eliminate them thereby leaving deformities in the surface.

So, I've put $585 into this one, and I'm pleased to look forward to many years of recreational target shooting with it.

Just sharing this story..

Bayou52

Arquebus357 · #2 08-01-2018, 07:37 PM

That's a very nice job. I like to do my own rust bluing but my results are not as nice as that.

$185 well spent indeed.

billwill · #3 08-01-2018, 07:39 PM

Nice looking job. Enjoy that one.

Bayou52 · #4 08-01-2018, 08:00 PM

Thank you, gentlemen!

Bayou52

jonh1373 · #5 08-01-2018, 08:27 PM

Money well invested.
Would you care to share the name of the shop that did you refinish work?

BaldEagle1313 · #6 08-01-2018, 08:30 PM

That's not much more than you'd pay a person to completely detail a full sized SUV. I think it looks great.

RobertJ. · #7 08-01-2018, 08:37 PM

A collector might wag his finger, but I think it was a great move. Beautiful gun!

Bayou52 · #8 08-01-2018, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonh1373

Money well invested.
Would you care to share the name of the shop that did you refinish work?

Surely - the smith is in Slidell, LA. He's performed numerous & various projects/jobs for me. All have been fairly priced. And all have been performed with significant skill and expertise. I could share his name by PM.

sigp220.45 · #9 08-01-2018, 08:55 PM

Good job! That old soldier will give you many years of service.

I used to live in Slidell. I really miss it.

loc n load · #10 08-01-2018, 08:55 PM

Having buffed and refinished my share of revolvers in years past. IMO you got a bargain on the refinish, and he did a very nice job.
I have a twin to that one that I have carried and shot since 1973. They are great revolvers, enjoy your’s.

Bayou52 · #11 08-01-2018, 08:58 PM

Thank you, gentlemen, for all of your frank and kind remarks and observations.

STCM(SW) · #12 08-01-2018, 09:13 PM

Looks like a great 357 magnum to me.
Sold my 6" M28-2 a few years ago and it didn't look that good!

ameridaddy · #13 08-01-2018, 09:37 PM

That's impressive, especially at that price. You done real good!

Joed49 · #14 08-01-2018, 10:49 PM

I've always been big on refinishing a challenged revolver. Most have been sent back to the mothership and one was done local.

You got a bargain.

jonh1373 · #15 08-01-2018, 11:00 PM

Hard to tell from the photos but I suspect the color is more of a black than blue?

Bayou52 · #16 08-02-2018, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonh1373

Hard to tell from the photos but I suspect the color is more of a black than blue?

Yes, it is. Thanks!

Bayou52

stansdds · #17 08-02-2018, 07:19 AM

That turned out great!

Bayou52 · #18 08-02-2018, 07:28 AM

Gentlemen -

I'm very appreciative of all of your kind remarks. It's refreshing to know that although I undertook this refinish job solely for the benefit of gratifying my own eyes, that others, more experienced than myself, share my feelings about it as well.

Thanks again!

Bayou52

Joed49 · #19 08-02-2018, 11:17 AM

Bayou52, I have no idea why there is a mentality of not refinishing a gun in most people, I certainly don't have it. In Europe most people send their guns in for refurbishing when needed, but people in the US freak out about it.

I won't own a ragged looking gun and have had any that were finish
challenged redone. That's a great looking gun and you're happy, that's what counts.

Bayou52 · #20 08-02-2018, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joed49

Bayou52, I have no idea why there is a mentality of not refinishing a gun in most people, I certainly don't have it. In Europe most people send their guns in for refurbishing when needed, but people in the US freak out about it.

I won't own a ragged looking gun and have had any that were finish
challenged redone. That's a great looking gun and you're happy, that's what counts.

Thanks, Joed49 - your nice comments reinforce my own sentiments on refinishing certain firearms! In some instances, it's just plain called for...

Bayou52

kraynky · #21 08-02-2018, 12:00 PM

I agree about the turned up noses when a refinish is mentioned. I also happen to like the looks of a gun with honest wear. It means that someone loved it enough to keep & use it. Rust is a totally different issue to me. It shows lack of love and care, and removing it & refinishing is like removing a cancer.

I'd be proud to own that one too. In fact, I have a cosmetically challenged model 17 that I would gladly spend $200 on to make it as nice. It's already "not collectable grade", and a re-finish would make it so nice. Congratulations!

