Bought a Model 28-3 Highway Patrolman

[AJMBLAZER]

Local gunstore known for nice older stuff, rare stuff, and just neat in general stuff has a 4" Highway Patrolman/Model 28 with adjustable sights for a decent price. Looks to be well used but cared for.

Salesguy was nice but I'm fairly sure mostly uneducated about it. I don't know much about them either but he had my BS meter's needle wavering on the high side as he blathered about it.

Been thinking about a .357 and this one looked nice. I was looking for something that could handle heavy .357 loads all day, every day without trouble and was thinking about a Ruger GP100 or maybe a 686 but this thing felt nice in the hand and I am a fan of older guns with "visual history".

So tell me about them. How to ID them, variances to look for, any issues/problems, and whatever I should know in general please.

 

[bamabiker]

HPs are very well thought of by many around here. Spend a couple of hours reading this thread and you'll see and learn a lot.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...lman-thread-including-n-frame-ser-ranges.html

 

[1 old 0311]

They are built like a tank, and still pretty reasonable. Go for it.

 

[stantheman86]

The 28 is a utility version of the 27..........if you want one (or moer) get them now! The prices for the 28's is going up, 10 years ago you could get them as PD trade ins for next to nothing, but those days are gone.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

So here's a "please help the uneducated noob" question I have...any vintage of them not up to hot .357 loads or any particular load?

I'm only asking as I'd prefer to not have a gun that "can't be shot with X load".

Will I shoot it every day with hundreds of hot .357 loads?

No.

However I'd like to have a gun that I can pretty well be certain (except for flukes/act of god/just plain ol' bad luck/whatever) that no matter what hot Buffalo Bore load, Elmer Keith style load, or whatever handload my buddy and I cook up the gun will go BANG and ask for more. Likewise whatever plus P "Self Defense" or Hunting load I pickup at a store be it a 110 grain screamer or a 170 grain thumper the gun will handle it just fine.
Hence why I was originally considering a Ruger or one of the newer S&W's known for their durability. That's their current claim to fame.

In reality it'll spend most of it's time shooting .38, .38 plus P, and regular .357 loads. I just like to have beef and the security of knowing it's got the strength and durability to handle the bigger/hotter stuff.

 

[Jack Flash]

There were not a whole lot of options on the M28. Barrel length (4" or 6"), trigger (0.265" serrated or 0.400" smooth), and stocks (standard or target) was about it.

There are some very rare factory nickel M28s, but these are seldom encountered and very pricey. There are probably many more that have an aftermarket nickel job which sellers try to pass off as original.

Four inch M28s seem to be a little more popular right now. These are an excellent choice for someone who wants to do a lot of magnum power level shooting. The six inch barrel may be the best choice for someone who seeks maximum velocities.

Price as always depends on condition. You don't often see these for under $400. At the upper end, I've seen an "as new in box" four inch M28-2 with the asking price of $650 at every local gun show for the past six months, but so far no takers.

 

[Jack Flash]

... However I'd like to have a gun that I can pretty well be certain ... that no matter what hot Buffalo Bore load, Elmer Keith style load, or whatever handload my buddy and I cook up the gun will go BANG and ask for more. Likewise whatever plus P "Self Defense" or Hunting load I pickup at a store be it a 110 grain screamer or a 170 grain thumper the gun will handle it just fine.

Hence why I was originally considering a Ruger or one of the newer S&W's known for their durability. That's their current claim to fame.

In reality it'll spend most of its time shooting .38, .38 plus P, and regular .357 loads. I just like to have beef and the security of knowing it's got the strength and durability to handle the bigger/hotter stuff.

I'm not sure what the difference is between loads you "cook up" and "regular .357 loads".

I trust you are an intelligent person and know enough to never exceed the maximum loads published by a recognized, reputable, reliable source. Naturally, "some guy on the internet" does not meet these qualifications.

The M28 will handle any load that does not exceed SAAMI specs.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Well, obviously not anything unsafe but I'd like us to start working towards the Keith loads and other "large pills moving fast" recipes.

I just personally dislike how some guns have "fires x fine but avoid y for function/wear/whatever reasons" caveats about ammo.

