Like new 28-2

[Vilkus]

I recently bought a 6 inch Mod 28-2 that other than a slight turn line appears new and unfired. I believe it was built in 1972.

When I started looking I expected to pay in the neighborhood of $500 for a clean gun. Well I ended up paying $600 but because of the outstanding condition I didn't mind spending the extra dough.

Here's my dilemma. I wanted a shooter, not a safe queen. It almost seems a shame to fire it after all these years.

I intend on shooting it and enjoying what I consider to be an outstanding revolver.

Am I nuts? ( I know I'm nuts, but I mean in respect to this revolver)

Bill

 

[BigBill]

Congrats, shoot it, enjoy it or the next person who owns it will.

About a decade ago the 28-0, 28-2 6" were $695 and the 27-2 were $795 all in excellent condition. Prices do vary.

 

[alwslate]

I have a 6" 28-2 that I bought new in Oct 1966 that I have done a fair
amount of shooting with over the years. It has been carried in a old
leather Hunter holster some when I have been out hunting. I have
fired some pretty heavy handloads through it but most of the shooting
I have done with has been with light cast bullet loads. It still looks
great after all these years. Shoot your 28 and take good care of it
and don't worry about it. As said above it will have a new owner some
day when you are no longer able to enjoy it.

 

[one eye joe]

I recently bought a 6 inch Mod 28-2 that other than a slight turn line appears new and unfired. I believe it was built in 1972.

When I started looking I expected to pay in the neighborhood of $500 for a clean gun. Well I ended up paying $600 but because of the outstanding condition I didn't mind spending the extra dough.

Here's my dilemma. I wanted a shooter, not a safe queen. It almost seems a shame to fire it after all these years.

I intend on shooting it and enjoying what I consider to be an outstanding revolver.

Am I nuts? ( I know I'm nuts, but I mean in respect to this revolver)

Bill

CONGRATS, BILL. I DON'T BUY UNFIRED SAFE QUEENS EITHER---JUST BECAUSE I AM A SHOOTER, RATHER THAN A COLLECTOR......

I WOULD SHOOT THIS ONE, AND ENJOY IT. THAT'S WHY YOU BOUGHT IT, AND THAT'S WHY GUNS ARE MADE. A WELL CARED FOR USED VINTAGE GUN, WILL STILL RETAIN VALUE.......

 

[Ribwizzard]

Had a somewhat similar situation. Wanted a shooter ,so just traded my nib 28-2 yesterday for a new 686+,
Let a collector enjoy the 28 while I enjoy shooting/hunting

 

[Vilkus]

Thank you all for your responses. I think I'll go on as planned.

Frankly I'm surprised at how many 40 year old or older, new or NIB guns there are still available. My last three purchases have been unfired revolvers.
This has been the first one that I was hesitant about firing.

Best, Bill

 

[OldChief]

Bill frankly, I don't believe in "safe queens" these fine S&W revolvers were made to be shot and not just looked at. Use it as it was intended and enjoy it.

 

[steelslaver]

I think that $600 for a very lightly used 28-2 is a real decent deal.

Lots of revolvers and rifles that get purchased, fired a few times and then basically forgotten as owner goes on to other things. The shooter types here are the exception not the rule. I would be willing to bet that the vast majority of gun owners actually fire less than 50 rounds a year TOTAL, rifles and pistols combine. Even the majority of hunters buy a rifle, sight itt in and then just take it hunting every year and a good many of them don't even bother to check the zero before heading out for the season.

Many handgun owners buy a hand gun for defense or because they liked it for some odd reason. Take it out fire 1/2 a box of "expensive" ammo, find its not easy to hit anything with. Then in the draw it goes to set there.

Wouldn't surprise me to find that over 50% of 25 year old guns not owned by the military or law enforcement have a round count below 50 for rifles and below 100 for handguns.

 

[azmick]

I shoot every firearm I have ever owned including a 5 screw HP that I had to clean the cosmolene out of before shooting it. Someplace I have a picture of my grandson shooting the 28-1. Shoot the Dickens out of it of buy a 4" and carry and shoot it and wait until you take the big dirt nap for someone else to shoot your safe queen.

 

[Stirling]

Come on lad, lets see it then!!!

 

[rubiranch]

Congrats on the new to you 28-2.

I'v shot my 28-2 a lot - I used it for rabbit hunting for years.

I have one "never been shot" Colt 1911 and for one reason or another I never will shoot it.

I am going to pick up one more never been shot hand gun, a S&W 125th Anniversary .45 Long Colt Commemorative .

I'm not a collector, shooter or hunter - more of a plinker.

 

[RMFnLA]

Is it really unfired or just lightly used?

Unfired will have burn "rings" on only three of the six chambers (every other one) whereas lightly fired will have them on all six.

More info helps make an informed decision.

 

[jhde69]

I know what you are going thru. I purchased a 1948 M&P in gold box unfired I have never owned a safe queen. I'm almost sure I now have a safe queen. What is making this a little easy for me is I have other M&P 38's. Look for the burn rings this will tell you if it is factory fired or lightly used.

 

[BigBill]

I notice a few revolvers appear to be notshot beacuse they were test fired and have the three rings on the face of the cylinder and it's not for Ballantine beer. With 1911@1's it's a test functioning thing. Once in sure it functions to be ccw carried away it goes in the safe to grow roots.

 

[jimbo728]

Bill,.....Think of it this way, if you do not shoot your M 28, someone else will.
Just take good care of it and enjoy.
I hope it shoots good for you!
Jim

 

[Vilkus]

Is it really unfired or just lightly used?

Unfired will have burn "rings" on only three of the six chambers (every other one) whereas lightly fired will have them on all six.

More info helps make an informed decision.

More info is always good!
I guess this example qualifies as very slightly used. The best that I can tell, only 5 chambers have a faint burn mark

Maybe the original owner fired it once with the ammo from his J frame, or S&W had a couple extra proof rounds in the box. Weird??

Bill

 

[Abbynormal]

I bought a 4" M28-2 10 years ago that wasn't fired outside the factory. (Three carbon marks, every other chamber in the cylinder, no cylinder stop ringing mark and no recoil shield marks) for $600, embossing was strong and sharp and hadn't been re-blued. I knew I paid too much, but finding a gun not shot since leaving the factory, was like being back in my 20's again and getting the gun of my dreams.

 

[Jersey Doug]

If you transport it in a proper case and careful how you handle it, and clean it can make many trips shooting at the range and still look new. All my guns bought in the early '70's still look very close to new.

 

[Vilkus]

If you transport it in a proper case and careful how you handle it, and clean it can make many trips shooting at the range and still look new. All my guns bought in the early '70's still look very close to new.

I agree!
My son now has my High Standard target pistol that I bought in the early 70's. It still looks like new even though I fired thousands of rounds through it. I always kept it clean and oiled and it traveled in a foam lined case.

 

[Vilkus]

Come on lad, lets see it then!!!

Sorry, I'd like to post, but haven't quite figured it out.
I recently retired my PC and bought an Apple. I can post from my documents, but not from my photos. Why, I don't know.
I'm not much of a computer guy.
Next time my son comes for a visit I'll ask for show and tell.