My First 357 Magnum Revolver: 28-2

[Tilheyra]

UPDATE 2: The new grips/stocks arrived on April 26! Photos are in post 37.

UPDATE: I completed the transfer on April 22nd! Photos are included in post number 20.

I haven't picked it up yet, as it is currently in transit to my FFL, but I am really excited about the Model 28-2 that I have purchased! (edit: I forgot to mention it is the 6" barrel version!)

After wanting a 357 Magnum revolver for a long time, I finally pulled the trigger and purchased one! I also felt it was time to buy a pre-lock Smith & Wesson revolver on top of that. The revolver is pinned & recessed, and also has an N serial number prefix, so both details place it as manufactured between 1969 and 1982.

The revolver currently has Hogue grips on it (I don't think that is original) and is in very good to excellent condition. I paid $685 for it before taxes and shipping. I plan on replacing the grips with Altamont target-style walnut grips that I have separately purchased.

I'll post more information and will include pictures once the revolver arrives and is in my hands!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Congrats on a P&R .357....... everyone should own one........ or more

Hogue's are not original...... most likely factory magna's.


Good price these days....

Grips are a personal choice....... hope you have some .357 ammo in your stash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


good luck!

 

[Capt. F.]

Congrats, you're gonna love it! I have two 4" and a 6".
Great guns.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Yes, a 6 inch M-28 is pretty much an all around revolver. Holds up to sustained shooting of magnums, 38 WCs feel like 22s. Grips are very personal-none of my S&Ws wear them.

 

[Nevada Ed]

It will do well with the factory JSP & JHP loads but you will find out that

lead 158 bullets are a great way to enjoy light weight target loads, also.

Have fun.

 

[rubiranch]

Congratulations. My 28-2 was the very first .357 Magnum that I ever shot.

I used to borrow it from my brother to take hunting, rabbits. This was
back in the late 70s early 80s.

He gave it to me back in 2014 and told me that I was the only one who
had ever shot it.

He put Pachmyar grips on it the 2nd or 3rd time I borrowed it and it was
still wearing them when he gave it to me.

I added these era correct S&W Target stocks. I thought I had the original
Magna grips but a few members here don't think they were so a good
friend is getting me some correct Magna grips for it.

I've shot this 28-2 more than any other gun I own.

edit: I've never fired a single .38 round in this gun, all
.357 Magnum loads. It loves them.

 

[jdlii]

Congratulations on purchasing one of the most underrated S&W revolvers ever made!

Great shooters and superbly accurate!!

 

[19leben]

Congrats on your new acquisition! The Highway Patrolman/M28 is one of my all time most favorite revolvers. There's just something very appealing about the satin finish that really speaks to me. That and the large, somewhat heavy frame makes it an absolute delight to shoot even with full power Magnums. You will definitely enjoy yours!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Seamus O'Caiside]

Great gun at a great price!

Its twin was my first magnum, about 50 years ago, and still my favorite gun.

 

[Hair Trigger]

and also has an N serial number prefix, so both details place it as manufactured between 1969 and 1982.

I'll post more information and will include pictures once the revolver arrives and is in my hands!

Include the first three or four numbers of the SN and we can pin the date a bit closer than that.
N1xxxx----1969-72
N100000-199999---1973
N200000-299999---1974-77
N300000-399999---1975-76
N400000-499999---1977-78
N500000-599999---1978-80
N600000-699999---1979-80
N7 etc----------------1980
N8 etc----------------1980-83
N9 etc----------------1982-86

Catalog says that the last half of N200000 range and most of N500000 was mostly M28 and M58 production.

 

[LostintheOzone]

That's a nice start. My .357's are model 19's. I don't load those anymore with common magnum loads. K frames weren't designed for the wear and tear of magnum loads. N frames were designed for the cartridge and nothing has changed.

That looks like a fair price for a classic.

 

[Pine_Worker]

$685 for a 28-2, very good price. Last 28-2 I bought last year was $700.

 

[Tilheyra]

Congrats on a P&R .357....... everyone should own one........ or more

Hogue's are not original...... most likely factory magna's.


Good price these days....

Grips are a personal choice....... hope you have some .357 ammo in your stash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


good luck!

Fortunately, I have a good amount of 357 magnum ammo for my lever action! I'm willing to part with just enough of it right now to give the 28-2 a nice test run!

 

[Tilheyra]

Include the first three or four numbers of the SN and we can pin the date a bit closer than that.
N1xxxx----1969-72
N100000-199999---1973
N200000-299999---1974-77
N300000-399999---1975-76
N400000-499999---1977-78
N500000-599999---1978-80
N600000-699999---1979-80
N7 etc----------------1980
N8 etc----------------1980-83
N9 etc----------------1982-86

Catalog says that the last half of N200000 range and most of N500000 was mostly M28 and M58 production.

I certainly update with the first three or four digits! I'd love to narrow down the year of manufacture to start learning the history of my new revolver.

 

[Tilheyra]

That's a nice start. My .357's are model 19's. I don't load those anymore with common magnum loads. K frames weren't designed for the wear and tear of magnum loads. N frames were designed for the cartridge and nothing has changed.

That looks like a fair price for a classic.

I wasn't originally looking for an N-frame, but I have been thinking that the 28-2 will be excellent given its durability over the K-frame 13s, 19s, and 65s I had mainly been looking for. The extra weight and heft of the N-frame will be great for me not having fired a 357 Magnum revolver before.

 

[Tilheyra]

$685 for a 28-2, very good price. Last 28-2 I bought last year was $700.

I knew I had to jump at it while I had the chance!

 

[Mrnurse]

My last 28 was a 28-3 4 inch no one wanted because it was a -3...bought on GB 3 years ago ...$500.00 OTD. I started buying 28's back in 1982 when I was on my 2 week USAFR deployment... one of my Squad buds drove up and took his 28-2 4 inch in the glove box, 1 shot 24 rds in the desert and fell in love with it.

 

[3 Olives]

That's a nice start. My .357's are model 19's. I don't load those anymore with common magnum loads. K frames weren't designed for the wear and tear of magnum loads. N frames were designed for the cartridge and nothing has changed.

That looks like a fair price for a classic.

The Model 13/65 doesn't have any problems with .357.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I wasn't originally looking for an N-frame, but I have been thinking that the 28-2 will be excellent given its durability over the K-frame 13s, 19s, and 65s I had mainly been looking for. The extra weight and heft of the N-frame will be great for me not having fired a 357 Magnum revolver before.

I have a 625. I like the weight for range work much better than K frame. Nothing wrong with the K frames, they just beat me up with .357 the way it was meant to be loaded. You surmised correctly, 27 and 28 was designed for the 357 and everything that goes with it.

 

[Tilheyra]

My 28-2 arrived at my FFL today! After completing the transfer I thoroughly cleaned it. I also took the grip off and found no rust! Afterward, I fired 50 rounds of 357 Magnum through it and really had a blast! The sights were right on the point of impact!

The serial number is N223XXX, which places the manufacture year between 1974 and 1977.

I have included a few photos taken just as I was finishing the cleaning. I will post more when my walnut grip/stock arrives in a few days!