Difference 28 vs 29???

[Varooom]

Hello All,

Been looking for a nice 29-2 to add to my meager collection for quite some time.

Found a 28-2, 8 3/4 bbl in very nice condition at my LGS. Clean barrel, nice lockup, very nice stocks. Bluing very nice.

They are asking $1,100.00, no box or paperwork. I think I can get it for $900, maby $950.

Really want a 6 1/2 bbl but cant find a nice one.

I don't know much about Smiths's as I am a Ruger/Colt guy for the most part.

So, whats the difference between a 28-2 and a 29-2. Both are 44 mag.

Thank you for your time,

Varooom

 

[Bakebfr480]

If the 28-2 is in 44 mag it was re barreled!

 

[Bakebfr480]

28-2's are chambered in 357 mag. Many shooters used to convert them to 44 special back in the 70's-80's!

 

[Bakebfr480]

Both are N-frames also!

 

[Barbarian-CBX]

8 3/4" also seems odd. More like 8 3/8", I believe.

 

[Bakebfr480]

8 3/4" also seems odd. More like 8 3/8", I believe.

The Registered magnum was available in an 8 3/4 barrel back in the day!

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Is the finish on the M28 matte or polished bright blue? Is the top of the frame sandblasted or grooved? Sandblasted would indicate a .357 Highway Patrolman (M28) was re-barreled to .44 Magnum.

Sometimes, you run into mismarked handguns. If it has all of the features of a M29, then the revolver is mis-stamped.

A M29 should have a red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, bull barrel, bright blue or nickel finish, target grips, grooved front and back strap, target hammer and target trigger.

 

[Barbarian-CBX]

The Registered magnum was available in an 8 3/4 barrel back in the day!

Thanks for the info.

 

[Varooom]

Update and pic

Thanks guys,

LGS just called, main guy was not there when I stopped in.

He says some 28s were converted into 29s by S&W after the Dirty Harry movie because they could not make enough 29s.

Is this a line of BS?!?

Here is a pic, Thanks again,

Varooom

 

[Varooom]

The finish is bright blue, grooved top.
Definitely 8 3/4 barrel.

Thank you

Varooom

 

[Muley Gil]

"Is this a line of BS?!?


No, it is not. Happens every now and then and not just with the M29.

The finish is bright blue, grooved top.
Definitely 8 3/4 barrel.

Thank you

Varooom

Most often, the barrel length is shorter than advertised. My patrol partner back in my cop days had a M28 with a 3 7/8" barrel, but was sold as a 4".

 

[Jim Watson]

Sure looks like a 29.
An 8 3/4" barrel is very strange. The only way I know of to get one is to shorten the 10" silhouette barrel.

 

[Varooom]

More pics.

Too many things don't sound right.

Guess I will keep looking.

Thank you all,

Varooom

 

[Engine49guy]

If you look closely at the frames topstrap where it meets the barrel rib you will notice the frame shoulders are machined back at an angle.
This was done on frames intended for narrow rib barrels back in the day ( Model 27 and Model 28) ,
Frames that went with wide rib barrels were not.


BTW Today the frames are all just left wide.

 

[BAM-BAM]

28-2 = .357magnum Highway Patrolman w/ 4 or 6 inch barrel and mat finish.


OPs if I read the thread correctly and see bright blue pictures of a .44 magnum........only one answer


FrankenSmith!!!!!

or simply miss-stamped?

 

[Doc44]

Based on the photos and the different style of ampersand on the barrel and frame, I would "guess" the Magnum started out as a Model 28-2 and was converted to 44 Magnum caliber, Model 29-2, by rechambering the cylinder and replacing the original barrel with a 29-2 barrel that is 8 3/8-inch. Also added were target stocks made of Goncalo alves, target hammer, target trigger, red ramp, and probably a white outline rear sight.

Bill

 

[beagleye]

Looks like a mix master franken gun. I think the frame is 28-2, barrel and cylinders are 29/44 mag. That price is high for a gun so molested.

 

[Patrick L]

I would say the cylinder was replaced, not rechambered. The .357 N frame cylinders were short, this one fills the frame window.

No clue what the real story is, just another observation.

 

[Doc44]

Patrick L...You are correct. I missed that.

Bill

 

[one eye joe]

Looks like a mix master franken gun. I think the frame is 28-2, barrel and cylinders are 29/44 mag. That price is high for a gun so molested.

I AGREE WITH beagleye ! ! !

IF WE "BUY THE GUN AND NOT THE STORY" WE WOULD DEVALUE THE NOTION THAT REVOLVERS LIKE THIS WERE ASSEMBLED BY THE FACTORY, DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF REAL M29s.....

IMHO, THIS REVOLVER IS THE CREATION OF A GUNSMITH WHO REBARRELED THE M28-2 FRAME, AND BORED OUT THE CHAMBERS OF THE .357 MAGNUM CYLINDER TO ACCEPT .44 MAGNUM AMMO.....

I WOULD ONLY CONSIDER PURCHASING THIS REVOLVER AS A KNOCK-AROUND FIELD GUN, IF THE ASKING PRICE WAS MUCH LOWER......