28-2 I just purchased

[kc-130nav]

Good evening. I just picked up my 28-2 and would like your opinion and help.

It came with pearl grips. Did Smith and Wesson offer Pearl grips?
My serial number is S2467xx. Is this sn 1964?
Does it look correct? It is tight.
What would the correct grips be?

 

[robertrwalsh]

Serial # is in the correct range for 1964. I have no idea if S&W offered grips like that from the factory, but I would hope not. (OK, I am prejudiced. I admit it.)

 

[k22fan]

Those look like Jay Scott plastic stocks. Back in the first half of the last century S&W sold small numbers of real pearl stocks but most of the old real pearl stocks we encounter were after market.

Think about it. 28s were economy revolvers. In their day they were the least expensive S&W .357s. It's not likely that a buyer would order the least expensive revolver with the most expensive stocks.

However, 28 were and still are great shooters. Except for the stocks and trigger shoe on yours it looks to be in excellent original condition.

 

[ggibson511960]

Walnut magnas would be correct, as would a plain trigger without the add-on shoe. That 28-2 is in magnificent condition.

 

[kc-130nav]

Thanks for the comments. Is the trigger shoe affixed with an Allen screw? Where should I look for the correct grips?

 

[kraynky]

I think those are most certainly Jay Scott aftermarket grips. Not a bad look (to some, including me) but not as handsome as the magna stocks with a T-grip.

I love that model 28 by the way. It's in great condition from the photos. Congratulations!

Clean it up real good and wax that puppy. You'll be surprised how much nicer it can look. Oh, don't forget to shoot it when you can. The N frame handles. 357s quite well. 38's are like powder puff loads.

 

[BigChief52]

Oh yes! I like it. Target stocks were an option from the factory, but most likely it had diamond magnas. HPs appeal to me because of their no frills, all business configuration combined with performance of the model 27. And 4 inch barrels. To me, pearl stocks don't fit the HP character. Something simple and practical would look nicer in my opinion.

 

[Vtgw938]

M28

Nice looking revolver. I like the older ones like that. If you watch the classifieds here you will find some eventually, may even be some on there now. Your looking for N frame diamond magna grips if you want what it came with or diamond target with a football relieve cut if you want the correct target grips for the period. Targets will be more expensive. You could get the grips without the diamond a little cheaper but would not be period correct if that is a concern. Definitely need to get some wood on there.

938

 

[Hair Trigger]

Thanks for the comments. Is the trigger shoe affixed with an Allen screw? Where should I look for the correct grips?

Fantastic gun, you did well on that one. Walnut magnas, with a smooth diamond around the escutcheon in the stocks, would be correct. here's a set of the later magnas (post 1968) to show the relative size. Mine do not have the diamond, and your magnas should be flat on the bottom, not rounded over like the ones in the second picture, which are called PC magnas. These PC magnas do have the diamond in the center, they are from a pre 1968 gun.

 

[PeteC]

Nice one!

...Definitely need to get some wood on there...

Or not, playing Devil's Advocate

I have been looking for "period correct" wood grips for several S&W revolvers for almost two years, and getting close to calling what I have good enough.

Mother of Pearl (real or faux, which has a long tradition btw), or Stag grips can also be "period correct". So can Herrett's, Mustangs,... I was shocked how expensive the period correct Magnas for my Model 28-2 (S251xxx) were likely to be, so for now, it is wearing some target stocks dating after 1967 (with my thanks to @fleabus101), from the Classifieds section, right here.

Since the stocks can never be original anyway, which one looks better, and works better at the range?

 

[ken158]

As noted, those are Jay Scott plastic grips… Back in the day they could be had for less than $10.

 

[minconrevo]

If the trigger is scarred up from the two cup pointed set screws used to hold on the trigger shoe it can be replaced with a K-L-N trigger of that era.

That particular 28 is really nice, showing nearly unfired condition. I'd think hard before I'd turn it into a shooter. I had one from about 1974 in about that condition that I did turn into a shooter. It was a Friday afternoon gun with a bunch of problems with the lockwork I had to correct first.

 

[Jimmyjones]

Nice! Nicer than my safe queen.

 

[Fishjager]

The model 28's are great guns. Like Ruger Redhawks, they are built like tanks. You have a very nice looking 28. Congratulations.

 

[BigChief52]

Nice one!

Or not, playing Devil's Advocate

I have been looking for "period correct" wood grips for several S&W revolvers for almost two years, and getting close to calling what I have good enough.

Mother of Pearl (real or faux, which has a long tradition btw), or Stag grips can also be "period correct". So can Herrett's, Mustangs,... I was shocked how expensive the period correct Magnas for my Model 28-2 (S251xxx) were likely to be, so for now, it is wearing some target stocks dating after 1967 (with my thanks to @fleabus101), from the Classifieds section, right here.

Since the stocks can never be original anyway, which one looks better, and works better at the range?

I just bought an early 60s M28-2 with later, 70s maybe, target stocks. Like you say, very expensive period correct stocks wouldn't be original anyway. I don't think I'll change mine. I prefer the extra leverage of the longer target stocks on a gun this heavy and the later ones have a more generous cut away on the left that helps spent cases drop more freely out of the cylinder.

 

[RobertJ.]

Nice gun, and regardless of what Gen. Patton said about pearl grips, I think they look good.

 

[BAM-BAM]

RobertJ beat me to it!

But; you're all 'Pimped" out and ready to go.

Maybe it belonged to a Undercover officer..... disguised.... so as not to give him/herself away! !

 

[PeteC]

...the later ones have a more generous cut away on the left that helps spent cases drop more freely out of the cylinder.

Yes, the "speed loader" cut, vs the earlier "extractor" relief. The extractor cut does get scraped if you tip the cylinder up and hit the extractor to punch the empty cases out. Especially with the slightly longer .357 case. Speed reloads are fun to practice, but the target stocks take a beating.

From the SCSW book (Edition IV, page 38), and other posts here, the larger cutout appeared around 1978 on K-frames, and early 1980's on N-frames.

As an aside, list prices from a S&W catalog, about 1961:

• Highway Patrolman, Model 28: $85
• Hw Patrolman w. Target stocks: $90
• Accessory Fine Grained Walnut Target Stocks: $7.50
• Stocks in "Colorfully Grained" Fancy Woods: $8.70

Accounting for the 825% inflation in the last 40 years, that translates to about $786 for a new 4" HW Patrolman with Magna stocks, and $70 for N Target stocks.

 

[Narragansett]

Very nice Model 28-2. The correct stocks should be diamond magnas made from walnut. Personally, I would lose the Ace trigger shoe, and I would remove the pearl grips so fast they get windburn

 

[heeter3]

Very nice highway patrolman.