model 28 durability
- Thread starter ronmann
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I have two Highway Patrolman revolvers, one from 1960 and the other from 1970, and both have held up well. They are a quality product. I can't speak for the Rugers, as I have never had one (of this model, I've had others, and they seemed pretty sturdy).
This one is closing in on 50 years old, and has been shot a lot, the finish is beginning to thin, but it locks up tight, and is a great shooter!!
Best Regards, Les
This one is closing in on 50 years old, and has been shot a lot, the finish is beginning to thin, but it locks up tight, and is a great shooter!!
Best Regards, Les
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Arik
Member
They should both be equally sturdy and solid
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Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
daddio202
Member
I recently purchased a 28-2 to take some burden off my ruger ss security six. I have a nickel model 19 in a display gun cabinet and it only gets used maybe 4 to 6 times a year with mostly 38 spl being shot from it. Every week shooting full house mag loads from ruger, I know it can digest many of them. Now the hwy patrolman can help shoulder some of the load. If possible buy them both, but if you can only afford 1 get the 28. Beefy N frames were made for mag loads. It won't even break a sweat on 357mags. Just think same frames used for 44 mag!!
You can shoot full house .357 Magnum loads in a Highway Patrolman every day until the cows come home. It will just digest them over and over as if nothing was happening. That's what they were made to do.
My advice is to buy the Model 28. I can't believe you will be anything but happy that you did.
I have nothing against Ruger firearms. In fact, I own several. But there are few revolvers out there as good and as durable as a Highway Patrolman.
My advice is to buy the Model 28. I can't believe you will be anything but happy that you did.
I have nothing against Ruger firearms. In fact, I own several. But there are few revolvers out there as good and as durable as a Highway Patrolman.
GB
Member
The N frame (what the 28 is based on) has been in service since the early 1900s. You can shoot all the factory loads you can afford and any hand load, short of stupidity and it will hold up. I have been told that the Ruger is a solid unit that will last a lifetime also. (no personal experience with shooting the Ruger) I agree that the Smith has a better and more finished appearance.(you are on a S&W board, after all!) My thought is that you buy the one that feels the best in your hand and live happily ever after.
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Conventional wisdom has it that the GP 100 is built like a tank. Looks like one, too. If you want one that can go the distance and look good doing it, go with the SW.
31FordA
Member
I have several Model 28's (4" & 6") and a pair of 3" GP-100's (blue & stainless). You will get tired of shooting .357 ammo long before the Model 28 does. The GP-100's will also handle lots of .357 ammo without complaint. My GP-100's have had over 5,000 rounds of .357, mostly 125gr, put thru them and they are still in great shape. Still, as much as I like my Rugers, if I had to choose I'd keep the Model 28. Nothing beats a Model 28.
Jackcpat
Member
M-28/Ruger
Both will handle full house .357s all day with no issue. The M-28 will only continue to grow in value. Get the one that suits you best.
Enjoy
Both will handle full house .357s all day with no issue. The M-28 will only continue to grow in value. Get the one that suits you best.
Enjoy
oysterer
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go get it
Ruger looks beefier because the frame is cast metal. S&W is a more elegant frame and forged so much tighter packed material and as durable, maybe more so. The Smith may hold the value better and increase in price. The action of the 28 will get smoother and smoother, is tighter built and just a classic. 357 full loads are nothing to even think about. The frame will not stretch under them and the cylinder walls are thick as a vault. Only thing that is being discussed that lots of rapid fire under hard double action, not single action or paced double action, may cause peening of the cylinder stop notches as the big cylinder momentum must be stopped by the cylinders stop which then is battering the stop notch wall. But again, I read lots of posts where that is theoretical more than practical. The shooters owning them seems to not complain about it. I use a lighter spring set which makes it even smoother. I go with Wolf type 2 hammer spring and 13 lbs trigger return spring and that makes them cycle like butter. My weekly shooter says hello: Go get it fast!! Can always get a nice GP100 later.
Ruger looks beefier because the frame is cast metal. S&W is a more elegant frame and forged so much tighter packed material and as durable, maybe more so. The Smith may hold the value better and increase in price. The action of the 28 will get smoother and smoother, is tighter built and just a classic. 357 full loads are nothing to even think about. The frame will not stretch under them and the cylinder walls are thick as a vault. Only thing that is being discussed that lots of rapid fire under hard double action, not single action or paced double action, may cause peening of the cylinder stop notches as the big cylinder momentum must be stopped by the cylinders stop which then is battering the stop notch wall. But again, I read lots of posts where that is theoretical more than practical. The shooters owning them seems to not complain about it. I use a lighter spring set which makes it even smoother. I go with Wolf type 2 hammer spring and 13 lbs trigger return spring and that makes them cycle like butter. My weekly shooter says hello: Go get it fast!! Can always get a nice GP100 later.
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The N-frame Smith (now the Model 27 and 28 Highway Patrolman)) has been handling the .357 since the .357's inception in 1935.............
See if you can go out and shoot both. Buy whichever one shoots the best. You will shoot thousands if not $10,000+ worth of ammo through them before anything should go wrong.
For what it's worth the S&W N frame comes in 44 Mag. Ruger just introduced the GP100 in 44 and it is limited to 44 Special...
The most likely weakness of he model 28 is that the cylinder is so large that an excessive amount of rapid fire can result in damage to the cylinder stop and notches.
For what it's worth the S&W N frame comes in 44 Mag. Ruger just introduced the GP100 in 44 and it is limited to 44 Special...
The most likely weakness of he model 28 is that the cylinder is so large that an excessive amount of rapid fire can result in damage to the cylinder stop and notches.
Lee's Landing Billy
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Startn to git the gist?
SLT223
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Both will suffer erosion at the forcing cone with a steady diet of double base, slow burning powder. In my experience with a 28 it takes thousands of rounds to begin showing a sign. I'm about 4000 rounds in on that gun, made in the late 60's and I'm not the first owner, and it still shoots perfectly. I have a pic of the forcing cone erosion. I'll try to find it and post it.
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I could add my 2 cents, but it has already been said. Buy the 28.
I had a friend who was careless reloading some .357s some time back. I think he double loaded them with Unique. His 27 handled them with ease, except for having to pound the ejector rod to get the cases Out!
Though I will emphatically say DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!!!, it was certainly a testament to the strength of the Nframe Smith!
Though I will emphatically say DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!!!, it was certainly a testament to the strength of the Nframe Smith!
Dave T
Member
On looks alone I would choose the M-28. When uglier guns are built, Ruger will probably build them. (smile)
Dave
Dave
