Are Model 28s finally getting respect?

[PALADIN85020]

My very first S&W magnum was bought new back in 1967. It was a Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman. Every bit as good a shooter as the famed Model 27, but a whole lot less expensive, and I wasn't afraid to take it into the field and actually use it!

I've seen the prices on these sturdy N-frame .357s really escalate in recent years, and I'm thinking that the Model 28 is finally getting the respect it deserves.

Here's my modest collection of the breed:

This is my original 6" 28-2, made in January of 1967, and my dad's 4" 28-2, made in January of 1968:

This one's a 4" Model 28-2, made in September, 1980. Original target stocks, numbered to the gun, plus I have the original box, indicating it was shipped with the target stocks:

This 4" 28-2 is one I got for a song, because the owner had it equipped with mis-matched K-frame stocks and it looked awful. I set it up with some Eagle brand Roper/Skelton style stocks; Now looks a lot better, and it makes a great shooter. This one was shipped in January, 1977.

How many of you have one or more these previously underrated but rugged N-frames? I think they are really coming into their own as desirable guns now!

John

 

[lackejd]

Beautiful guns. I am jealous. I am looking at a 28-2 that has the officer's name, date of issue, and police dept. engraved on it. Do you think that adversely affects the value of gun or does it add some type of neatness to it?

 

[vrichard]

6 in.28-2,
Dick

 

[vrichard]

My 4 in.28-2.
Dick

 

[Art Doc]

I don't think that I would agree that they were ever disrespected. They are what they are, which is a plain Jane service revolver. Sturdy, but plain.

If anything, when prices rise above above 70% of the M27, the 28 is being shown too much respect, IMO.

 

[GF]

The six inch guns are still a deal at 450 or so in my neck-of-the-woods. Can you find a better 357 cheaper than that?

I think they are the last N frame you can find a "good deal" on without much effort.

Here's a coupla' shooters.

Gf

 

[Tom Kent]

I recall these being issued "back in the day". I am retired now and I found a six inch 28-2 at a gun show about two years ago. A real tack driver with 158gn .357 rounds. I just found a 4" 28-2 about two weeks ago. It is also a tack driver with the same ammo. I recall as a rookie I was told by a senior fellow that these 28s would out shoot "anything out there".

 

[Gary7]

I don't think that I would agree that they were ever disrespected. They are what they are, which is a plain Jane service revolver. Sturdy, but plain.

"Plain" is a subjective concept. To me, the soft sheen of the M28's satin finish is very sublime. It's not pedestrian or plain at all and it's a mistake to refer to it as a "matte" finish.

 

[WVfishguy]

My favorite .357s, by far.
All my 28 are 28-2s. The top gun was made in 1977-78, the bottom 1966-67:

This 6" was made in 1979:

 

[-db-]

I'm long familiar with firearms but it was a Model 28 that turned me on to revolvers recently. After years of playing with Berettas, SIGs and other semi-autos, I spotted a random photo of a 28 posted on another forum last year and suddenly, finally, realized just how amazingly simple yet elegant revolvers are. They had never caught my eye before, I was never interested, until then when something about the gun had me mesmerized. It was sort of like a Eureka! moment leaving me dumbfounded wondering how and why I had been ignoring wheel guns all this time. I immediately started researching them, finding out the 28 is, as Wikipedia describes, the epitome of minimalism in handgun design. I agreed and instantly understood that I must have one.

At that point I started looking for one while learning about other models, picking up a few here and there while waiting for the right Highway Patrolman to come along, and I've finally got it.

Nothing fancy, just a later 28-2 shooter, but it's perfect for my kind of collecting right now. Now it's onto the next S&W, and the one after that, and the next. You folks know how it is.

 

[Grayfox]

I never heard anything about 28s not being highly respected.
Its exactly what it was designed to be, a work gun. And you'll never find a finer example of that catagory.

 

[Art Doc]

G7- I believe the proper term is satin finish but matte is interchangeable. It simply means less polishing before being blued. You may prefer the look of the satin blue (many apparently do) but it is a less costly finish and was done to make the gun less expensive. Just like the deletion of the metal checkering and the limiting of the options normally found on the more deluxe models.

I'm not slamming the 28. But it is what it is.

 

[Gary7]

G7- I believe the proper term is satin finish but matte is interchangeable. It simply means less polishing before being blued.

I generally think of a true matte finish as being bead-blast prep before bluing. There is no polishing done for a true matte finish. The satin finish on the 28 is definitely a brush polish and that's why it's got the sheen to it, whereas a matte finish will have virtually no sheen. Cheaper than a high polish finish? Of course. But still not a pedestrian bead-blast matte finish for sure.

 

[redlevel]

I am an admirer of the M 28, but I have to agree with Mr. Saxon Pig. The 28 was a utility type gun, a service revolver as he pointed out. I owned a couple of new 28s and a new Model 27 around 1971 or 72 or 73. There was no comparison in fit, finish, or trigger pull. I have never understood the seemingly "cult" fascination that has surrounded them in the last few years. I love 'em, but there are a lot more S&W models I would pay the money they are demanding today before buying a 28.

From my observations, a Model 27 or a Model 19 or a K22 has about tripled in price over the last ten or so years. The price of a 28 has multiplied by a factor of at least 4X or even 5X. I don't know why. Ten or twelve years ago, local gun shops wouldn't allow any more than $100 for a 28 on a trade, and they would rather not take one.

 

[Black Knight]

The first handgun I bought for myself is a 4" model 28. It took the place of my 6" Python while I was working armed security many years ago. I still have the 28 and occassionally carry it today. I'm glad Virginia is an open carry state as well as shall issue.

 

[bigun]

My 6" model 28-2 was made in 1973 and it evidently had been polished a little more prior to being blued at the factory-as the finish turned out really nice on this NIB M28-2!:

 

[kraigwy]

O.W. Wilson, in his book "Police Administration" (use to be the Bible on Police Work) said: and I believe he had the Model 28 when he made the comment.

"The service revolver should be heavy, so it could be used as a club if necessary"

I was lucky, and was able to keep mine when I retired.

 

[Bat Guano]

I had two in my early years, but Ns are big for concealed carry and my hand. Nonetheless I like them a LOT. Probably the most bang for the buck ever produced by a gun company.

Unloaded the first two but missed having one around. Found a 99%+ one that I'd rather not shoot, which is dumb. I need a shooter grade one with some blue wear.

 

[bwsmith2850]

I am looking at a 28-2 that has the officer's name, date of issue, and police dept. engraved on it. Do you think that adversely affects the value of gun or does it add some type of neatness to it?

Lackejd, like many things beauty is the eye of the beholder. If the engraving is neatly done it can add interest. I like some history with my guns. We have some 'police gun' threads that have some beautiful examples.

If it was poorly done, scratched or electric penciled where it can be seen, it's been abused and the price should reflect that abuse.

IMHO the most important consideration is: do you like it?

 

[Art Doc]

Yes, it seriously hurts the value.