Did it...Model 28-2

Gene L

Gene L

Member
Joined
May 15, 2019
Messages
1,232
Reaction score
2,090
Sprung for a Model 28 today, and paid too much for it...but that's the way it goes. A 28 was the first revolver I fired ever, back when I went to Cop School, back when Bobby Riggs fought Billie Jean King. whenever that was.
We shot a few rounds at 50 yards for a few rounds in the FBI course (5 rounds?) prone position. But despite that, I finished First in the course, only to be surpassed when the No 2 after lunch brought a Model 14 and cleaned me.

Anyway, it was a fine, accurate revolver firing the FBI course of the time...kinda weird close up shooting, but what did I know? My first revolver course.

A nice pistol. The gun wasn't mine, just the only one assigned to my very small agency (Park Ranger). I moved on, both in firearms and jobs, but I've always kinda wished the Model 28...a fine, heavy revolver.

Man, have they gone up. It will be the only s&w revolver I owned that has adjustable sights, and my second .357.

Price hurts a bit, but I'll get over it. Should get it next week, after which I'll post pictures. Hope I'm not disappointed.
 
Register to hide this ad
Gene L said:
Sprung for a Model 28 today, and paid too much for it...but that's the way it goes. A 28 was the first revolver I fired ever, back when I went to Cop School, back when Bobby Riggs fought Billie Jean King. whenever that was.
We shot a few rounds at 50 yards for a few rounds in the FBI course (5 rounds?) prone position. But despite that, I finished First in the course, only to be surpassed when the No 2 after lunch brought a Model 14 and cleaned me.

Anyway, it was a fine, accurate revolver firing the FBI course of the time...kinda weird close up shooting, but what did I know? My first revolver course.

A nice pistol. The gun wasn't mine, just the only one assigned to my very small agency (Park Ranger). I moved on, both in firearms and jobs, but I've always kinda wished the Model 28...a fine, heavy revolver.

Man, have they gone up. It will be the only s&w revolver I owned that has adjustable sights, and my second .357.

Price hurts a bit, but I'll get over it. Should get it next week, after which I'll post pictures. Hope I'm not disappointed.
Click to expand...

Congratulations!! You basically bought a no frills model 27. I bought my first M28 for 101.00. Depending on condition, I would think 650 to 700 is a fair price. There are ridiculous prices on some of the online sites, and they are not indicative of true current values. Enjoy and don't worry about the money

Pete
 
Congrats on your new M28 and thanks for sharing your story.

If you're happy with it you didn't spend too much money.

I can't believe that someone hasn't told you that we need pictures. :D



Back in 1978 I called my brother and asked him if he had a pistol I could borrow to do some rabbit hunting with some of my friends. He said sure come on over.

He let me take his new M28-2 and gave me a couple boxes of his reload .357 Magnums. He always loaded them on the hot side.



After borrowing it a few times he put some Pachmayr grips on it and said they were better suited for what I was using it for. He told me to just hang on to it and let him know when I was going again and he'd get me more ammo.

Back then he cast his own bullets out of lead tire weights and sold me boxes of his reloads for $3.00 box. :D



In August 2014 he gave it to me. He told me that I was the only one who had ever shot it and thought it was only appropriate that I kept it.

I added a nice set of Target stocks and today it rests on my nightstand in the holster that its been in its entire life.

Its the only M28 that I have.
 
Marshal tom said:
Nice 28 and good story. Don't know what your climate is there but FYI, not a good idea to store any firearm in a leather holster over time. Leather traps moisture and can damage the finish.
Click to expand...

Thanks :)

I live in a desert so its pretty dry here.

I appreciate the tip. Thank you.
 
My first duty gun was a 4" 28-2 I bought before I went into the academy in 1977. The hot ticket in those days was a M19, but they were so popular that it was hard to find one. During my search for one, my 28-2 came along and I went with it, instead. It got me through the academy and the first couple of years of my LE career until I found a M19. On a young cop's salary in those days, I had to let the 28 go to get the 19. I have missed it; so much so that I've replaced it several times over the years. They are getting much harder to come by. I think I'll keep my current 28-2 that I got last year.
 
