OK, I had a Super Red Hawk in .454 Casull that I got on a trade. It was sort of an odd ball in my collection because I mainly shoot .44 but also have a .460 which can shoot .454 but since .454 ammo is more expensive then .460 what's the point. Anyways, the only other Ruger I have is a Security Six that has sentimental value. The SRH was trade fodder so I took it to the gunshow. On my first pass I didnt see anything that interested me but it was pretty crowded so I couldnt see everything. By my second pass the crowd had thinned considerably and I found a guy with several nice S&W revolvers. We started talking and he was open to trades so I traded even for this model 28. It has a few freckles but otherwise is nice and locks up tight. As I said we traded even, my Ruger SRH 7.5" in .454 Casull, No box, excellent condition for this revolver, no box. Blue book on the Ruger is like $650. He wanted $650 cash for this Model 28 so I felt it was an even trade. I know very little any other S&W model than the 29 so I took a risk and hope I didnt get boned. The guy I traded seemed excited about the deal so maybe I did, but in any case I still didnt want or need a Ruger .454 Casull. What do you think and what can you tell me about this revolver. The grips are dated Oct 16, 1985 or 1989 (I cant tell what the last number is). Are they original? SN is S1912XX. Be Gentle.

The stocks are not original to the gun. The gun was produced in the early '60's. The stocks at least 25 years later.

It would have come with diamond-centered magnas, most likely. At $650 equivalent value, it's not a screaming deal. However, you're probably even, dollar wise.

The 6" Highway Patrolman revolvers are a bit more scarce than the 4" models. Yours appears in great condition.

In case you don't know about the Model 28, it's a less expensively finished revolver than it's nicer brother, the Model 27. It will chew up, and spit out any .357 Magnum cartridge, and you'll be able to pass this one one to your kids, and them, their kids.

Good grab.

That is the 3/4 ton Chevy pick-up truck of revolvers. Vinyl interior, AM/FM radio but no A/C, but with a GM big-block V-8 engine that will take you a couple hundred thousand miles without a hiccup; a real workhorse. You might not pick up many girls with it, but your buddies will “Ooh and aah” you over it whenever you take it out for a spin.

It is rated as a ¾ ton, but in truth it will carry a ton.

You did well. Half of the deputies I use to work with bet their lives on that very same gun from the same era. (The other half all carried Model 19s.)

Frank

You did well!! You traded off an "odd ball" which was "trade fodder" (your words) for a gen - U - wine (sp.) nice S&W which is accurately described by the S&W posters above. Pinned & recessed N frame .357 with target stocks...your lucky day. Best Regards, Ed

I think you did very well. You got a great revolver you can shoot. Ammo is easy to find and inexpensive in comparison to what you had. Your S & W will be much easier to trade or sell than the Ruger, should you ever want to do so.

I wouldn't have traded the S & W for the Ruger unless you'd thrown in some cash To me, you came away with the better end of the deal!

Really nice gun and if you're happy with the trade, that's all that matters. I think you did fine.

Trading a monster caliber Ruger that only appeals to a few,for a N frame Smith that appeals to many and shoots magnums or 38s? ....In a heartbeat.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am pretty excited about the 28. I was just reading up on it in the Standard Catalog. I like it. When I was considering the trade I was worried that the satin finish was something Bubba had done to the poor revolver. I was just appreciative of how evenly his handiwork. Little did I know that satin or matte was the factory finish on the M28. I learn something new everyday on this site. Its probably time I pony up and throw a little financial love back.

I wonder if someone would be so kind to post a pic of the either a gun with them or a pair off a gun of what the correct grips would look like and what I can expect to pay for a decent (not mint, presentation condition) set of factory correct stocks for it when I find them.

Very nice!

flundertaker ... Let me get this right ... you traded a big bore Ruger for a vintage Highway Patrolman, with the lazy ampersand, even up?


Wait a minute ...


I'm still laughing ...


Hang on ...


Best Goal Scream Ever (Soccer) - YouTube

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I'm with the banned ...

Sounds like a great trade to me. I love my 28-2.
You should link your story into the Ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.
The ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.including N frame ser# ranges

Yeah, ya done good, pal ! Congrats !

Larry

Keep the Target stocks for shooting, get a set of Magnas for dress up.
Ya did good. Look for some like these.

DSCN53552.jpg Photo by ghawke43 | Photobucket

The way things are going on handguns you did well.

Not to burst your bubble but the last M28-2 6" S frame 5 screw about 10 months ago cost me $378 OTD that was 8.7% tax in that price.....

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

If it was in great shape, I want all the 378 dollar 28's I can get.
A 98% "S" serial 28 would bring double that or more on GB and I'm sure it would bring 700 HERE...

Yep, the 4 screw 28 no dash was manufactured for about three years, and yours is a really nice one. I would like to find one to go between my Highway Patrolman (pre-28 and my 28-2's. Then there's the 28-1 too. Great trade.

A 5 screw 28-2? I must be reading that wrong.

Frankly, I think the other guy got screwed...

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FBINA, 204th Session

Yeah, I'd say the other guy got the short end of the stick! Great trade

flundertaker,

You done good. I would have made that trade in second. Good job!

