At the range with my 28-2...

[Ironhand]

This afternoon I decided it was time to run a few rounds through my recently purchased 28-2, mainly to see if the sight adjustments I made and tightening the strain screw had fixed my recent problem. I grabbed the HP and my old Beretta 92F, some ammo, and I took off for the range.

I was shooting American Eagle 130gr FMJ .38's and Blazer .357 magnum 158gr JHP in the revolver. Since this is my first S&W revolver I noticed a few new things when shooting the handgun today. Maybe it was the wind, but when I shot the .357 I would occasionally get hit in the face with what felt like burning powder. Not with every shot, but I noticed it when they blast from between the cylinder and barrel was biggest. Even with the mild .38's this sometimes happened, but not nearly as often. Also, there were little kernels of carbon left in the chambers and barrel of the 28 after coming home and cleaning the gun. I don't think the cylinder is out of time, but how do I check? End shake and lateral movement in the cylinder is minimal, and I can get a .007" feeler gauge between the cylinder and barrel, but not an .008". Accuracy was acceptable, but not great, as I still have the damaged rear sight on the gun as of now.


I had forgotten about the amount of muzzle blast from a magnum revolver, since my last one(a Ruger Redhawk .44 w/ 5.5" barrel)was sold 8 or 9 years ago. Holy ****! I've read that the Blazer stuff is a mild load, but I couldn't tell from the amount of flame and noise that belched out with every shot. The .38 stuff was genuinely mild, and I could have shot it all day.


The Beretta did its usual thing, which was sling lead in a very accurate way, while looking quite stylish in its walnut grips and worn finish.



It all went well until I got a phone call from my wife concerning the tornado warning in the area I was shooting. I took off for home and didn't even see one raindrop, but the storm was a serious, but small one, and I missed the bad stuff by about 30 minutes or so. All in all, a good trip to the range!!

A few pics..

How about my deluxe, custom pistol rug???

 

[CajunBass]

It's a whole lot nicer than mine, which are old white socks.

Nice looking handguns...both of them.

I took mine (28-2) and walked down the hill behind the house here one day last week, with a handful of my reloads and a gallon milk jug. I had that jug bouncing all over the creek bed for a little while.

Not a very scientific range report, but it was fun.

 

[bwelch47]

I would have a gunsmith check the cylinder alignment. My model 28 does not spew powder into my face. Beautiful model 28, the ugly twin to the model 27.

 

[minconrevo]

Yep, check cylinder alignment. While at it, check action timing in general. It appears that there is a .500 trigger that is possibly a refinish (maybe the hammer too) in use. Could be the action is a little out due to parts that were replaced at some point. The fact there is a distinctly visible turn line on the cylinder isn't that unusual for a matte finish blue.

Once you get your 28 just right, you'll really enjoy shooting it. I distinctly enjoy range time with mine.

 

[Ironhand]

OK, on to my next question...


Can anyone recommend a good Smith-smith in the Nashville area? There are a lot of gunsmiths around here, but I wouldn't trust most of them to install a brass bead on a shotgun, let alone something like cylinder timing. I know the hammer and trigger aren't stock, but "it was like that when I got it", so I'll keep them on there for the time being.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I agree on the gunsmith check. I have used the same gun case many times. Nice 28.......love the 4 inch.

 

[fyimo]

I really like the Model 28 and consider them a good value but I to would have it checked. Revolvers are usually dirty guns when fired because powder residue on your hands is a normal part of shooting them but it should not blow back into your face.

I have both the 4 inch and 6 inch barreled versions of the Model 28 and for the range I like the 6 inch better especially with full house 357 loads but that's just me. Interestingly for balance I think a 5 inch N frame is nearly perfect and while they made that length in the Model 27 they didn't offer it on the Model 28.

 

[Ironhand]

I came back from the gunsmith yesterday and my 28-2 has a clean bill of health. I mentioned to the 'smith that the spitting was worst when firing the Blazer ammo, but much less with the American Eagle .38, and almost none with the Magtech I first tried through it. He told me that Blazer uses an inexpensive, slower-burning powder, and that it's normal for lots of unburned powder to fly around, especially in a 4" gun.

 

[markeb]

I also think I have an issue with spitting. I just bought a 28 that has a little play in full lockup. While looking down the barrel with a light, I can see a slight edge of cylinder but can barely move to line up. The gun seems to lockup fine. I guess by earlier posts, should this be looked at by a gunsmith or should I just shoot and enjoy? Thanks