imakmst
Member
Oh yeah, I know what I do with that.
Shoot the hound out of it.
Shoot the hound out of it.
Model 28-2: What Can/Should I Do With It?
- Thread starter mainegrw
- Start date
After the soak and scrub, If you cannot stand looking at it.
Try the cold blue ,if still not happy look for a used cylinder
It will cost less than any professional refinish.
It will shoot fine the way it is and you will not hesitate
To jam it in a holster and take it for a walk.
Try the cold blue ,if still not happy look for a used cylinder
It will cost less than any professional refinish.
It will shoot fine the way it is and you will not hesitate
To jam it in a holster and take it for a walk.
MrG5122
Member
This makes the most sense to me.
The challenge is that the corrosion extends beyond the cylinder and onto he frame. The worst of the frame corrosion is under the grips. I don't mind the look too much, it grows on me more and more. I mostly at this point just want to prevent it from getting worse. Also, yes the plan was to carry this one and not feel bad about it as I often do with nicer examples.
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I would try to clean it and leave it. it is nice to have one that you don't have to worry about taking into the woods or range. I have a trade in M64 that I bought a few years ago for $200. It was scratched up on he right side and the grips were shot. After some cleaning, it is my normal range 38. It can't be hurt and shoots great.
Then definitely soak it, then clean it with some bronze wool, then keep the surface oiled.
Use it as is.
ancient-one
US Veteran
Clean lube and shoot! It will never be a beauty queen but it will never quit on you! Shooting is what a Model 28 is for. A Model 27 is for looking.
rincar
Member
Clean it up real good. Then shoot the snot out of it. That Model 28 is a perfect carry gun.
Inland7-45
Member
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If it were mine I would leave the finish as it is and enjoy shooting it. I would also look at some options for stocks and a decent holster. Maybe a nice old Bianchi or Safariland? Maybe a set of period correct magnas with a Tyler grip adapter? I have a set of used K-Target smooth that was really beat up and dinged. I raised the dents and did a slight reshaping and put them on my Model 67. The reshaping places the gun in my hand in a way that helps when firing DA and they look right on the gun. This may be a good option for your 28.
Your 28 still does have most of what appears to be an original factory finish. Despite the issues with the finish it is still a great looking gun. A pinned and recessed Smith from the 60's or 70's at the price you paid is a good deal in todays market. Again, I would enjoy it as it is and shop around for some nice accessories.
Your 28 still does have most of what appears to be an original factory finish. Despite the issues with the finish it is still a great looking gun. A pinned and recessed Smith from the 60's or 70's at the price you paid is a good deal in todays market. Again, I would enjoy it as it is and shop around for some nice accessories.
RobertJ.
Member
I'm in the clean it up, carry, and shoot it camp.
Pristine guns are pleasing to look at, but the nice thing about a gun like that is that you can use it exactly the way it was intended with no concern for the finish.
Pristine guns are pleasing to look at, but the nice thing about a gun like that is that you can use it exactly the way it was intended with no concern for the finish.
Well, cleanup is pretty much done, I stripped the frame completely, and soaked the affected areas with Kroil, scrubbed with bronze wool and a bronze brush, and reassembled the action with a little lubrication added. Internally, she was clean, but very dry. I also scrubbed the bore and chambers, all of which are shiny and clean with nice sharp rifling. She's ready for the range tomorrow.
As for the grips, the ones in my photo are a set of modified S&W Target grips. They were a freebie at the LGS at some point, and I feel they're a great replacement for the ratty Pachmayr Gripper Pros that the gun came with. Will definitely be looking for an alternative.
Already have a holster or two (or 3?), I definitely have a lined Don Hume thumb break duty holster, and a DeSantis Speed Scabbard. I had another 4" 28-2 a few years back that I frequently carried.
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So I did get to the range late Sunday, and the model 28 got her first testing post cleaning. In short, she's a fire breathing dragon with Fiocchi 142gr FMJTC rounds. I shot a little over half a box, very happy with the shot placement and consistency. That said, my janky modified N Frame Targets did not do much to help in shootability. The front to back slimmer profile from the added finger grooves along with the slick urethane clear coat refinish makes keeping a consistent grip on the gun harder. The trigger pull is also a bit heavier than other N Frames I've had, so in DA, I found myself drifting to the right a little if I didn't take the time to reset my grip between every shot. Otherwise, she's wonderful!
I don't have any after pictures at the moment, it was a busy Sunday and I'm on business out of town this week. I did show her to a few friends at the LGS who had seen it prior to cleanup that were impressed with the end result. I was able to buff off the surface rust, leaving a couple spots of minor pitting, and the Kroil helped darken up the underlying surfaces. Aside from the cylinder which has significant finish loss, the other spot are hard to see now. The Kroil did darken the cylinder too though, so it doesn't look so bad. Whereas a couple of my friends were of the same mind I initially was, to have her refinished, but we now agree she should be left as is.
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