 

[PMRet]

The model 28 is built to take a steady pounding of .357 loads without a hiccup. However, "whatever handload my buddy and I cook up"?? Now that's another story, because just about ANYTHING can be blown up...

 

[dscampbell]

Excellent choice

I carried a 6" HP AS MY DUTY WEAPON for 6 years. It took any load I put in it. Excellent choice.

 

[P&R Fan]

The Highway Patrolman is an N-Frame. This is the same frame S&W used to build the .44 Magnum, which produces far higher pressures than the .357 Magnum. Obviously handloads can be produced that are way too strong, but absent that you should be able to shoot this revolver for a very , very long time with factory loads or sane handloads without ill-effect.
You don't tell us what vintage this one is. In the yoke it should say M0D-28. Is there a dash after the 28? This will have some effect on value and desirability to a collector.
The HP is a great revolver. I have picked up two M28-2s this year, both 4 inchers. I have an IWB holster on order and look forward to carrying them. Oh, and post a picture if you can. We like pictures.
Jim

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I haven't examined it closely enough yet. I'm resisting the urge to go look it over out of fear that I'm counting my chickens before they're hatched.

I've got some funds coming and am raising some cash and if it happens fast enough I just may go down and look this thing over a lot closer.

 

[Dennis The B]

Short of running over it with an M1A Abrams, the Model 28 will handle just about any .357 Magnum load. The N frame .357 Magnum has been around for 76 years, so it's earned its spurs.

As others have mentioned it's a "plain Jane" version of the Model 27, therefore built to the same specs.

The N frame soaks up recoil better than any L or K frame, or practically any other DA revolver out there.

A good set of stocks which fit your hand, is all that you need.

And, I heartily second those who've mentioned reloading. Never, ever exceed the printed values from the traditional manuals.

 

[Diamondtreo]

I have a 1962 or 63 vintage S&W model 28-2 that was converted to 357/44 Bain & Davis wildcat at some point in its life. Since I got it earlier this year, I have fitted a later 357 cylinder so I now have a "convertible" model. If the N frames will stand up to a 44 magnum that has been necked down to 357 & pushes a bullet out at around 2,200 FPS, I am pretty sure it will hold up to any 38 , +p or 357 loads.

By the way, does anybody know when S&W quit beveling the front edge of the flutes and marking serial numbers on their cylinders? The spare cylinder I have has sharp edges on the flutes and no s/n or assembly numbers, but the chambers are recessed. Thanks, John

 

[lebomm]

With the ammo choices you listed "in reality", that M28 will last the rest of your life and your children's, too! Buy it. Just be dang sure the loads you "cook up" fall within SAAMI specs.

Larry

 

[Old Corp]

I can vouch for the M28's sturdiness.
Back in the mid-70's, I was a young, over-eager new handloader. I got a 6" M28 for the express purpose of using my 'beyond all reason' hot handloads in it. I did not yet own a .44 mag., but determined that I'd have one anyway, just that the hole in the end would be .357!

Never kept up with the number of those sorts of un-wise rounds, but it was in the many hundreds, if not a thousand or more.
It even went through my stages of interest in light bullet/H.V. loads and moved to 'heavy for caliber' cast stuff (I was worshiping at the feet of Elmer Keith about then...) ahead of unhealthy doses of 2400, H110, WW296 and Blue Dot.
The M28, other that becoming a bit smoother, never showed any signs of wear.
(Disclaimer - not advocating doing this to a good revolver, only that in my experience, the M28 withstood the torture well.)

 

[AJMBLAZER]

So some money is in my hands and I want to spend it.

Can anyone give me the quick and dirty to identifying a Highway Patrolman (pre Model 28?), Model 28, and a Model 28-2?

I assume a pre 28 will have only part of the serial on the crane?
28 will have 28 and 28-2 will have 28-2?

 

[arjay]

The pre 28 will have an assembly number on the crane.The serial number will be on the butt ,the cylinder and a few other places.Highway patrolman will be stamped on the right side of the barrel.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Any particular price differences between them?

 

[arjay]

In equal condition,older is generally pricier.4 inch barrels seem to be more in demand too.