Karma! Finally bought a S&W 28 4"

[Green Frog]

Rudy, going from a "real" job to doing the same thing after retirement at a local community college has a history with me... I taught high school for 30 years then retired to teaching "full time/part time" as an adjunct at our community college. I could keep my hand in doing what I like without the stress of a full time job.

We had that one-gun-every-30-days restriction foisted off on us in VA by a bunch of ill informed legislators, but fortunately it had a sunset clause and has expired. While it was in effect many guys in the state tried to persuade their spouses that the "Gun of the Month Law" required them to buy a handgun every 30 days! I heard that a few even got away with it! Hope you will enjoy your Model 28, but would encourage you to go back and find a good old stainless K-frame like you carried for so long as well. The weight and size difference is noticeable.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[Mike in Reedley]

The one gun purchase every 30 days in California only applies to new firearms and doesn't extend to used or private party transfers. Research it, go back, educate the dealer and get your model 28

 

[Raider Rudy]

Rudy, going from a "real" job to doing the same thing after retirement at a local community college has a history with me... I taught high school for 30 years then retired to teaching "full time/part time" as an adjunct at our community college. I could keep my hand in doing what I like without the stress of a full time job.

We had that one-gun-every-30-days restriction foisted off on us in VA by a bunch of ill informed legislators, but fortunately it had a sunset clause and has expired. While it was in effect many guys in the state tried to persuade their spouses that the "Gun of the Month Law" required them to buy a handgun every 30 days! I heard that a few even got away with it! Hope you will enjoy your Model 28, but would encourage you to go back and find a good old stainless K-frame like you carried for so long as well. The weight and size difference is noticeable.

Regards,
Froggie

Good morning Froggie!

My old CHP training officer Hans Spohr was originally from Virginia. Funny you mentioned the stainless K-frame. I sold my old S&W model 66 4" 20 yrs ago to a friend from Wisconsin. I have been thinking about trying to buy it back for a while. I did like the K-frame because I have small hands & that made it good for police work. I'll let you know if I do get it back.

 

[Fishslayer]

The one gun purchase every 30 days in California only applies to new firearms and doesn't extend to used or private party transfers. Research it, go back, educate the dealer and get your model 28

I believe it's "dealer stock." If the dealer owns it the one in 30 applies. You can buy all the consignment and PPT transfers ya want.

Of course I might be wrong on that... Calguns would be the place to look.

Nice snag, OP. A 6" Highway Patrolman was my first S&W. It wasn't my last.

Now please take your new weapon and report to the Ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.

 

[mr-mom]

Rudy
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on an excellent purchase. You joined a lot of Model 28 lovers here and can learn much about your new gun. Get out and shoot it a lot, you will be amazed at how nice they are. One of my 28s is always with me when I'm out in the woods.
Dave
SWCA #2778

 

[retiredbadge8091]

I suppose it would be possible to find out how many State Highway Patrols or State police agencies actually carried the S&W Highway Patrolman. I know the funkiest handgun the UHP every carried in my opinion was the HK P7 squeeze cocker. Anyway I'm glad you were able to find your Model 28, shoot the heck out of it. And as a sidebar, I did 23 years service and packed a GLOCK the whole time. I too bought a Model 28 after retirement. With today's climate towards law enforcement you'd never get me back in it. Good luck.

 

[Raider Rudy]

I suppose it would be possible to find out how many State Highway Patrols or State police agencies actually carried the S&W Highway Patrolman. I know the funkiest handgun the UHP every carried in my opinion was the HK P7 squeeze cocker. Anyway I'm glad you were able to find your Model 28, shoot the heck out of it. And as a sidebar, I did 23 years service and packed a GLOCK the whole time. I too bought a Model 28 after retirement. With today's climate towards law enforcement you'd never get me back in it. Good luck.

I recently saw a list of police agencies that issued 28's on Wikipedia. I don't know how accurate that list is but there were a dozen agencies on it. I'm going to check it again & maybe start a little research. I respect your years as a police officer. Depending on the department & where you worked it can wear you down. 23 yrs is a long life with the badge & it takes a big mental toll. I started in Los Angeles in the early 80's & then transferred east to the Inland Empire after a couple of years. I spent another 28 yrs there & then retired at 55 with no regrets. I was glad I didn't spend my whole career in Los Angeles. I saw the changes you are referring to & I know what you mean! I know that the defiance & disrespect of the law is making it real hard to be a cop these days. But I think I would still do it all over again. I'm lucky that I retired with good health & a good income. Those are the positives. I wish you good health & a long happy retirement as well.

 

[Mike in Reedley]

I believe it's "dealer stock." If the dealer owns it the one in 30 applies. You can buy all the consignment and PPT transfers ya want.

Of course I might be wrong on that... Calguns would be the place to look.

Nice snag, OP. A 6" Highway Patrolman was my first S&W. It wasn't my last.

Now please take your new weapon and report to the Ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.

No, Ca FFL dealers can not sell handguns that do not appear on the DOJ not unsafe gun list. Any model 28 would have to be a private party/consignment and is not covered under the one in 30 rule. I regularly buy more than one used handgun within a 30 day period.

 

[gunny4053]

Congrats on the 28, you did well. I hope the extension of your career goes as well for you as the original.

As for your firearm selection with the .40, you did very well. The PX4 .40 shoots as soft as a 9mm, is extremely accurate, and as reliable as sunrise. I carry mine often, and can't find any reason to ever consider getting rid of it. You've chosen a very solid firearm.

Good Luck in the future and good shooting.

 

[Raider Rudy]

Hey you guys!

I'm loving life right now, watching football & talking guns on my laptop! Thanks for the input on the gun purchasing laws. I went to the gun store yesterday & I was told basically that store owned purchases fall under the 30 day rule. I will pick up my .40 cal Beretta on Saturday & then I can pickup my Highway Patrolman 3 weeks later. I went by another gun store down the freeway yesterday & there was a beautiful 6" model 14 K38 for $599. It sure is tempting but I will pass on it.

 

[Raider Rudy]

Nice. Any idea on the age or serial number range?

I have that information! Model 28-2 with the serial number S322XXX. It was manufactured in 1968-1969 per the information on the Ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.

 

[ontmark]

Hi Rudy
Welcome to the Forum
It is really hard to find any older S&W in California due to their darn laws and the need to be on the approved list. I know the LEO are exempt from the list but don't know if that applies to retired LEO.
I do not know what agency you were retired from but if you produce your retired LEO ID you may be exempt from the thirty day wait to purchase another one.
Best of luck on the new job and you will really enjoy the Model 28 Highway Patrolman

Roy

 

[4D5]

Nice find, great revolver.

I've got a 4" and 6". Both a pleasure to shoot.

.

 

[Raider Rudy]

Hello Ontmark! I was with the CHP in Riverside Ca down south. I went into several gun shops & you must be active law enforcement to be exempt for either. It is a little inconvenient, I am anxious to shoot my 28, but I can wait

 

[daddy bear]

I carried a 28 for almost thirty years, then TXDPS switched to Sig, which were also good guns. Good part was, the distributor that we traded the 28s to made it a part of the deal to allow us to buy our own 28 back at an attractive price. I still have my S frame. One of the granddaughters will inherit it and my eight badges, in a shadow box.