LGS 28-2... I'll be watching this one...

[Fishslayer]

Took the wife to the range today. As usual, had a look in the used gun case. Therein was something I had never seen in the wild before. A 4" M28-2.

No big deal, ya say? Well, in Kalifornistan if a gun is not on the "approved" roster it cannot be transferred into the state. Long story short, older Smiths are not on the roster and never will be. Therefore they are few & far between and command a hefty price when they pop up. I searched HARD for over a year for ANY pre lock 4" S&W before lucking into my 686 no dash.

This 28-2 appears to have been fired VERY little. Zero turn line. The area around the firing pin is pristine. The whole "feel" of the gun says "brand new."

But it has been carried. A bit of holster wear at the muzzle, Some mysterious marks on the left side behind & above the trigger guard, and hefty chunk knocked off the bottom of the right side stock.

It's P&R with plain Magnas and comes with the original box.

They want $699. I'm guessing it won't last a week. But I won't be buying it.

 

[bigtubby]

Fishslayer, you can't have everything living in San Diego!! I wish California would join the United States I would consider a move.
I agree with you it will move fast.

 

[glenncal1]

Fish- what you need to do is move to Colorado for 6 months, stock up on all the s&w's you have always wanted. Then move back to CA

 

[Lefkiguy]

I picked up a Highway Patrolman (pre-28) 4" in pristine condition except for a slight turn ring, original diamond magna stocks, for $525, in San Francisco about a year and a half ago. I think $699 is a little high, but someone can ask for whatever they want, it just may sit for a long time.

 

[1blindref]

Took the wife to the range today. As usual, had a look in the used gun case. Therein was something I had never seen in the wild before. A 4" M28-2.

No big deal, ya say? Well, in Kalifornistan if a gun is not on the "approved" roster it cannot be transferred into the state. Long story short, older Smiths are not on the roster and never will be. Therefore they are few & far between and command a hefty price when they pop up. I searched HARD for over a year for ANY pre lock 4" S&W before lucking into my 686 no dash.

This 28-2 appears to have been fired VERY little. Zero turn line. The area around the firing pin is pristine. The whole "feel" of the gun says "brand new."

But it has been carried. A bit of holster wear at the muzzle, Some mysterious marks on the left side behind & above the trigger guard, and hefty chunk knocked off the bottom of the right side stock.

It's P&R with plain Magnas and comes with the original box.

They want $699. I'm guessing it won't last a week. But I won't be buying it.

After reading a post this this, I'm very happy to live in a free state. I can't even imagine what it must be like to participate in this hobby living in such a restrictive state.
Very sad.

 

[C-Fish]

...Well, in Kalifornistan if a gun is not on the "approved" roster it cannot be transferred into the state. Long story short, older Smiths are not on the roster and never will be.

Fish- what you need to do is move to Colorado for 6 months, stock up on all the s&w's you have always wanted. Then move back to CA

He'd have to leave all the guns in CO though...

Another vote for living in a free state...

 

[gruntdeputy]

Fishslayer,

I have to ask where was it? There are only a couple of gun shops left here in SD County and I haven't seen that Model 28.

In this market they will get their asking price, scuff marks and all.
Frank

 

[Jack Flash]

That price would be very high here, but I'll bet in CA that it has already been sold.

Four inch magnum N-Frames do not come along every day. Add to that the limitations CA puts on intra-state transfers. Despite it being priced $200 above the national average, someone has grabbed it, no doubt.

 

[Fishslayer]

Fishslayer,

I have to ask where was it? There are only a couple of gun shops left here in SD County and I haven't seen that Model 28.

In this market they will get their asking price, scuff marks and all.
Frank

It's at American Shooting Center. I agree that it will go quick. I would probably buy it myself if I had the $$$ to burn. The thing is rock solid tight and I would probably put different stocks on it anyway. It would be a GREAT shooter and a good safemate to my '64 six incher.

