mamartin043
Member
I know that the M27 came in many different barrel lengths and finishes, but other than that, is there any functional differences?
Whats the differences between the M27 and M28?
- Thread starter mamartin043
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Barrel lengths and finishes as you know....
Only other differences are cosmetic - rear adjustable sights and front sights are different.
Functionally, nothing different
Only other differences are cosmetic - rear adjustable sights and front sights are different.
Functionally, nothing different
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2009
- Messages
- 498
- Reaction score
- 99
VM called it. Think of it as a stripped 27. It is structurally the same, but a Chevy not a Cadillac. It also had fewer choices in barrel length, with only a 4 or 6" barrel choice (I just discovered the Florida Highway Patrol special ordered bulk 5" barrel guns many years ago). Great shooter, can't break it or wear it out.
diamonback68
US Veteran
Not really! There were only 25 HPs made for the Florida Highway Patrol, they were all 28 no dash, bright nickel, 5" barrels, 4 screw guns from 1960. Very few of these still exist, to our knowledge.
OP
mamartin043
Member
A local gun shop had one of those for sale for $750. I would have probably picked it up if I would have know how rare it was. The finish wasn't bright though, it was a dull nickel.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The 27 and 28 are both N frame 357 Magnum revolvers. That's where the similarity ends.
Model 28 "Highway Patrolman" came in a brushed blue finish (a very, very small number of guns were made on special order in nickel) with a choice of 4" or 6" barrels (again, a tiny number of SO 5" guns made). No other options were offered by S&W as this model was designed to be an inexpensive service revolver for police.
The Model 27 "357 Magnum" was a deluxe revolver and the top of the S&W line. The 27 and variants were distinguished by the checkered top strap not seen on any other model. Available in bright blue or nickel, with 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 6.5 and 8.375" barrel choices. The 27 offered many available options regarding triggers, hammers, sights and stocks.
Model 28 "Highway Patrolman" came in a brushed blue finish (a very, very small number of guns were made on special order in nickel) with a choice of 4" or 6" barrels (again, a tiny number of SO 5" guns made). No other options were offered by S&W as this model was designed to be an inexpensive service revolver for police.
The Model 27 "357 Magnum" was a deluxe revolver and the top of the S&W line. The 27 and variants were distinguished by the checkered top strap not seen on any other model. Available in bright blue or nickel, with 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 6.5 and 8.375" barrel choices. The 27 offered many available options regarding triggers, hammers, sights and stocks.
Peter M. Eick
Member
Sometimes the difference is pretty subtle. Here is a pre-28 and a pre-27 side by side. Which is which?
A good observer will note the sights and figure it out immediately.
Last edited:
diamonback68
US Veteran
Ok, now for the brushed nickel 28s. Only 54 were produced in brushed nickel in June of 1972. So far, to my knowledge, only 11 have ever been found and documented or at least reported on this forum.
Martin, if you can get the serial number we can probably tell you if it is an original, but more then likely it has an aftermaket hard chrome, not nickel, re-finish on it. There are a lot of those out there.
stiab
US Veteran
I'm not an expert on this topic, but there was an excellent thread on this identical subject within the last year or so that went a few pages long. Posters that I believe are experts made the convincing case that the guns were identical except for external cosmetics. One poster on that thread (and on this one) tried to tell us that the internals were superior on the M27, hand fitted and polished to a greater degree, etc., but that opinion did not hold up when challenged by the other posters. I know it would be hard to find any S&W with a better action than my like new M28 no dash, but again, I'm not an expert.
OP
mamartin043
Member
Sometimes the difference is pretty subtle. Here is a pre-28 and a pre-27 side by side. Which is which?
A good observer will note the sights and figure it out immediately.
Is the 28 on the left and 27 on the right?
Bullseye 2620
Member
For those of us still learning about M-27s and -28s, what is it about the difference in the sights in this picture that would enable one to correctly identify which revolver is which?
Thanks.
Bullseye
I love my 6 inch 27-2.
Thanks.
Bullseye
I love my 6 inch 27-2.
stiab
US Veteran
I'm not sure about the sights, but I id'ed the M27 as being on the right due to the picture showing a little more gloss in the finish.
OP
mamartin043
Member
Thats how I figured it out. I couldn't see the difference in the sights.
wraco
Member
I'm like the others who enjoy both their 28's and, 27's. However, comparing my 28 no dash and 28-2 to my pre- 27 and 27 no dash; both 27's require less effort with double and single action. The 27's are smoother with less trigger pull. The pre 27 is the best and compares or exceeds my 29's.
Best way to describe it is: the actions are the same with the 28's requiring a little more pull.
Rod
Best way to describe it is: the actions are the same with the 28's requiring a little more pull.
Rod
Last edited:
Old Corp
Member
If the M28 was still being marketed now, it would be billed as the 'Tactical' version of the M27 with references to it assisting in the fight against evil in many corners of the world.
Sorry. Couldn't resist......
Sorry. Couldn't resist......
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Both? The Highway Patrolman became the Model 28. The deluxe Model 27 used to be called "The 357 Magnum" and had no other name.
