5 Screw Pre-Model 28 as a daily shooter?

[WNC Seabee]

I have a nice 5 screw Pre 28, 4" (SN 1266xx) that is in decent shape, but it's definitely seen some use in its day. The finish is far from pristine, but it's not exactly rough either.

Would you hesitate to use this for a regular shooter or carry? It would see weekly range use and occasional carry on hikes, fishing, etc.

I typically load lower power .38s for range use.

If I decide it's too "good" to carry, then I'll likely stop shooting it all together and practice with the GP100 that would replace it.

 

[WNC Seabee]

sorry....just realized this should have gone the pre-1961 forum....my mistake.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I'd shoot the heck out of it. It's not a safe queen anyway, and you can't wear it out. It was made to be shot.. JMO.

Ken

 

[bamabiker]

That's a nice old HP that has earned the right to be shot and carried. Nice used character.

 

[WNC Seabee]

I guess my question is more along the lines of....is this nice old HP "too old" to shoot regularly? I'm not worried about the finish or other beauty marks, I'm more concerned with a steady diet of range use damaging ~55 year old metal?

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Seriously, I don't think you are gonna hurt it with a steady diet of any reasonable load. It's a heavy-duty gun.

 

[szuppo]

You should have no worries shooting the hell out of that "old" Highway Patrolman.
It will outlast you and possibly your grandchildren on a steady diet of heavy loads. Enjoy!

 

[Dave T]

A good argument can be made that the metal and assembly of that 1950s N-frame is superior to what you can buy today. It is certainly up to a long future of shooting 38's and even magnum rounds. What would eventually hurt it's timing would be a constant diet of rapid DA shooting. The momentum of that heavy cylinder being stopped by the bolt over and over again at full speed will make that fine old revolver a little loose after a while.

If it was mine I'd shoot it regularly with magnums (but more slowly than in my younger days - LOL) and be glad to have it.

Dave

 

[fyimo]

I say shoot it and carry it as a ton of policeman staked their lives on it back in the day and it's a solid performer.

 

[WNC Seabee]

Thanks all! Looks like I'll be placing another order to Simply Rugged for some leather...

 

[TomcatPC]

Hello

I hope to have a .357 Magnum like that for backpacking, camping, "general field service", etc. sometime in the future. I hope you have fun firing it, I know I would.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Jack Flash]

... Would you hesitate to use this for a regular shooter or carry? It would see weekly range use and occasional carry on hikes, fishing, etc.

I typically load lower power .38s for range use.

If I decide it's too "good" to carry, then I'll likely stop shooting it all together and practice with the GP100 that would replace it.

I would say none of those precautions are necessary.

If you like to shoot lower power .38s, fine. But no need to baby this revolver. Shoot any gun enough and you increase the chances something will break, but I honestly doubt can shoot this one enough to cause a failure.

 

[brucev]

Shoot it. Get yourself a 1930 Austin or a Tom Threepersons holster from El Paso Saddlery, get a good belt and ammo slide and enjoy carrying it. But don't baby it. Above all, enjoy it! Cheers! brucev.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

There you go... all you need is some appropriate leather.

ken

 

[kwbikr]

28 shooter

These guns are wonderful for using .38+p loads...it's mild recoil is a very pleasant feature in this mode...and helps make you a better shooter...the fact that they are buit to handle .357 in all it's forms without a burp over a lifetime. It ties as my favorite S&W (with the Model 39)...others are great too...but this one speaks to me personally.

 

[WNC Seabee]

The "lower power .38s" are due mainly to my laziness. I have a nice load worked up that is just deadly for my K38 target gun and more than good enough for everything else.

I make big batches of that rather than work up a different load for each gun.

 

[M28]

Couldn't hurt it if you wanted to!

Brian~

 

[Aquilesw28]

You should have no worries shooting the hell out of that "old" Highway Patrolman.
It will outlast you and possibly your grandchildren on a steady diet of heavy loads. Enjoy!

I agree my grandchildren will shoot hot Magnum through mine.

Cry «Havoc!», and let slip the dogs of war

Enviado desde mi Moto Z2 Play mediante Tapatalk

 

[swkohnle08]

I think these beautiful old guns are meant to be shot and enjoyed. I found a pristine no-dash Model 36 with barely a cylinder ring that looked like someone bought it new and stuck in it a drawer. I found it at a LGS and had to get it. At first I thought I need to keep this in the safe to preserve it. Then I started to think that Smith & Wesson put a lot of precision hand assembly to make them last a lifetime so why not enjoy them. I put my M&P Shield in the safe and carry and train with that Model 36. I love that little snubbie. It took a little time to get accurate shooting it, but today I shoot it well and it's my EDC. I think we owe it to Smith & Wesson craftsmen to shoot them regularly and enjoy them. Just my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cardboard_killer]

I agree my grandchildren will shoot hot Magnum through mine.

Welcome to the internet, and S&W forums.

What you have done is replied to a 7 year old thread. It is called necro-posting--reviving an dead thread. Sometimes that is necessary, but usually it isn't. Convention is to begin a new thread if you want to talk about an old thread's subject.