Last edited:
I’m thinking I need to get a 28. Can anyone tell me what improvements were made over the model 28 years? Such as -1.-2,-3 etc
 
I am fairly sure you will not be disappointed in your 28-2. I thought the trigger pull was to heavy when I first got mine with a 6" barrel a month ago. I adjusted out the tension screw maybe one turn and the trigger is awesome now. I have target fired it over 200 times and no problems what so ever from backing out the screw a little. The screw is still tight to turn so I am not afraid of it backing out.
This gun is very accurate and it sends the bullet to where I keep a steady aim. Shooting 38 spl wadcutters is like shooting a 22lr. I was more than surprised that the finish was better than I expected. I expected due to reports the 28-2 doesn't have deep luster finish of the 27 model that it would be a very dull satin finish. I don't consider it a dull satin finish.
Yep looking forward to your pics and shooting review.
 
Last edited:
Gene L said:
Sprung for a Model 28 today, and paid too much for it...but that's the way it goes. A 28 was the first revolver I fired ever, back when I went to Cop School, back when Bobby Riggs fought Billie Jean King. whenever that was.
We shot a few rounds at 50 yards for a few rounds in the FBI course (5 rounds?) prone position. But despite that, I finished First in the course, only to be surpassed when the No 2 after lunch brought a Model 14 and cleaned me.

Anyway, it was a fine, accurate revolver firing the FBI course of the time...kinda weird close up shooting, but what did I know? My first revolver course.

A nice pistol. The gun wasn't mine, just the only one assigned to my very small agency (Park Ranger). I moved on, both in firearms and jobs, but I've always kinda wished the Model 28...a fine, heavy revolver.

Man, have they gone up. It will be the only s&w revolver I owned that has adjustable sights, and my second .357.

Price hurts a bit, but I'll get over it. Should get it next week, after which I'll post pictures. Hope I'm not disappointed.
Click to expand...

I had a similar experience... when I reached the legal age to buy a handgun in CA, I went to a sporting goods store to find a .357 Magnum revolver that fit my budget. They had two, a 4" bbl M28-2 and a 6-1/2" bbl nickel Colt New Frontier, the M28-2 is what went home with me, my first handgun.

4 years later it became my first duty weapon, and then I got the itch for a 6" M-29 and sold the 28-2.

Some 40 years later, I began to regret having let it go... I bought another 28-2 and paid 4 times what my first one cost me ($135.00), but was glad to do so, as the nostalgia and the feeling of being reunited with an old friend (even though it's not the actual gun) was well worth it.

Enjoy!
 
Gunhacker said:
I had a similar experience... when I reached the legal age to buy a handgun in CA, I went to a sporting goods store to find a .357 Magnum revolver that fit my budget. They had two, a 4" bbl M28-2 and a 6-1/2" bbl nickel Colt New Frontier, the M28-2 is what went home with me, my first handgun.

4 years later it became my first duty weapon, and then I got the itch for a 6" M-29 and sold the 28-2.

Some 40 years later, I began to regret having let it go... I bought another 28-2 and paid 4 times what my first one cost me ($135.00), but was glad to do so, as the nostalgia and the feeling of being reunited with an old friend (even though it's not the actual gun) was well worth it.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...

I got my first one 1 in 68. 101.00 dollars. Traded it for a Browning Hi Power( 94.00 ), which I still have. I waited 50 years to replace my M28, and I bought 6.:D
 
Locks up good, a little holster wear on other side of upper trigger guard.

28.jpg
 
I took the side plate off of my 28-2 just to see what condition it was in. No rust or build up what so ever. Dry as a bone so I oiled it up and put it back together. This gun does have a very smooth rather light trigger action.
 
I have had three (3) 6" M28s over the years. Two of my college friends had 6" M28s and that's when I developed my fondness for them. Unfortunately, I never hung on to any of them. :( I had one of them when I was a sheriff's deputy and I shot the FBI course. Back then, you were supposed to fill a pocket with 50 rounds of ammo. I shot poorly that day. Later, I figured out that my M28 did NOT like Zero brand .38 special wadcutters. Loaded with my .357 handloads, that same M28 shot about 2" at 50 yards.

Kenny, I used the same holster your brother gave you during my police career. I have a black basket weave 6 1/2", a brown BW 6 1/2" (like yours) and 4", 5" and 6 1/2" ones in brown and black.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
Nickel-plated Model 28 Highway Patrolman
2
Replies
24
Views
1K
Golphin
Golphin
H
New to me Model 28-2 and DW UPDATED PICS
Replies
13
Views
885
Hawg Rider
H
Dino44
2nd FL purchase, model 13-2 4"
Replies
0
Views
241
Dino44
Dino44
3
Smith@Wesson Cylinders Model 686 and Model 28
Replies
1
Views
370
Nathan510
Nathan510
H
Need advice on Mdl 28 spring tension
Replies
11
Views
608
ggibson511960
G

Latest posts

Back
Top