Mint 28-2

[ronnymc204]

A very good and older friend of mine recently gifted me his pristine model 28-2. He told me he purchased the revolver after graduating from college in 1968. The "N" serial number (5 digit) places the date in the 1969-1970 range. Although over the years he has had an extensive firearms collection he never was one that enjoyed shooting them. He told me he has shot a total of 6 rounds through the model 28-2 and put it up. He remembers this as his father-in-law was a police officer and took him out to shoot his new purchase and after 6 rounds he was done. I have known about this particular revolver since our friendship began about 36 years ago as I had the opportunity to examine his collection through the years. I would always comment about how I admired the looks and feel of the model 28-2 even over some of his more expensive and rare items. He retired several years ago and is beginning to age so he has been liquidating most of his collection. He called me over to his house one day and handed me the blue Smith & Wesson box with the very mint model 28-2 and told me it was mine and to take good care of it.

I am not the type to keep safe queens as I believe they are meant to be shot, but this happened about five months ago and I can not for the life of me take this beauty to the range. Every time I take it out of the safe I admire it's condition, wipe it down and return it to the safe. I know I will never sell it as it was a gift and will bring good memories of our friendship for years to come so why do I struggle so much?

Not really looking for answers, just wanted to share the story, my struggle, and of course photos.

 

[Rudi]

All I can say is just wow!!

 

[lihpster]

Wonderful gift and an even better friend. You're a lucky man.

 

[sophie]

What a nice gift from a good friend, congratulations.

 

[schutz5]

Well it's yours now so either shoot it to his good health or store it to his honor.
Or both!!!

 

[mod29]

That's a great story and an even better friend.
I see no problem with shooting that beauty once in a while. You're not going to hurt it.

 

[Baxter6551]

Fantastic gift. He shot it so it's not "unfired since factory"and I think each time you shot it would be further honor to him.

 

[Pantherclass2004]

The 28 is a fantastic gun. Some dont care for the non shiny blue finish, but I think its great

 

[moralem]

Either you shoot it or save it for the friend you pass it along to……some where in that chain somebody will shoot it again.

 

[KalamazooKid]

I have a theory about these situations .... you don't have to run a hundred rounds through it (each range visit) but just maybe a cylinder or two. Then clean it up (an equally fun part for me), and put it away. Do this once a month or so and just think of it as "breaking it in". I seriously think these guns get better with age and a little TLC.

Happy gun, happy you!

 

[SFIDEC]

Congratulations!
Long time admiring your friends M28 that now is yours to enjoy.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Ray

 

[Doc44]

A very nice example of a 28-2 that probably dates to 71-72.

Bill

 

[ken158]

Your friend fired it and I would think he gifted it to you so you can fire it. You aren't going to get rid of it and will take care of it so why not fire it?

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I would keep it as is, look for another to shoot.

 

[PauldL]

Congratulations!
That is one fine revolver.

 

[Chukar60]

Great story. Like to hear about these things that happen between old friends.
Do what your conscience tells you to do. You will chose wisely because neither option is improper.

 

[Calfed]

Fine looking revolver

 

[Raddoc]

Beautiful. Love the tradition that someday you may pass on.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I would keep it as is, look for another to shoot.

^ This is what I'd do as well ^

 

[firefighterjohn]

That's a fantastic story and nice to hear ones like them, thanks for sharing. I'm sure you made him very happy knowing one of his treasured guns will be well taken care of. Maybe him telling you he only fired one cylinder through it is weighing on you. Maybe you at least need to do the same and let him know you fired a commemorative 6 rounds in his honor? Just a thought but either way...firing it or admiring it, you made your friend very happy.

This is a story that will be continued when it's YOUR time to pass it down to someone just as special as you are to him.

 

[Huskerguy]

A great "feel good" story we all need to hear.

I have a very good friend who is going through that difficult time of life but his goals are totally opposite. He wants brass, bullets, loaded ammo and firearms of all sorts stored and ready to pass on to those who likely will not do anything with them. Sad really

I have a 28-2 I picked up in Tulsa many years ago, someone has done some trigger work on it, smooth and light. Little did I know when I purchased it, out of all my 38/357 revolvers, it would become the go to, can't miss, try new loads in revolver. No matter what goes to the range, it is always in the bag. That said, with the condition of yours, I would be afraid something would happen to it and it would not retain that pristine look that reminded me of a dear friend and brought back memories of simpler times. You will do what is right for you. Congrats on the friendship first and the firearm, a distant second.

 

[Hair Trigger]

It's already been fired outside the factory, so you're not "saving it". They were meant to be shot, and IMO you can't fully appreciate or enjoy something like this without an occasional range day. I've got two S&W's from the 1970's I bought ANIB (M27-2 and M66-1), but their unfired condition changed the first chance I got. They are still pristine, they still have a value at least as great as I paid for them, and I can still admire them.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

On another board a member noted we really don't "own" firearms, we're just custodians until it's time to pass them on.
I am a fan of the English 3-speed bicycle-the "English Racer". Found one on Craigslist 6 years ago-MINT! Looks like it was cryogenically frozen. It sits in a corner, I dust it off now and then. Found another, not as pretty, overhauled the headset and bottom bracket, fresh grease, new bearings, new cotter pins-rides like a new bike.

 

[local_dirt]

Great story and friend.. And beautiful gun.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I don't have that problem with mine. It's a 4" 28-0 4 screw. At some point in its life someone added a .400 smooth trigger, white front sight insert, and a very slick action job. It's probably the best shooting .357 I have and I often carry it around my little farm and nearby thousands of acres of government forest land. A friend from Louisiana came over to shoot at my little range with me and he brought a 28-2 with the exact same modifications. To me they shot the same and we wondered if the same person did the work on both of them. I too got some target grips with it but I put the original magnas plus a Tyler T on it. It looks better and feels better. In a moment of weakness I traded my old pre 28 with 6" barrel as a down payment on a tractor. I bought it over 30 years ago at a pawn shop for $150.00. That won't happen again. I'll live with and love the one I have now.

 

[rubiranch]

That's a great friend. Congratulations.




My brother bought this 28-2 new and gifted it to me in 2014.
He said he figured it should be mine because I was the only one
who had ever fired it.
I would borrow it from him quite often and I put a few 1000
rounds of .357 Magnums thru it hunting rabbits so it was well
used when I got it.

 

[boykinlp]

That's a great friend. Congratulations.




My brother bought this 28-2 new and gifted it to me in 2014.
He said he figured it should be mine because I was the only one
who had ever fired it.
I would borrow it from him quite often and I put a few 1000
rounds of .357 Magnums thru it hunting rabbits so it was well
used when I got it.

Kenny, I would figure that if the shoot is well placed, a .357 could gut as well as kill a rabbit.
Larry

 

[rubiranch]

Kenny, I would figure that if the shoot is well placed, a .357 could gut as well as kill a rabbit.
Larry

One of my friends and I were standing in the back of another friends PU driving down a dirt road and a rabbit took off running down the road in front of us.

My friend kept driving and my other buddy shot it with his .357, hit the rabbit in the butt and turned it inside out.

It was hilarious.

The good thing about hunting rabbits with .357 Magnums is that they don't suffer.

 

[tug700]

I identify with your friend. I am 75, have some nice guns but I don't have anyone to pass on to that will respect them. But, I have one nephew who may get a windfall of a few dozen because he is beginning to show serious interest. Otherwise, I guess, I will have sell them.