Am I paying too much for this old 28-2?

[hiwaycruzer]

I'm picking up an old 28-2 w/6"bbl this evening. It's had what looks to me like a bad Cerakote job, as well as a lighter spring installed and the internals polished. Seller states it has significantly lighter trigger pull than stock, something I don't want in a combat pistol, so I asked him to reinstall the original spring, to which he agreed. Asking price was $500 but I talked him down to $400 given the awful coating job. Am I paying too much?
Hope the photos I post make it thru...

 

[RussellD]

run the other way

 

[mojave30cal]

Yeah, run like the wind in the opposite direction! There are
a lot of nice 28-2's out there that haven't been messed with.
With a little patience, you'll find a nice one to call your own.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I'd pay $300 for it . . .

 

[kozmic]

Short answer...Yes. At 400 bucks IMO, you're paying too much for that refinished 6" 28-2.

 

[normanlclark]

I wouldn't buy it at any price, but that's not to say it isn't worth $400. I just don't like any gun that has been buggered with that much. Finding a decent 28 though, is not that easy anymore.

 

[hiwaycruzer]

To all who responded, thanks for the input!
Unfortunately I've already given my word to do the deal. All I want is a well made, dependable, knock-around truck-gun that handles .357mag as well as 38spl. I couldn't see buying anything less than a S&W and plan to keep the pistol.

 

[hiwaycruzer]

28-2

Yeah, run like the wind in the opposite direction! There are
a lot of nice 28-2's out there that haven't been messed with.
With a little patience, you'll find a nice one to call your own.

I didn't see anything less than $600, and some several hundred more. I thought $400 was a bargain. Hope it shoots as good as the seller said it does. Maybe I can have it refinished/re-blued down the road...

 

[bmcgilvray]

The N-Frame Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver is superior to all other .357 Magnum revolvers ever made in my opinion. As a utility gun for your purpose, it will serve admirably. Was a bit pricey for right now but, who knows in coming years.

 

[Florida J Frame]

Check it for push-off. If you can push the hammer off from the cocked position don't take the gun no matter what you told him.

 

[old bear]

To all who responded, thanks for the input!
Unfortunately I've already given my word to do the deal. All I want is a well made, dependable, knock-around truck-gun that handles .357mag as well as 38spl. I couldn't see buying anything less than a S&W and plan to keep the pistol.

Sir, you got what you were looking for. As for price, try and find anything else that meets your needs for less money. I for one think you did just fine.

old bear

 

[sbowenjr]

I didn't see anything less than $600, and some several hundred more. I thought $400 was a bargain. Hope it shoots as good as the seller said it does. Maybe I can have it refinished/re-blued down the road...

I respectfully disagree with the comments above. I.think. you did well. I also.like that you are honoring your commitmet and agree with you. To me a verbal agreement is just as solid and binding as a signed contract. We are only as good our word. You never know next time the seller might have a Pre 29 five screw with your name on it..Way to go and good luck with your purchase. I cannot remember seeing any 28's for the prices mentioned above. Not recently anyway. I am not saying they don't exist i am just saying they would be rare and not reflect the current popularity / prices that the Smith & Wesson's seem to be bringing now a days. Gentleman if any of you have a 28-2 for sale that is functional at the above mentioned prices (under $400.00) please PM me . I purchased pre 17/5 screw last year that was cre coated. It shoots great. However I did have trouble with the extractor getting loose and binding. I also purchased a pre 28/5 screw that had been nickeled. Gun shops great but the front sight pin came out. So if the price is low it helps offset a little maintenance IMO.

 

[Jack Flash]

If it's a good reliable shooter, I think $400 is cheap for what you're getting.

Some people might not take it if you gave it to them, but they probably have all the N-Frame shooters they need.

 

[woodsltc]

Unfortunately I've already given my word to do the deal. All I want is a well made, dependable, knock-around truck-gun that handles .357mag as well as 38spl. I couldn't see buying anything less than a S&W and plan to keep the pistol.

Hey.....you gave your word & in my estimation that is what's important.

And if it shoots up to it's potential then you got exactly what you were looking for. Actually $400 for a mechanically sound N-Frame... that's not bad at all.

I kinda like the look. It's exactly what I would want for a "truck-gun" and if it is accurate and handles well, I think you may have found a bargain.

Don

 

[gdogs]

As long as it shoots fine, I don't think it is unreasonable at $400. I've certainly seen worse for more. It isn't a steal, but under 4 bills for a functional N frame is hard to come by these days. Truck guns don't need to be pretty.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Hey.....you gave your word & in my estimation that is what's important.

And if it shoots up to it's potential then you got exactly what you were looking for. Actually $400 for a mechanically sound N-Frame... that's not bad at all.

I kinda like the look. It's exactly what I would want for a "truck-gun" and if it is accurate and handles well, I think you may have found a bargain.

