I acquired a model 28-2 recently that has no barrel pin but is recessed? Would this be considered a transitional model or just S&W using up their N frame .357 magnum recessed cylinders?

What does your serial number start with? Does it have an N prefix and the number starts in the 8's or 9's? If so, it most probably is a transitional model where they were using up their stockpile of recessed cylinders. Personally, I much prefer having the recessed cylinder to something with the cartridge rim exposed for aesthetics alone. I think they look better with less air gap between the cylinder and recoil shield. I know it doesn't make the cylinder any stronger, just look better IMO.

BTW, my "Outnumbered" 27-5 which was made in 1990 also has a recessed cylinder but no pinned barrel and the cylinder has the wider cylinder stop cuts of the newer guns. I guess that S&W made a special run of cylinders for that special run of 27's for the 12 Revolvers collection.

The gun in question, serial number N599XXX, was shipped in November of 1981. I have another 28-2 in 4" configuration, N580XXX, that shipped in February of 1981 that is both pinned and recessed. Guess they ran out of pinned barrels sometime between February and November that year.

Yeah, I would guess so. That was right during the transition time when switching over to save some money in manufacturing costs. I forgot about S&W reserving a bunch of serials in the N5XXXXX range for the M28 and M58 revolvers.

It was S&W using up their existing stock of expensive parts. It wasn't just N frame .357's. I have a Model 629 no dash with a recessed cylinder but unpinned barrel. My shooting buddy has it's twin with a pinned barrel but non-recessed cylinder.

Looks like I have a "nonrare" S&W.

Wouldn't surprise me that if you ever removed the barrel you found that the little slot for the pin was cut in. Might depend on which ran out first, the frames with pin holes or barrels with the slot.

On a correct installed barrel the pin does nothing. I have found some variation in how much force it takes to get a barrel loose, on both the pinned and unpinned ones. It takes .0273 of material to complete a 1 in 36 turn. So 5 degrees of turn is only .00038 of material and thats pretty fine and does effect the torque effort to tighten

[QUOTE=steelslaver;139506115]Wouldn't surprise me that if you ever removed the barrel you found that the little slot for the pin was cut in. Might depend on which ran out first, the frames with pin holes or barrels with the slot.

You are absolutely right Steelslaver. I sent an 8 3/8" tubed 629-1 back to the factory for a replacement 5" barrel. I received back the 629-1 with a 5" full under lugged barrel, not pinned of course, and the removed 8" barrel which had previously been cut for a barrel pin. Obviously they had 629 barrels left over when the 629-1 frames began rolling down the assembly line.

Much happier with the N frame with a full lug 5" tube. Very balanced and a pleasure to shoot. Now I mostly shoot 44 specials or 44 Mags with lighter weight bullets.
Previously I had shot thousands of very hot 240 gn 44 Mags in the revolver during the 80's in silhouette competitions. With age I have mellowed and do not feel the need for my hand to sting after every round sent down range. I also do not want to put that much trauma on those wonderful N frame 44's.

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