Found a 28

[BillBro]

and its in REAL nice condition at a nearby shop. Ive been eyeballing it for a while and Ive even ryn a borescope through the bore and chambers. The bore is stellar, the chambers however are either badly pitted or have enough buildup in them that they appear so. I have permission to bring my kit there and clean the cylinder to better examine the chambers, Im hopeful.

The gun is a 28-2 so pinned and recessed, grips are the magna type and appear to be originals, 1 owner, finish looks to be 99%, but is the matte finish of all 28's but is about oerfect. I see no wear anywhere and no scratches. Hammer and trigger are nice with strong case hardening colors.

Asking price is $825 but without seeing the real condition of those chambers I wont be offering anything. Im wondering if anyone could date it (approximate) via the serial number which is n586267. Seems like a decent price chambers contigent, thoughts?

 

[lihpster]

I get '78-'80.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. Bill, not a bad price. If its 99% and bright bore, the cyl. will probably clean up perfect. If all checks out, take a look at the grips.

 

[cmansguns]

maybe OK at asking price...maybe not

It sounds strange with a pristine bore but fouled chambers (pitting from storing loaded for years?).

From the serial number it is probably 1978, maybe 1979.

Mine was s/n N237801, and per factory Letter it shipped October 13, 1975 to Maryland Police Supply Co. in Baltimore, MD.

I sold mine a few years ago to another Forum Member for $750 shipped so Your LGS asking price is not to bad for these days IF the chambers check out equal to the bore. If not there maybe other problems internal (rust, bad timing or carry-up). These were basically cop guns so should have a fairly significant trigger pull weight in both SA and DA. Look for case head impact on recoil shield also if a lot of Magnum rounds went through it.

Also...if barrel condition with pristine bore, no muzzle wear, excellent looking forcing cone doesn't match cylinder condition with normal high spot wear, then look for any "bubba" marks at the pin attaching bbl to frame. If signs of trying to remove and replace, finish upset, not proud, etc. ) then maybe barrel is a replacement for one heavily worn.

Good luck and let us know if you get it (with pics).

 

[sodacan]

Barrel length is a big factor in value. 4" or 6"?

 

[BillBro]

Thanks cmansguns. I agree that its a weird combo, the bore and chambers being so dissimilar. Everything else about it looks great, forcing cone and topstrap have little to no erosion. This definitely is not my first time buying a used Smith but Im not saying I know it all, I dont. I do have a little kit to take to evaluate one though, and the eval checklist I do believe I got here. I saw no indicia that the screws have been removed or at least not by someone with a screwdriver from the kitchen junk drawer. I will look closer at the area surrounding the barrel pin but I dont remember seeing any marks around there.

Timing and more importantly the carryup were good in all chambers with a slight drag all the way around. Didnt have my feelers but the gap "looked" pretty small. Id definitely ask to remove the sideplate to peek inside but I dont feel Ill see much of anything. I feel good about it, all except those chambers, yes though, the bore looks just great, not pristine but very clean and sharp. Im thinking (hoping) just laziness in the cleaning dept. If it turns out Im wrong and its more Ill just pass. Its not like Im looking for a 28 but I sure do miss my 27 I sold and do like the big N's.

Thanks all for the dates. I didnt say did I? This one is a 4", I probably would not be as interested in a 6".

 

[stansdds]

If the chambers turn out to just be dirty, and that is likely the case, then $825 is reasonable in today's market.

 

[dobegrant]

Have a 4” M28 very nice guns, hope the one your looking at cleans up nicely.

 

[BillBro]

It has been there a very long time..... hmmmm. $825? Maybe not but we shall see, if it cleans up.

 

[gmborkovic]

The dirty cyl. is why it has been there a long time.

 

[JP@AK]

BillBro

It is a better than even bet that the cylinder will clean up just fine. I'm amazed at the number of guys who clean the barrel and neglect the chambers. Take some Hoppe's #9 (or your other favorite solvent), a copper bore brush and lots of patches with you. I suspect it will be okay.

I agree with your 4" preference. With several dozen S&W revolvers in my safe, the one shown below is my favorite shooter. I've owned several 4" HPs over the years (most of which are now owned by my grown sons), and they have sent lots more bullets down range than any of my other revolvers. I own some 6" HPs too, and they almost never get fired.

$825 is not a bad price in today's market. I've never paid more than $450 for a 4" HP (and some were acquired for quite a bit less), but it has been more than two decades since I last bought one.

 

[BillBro]

As much as Ive spent at that store Im hoping theyll haggle with me a bit. I feel I should be given a little consideration. I dont expect it but it would be nice. No, $825 aint bad given the times but Im always gonna try for the best deal I can get.

I think yall are right and the chambers will clean up but in the borescope, which I shared with the store owner, they do look scarey. Im certainly hoping for the best case.

Very nice HP JP. Big frame 357's are hard to beat in my book.

 

[Hair Trigger]

The gun is a 28-2 so pinned and recessed, grips are the magna type and appear to be originals, Im wondering if anyone could date it (approximate) via the serial number which is n586267. Seems like a decent price chambers contigent, thoughts?

That serial number would date to around mid-year 1980. The M520 SN's go into February 1980 and end at N560860. Their ship dates don't start until June, but production ended in Feb. per my Factory Letter.

Your M28-2 could be just after the NYSP marked guns, which according to SCSW are in the N546xxx range. I'm with the others who think if the external finish is so nice and the bore scope shows no defects, the cylinder is probably just fine too. Whatever the case, I think $825 is a fair price, but since you say "asking", I'd try to bargain a bit.

 

[Retired W4]

As I read this I kept thinking a previous owner shot mostly 38 specials through it and let the carbon build up. I'm betting it will clean up fine.

 

[StrawHat]

While I would offer lees, I would take it for that price. Even if the cylinder is toast, new cylinders are available. I, however, would promptly convert it to 45 ACP, and never look back!

Kevin

 

[Hawg Rider]

I'm a fan of the 4" HP, too. Most of mine have been picked up for $400- $600, but I did pay a premium for the 1954 (first year and my birth year) 5-screw HP with box and goodies. The 28-2s are all 1974-77. Clean the fouling and lead out of the cylinder holes and I'll bet you have a great revolver to shoot. Take eight crisp Benjamins and I'll bet you walk out with it! Good luck.

 

[Ameshawki]

Corrosive ammo in a 28 would be extremely odd. As the bore is good, I predict the cylinders will clean up fine. Probably shot a lot 38s loaded with Bullseye, which I consider barely smokeless powder. It's amazing how few stores actually clean used guns. Price is fair in today's market.

 

[Retired W4]

While I would offer lees, I would take it for that price. Even if the cylinder is toast, new cylinders are available. I, however, would promptly convert it to 45 ACP, and never look back!

Kevin

Or 44 special.

 

[BillBro]

Or 44 special.

Absolutely. Thats precisely what I was thinking, 44Special, if a conversion was to be done, 44Special.

 

[BillBro]

I really should have taken pics of those chambers and show yall.