gtoppcop
Member
All,
About ten days ago I received my 4-inch 1975-vintage Model 28-2 back from 'Art' at the Performance Center.
For full disclosure, 'Art' has previously worked on my 3-1/2 inch Model 27-3 project, where he installed a 1950s 3-1/2 inch barrel onto a 1987 Model 27-3 that had a 6-inch barrel. Many said it couldn't be done, but 'Art' proved them wrong. It was not only done, but it is my nicest and most-cherished revolver.
Getting back to the 28-2, I spoke with the lovely Roz Sousa at S&W Customer Service. Roz and I spoke about the the project and she again recommended 'Art' to do the job. After several days, she sent me an e-mail that 'Art' would in fact do the work and for me to send it in with their pre-paid FedEx label. It couldn't be easier.
After 4-5 weeks, I got a call from 'Art' detailing some of the things that needed addressing and a general verification of the scope-of-work on the old gal. 'Art' told me that she needed refitting in addition to the refinish. The OTD cost was a reasonable $323.
After I paid the bill via a USPS M/O (from my hidden gun slush fund...), I got the gun back in 2 weeks. All told it was about 8 weeks. Reasonable for the work he performed.
When I received the gun, I was VERY impressed at the amount of work that 'Art' and his Team members in the Performance Center did to the piece.
They replaced the cylinder stop, hand, center pin, springs, front ejector rod locking lug and turned the barrel 1-2 degrees (ostensibly to tighten the B/C gap). The gun is 'Right as Rain' and shoots 158 (and 125) grain bullets into a tight cluster.
I have a set of Culina (Kurac) English Walnut Magnas in a matte oil finish with a matte T-Grip to give a venerated appearance. Unfortunately, the bulbous top of the Magna doesn't work too well with speed loaders. For this reason, I switched to the Deacon Deason Bear Hug grips (re-crafted by Tedd Adamovich at Blu Magnum Grips) made to the Skeeter Skelton format. They feel great (like the Magnas), but allow for the N-Frame Safariland COMP I .357 speed loaders to properly index into the charge holes.
For some, you may notice a slight luster to the Highway Patrolman blue. 'Art' specified the utilitarian Brush Blue to the piece. I gave it a rub down with FLITZ to give a slight sheen to the attractive Brush Blue. It's perfect.
She is now an heirloom-quality revolver with a deliciously smooth DA stroke at around 8 lbs. I don't use SA, so I can't tell you what it runs, but I'd imagine that it's smooth and light. 'Art' also radiused and polished the trigger face for DA work. Absolutely perfect .357 wheelgun!
About ten days ago I received my 4-inch 1975-vintage Model 28-2 back from 'Art' at the Performance Center.
For full disclosure, 'Art' has previously worked on my 3-1/2 inch Model 27-3 project, where he installed a 1950s 3-1/2 inch barrel onto a 1987 Model 27-3 that had a 6-inch barrel. Many said it couldn't be done, but 'Art' proved them wrong. It was not only done, but it is my nicest and most-cherished revolver.
Getting back to the 28-2, I spoke with the lovely Roz Sousa at S&W Customer Service. Roz and I spoke about the the project and she again recommended 'Art' to do the job. After several days, she sent me an e-mail that 'Art' would in fact do the work and for me to send it in with their pre-paid FedEx label. It couldn't be easier.
After 4-5 weeks, I got a call from 'Art' detailing some of the things that needed addressing and a general verification of the scope-of-work on the old gal. 'Art' told me that she needed refitting in addition to the refinish. The OTD cost was a reasonable $323.
After I paid the bill via a USPS M/O (from my hidden gun slush fund...), I got the gun back in 2 weeks. All told it was about 8 weeks. Reasonable for the work he performed.
When I received the gun, I was VERY impressed at the amount of work that 'Art' and his Team members in the Performance Center did to the piece.
They replaced the cylinder stop, hand, center pin, springs, front ejector rod locking lug and turned the barrel 1-2 degrees (ostensibly to tighten the B/C gap). The gun is 'Right as Rain' and shoots 158 (and 125) grain bullets into a tight cluster.
I have a set of Culina (Kurac) English Walnut Magnas in a matte oil finish with a matte T-Grip to give a venerated appearance. Unfortunately, the bulbous top of the Magna doesn't work too well with speed loaders. For this reason, I switched to the Deacon Deason Bear Hug grips (re-crafted by Tedd Adamovich at Blu Magnum Grips) made to the Skeeter Skelton format. They feel great (like the Magnas), but allow for the N-Frame Safariland COMP I .357 speed loaders to properly index into the charge holes.
For some, you may notice a slight luster to the Highway Patrolman blue. 'Art' specified the utilitarian Brush Blue to the piece. I gave it a rub down with FLITZ to give a slight sheen to the attractive Brush Blue. It's perfect.
She is now an heirloom-quality revolver with a deliciously smooth DA stroke at around 8 lbs. I don't use SA, so I can't tell you what it runs, but I'd imagine that it's smooth and light. 'Art' also radiused and polished the trigger face for DA work. Absolutely perfect .357 wheelgun!
