Considering a 28-2

[BC38]

Serial number S291XXX, 4" barrel, with original black-washer magnas numbered to the gun in decent but not perfect condition. Finish is probably around 70%-75% with wear on the muzzle, frame edges, and flutes and about a 1" diameter thin spot in the bluing on the sideplate that pretty much covers the whole area where the S&W emblem is stamped. Mechanically very tight.

Looks like a poster child for the the classic "carried a lot shot a little" LEO gun. Guy behind the counter said he'd sell it to me for $575 tax and all OTD.

I'm just not 100% sure how I feel about a great big ole' holster-carry-only N-frame that doesn't pack any more firepower than my 65-5 or 13-1...

 

[JP@AK]

The way things are going, that really isn't too bad a price for an S prefix 4". But it all depends on how you would feel about its finish-challenged status.
Personal opinion only: I'd much rather have a Highway Patrolman .357 to shoot, even with a rough finish, than either a Model 13-1 or a Model 65-5. Nothing at all wrong with the other two, but the Highway Patrolman has been THE .357 shooter for me for 50 years. I cannot imagine life without a couple of them around.

 

[STCM(SW)]

The way things are going, that really isn't too bad a price for an S prefix 4". But it all depends on how you would feel about its finish-challenged status.
Personal opinion only: I'd much rather have a Highway Patrolman .357 to shoot, even with a rough finish, than either a Model 13-1 or a Model 65-5. Nothing at all wrong with the other two, but the Highway Patrolman has been THE .357 shooter for me for 50 years. I cannot imagine life without a couple of them around.

The way I think also.
Why I have a 4" & 6" just laying around....

 

[BC38]

Not trying to ruffle feathers here but it just kinda seems to me that if you're going to have a gun as big & heavy as an N-frame it ought to be a big bore, or hold 7 or 8 rounds of 357 or something. Shouldn't there be some kind of "bonus" to make it worth packing around all that extra weight?

I've always kinda had the same questions about the K-frames chambered for 6 shots of 22LR. Just seems like a lot of gun to carry for the amount of firepower they offer. Again, if they held 8 or 9 rounds they'd make a lot more sense to me...

 

[CajunBass]

That's not a bad price at all for a Model 28 these days IMHO. I think the Model 28 was the first Smith & Wesson I ever wanted when I was a young fellow and saw one in a GEM store in Richmond.

There might not be a "logical" reason to own one if you already own and like K-frame 357's, but an N-frame 357 is something else. I've owned a couple in the past...sold them...just put another one on layaway.

They just look, feel, and shoot, well, like "serious business" to me.

 

[steelslaver]

That price is a tiny bit on the high side but not much for a finish challenged 28-2. With a bit of patience you should be able to find one nicer condition for the same money, but, they are getting pricier. There is a reason the price on these has been steadily climbing. They are great guns, maybe heavy for everyday carry, but you can shoot the snot out of them with hot 357 loads with little felt recoil and they will keep on ticking way longer than any of the smaller frames. The N frame 357s are a S&W high water mark IMHO.

I am a big bore fan for sure, but I just wouldn't be a Smith guy with out at least 1 N frame 357.

 

[OLDSTER]

HP

YEP ! Regardless of what your primary revolver interests may be, a guy just has to have an HP or two. I've always thought it to be a requirement for a S&W revolver fan So be sure to land at least one

 

[BC38]

I guess I need to find someone with an HP and someone with a K-22 or model 17 and give them a try. Maybe then I'll understand their allure...

 

[DocB]

I don't live on the west coast, but I got this one yesterday for $370. It's at 95% or better and not hard to look at. The way you describe the gun you're looking at, I would just tell the seller he was crazy and needed to find another job. I try to avoid guns that look like boat anchors unless they are just super rare.

 

[BC38]

I don't live on the west coast, but I got this one yesterday for $370. It's at 95% or better and not hard to look at. The way you describe the gun you're looking at, I would just tell the seller he was crazy and needed to find another job. I try to avoid guns that look like boat anchors unless they are just super rare.