 

[gruntdeputy]

Fishslayer,
Thanks. I might slide by there and check it out, but I'd better do it today because it won't last. Even with goobered stocks it will go fast.

Frank

 

[Fishslayer]

He'd have to leave all the guns in CO though...

Actually no. If I moved back to the PRK & established residency I would need to register the guns ($19 a pop) and then could transfer them person to person.

They can also come in through Single Action Exemption if the barrel is long enough. You remove (I believe?) the DA sear so the gun is SAO. The transfer is done (perfectly legal) and then the gun is converted back to DA/SA (Also perfectly legal).

Major PITA and not many are willing to do it. If anybody needed proof that our Draconian laws have zero to do with public safety or "stupid" lawmakers then this is it. It would be pretty simple & "common sense" to just exempt revolvers from the roster but no...

 

[Fishslayer]

Fishslayer,
Thanks. I might slide by there and check it out, but I'd better do it today because it won't last. Even with goobered stocks it will go fast.

Frank

I agree. Let me know what you think. I'm far from an expert & might have missed something. I'm very curious what the marks on the left side might of the frame might be.

You can buy, pay & everything but it can't be DROSd till February.

I waited thirty-some days for my M1950 Target.

 

[5-Shot]

Please forgive me for this inept intrusion. I've been following this and other mod 28 discussions lately and just had to jump in. This my first attempt at posting a picture on this forum, so who knows what's going to happen, but I found this old -2 fellow in a shop in East Tennessee a couple of days ago and thought would be a good time to introduce him. The turn ring you see is almost entirely my doing. It's hardly been fired, or that was the case until yesterday.

If that picture's too big, somebody please tell me.

Ed

 

[Jack Flash]

Of course I have not seen it, but I would not worry too much about the stocks. I can't imagine that they are bad enough to affect functionality.

If they really bother you, they can be repaired / restored (by folks on this Forum like VM) or replaced. They are not hard to find.

 

[gruntdeputy]

5-Shot,
That is beautiful. I like that all of the wear on it has come at your hand and that you did not waste time putting your mark on that workhorse. Good photo too. That Model 28 will give you a lifetime of shooting enjoyment.
Frank

 

[gruntdeputy]

Fishslayer,
My gut is that the gun was kept in a safe or locker of some type and the few dings and the chipped grip is from that. Other than that, that is Code 3 sweet! I don't think that gun has been shot at all. None! It is brand new tight and clean. It is like a trip through the time portal to 1972. All that gun needs is a Bill Jordan holster to call "home." I am shocked that it has made it in the case for 2 or 3-days.

Somebody is going to get themselves a really nice gun!
Frank

 

[ckprax]

Fishslayer I share your despair. I have been looking for a shooter 27 or 28, my lgs just got two 27-2's a 6inch and 8 3/8, both priced right around $1000.

 

[CH47gunner]

Gots to be in the right place, at the right time. Or have been a steady customer (20+ years) at your Local Gun Store & be on the "list".
I can't (realistically) buy from the auction sites, prices at the gun show are exorbitant, & the laws of supply and demand are killing me.
But, some times I get lucky - I've got a 6" 28-2 in California waiting jail and a Model 17-4 6" on hold.
I love a challenge!

Bruce

 

[Fishslayer]

But, some times I get lucky - I've got a 6" 28-2 in California waiting jail and a Model 17-4 6" on hold.
I love a challenge!

Bruce

A '64 vintage 28-2 in 6" was my first S&W. I was warned...

This is a slippery slope. I am not a "collector" & already have my 4" .357 Magnum "needs" exceeded. And I really don't have the $$$ at the moment.

But as I was fondling the gun I was thinking "this would go great with the 6" at home" and "this would complete the K,L & N frame 4" trifecta."

Gotta go get to a Smiths Annonymous meeting.

 

[gruntdeputy]

I went back today. It has sold.
Frank