Don

I agree with this assessment for the most part, but the whole spring thing gives me pause to think it may not be mechanically sound. I'm still at $300.

 

[kozmic]

Yes, I agree 100%. Your word is your bond and as such you should follow through. As a truck gun, it will in deed serve you needs better than most in that price range.

One of my favorite range guns is my 6" 28-2. It's a riot to shoot. While your gun doesn't check all of my boxes, I won't be using it. I know you'll get years of reliable use and fun from it. Enjoy.

 

[gmborkovic]

At $400 you are topped out. No profit left, but you are the end user and got a great truck gun. Its a seat queen. Nice security blanket for a night trip back to the farm.

 

[hiwaycruzer]

Check it for push-off. If you can push the hammer off from the cocked position don't take the gun no matter what you told him.

Thanks for the tip!!! I'll certainly check it.

 

[hiwaycruzer]

Check it for push-off. If you can push the hammer off from the cocked position don't take the gun no matter what you told him.

Thanks for the tip, will do!!!

 

[cruiserdan]

As long as it shoots fine, I don't think it is unreasonable at $400. I've certainly seen worse for more. It isn't a steal, but under 4 bills for a functional N frame is hard to come by these days. Truck guns don't need to be pretty.

Not only that but if you happen to drop it in the dirt you won't have to scrape yourself off the ceiling. If I dropped my 27-2 I'd be a basket case.....

 

[alwslate]

Sounds like you ran into a bubba who wants to rid himself of a
constant reminder of his "skills" and move on to his next project. I
have to vote with the $300 value given above. Not because the 28's
not a really great revolver, I have three, but because there's no cheap
fix for this one and $400 is close to what a reasonably nice one could
be had for with a little looking. If you feel locked in at $400 because
of a verbal commitment that's understandable but the lesson here is
to slow down a little, don't buy on impluse and ignore red flags
because you're excited and willing to jump and just hope everything
will be ok. A typical buying strategy when starting out but shed as
experience grows.

 

[Zebadiah]

I didn't see anything less than $600, and some several hundred more. I thought $400 was a bargain. Hope it shoots as good as the seller said it does. Maybe I can have it refinished/re-blued down the road...

Personally I think you did okay. A good model 27 is always a wonderful thing to have. In my area, a model 27 is not easy to find, and it is unlikely to get any easier in the future. You must've seen a lot of good in it or you wouldn't have committed to buy it in the first place. Quit second-guessing yourself and enjoy it.

More than likely, someone is going to see you out shooting it and just have to have it no matter what your asking price...but by then, you'll be in love with it and won't turn it loose. Hooooah?

 

[fat tom]

FWIW,last year I picked up a very worn S pre-fix 28-2 at a local pawn shop for $250. I had it ceracoated to improve it's looks. Problem was,I didn't like the color I chose once it was completed so I left it on consignment at the shop where the coating was done with instructions to "get what you can for it." Last Monday,he called to say it had been sold. My end,$500 cash money! In addition,I had replaced the decent set of diamond targets that were on the gun when I bought it with a pair of Pachs. Everyone has an opinion and they aren't always the same. Different strokes,and all that. Enjoy your new revolver!
f.t.

 

[beardeddog]

$525 gets you a 28-2 4" with some holster wear and non original grips. Good bench mark. In my area of Wi, Most Of the late 60s - 1980s two digit model 38 $ 357 s&w wheel guns in good to very good condition with original grips go for $525 (+\- $125). Boxes etc add more dollars.

There are limited dealers and lots of old people. So prices are fixed to a general range, but there is semi regular inventory because of all the retired folks wanting the pistol out of the house because of the grand kids or estates.

 

[bananaman]

I currently have a 6" no dash 28. I really like that gun!. At $400, if it is mechanically sound you are getting a SHOOTER at a good price. Will it EVER have collector value? Not likely. But you can sure shoot & enjoy it! Bob

 

[alwaysoutdoors]

There is more than one way to look at it. If you feel comfortable with the price given your purpose for the gun, the go for it. Like others have said, pass on it if it has a dangerous trigger job (or negotiate the price with having it done correctly in mind).

 

[BigBill]

The N-Frame Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver is superior to all other .357 Magnum revolvers ever made in my opinion. As a utility gun for your purpose, it will serve admirably. Was a bit pricey for right now but, who knows in coming years.

Im not sure which 357 magnum revolver is the best but the s&w m27 / m28, the colt trooper MkIII, colt Python and the Ruger security six all will perform good for anyone. Mine have.

 

[Grayfox]

If the gun is mechanically sound and for the intended purpose, I think $400 is a fair price.
I've seen very few 28s of any kind around here in years. Nice one's are outrageous and even rough ones bring $500 or more. I say grab it while you can. There's no telling how long it'll be before you find another.

 

[ralph7]

Put it this way

If you put that gun on a gun show table around here, it wouldn't make it to lunch.