Are Model 28s finally getting respect?

[senecaap]

The 28 is great and always has been. The "respect" it is being shown today is by dealers who want to sell their 28s for the same prices as 27s, they are "respecting" their guns and "disrespecting" the sense of the buyer. A 28 is a plain jane 27 that does what it was intended to do, deliver N frame .357 performance for cheaper than the 27. I think some 28 owners have given themselves inferiority complexes over the years. The beauty of both (to me) is in their utility, shootability over looks every day.

 

[Dave T]

My first duty weapon was a 4" Model 28, bought shortly after going into the academy but before we started firearms training. I wanted a 5" M-27 but was told I had to have a 4" DA revolver. I asked about a 3.5" M-27 but again was told it had to be a 4". Got the 28, qualified near the top of the class and carried it to the end of my probationary year. I was loading my own ammo and used to shoot 100-200 rounds a week, all magnums and all DA. At the end of probation that 28 looked a lot older than it actually was.

When I qualified with a MKIV Series 70 Government Model I sold the Model 28 to finance something else. I have no idea these many years later what that "had to have" gun was. Naturally I miss the old M-28.

Earlier this year I finally replaced it with this:

It's a 1959 vintage Model 28 no dash, 4-screw that has the very best trigger, both DA and SA, of any S&W in the safe. This one I'm not going to let go. (smile)

Dave

 

[ENGINE18]

I only have one, and it's in pretty nice condition, locks up like a vault, and is a VERY accurate shooter! Sorry no pics (some day!)

 

[Trooper224]

The only new found respect the 28 is getting is in the mind of insecure 28 owners. The 28 has always been an excellent, plain-jane service pistol. For years it didn't bask in the limelight given its fancier brothers because it was meant to be a tug boat, not a show boat. Now, with prices on other N Frames in a perpetual climb ever higher the 28 is recieving new interest from collectors because of its availability/affordability ratio. 28 owners can now feel like they're sitting at the cool table.

 

[kscardsfan]

Guess I just thought of it as the rat rod of the n-frame world. I wanted one just because of it's utlitarian qualities. I also think the model 13, 581, 520, and 58 were some of the coolest smith's ever built. The Humphrey Bogarts of the smith world if you will.

 

[NavyFrank]

Model 28's

Well I have three first one five digit serial number missnumbered in the frame like new condition. Two one I purchased at $275 and was a PPC gun with a six inch barrel with at least three squips in the barrel and the owner tried to remove with a steel rod. Has one of the slickest actions I have ever seen. Removed barrel and rib. Replaced rear sight and put a replacement Model 23 Outdoorsman Target barrel on it. Extra lock on yoke mades it a "triple lock". This is one sweet shooter. Third one I just put on layaway. It's 320 with holster and one speed loader sporting a 4 inch barrel. I'll pick this one up on Friday. It's in the N95xxxx serial range. Still have a 3 1/2in 27 which I use and is a favorite.

 

[indiuckian]

Respect earned through consistent reliability

I have had this since 1982, though I once traded it back to my Dad in 1986 and it disapeared in a trade. In 1994 I was talking guns to my Uncle when he said he had my Dad's old model 28 and asked me if I wanted it back. I traded him a 6 inch stainless GP100 and the 28 has not left my hands since. My Dad had owned it since 1974. Alot of fine memories can be wrapped up in blue steel.

I guess I never thought of this weapon as being anything less than what it was nor anything more than what it wasn't. But it has always had my respect.

 

[haifabuddy]

Is $600 NIB too much for a 28?

 

[Gary7]

Well I have three first one five digit serial number missnumbered in the frame like new condition. Two one I purchased at $275 and was a PPC gun with a six inch barrel with at least three squips in the barrel and the owner tried to remove with a steel rod. Has one of the slickest actions I have ever seen. Removed barrel and rib. Replaced rear sight and put a replacement Model 23 Outdoorsman Target barrel on it. Extra lock on yoke mades it a "triple lock".

What extra lock on yoke?

 

[GF]

Is $600 NIB too much for a 28?

Well, that depends. If it's a N serial numbered 6 inch, yes.

If it's a 4 inch S serial numbered gun with diamond magnas and box & docs, no.

GF

 

[frankw]

After I got out of the USMC in 1969 and had a stable job, I started looking for my first really nice gun. A range close to work had a 4" 28 that belonged to the gunsmith and he had slicked up the action.

I bought it and used to shoot the centers out of the targets at the range. I don't remember what I paid for it but somewhere in the $150 range.
I sold it several years later but still remember that was the most fondled gun I have ever owned to date. It was a beautiful workhorse of a weapon.

 

[NavyFrank]

Model 28's

What extra lock on yoke?

The one that the gunsmith put on the yoke when he made it into a PPC gun. Bull barrels are tough to pin up front with no under lug.

 

[SWID]

Here's two of mine, I have six, three each of 4 inch and six inch. My first gun was a 28 bought in 67 from F.Morton Pitt in L.A. It's the bottom one in the picture and it came with the grips. I too could not afford a 27.

 

[shadowbull]

Finish Description

For those of you pondering the official type of blue finish on the mighty Model 28, it is stated thusly in the 1977 instruction book.

"Finish.... S&W Satin Blue with sandblast stippling on barrel top and edge of frame"

 

[Gary7]

The one that the gunsmith put on the yoke when he made it into a PPC gun. Bull barrels are tough to pin up front with no under lug.

I'm still trying to figure out what you're talking about since you said you put a Model 23 barrel on it: "Replaced rear sight and put a replacement Model 23 Outdoorsman Target barrel on it. Extra lock on yoke mades it a 'triple lock'."

 

[NavyFrank]

Model 28

Triple lock locks the cylinder assembly in three contact points. Front of cylinder ego ejector rod, two ,yoke area and at the rear of cylinder third area. I'll try to make time of a photo.

 

[Gordylew]

Must be a lot of buyers in this room and not many sellers.
I've been looking for 3 months for a descent model 28 and finally found a nice shooter grade 4" for $400 out the door. I've been seeing 6" shooters going for over $500 around here. I wish I lived where ever you guys live.

 

[Gary7]

Triple lock locks the cylinder assembly in three contact points. Front of cylinder ego ejector rod, two ,yoke area and at the rear of cylinder third area. I'll try to make time of a photo.

I understand how the triple lock works. But you said you put a Model 23 barrel on it. The Model 23 wasn't a triple lock. Did your smith add the third lock to the ejector shroud on the 23 barrel?

 

[NavyFrank]

Model 28 PPC

No Gary the second lock is located on top of the yoke. Notice I stated this was converted from a PCC gun with a Bull barrel which has no underlug locking point. Locking point placement was on top of the yoke inside the frame.

 

[Gary7]

No Gary the second lock is located on top of the yoke. Notice I stated this was converted from a PCC gun with a Bull barrel which has no underlug locking point. Locking point placement was on top of the yoke inside the frame.

Okay, now I see.