Dude, based on local prices where I live you SCORED big time! In that condition around here you could sell that gun in a heartbeat for $700 all day ANY day.

If I found that one locally for $370 I'd be reaching for my wallet so fast I'd throw my shoulder out of joint.

And FWIW, it doesn't look "like a boat anchor" - at least not to me. Honest wear from being carried and used doesn't make one ugly in my eyes.

 

[BAM-BAM]

YEP ! Regardless of what your primary revolver interests may be, a guy just has to have an HP or two. I've always thought it to be a requirement for a S&W revolver fan So be sure to land at least one

Which is why I have a +95%; 4" 28 in the safe.........W/.......Executioner's Stag grips, Pachmayr T-grip........and a Bianchi 111 cross-draw holster! Just cuss..... never know when your going to need a big, heavy .357 !

I'm a K/L frame guy .....K for "Concealed Karry" and L for open carry and shooting more than 2-3 handfuls of .357 magmuns...

 

[PatriotX]

Here are two great reasons to get a 28-2:

1) The way they shoot; a solid N frame is a reassuring piece of steel to hold, and it helps tame felt recoil nicely with the right grips.

2) The way they look; nothing looks as 'right' to my eyes as a 4-inch N frame. While I know this is highly subjective, I challenge you to find a gun person who will call it ugly.

 

[fyimo]

I'm sorry but at 71 years of age I love shooting a 357 Magnum N frame compared to a 357 Magnum K frame because of the felt recoil. I also like the 357 magnum L frame revolvers with the full barrel under lug for the same reason.

My S serial number Model 28-2

 

[Muss Muggins]

Seems fair enough to me . . .

 

[deyomatic]

Yeah, Doc, $575 seems a bit high based on the description, but your deal really is one in a million. I started hunting dor a 28 about a year ago and $600 is a good deal... You must have robbed the guy for $370!

 

[BigBill]

I think $575 is the high price for a 70%\75% shooter. I think with the wear were looking at $450/$475 tops. The cream is long gone off the top.
Unless u let s&w refinish it.

My dealer offered m28-0 / m28-2 6" for $695 each in 98+% 6"/s serial. He offered the m27-0 blue / m27-2 nickel in 99+ for $795. Three years ago.

 

[BC38]

I think $575 is the high price for a 70%\75% shooter. I think with the wear were looking at $450/$475 tops...

That's kinda what I was thinking too. If it didn't have the big "bald" spot in the finish on the sideplate, the $575 price would be a lot more attractive to me. That would make it more like an 85% finish and I could see paying that much for it.

Since the tag on it says $595 and our local tax rate is 8.7% he's basically knocking $70 off his original asking price to sell it at $575 OTD. I doubt that he's going to come down more than that. At least not until it sits in the case for at least another month or so.

 

[Chukar60]

I have not looked at HP pricing in about 6 months, but that price for a gun in the condition stated seems at least $75 high to me.
N frame 357? I used to think it wa a lot of iron for the round until I got my 4" HP. Very comfortable to shoot magnums out of. As for carry, when I want to pack it around the hills or the ranch, it goes in a shoulder holster. They aren't for everyone, but it is how I prefer to carry my N frames.
Normally, I carry a 4" K frame for those situations, but once in a while the big kids like to go with me.

 

[BC38]

Currently the only "N" frame in my safe isn't even a Smith. It's an Astra Terminator - a six shot 44 mag with a barrel just under 3". For that you NEED the weight of that big steel frame to handle the recoil comfortably.

But I'm not at all uncomfortable with the recoil of even hot 357 magnums in my snubby-est K frame, so the extra weight seems like it would be just that and nothing more - extra weight. Like I said, I'm gonna' have to find someone with one I can shoot so I can see what its like and what you guys are talking about.

 

[deyomatic]

BC38- you might be able to rent a "27 Classic" somewhere to try out the N-frame/ 357 combo. I think they are current production... then find an old one with no lock and P&R.