Narragansett · #22 08-02-2018, 01:42 PM

Beautiful gun! I have a 4" and 6" model 28. I know they are not as fancy as a 27, or have as many barrel/trigger options, but with the exception of the 29, the 28 is my favorite N frame. Actually one was my first revolver. Enjoy!!!

Bayou52 · #23 08-02-2018, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraynky

I agree about the turned up noses when a refinish is mentioned. I also happen to like the looks of a gun with honest wear. It means that someone loved it enough to keep & use it. Rust is a totally different issue to me. It shows lack of love and care, and removing it & refinishing is like removing a cancer.

Well said, kraynky!

Bayou52

CJSmith · #24 08-02-2018, 03:57 PM

I have a hard chromed 25-5 that I don’t have to worry about damaging the original finish. As mentioned earlier, a gun with rust needs to remedied one way or another so might as well make it look nice and shiny.

lazarus66 · #25 08-02-2018, 04:19 PM

Highway Patrolman. Sweet.

Bayou52 · #26 08-03-2018, 09:26 AM

Once again, thanks to all for the benefit of your replies. Each of them is greatly appreciated!

Bayou52

vrichard · #27 08-03-2018, 07:23 PM

This H.P.was S&W factory refinshed in 8/80,(38 years ago)
Dick

Bayou52 · #28 08-03-2018, 07:55 PM

Vrichard -

Factory did a great refinish job! 38 years later, she still looks very clean!

Thanks -

Bayou52

MrG5122 · #29 08-04-2018, 01:41 PM

If they're numbered to the gun have DWFan freshen up those grips and she'll be perfect!

Bayou52 · #30 08-04-2018, 02:52 PM

MrG5122 - I agree with your suggestion. It appears that those grips were varnished at some point in their lives.

I was going to strip them and do a proper refinish. I haven't yet taken them off to check the numbers. I hope they are true to the gun!

BTW, I'm not familiar with DWFan. Would you or anyone have contact info for him? Sounds like he does good grip work forom your post. Perhaps that's a way to consider, too.

Thanks for any info...

Bayou52

sonora · #31 08-04-2018, 04:43 PM

It's legacy is lost and value always diminished.

KalamazooKid · #32 08-04-2018, 06:55 PM

Beautiful gun - that’s a keeper for sure at a great price! Enjoy it!

GyMac · #33 08-04-2018, 09:45 PM

Very nice! I would probably try a Tyler T grip on it.

Hawg Rider · #34 08-05-2018, 08:25 AM

Bayou52: +1 for DWFAN. Doesn't look like a major effort for him to freshen up those stocks, and it'll make a world of difference. He does excellent work. You can send him a PM through the Forum and he usually responds very quickly.

Bayou52 · #35 08-07-2018, 07:58 PM

Thanks, Hawg, for the info!

Bayou52

ExRanger714 · #36 08-07-2018, 08:49 PM

Here's what S&W charges $170 for. Mine's blacker than blue and matte. I like yours better!

Bayou52 · #37 08-07-2018, 08:55 PM

^^^^Very interesting, ExRanger. You have an attractive Hwy Patrolman!

I like your grips, too.

Did matte finishes come original from the factory on some of these 28s? Were they by special order perhaps?

Thanks for posting!

Bayou52

ExRanger714 · #38 08-07-2018, 10:02 PM

Thanks Bayou!

It was not a polished blue I've read and been told. Mine was brown when I got it. I hadn't seen one in years and had never seen many period.

FWIW there's a "Help-28-2 now pile of parts UPDATE and thanks" and "28-2 back from S&W" thread. I sent it in without stocks and they threw those in for free.

NCBeagle · #39 08-08-2018, 12:05 AM

I think it looks great. Well done.

Did the same thing a few months ago. Bought a cosmetically challenged but mechanically sound 28-2 for $300 and had it round butted and bead blast blued.

These are all “after” pictures. It was so pathetic that I took it to the refinisher about 20 minutes after purchase.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bayou52 · #40 08-08-2018, 05:44 AM

Really nice, NCBeagle! The round but really makes your piece stand out and apart. I think your wooden grips are particularly attractive.

I see that matte style, or bead blasted, finishes are very popular in these models.

Good job!

Bayou52