De Oppresso Liber

The lazy ampersand, P&R, nicer finish than on later models and 4 screw!!!

You put the hurt on the other guy, and that's straight up.

I saw a Model 28 (4") in a LGS a few weeks back, and they were asking $799 for it. It seems too high for me, so I passed on it. With what you traded, I think you made a good deal.

You don't even need to raise the issue of comparable value on that trade, and the question of which guy got the better of the deal doesn't come up. Here's why:

You went into a show carrying a gun you had no particular love or need for, and you came out of the show with a gun that has a lot of what you wanted and the potential to provide even more, given its flexibility to chamber different rounds and handle different loads. You put out no money to make this transformation happen. Where is the down side? You ended up owning what is for your purposes a better gun and still had your money in your pocket at the end of the day.

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David Wilson

If you decide it's not what you want... 410Bore will be around soon to relieve you of it. Don't trust him.. he will tell you it's a useless piece of junk. But of course he will grudgingly take it off your hands. Just kidding...He would be a good source for period correct stocks should you want them.. however ..the ones you have will work more than fine.
You did well. The Highway patrolman Model 28 is the working mans .357 magnum. It is made to get dirty. Nice find!

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

THAT'S a nice 4 screw! I think you did very well. The correct magna grips are like those posted by ghawke.
Here is my 28-2 with period correct targets with the "football" cut out.



The targets for your gun should look more like this, except will have the diamond pattern on the grip
like the magnas shown above. You're gonna love the way it shoots!

Of course posters on the ruger forums may disagree but I think you did well. Congrats

There are a lot of 28-2's out there, but the OP's no dash/4 screw is something I keep an eye out for. I also personally like the 6" HP's. I keep one by the front door. Gun on the right.

Here is a representation of the stocks the OP will be looking for to put on his gun. On the left (first year of production), unless he prefers targets.

Attached Images

	HP 1st year.jpg (159.8 KB, 61 views)
	28-2 6 inch 002.jpg (245.3 KB, 61 views)

I just picked up a 4" Model 28 today for $589 out the Door (6% Tax included) with Pachmyr grips and some holster wear and a few "Freckels" like you said. So I think you did great.

I shot it for the first time today, and my first five shots all went in the black.

You will love yours.

I like the Grips you have on it by the way. I want to get a set for mine, but the Pachmyr grips on it look ugly but feel beautiful. So we will see.

Uh, that there makes no sense... 5 screw guns were before S&W started using model numbers. If indeed, you have a 5 screw frame stamped M28-2... I'd factory letter that sucker to authenticate that, because it would be a pretty unusual M28-2.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I agree you made a good trade. I had a Ruger Super Redhawk and the only thing ""wrong" was the barrel was 8 inches long! I traded it for a S&W model 629 and both of us were happy

I'm with everyone else. You done did good!

You traded a gun chambered in a "niche" caliper that unless you reload, is EXPENSIVE to shoot, for a really nice 4 screw HP. The HP will only continue to increase in value and if you ever decide you want to sell it, you'd have a much easier time finding a buyer for it than the Ruger.
If it were my gun, I'd look for a set of period correct diamond magnas to put on her. You should be able to find a nice set here in the classifieds. You can also PM forum member "VM" to see if he has a set. EBay (if you are so inclined) is also another good source.
Once you find a set, take a few pictures of her wearing them, then put those newer targets back on her for when you shoot her. The target grips fill your hand better than the smaller magnas.

This is my 6" HP made a about 4 years after yours wearing its' original grips.



Congrats on trading into a really great old gun!

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

At the risk of making the Ruger fans angry, I'd say, anytime you can trade a Ruger for a Smith & Wesson... you'll almost always come out ahead. In any event, congratulations.

OK, it's just a M28 no dash...... S2070XX.......

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I'da made that trade in a New Yawk minute.

You done good!!

The four screw "S" serial number 28-0 would have sealed it for me. I've got a pre 28 five screw and a 28-2 and the one you found is one I don't have. I'd put some kind of rubbers on it to shoot while I was looking for a correct set of magnas. You got a good deal.

As has been mentioned, "if you're satisfied that's all that matters".

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Sheriff Russell Cottle. ret

Darn... the reason why I mentioned doing a factory letter is that there has been some rare instances where S&W pulled a stunt like that, where they found some older unfinshed frame that had been lurking around and decided to finish it off under the current revision number... the factory doesn't waste anything.

I thought you may of had one of those rare anaimals, which would have been an exciting find.

I have a 4566 pistol that was factory lettered, it showed that it was shipped 5/7/2009, but the letter also mentioned that had also been sitting in S&W factory inventory since 1999 before finally being shipped.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I agree with DCWilson -- you got something you want for something you were not using. So you came out fine.

As for the other guy, if he is patient, he can probably sell it for more than he was asking for the one you now have. So he wins too.

You can drive yourself nuts with "what if" scenarios -- "What if I sold the Ruger privately then bought the S&W, would I have come out a hundred or so ahead?" Who knows? Maybe, maybe not. But by then the S&W would have been long gone.

So sleep well. You have a great gun that anyone here would love to have, and you got rid of something you did not really want.

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You're shy a few manners.