An UGLY 28-2...but its tight and its mine

I totally understand most folks sentiments about leaving that 28 alone however I would do the very same thing and make the gun look brand new. I would send it to S&W or Fords and have a factory reblue done and get the grips refinished to new status and shoot and enjoy my like new model 28.
This isn't about collector status. It's all about wanting to take care of a fine handgun. It isn't about price and isn't about the memories of how the wear occured since you didn't put the wear on it yourself to begin with.
Have it done and done right and love it!
 
Do what feels best for you. If it is a reblue choice go to S&W, I have one 19-3 done by an unknown gun smith for the previous owner, it distinctly is a lesser quality blue job.
 
i don't know if you saw the thread i had on mine , but i was going to get rid of mine due to rust pitting and other blemishes. but instead i sent it back to smith and had it reblued. oh, am i glad i did . what a nice job they did! it is now one of my favorite pieces.
 
It's beautiful to me. Nothing wrong with refinishing it though. It's your gun so make it suit your tastes and needs.
 
I have never had a gun with a set of Diamond Target grips...I really like these and they will stay on the gun. I checked with S&W...$150 for the origional matt finish polish and blue...so + shipping and the grips + the origional cost of the gun, all added up...I will be into this gun for about 5 bills...In the last 4 or 5 years, I havnt seen a nice "S" 4 inch 28 for less than 5 and in the last 6 to 8 months...the prices have really jumped...the gun ships on Monday to S&W.
 
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Please add what you paid for the gun to the cost of refinishing (including all shipping costs).

Now compare that figure to what a 28 in good condition would cost to buy.

I am betting the first figure is higher than the second.

Now compare the value of an original gun to a refinished one. Again, the first number will usually be higher.

This means you are spending money to reduce the value of your gun.

Really, if you wanted a new looking gun, why did you buy this one? I don't understand your comment about how you "couldn't be happier" with the gun. Sounds to me like you are actually very UNHAPPY with it.

Your gun... your money... your decision.
 
That's what I carried as a LEO in San Diego County between 1974~1976. I purchased it new from a local gun shop. I recall that not too many LEO's liked it as it was considered the 'ugly duckling' or very utilitarian. Anyway, I moved on to something different but the 28 was my favorite. I'd sure like to track down my old piece as I'm sure I have the serial number in some old report. Your copy looks to be in fairly good shape and a trip to the factory could likely restore it nicely.
 
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The M28 was my first duty weapon. I moved on to 1911s and the 45 ACP for the rest of my carrier when I got off probation. Still have a weak spot in my soul for the 4" Highway Patrolman. That one, because of it's vintage, is one of the best of the bunch. I like guns with character and honest wear. I'd keep it as is but it's your gun so do what you prefer and more power to you.

Dave
 
SaxonPig said:
Really, if you wanted a new looking gun, why did you buy this one? I don't understand your comment about how you "couldn't be happier" with the gun. Sounds to me like you are actually very UNHAPPY with it.

Your gun... your money... your decision.
Click to expand...

I have to constantly remind myself of that. I had a $600, 98% K22. I was afraid to shoot it for fear of scratching it. I got my money out of it, and found what I had been looking for all along, which was a perfectly tight five-screw K22 with some finish issues for $350. Each time I look at it, I think how beautiful it would be with a refinish. I have to remind myself that I would be back in a $600 gun that I could never get my money out of.

Another vote for leaving that 28 "as is."
 
It is not collectible like it is but it does sound like lots of guys here would buy it from you... sell it and get another in the condition you want or just send it back to S&W and have it refinished. If you are going to keep it then no worries about your total investment.
 
I have a model 28-2 and above the model number is N98752. Under th cylander it has 76385. It says Highway Patrolman. I would like any information you can send me. I also would like to know when it was manufactured.
 
Welcome Smitty33! Check the thread titled Ultimate Highway Patrolman in this same forum. SN info there, etc. What do others say? 1972? Mine is very close to yours but I have not lettered it, yet.
 
Hi,

I have a 28-2 4 inch S serial number I bought from a formal CHP officer. The revolver had not been used in years and had surface rust in several spots on the frame. Very tight lock-up and a very smooth trigger. After much labor I was able to remove most of the rust. The revolver still has rust stains and some light pitting on the frame. Too me this is the classic "working police officers revolver". I have considered refinishing but I like a honest appearance in a classic revolver. Its not a collector but still the model 28 is one of my all time favorites.

Have fun with yours,
roaddog28
 
It's a working gun that looks like it actually did some work!

If you want a pretty one, look for one that's ANIB, they're pricy but out there. Put the money you would spend re-doing it toward a "safe queen" and use the one you have as a duty gun-carry piece-shooter etc.

That's what I did, I just bought an ex-PD 4" M28 that looks pretty rough, it will be my "shooter" and I already have a deal in the works for a much nicer 6" for "touch and feel" as something nice to keep stored away and protected. I enjoy being the "guardian" of original condition guns, so maybe in 100 years after I am gone from this earth, a guy my age now can actually own and enjoy a gun from "back when they were made right".

IMO once they leave the factory, even if S&W does the re-blue it won't ever look "right" especially to you, the owner. You'll always know it's been refinished.
 
Ugly But Tight Quandary

These are great threads to let us dream of and discuss original guns with blemishes [hopefully bought right] -vs- like-new guns that may be too pretty to shoot.

My take is to find out first if it is accurate and excellent in operation, which you were going to do on a Friday in May. If so, clean it up a bit, get a fresh bottle of Oxpho Blue and have at it to blend gaps in the blue, with the stocks getting their fair share of DIY TLC or, better, professional attention. You can always refinish the metal later.

Thanks for sharing & hope it is a great shooter for your intended use.

Regards,

Dyson

.
 
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