28-2 surprise and dilemma *photos added*

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frankieb01

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My dad has picked up the S&W bug from shooting mine and got to looking for a .357. He came across a 4" 28-2 online that appeared to be in decent shape, looked to maybe have some light rust here and there, hard to tell as the photos and lighting weren't the best. But it did have the box and tools present. He ended up buying it and it arrived yesterday, he swung by after for me to check it out and clean it up......

Which turned into a pleasant surprise, what appeared to maybe be a little rust in the pics was actually old sticky oil or grease it had been slathered in apparently for long term storage. After a good hour of cleaning it up it became apparent there was no wear anywhere on the gun. The cylinder only shows the very faintest sign of being fired on every other cylinder, I am pretty positive it was never fired other than at the factory. All the paperwork was with it, tools unopened, and even the original receipt when it was purchased in '74 for the princely sum of $125.

Which brings the dilemma, he was really looking for a shooter and totally lucked into this. How big of a hit in value would it be to shoot it some? Sorry, no pics, it was getting late by the time I got finished cleaning it up and it totally slipped my mind to grab some for you all. Will get some next time I visit with him.
 
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Ooo that is a dilemma if it was unfired. I always say just shoot the things but if it's really unfired.....

But really what good is a gun if you can't shoot it? LOL.

I'm no help. My guess is your Dad won't be putting thousands and thousands of rounds through it so it's probably still gonna be in good shape and worth something down the road. Unless you do think he's really going to shoot the pee pee out of it.

Either way, Congrats and at least it's kind of a good dilemma to have. I thought you might say you found an old one spent more than you wanted and had to get rid of something to fund it. That's less of a nice dilemma. LOL.
 
When I was young, I only had a few guns at a time . . . There was no dilemma, if I bought it I shot it

Unless your father is a collector, or worried about absolute maximum resale value down the road. . . shoot it

Otherwise take Protocall_Design's advice and sell it for a profit and buy another gun
 
Personally I shoot everything of my own, I will say there were a couple times I picked up some really nice older unfired guns and had a twinge of guilt shooting them.....but that clears up after about the first 1,000rds!

My dad on the other hand never sells a gun he buys and tends to appreciate the collective factor more. I advised him to keep it as is and it gives him an excuse to pick up another for a shooter. Planning to buy one gun but ending up with two sounds like the best solution to me!
 
rubiranch said:
I would keep it, keep it unfired and look for a shooter. :D
Click to expand...

This, exactly.

The OP doesn't mention what was paid for the gun, or what area of the country his dad lives in.

But if that gun is really unfired from the factory and with original box...well, I don't know how to quantify it. Saying "It's worth a lot of money" seems too vague...but it's worth a lot of money. If that gun was at an LGS here, it'd be marked at least at $1500, maybe more. I bought the last 28 to come up at an LGS here back around the first of the year...and it's actually a Pre-28. 28s hardly ever show up for sale around here.

May we see some photos? And maybe a few numbers of the serial number to determine when it was made. A better description of the gun would help.

Bottom line for me: I wouldn't shoot it until I found out more about it. There are shooter grade 28s out there...but they aren't exactly cheap, either.
 
kraynky said:
Sounds like an opportunity to flip it and find another deal, then buy lots of ammo with the profit! Sure would like to see those pictures. A 4" 28 is on my "list". Congrats to PaPa!
Click to expand...
That's what I'd do. Though I would probably buy a second gun with the profits. That's what I have done in fact. A couple of times :D
 
frankieb01 said:
My dad has picked up the S&W bug from shooting mine and got to looking for a .357. He came across a 4" 28-2 online that appeared to be in decent shape, looked to maybe have some light rust here and there, hard to tell as the photos and lighting weren't the best. But it did have the box and tools present. He ended up buying it and it arrived yesterday, he swung by after for me to check it out and clean it up......

Which turned into a pleasant surprise, what appeared to maybe be a little rust in the pics was actually old sticky oil or grease it had been slathered in apparently for long term storage. After a good hour of cleaning it up it became apparent there was no wear anywhere on the gun. The cylinder only shows the very faintest sign of being fired on every other cylinder, I am pretty positive it was never fired other than at the factory. All the paperwork was with it, tools unopened, and even the original receipt when it was purchased in '74 for the princely sum of $125.

Which brings the dilemma, he was really looking for a shooter and totally lucked into this. How big of a hit in value would it be to shoot it some? Sorry, no pics, it was getting late by the time I got finished cleaning it up and it totally slipped my mind to grab some for you all. Will get some next time I visit with him.
Click to expand...

Assuming your father paid somewhat less than the going rate for a New In Box Model 28-2, why not shoot it and enjoy it for what it is, a great condition gun that's no longer made but deserves to be used?

That's my opinion, and for sure what I'd do if I was presented with similar circumstances. :)

Tell your dad best of luck with his new Model 28!
 
Watchdog said:
This, exactly.

The OP doesn't mention what was paid for the gun, or what area of the country his dad lives in.

But if that gun is really unfired from the factory and with original box...well, I don't know how to quantify it. Saying "It's worth a lot of money" seems too vague...but it's worth a lot of money. If that gun was at an LGS here, it'd be marked at least at $1500, maybe more. I bought the last 28 to come up at an LGS here back around the first of the year...and it's actually a Pre-28. 28s hardly ever show up for sale around here.

May we see some photos? And maybe a few numbers of the serial number to determine when it was made. A better description of the gun would help.

Bottom line for me: I wouldn't shoot it until I found out more about it. There are shooter grade 28s out there...but they aren't exactly cheap, either.
Click to expand...

Will grab some photos next time I am over visiting with him. Serial is N17xxxx so guessing maybe 1973. I know the receipt is dated 1974. Not sure what he paid, he doesn't usually talk prices. But, I know I had told him to try to not be over $600 in it so doubt he is over that or at least not much over if he is.
 
A few random questions / thoughts:

Do you remember if the serial number starts with S or N?
Standard or Target Stocks?
Smooth or Serrated Trigger?

Money would buy a lot more back in 1974. IIRC, that was the year of the original Arab Oil Embargo. We were all OUTRAGED when gasoline went up to $0.50 per gallon.
(From WestEgg Inflation Calculator: "What cost $125 in 1974 would cost $643.62 in 2018.")
 
I see you posted the N serial number while I was typing.

How much of a hit would it take if he shoots it a moderate amount? Probably not much as long as he doesn't carry it in a holster and only takes it to the range on nice days. This assumes he preserves the tools, box, and paperwork just as they are.

If he wants to carry it around in a harsh environment, my guess is the value will drop by a couple hundred dollars, give or take.
 
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