For those experienced with both the 27/28 and 19/66 please give me your pros and cons. I know the one is bigger than the other, but dramatically?
To me this is definitely a discussion of THREE different guns. The whole story here is 19/66 and 586/686 and 27/28.
I’ve had a pair of 19’s and a 66-2 that is one of my highest round count guns. Had two 686’s and down to one now. A pair of 27’s and I think it’s been as many as six 28-2’s…?
I learned half a lifetime ago that felt recoil is subjective. 10mm from a plastic compact Glock feels right to me and I love when the hammer drops on my .460 S&W Magnum. And yet — full-spec .357 Magnum from a S&W K-frame has never felt enjoyable to me. It’s too much and it does not hit my hand pleasantly. However I can cart ten boxes of .38 Special to the range and make my Model 66 sing all day long, so that’s what the 19 and 66 will forever be to me. Phenomenal revolvers that fit my hands naturally and feel perfect, and perfect for .38 Special.
When I want to shoot my favorite caliber of all that I own (and I own many) then a 6-inch N-frame is what I love. For me that’s a 28-2. I prefer it over my 686’s because of the barrel profile. I find the 6-inch Model 686 to be the most beautiful that a revolver can look, but I think it’s too muzzle heavy. A 4-inch 686 is possibly a Goldilocks gun but I was too young and dumb to keep the one I had.
I have large hands and an XL glove is slightly snug on me, so the N-frame works for me. If your hands are not at all large or trend towards small, you might not like the 27/28 grip, feel and reach as well as a K/L frame. (the K/L share grip size)
In fact, S&W also decided the K/L size was the right size. When they created the monster X-frame (.460 and .500 Magnum), they gave that behemoth a K/L grip size.
So for me, a 19/66 is a fantastic fit and feel and perfect for all .38 Special. For full bore .357, I might love a 4-inch 686 but a 6-inch Model 28-2 gives me the balance I find to be perfect and I get all the horsepower of a full 6-inch barrel.
Because I rate “VALUE” extremely high on my shopping list, I might never have owned any N-frame if the ubiquitous Model 28-2 did not exist. All you get for low money in this workhorse has just absolutely captivated me as a gun buyer.
I think you got a fine deal on a gun that should be a fantastic shooter. Again, because I place a lot of personal value on VALUE for my money, it would be my position that a factory letter is a long, longshot to return any information that’s anywhere worth the price of admission. This is mostly due to the extremely high production numbers and proliferation of the awesome Model 28-2. Basically I believe there is a very low chance that you found one with a notable police history. With that said, I’m also interested and enthused with factory letters, I just have a difficult time with the price tag. Others disagree.
You bought a fantastic revolver!
