28-2 or 19-4?

[John Fugate]

Hi, LGS has both a 28-2 and a 19-4 in the display case. Both are somewhat overpriced given the condition of the finish and the lack of original grips (both wearing pax) but they are within $50 of each other. $600 for the 28-2 and $550 for the 19-4. Both have 4 inch barrels. Both seem mechanically sound. Haven't tried yet to see if they would deal on either price.

I have a 6 inch Highway Patrolman, a 6 inch 19-5, and a 4 inch 586.

Use would primarily be for the range and occasional woods carry.

Given all that, does one strike folks as being a better choice than another?

Thanks.

Lets be logical. The guns are more less worth the same and in the same condition,, so thats not a factor. How big are your hands, that is what would determine which gun you should buy. Hold each gun in your hand and what fits you best is what I would buy. I buy XXL shirts ,,, even if I don't like the color. I might not be in style but I am going to be comfortable,, I never thought about it but If I were a Smith, I would definitely be an N frame.

 

[Jack Flash]

Lets be logical. ... How big are your hands, that is what would determine which gun you should buy. Hold each gun in your hand and what fits you best is what I would buy. ...

I don't know about that. By all accounts, Bill Jordan had huge hands, yet he favored the M19, for his purposes at least.

While it's true that a K-Frame will not be as sturdy as an N-Frame, I think too much has been made of the "problems" with K-Frames. How many of us have shot one to destruction?

The gentleman already has one of each, just with 6" barrels, so he knows what he is getting into either way. If he does decide to go on a binge and fire tens of thousands of full-power .357 Magnums, he can use the M28 he already has.

 

[CajunBass]

I'd buy one, and put the other on layaway.

 

[Kurusu]

I don't know about that. By all accounts, Bill Jordan had huge hands, yet he favored the M19, for his purposes at least.

While it's true that a K-Frame will not be as sturdy as an N-Frame, I think too much has been made of the "problems" with K-Frames. How many of us have shot one to destruction?

The gentleman already has one of each, just with 6" barrels, so he knows what he is getting into either way. If he does decide to go on a binge and fire tens of thousands of full-power .357 Magnums, he can use the M28 he already has.

His purpose was packing a .357 Mag all day round and no feel the extra weight on his hip. And he didn't really favored it. He kind of invented the concept.

 

[Joed49]

I started out with a 28-2. Sold it and purchased a 19-4 because it was lighter. Kept that 19-4 for 20 years and sold it to buy a 28-2. Think about that one.

My favorite S&W revolvers are the K frames for carry. No other revolver fits my hand as well as a square butt K frame. For hunting it's the N frame, hands down.

Depends more on what you plan to use the gun for. The 28-2 is a tank and will last forever. The 19-4 is light and can be carried all day long.

 

[bananaman]

I only have 1 K Frame .357. 66-2, 2.5". It does not get magnum loads. I have 3, L Frame revolvers in .357. Then my 28, 6" no dash. Have never owned a 19. The right 1 never presented itself. Based on what your stated needs are, I would go with the 28, or take a look at the L's. Bob

 

[gfors]

His purpose was packing a .357 Mag all day round and no feel the extra weight on his hip. And he didn't really favored it. He kind of invented the concept.

He was also a noted hip-shooter. Could be favored the smaller frame, because it was quicker to point. He had enormous hands, and put oversize stocks on his 19.

 

[oddshooter]

The OP has three of my favs: 19, 28, 586

I couldn't agree less with the posts.
Just because he asked a silly question, doesn't mean you have to answer it. Rather than answer, let's try to help.

The OP wrote:
"Both are somewhat overpriced given the condition of the finish and the lack of original grips (both wearing pax)"

This would stop me unless I had buyitis with money burning a hole in my pocket.
He already has a sample of both. This is my second Stop.

He needs something different to play with even it he doesn't know it. Model 13, 14, 15 are all outstanding. I think I would add an SAA for fun and history.



Prescut

 

[BoCash]

I'd buy one, and put the other on layaway.

See Cajun's answer.. LIFE IS SHORT!!

Y'all take care, Bo

 

[stansdds]

Hi, LGS has both a 28-2 and a 19-4 in the display case.

Use would primarily be for the range and occasional woods carry.

Given all that, does one strike folks as being a better choice than another?

Thanks.

Primarily to be used on the range and occasional woods carry? 28-2, hands down. The 28-2 will stand up to more magnum loads than the 19-4.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

IIRC Bill Jordan favored the M-19 because he and his fellow LEOs had to wear one all day. Years of pumping iron has left me somewhat weight insensitive
and as a Member of SNM-Sons of Neanderthal Man-I prefer the feel of steel.
For woods carry-a 6" seems fine. The usual argument for a 4 inch is that is more comfortable when riding in a vehicle.
Lack of original grips doesn't stop me as S&W grips do not fit me. Too high a price does.

 

[JohnRippert]

If forced to make a decision like that I would take the Model 19. I prefer them over N frames. If it were a Model 27 4inch instead of 28 that might change my mind. Finish challenged and too high a price would make me pass on both and wait for better. That is what I recommend.

 

[olskool]

BOTH! GET BOTH!

 

[Cardboard_killer]

I prefer the M28 for fun, but for collectability, the 19 is a better deal, IMO. The M28 is a working man's gun, and the finish reflects that. But $600 for a model 28 is high, IMO.

 

[Mike C2]

I have a 4" 28-2 S serial 223xxx I picked up about 90 days ago on GunBroker with the original diamond Magnas and near MINT finish. And while I have about the same as your LGS is asking for that one in it with shipping and transfer, it has none of the challenges.

If you like the hunt and want either of those, an auction sight might produce nicer versions for the same $. I wouldn't talk you out of either! But I am infatuated with N frames but my 66-1 is my carry-around-all-day choice.

 

[Rpg]

If you plan on carrying it much, get the 19.

If not, get the 28.

 

[oysterer]

19 is not for shooting much, look up the dreaded forcing cone issue. 28 all the way. The 4'' are fantastic guns and no 600 is not too high if near mint.

 

[John Fugate]

I don't know about that. By all accounts, Bill Jordan had huge hands, yet he favored the M19, for his purposes at least.

While it's true that a K-Frame will not be as sturdy as an N-Frame, I think too much has been made of the "problems" with K-Frames. How many of us have shot one to destruction?

The gentleman already has one of each, just with 6" barrels, so he knows what he is getting into either way. If he does decide to go on a binge and fire tens of thousands of full-power .357 Magnums, he can use the M28 he already has.

I never paid much attention to Bill's big hands.

J.F.

 

[JohnRippert]

All you guys avoiding Model 19s for "the dreaded forcing cone issues" just keep on avoiding them. Leaves more for me, thank you very much.

 

[4570Tom]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on the matter. If I were to choose between the two I would have gone for the Model 28.

But some sage advice was offered which made me ask myself the question "Given the condition of these two firearms do you really want them, or are you just caught up in the idea of finding some Smiths locally in configurations you don't have?"

I have other N-frames, K-frames, and a couple of J-frames. All are in nice condition (the exception being a pre-model 28 Highway Patrolman). And I guess I want any additional ones being in nice condition as well. So I have passed on both of the firearms which are the subject of the original post. I'll keep my eyes open locally, and perhaps expand my search to the internet at some point.

But sometimes things have a way of working out in an unexpected way. Today i put a nice condition Model 14-3 on layaway....