Factory refinished M28-2 .45

Tom K · Feb 23, 2009

Hi all, this is my first real post after one in the introductory section. I picked up a moderately unattractive M-28-2 at the Wanenmacher gun show here in Tulsa last April. Nothing remarkable about that, except that it had been converted to .45 Colt - and also had an extra stainless .45ACP cylinder. I took it out to the range and it shot well enough, although I did not try the ACP cylinder. The ACP cylinder did not have an ejector rod or spring, and I didn't feel like swapping out those parts at the range. Since then I've bought the parts so that changing cylinders only involves removing the retention screw.

So now I have a kind of tapered-barrel M-25, or a square-butt Mountain Gun. But as I say, moderately unattractive. No heavy pitting but some rough spots, and lots of blue missing. I had often wondered what a real S&W refinish job would do for a gun, but I never had a candidate that I felt was suitable before. I figured this one fit the bill, so in November I sent it to S&W and asked them for their $180 Standard Polish & Blue.

I got back in early January - here are the results:

I was pretty darned pleased. Note that they also replaced the buggered screws in the sideplate, replaced the rear sight blade and redid the red ramp. (I suspect that the original rear sight blade had been shortened and that it'll now shoot high with the slower .45 slugs). Haven't had a chance to re-shoot it yet or even try the ACP cylinder for the first time.

Muley Gil · Feb 23, 2009

Nice re-do.

I'm surprised the factory worked on a converted gun.

keith44spl · Feb 23, 2009

That's just Xtra nice,

Su Amigo,
Dave

Scotter260 · Feb 24, 2009

That is really cool and unique!

I especially like how you did your before and after pics, same format and angles, etc.

What type of stocks are you planning on using?

Thanks for sharing your "ugly" gun,
Scott

BUFF · Feb 24, 2009

What Muley Gil said. S&W wouldn't work on altered guns in the past.

Looks like a nice shooter!

yugolovr · Feb 24, 2009

That is so sweet! I am really impressed with there work.

Tom K · Feb 24, 2009

Originally posted by BUFF:
What Muley Gil said. S&W wouldn't work on altered guns in the past.

You know I had thought that myself, and assumed that they wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. But when I called up to order the extra parts for the ACP cylinder I asked if they would refinish the gun. The guy I was talking to didn't seem to be at all fazed that it was an altered gun so I sent it in, and you can see the result.

Interestingly, I had also sent in my wife's M-17 and M-14 for some work, and they did more than I had asked - replaced the hand in each one. I guesss they weren't happy with the timing on them. However they did no replacement of internal parts on the M-28. Maybe that means it was already in spec, or maybe it means that they were only willing to do cosmetic work - or maybe it means nothing at all. Your guess is as good as mine.

At any rate, I'm happy with what they did do. Now I'm wondering about a candidate for their high-polish refinish....

deanodog · Feb 24, 2009

A nice project gun. I'm sure you are pleased with the S&W work as you should be. This one would be a pleasure to own.....Enjoy

j38 · Feb 24, 2009

Tom,
What an entry to the Forum! Great pictures - well thought out, and a very nice result that you can be proud of. I will look forward to future posts & photos from you. Welcome, sir!

Jerry

tennexplorer · Feb 25, 2009

Originally posted by Muley Gil:
Nice re-do.

I'm surprised the factory worked on a converted gun.

Me too. I bet it slipped by because the lettering on the barrel had not been changed.

Tom K · Feb 26, 2009

Originally posted by Scotter260:

What type of stocks are you planning on using?

Scott

Stocks are a funny thing. When I was in my 20's I thought checkered wood grips were the dumbest thing. Just about any handgun I bought got a set of cushy, non-slip Pachmayers or Hogues put on. (Luckily I always pack-ratted away the originals and the box, if it had one.) Tastes change and evolve, and now I generally go the other way - this M-28 came with a set of Pachmayers and they have been replaced with….

I'll probably be branded a heretic but I don't really like factory S&W stocks. I mean they look nice and all, but they mostly don't feel good to my hand. Target stocks are too fat at the bottom, and Magna or regular stocks are too skinny at the top. I often see factory stocks with a Tyler T grip adapter which feels okay, but just looks like an ugly kludge. Why doesn't S&W or someone make a wood stock that leaves the backstrap exposed and fills in behind the trigger guard some, without being flared at the bottom?

Well, someone does (or did) - Sile, which is now defunct. For a long time, CDNN Sports was selling Sile checkered wood grips at giveaway prices. Certain models have the shape that I like and I bought dozens in J, K and N frame size, mostly for $5 each. They're generally rather plain wood, although once in a while a set will have some figure. So for the guns that I shoot (as opposed to the ones that I just look at) I usually put on a set. The original grips go into the Sile box, with the gun's model and serial number written on the outside.

There are exceptions of course. Older guns such as my 1917s (except for one buffed-smooth beater) stay original. I have a really nice 38/44 Heavy Duty that I bought at a criminally low price a few months ago that it wouldn't be right to change. At the other end, the brand-new M-21 and M-22 reissues will likely keep their factory wood, and the M-500 will keep its rubber tire. Sometimes cushy is good! I suppose eventually I'll circle back around to wanting factory stocks on everything, and wonder what I ever saw in those dumb replacements. In the meantime, it looks like this:

AKAOV1MAN · Jan 29, 2014

I have a Bowen custom job that used a 25-12 frame (no lock) and a HP barrel bored out to .45 Colt and of course the incredible Bowen action job. With the 4" barrel it looks like a blue .45 Colt Mountain gun. They also did another 25-12, fixed sights, and case hardened the frame, and with Buffalo Bore 250 gr SWC it is a screamer out of the 4" tube, and scary accurate. It is my woods carry gun. It also shoots 230 gr FMJ into an inch at 25 meters, albeit with a slightly lower POI/POA. 2 quite unique handguns, if a little expensive(used up my handgun budget for a couple of years). If I can figure how to post pix, I will do so.

ToddS112 · Jan 29, 2014

That looks awesome! That was lightning fast compared to my 9 month refinish adventure!

Tom K · Feb 5, 2014

ToddS112 said:
That looks awesome! That was lightning fast compared to my 9 month refinish adventure!

It was also five years ago.

WC145 · Feb 5, 2014

Tom K said:
It was also five years ago.

Awesome is timeless. Everybody knows that!

boatbum101 · Feb 5, 2014

So that's how you get a Model 25 with .452 cylinder throats . Seriously very nice . Now you got me thinking........................

Factory refinished M28-2 .45

Tom K

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Muley Gil

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