Anyone care to offer thoughts on this 4" 28-2?

[YouveHadYour6]

Hi all, considering snagging this H.P. as I currently lack any in the collection. May get to go look at it tomorrow, but not 100% sold on these pics, primarily of where the Hogues were removed - the seller was kind enough to take them off for this couple of snaps though. Seller says no damage/wear/pitting to the blue itself near the shoulder, just dirty, but also didn't offer to send a new pic or etc. (There is some obvious pitting beginning at one spot on the gripframe, part of what gives me pause)

I'd be planning to take off the Hogues and put service Magnas back on, just my own preference for N-frame 4" jobs. Overall it seems a fairly clean one - maybe a touch of cold blue on the end of the barrel for muzzle rub? Not sure, myself. It's obviously not perfect, which I'm fine with, but would like to get others' thoughts on it as well.

And would anyone be able to say if N36062 (seller is aware this info is public and being shared) dates to approx. 1969-71? It's as close as I've been able to nail down from some casual research, and I could be wrong - I'm much more familiar with K-frames.

The revolver market is weak in my area (central ID) but of what does move, Smith .357s tend to - N-frame models less so however. Judging from these pics - all I have at the moment - what does the hive mind say would be a fair ballpark for this example?

Thanks for any thoughts all!

 

[Doug G]

That area will clean up no problem. Some oil and 0000 steel wool (very light buff).

 

[Model29-26.5]

Without wood stocks around $700 ballpark?

 

[doubletapp357]

Looks great!

 

[Nightowl]

Notice the bevel on the back of the cylinder, front of the cylinder, and it appears the rear of the barrel also. That was a nice touch that seemed to be discontinued later on. The serial puts it around 1970ish. I'd be all over that one, and I certainly do not need another Smith!

 

[Hawg Rider]

Looks like a decent early N prefix Model 28-2 (late 1969-early 1970), and the finish is actually pretty nice. It should clean up very well with some polish and wax. The beveled cylinder and barrel are nice touches, too. This could possibly have been an unmarked LEO revolver. Without the original stocks, I agree that $700 would be a fair price...may as high as $750. Good luck, I think that you would enjoy owning it.

 

[Truckman]

In my own experience I've had better experience cleaning up the area beneath Hogues than I have under Pachmayrs......Ben

 

[John in Yuma]

Paid what most would say is too much for mine. No regrets. They ain't making any more. If you find one you like, jump.

 

[Retired LEO .357]

Had a model 28 and a model 19. Bought both at same time, but I preferred my 19 and sold the 28. Both fine .357 wheel guns!

 

[JP@AK]

BUY IT!

I have been shooting S&W Highway Patrolman revolvers since the 1960s. I collect K frames, but my favorite revolver to shoot is a 4" Highway Patrolman. I've sent thousands of bullets down range with mine. Years ago, I shot several rattlesnakes with one. I even shot a moose once with heavy handloads using a properly constructed jacketed bullet! (Not a great idea, by the way.)

I'm not as fond of the 6" HP, but those are okay too. Nice 4" examples are getting harder to find and tend to be expensive when found. Assuming you want it to shoot and not necessarily to gain a lot of value over time, I don't think you should pass that one up. And putting Magna stocks back on it is a good idea. It almost certainly left the factory that way. Original target stocks were quite uncommon on the 4" HP and, of course, we know the Hogues weren't there from the factory.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

Just came home with'er and ended up with a pretty happy deal for my side - looks like the revolver will clean up better than hoped, too, if no surprises come up when I get it freshened up with 'new shoes' soon - pics to come once cleaned and waxed + new stocks are here!

 

[Golphin]

I always like the 28-2 and was lucky enough to fine a couple in pawn shops before prices went up on them.

 

[hemiram]

Looks OK to me, one of mine has a previous owner's SS number under the grip, so dirt is nothing. Not a deal killer, but I wasn't really thrilled when I saw it. I don't think the guy who sold it to me knew it was there, as the magna grips hadn't been off the gun in a long time, and he only had the gun about a year.

 

[YouveHadYour6]

An update from the first post:

This one cleaned up pretty well in the end, and the bluing, including under the stocks is now near perfect after a liberal cleaning of CLP with toothbrush followed by drying and polishing with Ren Wax. Excellent edges and bevels for a gun obviously used but not abused, crisp markings all around. Slight holster wear as evident, mostly near muzzle, but overall very pleased with the way this one has come out for what I have invested. Feels great for my hands with the Magnas and looking forward to giving it some range time.

Enjoy the pics! Excuse any glare, tried to get some while it was sunny and not too hot.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Nicely done!

 

[DKM]

An update from the first post:

This one cleaned up pretty well in the end, and the bluing, including under the stocks is now near perfect after a liberal cleaning of CLP with toothbrush followed by drying and polishing with Ren Wax. Excellent edges and bevels for a gun obviously used but not abused, crisp markings all around. Slight holster wear as evident, mostly near muzzle, but overall very pleased with the way this one has come out for what I have invested. Feels great for my hands with the Magnas and looking forward to giving it some range time.

Enjoy the pics! Excuse any glare, tried to get some while it was sunny and not too hot.

View attachment 765201View attachment 765202

Nice pictures, really good.

 

[paddlingman]

Love, love, love my 4" 28-2 N182xx. Enjoy that one!

 

[Rudi]

I like it!