I have the option of a real good condition Model 28-2 or a real good condition Model 14-3, what would you choose and why?

What are the barrel lengths?

I just happen to be partial to N frames, especially with short barrels, but it all depends on your personal likes. I don't think you can go wrong with either one, better yet, why not get both.

First of all, Welcome to the Forum! I don't have a Model 14, but I have 3 K frames. I have a Model 28, no dash 6" from 1960. It outperforms my K's, my 586, and my .357 Blackhawk. I like them all, but the 28 is my favorite. Single action, one handed firing, I hit steel plates at 30 yds. (maybe not that good for some, but good for me) The 28 just feels great in my hand too! If I had 14 experience, I might be talking different. Bob

Depends on the pricing. The 28-2 (to me) is one that should grow in value a little better than the 14-3. But, you will probably have to pay more to get the 28-2 presently. The 14-3 is a joy to shoot. So if it is a seldom shooter you desire, the 28-2 may be a better investment. If it is a range gun you wnat, the 14-3 would be my choice. Either way, it's your preferences that make the decision. If possible, buy both.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Welcome from Jonesboro, GA. I would take the M28-2. However, I am a N frame guy who loves the M28-2.

For a house gun, the M14 may be the better choice, especially if the lady of the house may be required to use it. I find the K-Frame a very handy size. If there is a chance the gun you choose may have to be carried concealed, the M14 would probably be the better choice.

No doubt the M28 is the most versatile, IMHO at least. It can fire .38 Special light target loads or full-power .357 Magnums or anything in between. It would be the best choice if you want one gun to handle informal target shooting, home defense, and even hunting. The one drawback is that its size and weight may be a little too much for someone with small hands, or someone with arthritis, or ...

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You're shy a few manners.

6" barrels

I'm in Canada so this gun would be a range gun. The guy wants to trade straight across my 9mm SIG P220-Euro for his 14-3 in mint shape. However I can purchase a 28-2 for $200 less than the price of what the 14-3 would be. The 28-2 has a little rust spot so I'd have to spend a quoted $175 for a high polish re-blue to make it mint. So I'm a little torn. I just don't really have any experience with either gun.

I'm a bullseye shooter so the model 14.

Logically thinking:::

The Mod 14 will be lighter handier, but it is "only a 38 Special".

The Mod 28 will be heavier, thus less recoil AND also be a 357 Mag...

I would handle both and get the one that you like the best.

Trade for the 14-3 and forget about re-bluing the 28-2.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

what are your reasons?

I own several different K frames and really like them but I'm really an
N frame fan. I would choose the 28 and never look back. The .357 mag
chambering gives you much more versatility. I like the dull finish of the
28 and the last thing I would do to a 28 would be to waste good money
on a high polish and re-blue job. A little rust spot won't hurt it. Any
re-blued gun will never be mint again so save the 175.00 toward
another gun.

The reason for not re-bluing the 28-2 is because it will only go down in value once it's re-blued and you will never recover your money if you sell it.

I own many Sig's and S&W revolvers and in my mind the Sig you are talking abut is worth more then the 14-3 which can be bought in the USA for around $400 to $425 so it's doubtful I would trade him straight accross for the Sig.
Just my 2 cents worth

Thanks, I was thinking that the SIG was worth more than the 14-3. I'm just selling off some SIG's as I would like to get a nice revolver and eventually a nice 1911. I've thought about a Model 19 and also a 686 but the 14-3 and the 28-2 I've come across recently.

Your Sig P220 is not in production anymore. Depending on its condition it is probably worth much more than the 14-3. I sell P-226's for $825 in northwest NJ. The amount of accessories also plays a part in the price (mags, leather, ammo, etc). The 28 with a tiny rust spot that can be cleaned and cold-blued sounds like a better deal and you can keep the Sig (I like Sig's).

As I understand it, the M14 was designed for target shooting. So it may be the best "range gun". Even full-power .38 Specials should not present any recoil problems. So it should be a better target gun than the M28.

But the big heavy N-Frame should make full-power .38 Specials feel almost as gentle as if you're firing a .22. And you still have the option of shooting .357 Magnums in it, should you ever care to. Recoil with those will still be pretty mild in the big N-Frame.

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You're shy a few manners.

I like SIG's too. I had 6 but got to thin the herd to make room for a revolver and a 1911, I'd like to just keep adding to the collection but just can't afford to.

Both are eccellent guns. Are you really going to shoot full power 357 all the time? The 14's are SWEET all the way around. Why do I say 14 over the 28? because I don't have a 28! Either would be a perfect choice though.

I have both, a 6" 14-3 and a 6" 28 no dash. I like both for what they are and would not like to choose between them. That said, I would not trade the SIG for the 14 but would probably pay the couple-hundred less for the 28. Put the SIG on the market if you have to for a fair price and keep looking for a nice K Frame .38, maybe a 4" if that floats your boat. There is a whole lot of opportunity for shooting fun, Magnums and Specials, in an old "shooter grade" Model 28.

I'm in the "get 'em both" camp. But if you can only do one right now, I'd get the 28-2. Reason: I think the 28's going to appreciate faster than the 14, so if a year or two down the line you decide to get the gun you passed up, you'll save by getting the 28 now and deferring the 14. 28s have been rising alarmingly, maybe more than any other Smith. 19s seem to be running a close second.

If it's just a little rust, forget about re-bluing. Just clean it up as best you can, and nobody's going to mind.

I passed up a nice 28 no-dash for $450-ish at a local gun show last year, and have been regretting it.

When I got my 19-4 last month, the same shop had a nice 14, $395. I'd have bit the bullet and gotten them both, except the 14 had a scope mounted. Nice 2x Leupold, but I'm not fond of handgun scopes for the range and I didn't like it that the gun was drilled for the mount. The guys that ran the shop said the gun had been there on consignment for a while, and a lot of customers had passed it up for the same reasons. They'd told the consignor he ought to let them remove the scope and mount, but he said no dice.