My First 357 Magnum Revolver: 28-2
- Thread starter Tilheyra
- Start date
A 28-2 is really the only .357 Magnum revolver that you will ever need! Congratulations!
BigBill
Absent Comrade
Unless your collecting or accumulating, hoarding them. These seem to be unobtainable sometimes. Everyone seems to be hanging on to them. Over a decade ago my online dealer had five n frames in 357 mag, since then he only had one more offered,
Are finding these becoming more rare?
Your 28-2 should last a lifetime - very rugged gun that can withstand a lifetime of shooting full house .357s.
My first magnum handgun was this 28-2, bought in 1967 brand new in the box. I bought a 28-2 4" for my father the following year when he asked my my advice on purchasing a house gun. Still have them both. Great guns from a great S&W era.
Great choice!
John
My first magnum handgun was this 28-2, bought in 1967 brand new in the box. I bought a 28-2 4" for my father the following year when he asked my my advice on purchasing a house gun. Still have them both. Great guns from a great S&W era.
Great choice!
John
wvs&w
Member
Nice revolver, and you did get a very good deal on it, as said the Hogue grips are not factory but they are comfortable to shoot, and will help you to shoot more accurate. After you install the wood stocks on and shoot it you will see what I'm talking about. Enjoy your M28-2 it is a classic.
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
My M19-3 and M66-1 both get a steady diet of nothing but magnum loads, although I stay away from the 110 or 125 bullet. No issues at all. If S&W didn't intend them to shoot magnum loads, they wouldn't have built them as a magnum revolver.
A M28-2 is a great addition to anyone's safe.
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Should I assume that staying away from 110 and 125 grain bullets for 357 magnum has to do with the weights not being common when these revolvers were designed, and thus outside of the parameters of the revolver's design?
This is directed to anyone who may know as well.
I'm looking forward to seeing how different it feels!
I have a habit now of buying aftermarket wood stocks for my revolvers, starting with when I did the same for my 67-5 and 617-6 a few years ago. Those two received rosewood grips, and I did notice a subtle difference in feel when shooting them when compared with the factory rubber grips.
I plan to keep the Hogue grip after changing it out with the walnut stocks on my 28-2. I may want to switch them out occasionally, depending on the environment I may expect to encounter.
I wish I had the self-control, but knowing me, the 28-2 will find some same-caliber friends in due time.
I've admired the look of the 586 for some time now, and there are the K-frame and J-frame 357s, and then we have Colt and Ruger...
I've only ever heard of it being a problem in K frames, which definitely were not originally designed for .357 Magnums. Others may know more than me, or have personal experience shooting these lighter Magnum bullets in N frames. They say it can lead to cracked forcing cones in K-frames. I wouldn't chance it in my K frame .357s. With N frames...I still use heavier weight bullets. But, honestly, for range use I normally just plink/target shoot with .38 Specials in .357 revolvers....when I do have the time to go to a range.
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
These are known culprits for cracking forcing cones on the K frame guns, as well as increasing the flame cutting under the top strap. The bullets are shorter than 140 and 158 grain, enough that they aren't fully engaged in the forcing cone when the back of the bullet passes the cylinder/cone gap. Powder hasn't fully burned, so there is increased flash-through and heat, which is hard on the forcing cone. It's a long discussed and argued subject of the K-frame magnums. Keeping to the heavier weight .357 bullets doesn't guarantee prevention, but radically decreases the likelihood of issues. If you reload, there is also the option of powder choices and decreasing the load strength.
Ya snagged a sweet one!
That's a nice lookin M28 you got and a real good price too. As far as some history, check the factory Letter of Authenticity I received on my Model 28-2 4" HP.
Mine is a October 13, 1975 shipment to a Maryland Police Supply outfit.
My pics show the "brush blue" or "satin" as some call it which was no frills subdued finish for duty weapons. The pic of an original advertisement was borrowed from another post on the forum, but shows that the service magna grips were on the 4", and it seems the 6" got Targets (either football cutout, or speed loader relieved). If you've got no rust or pitting under the rubbers, you may want to search the Classifieds on this forum, or be on the lookout for original N frame Targets to return your Model 28 to near original.
I'm like you.....these are real honest to goodness shooters that deliver right to point of aim as long as you do your reasonable part. The other pic titled Trigger Control helps keep your focus.
That's a nice lookin M28 you got and a real good price too. As far as some history, check the factory Letter of Authenticity I received on my Model 28-2 4" HP.
Mine is a October 13, 1975 shipment to a Maryland Police Supply outfit.
My pics show the "brush blue" or "satin" as some call it which was no frills subdued finish for duty weapons. The pic of an original advertisement was borrowed from another post on the forum, but shows that the service magna grips were on the 4", and it seems the 6" got Targets (either football cutout, or speed loader relieved). If you've got no rust or pitting under the rubbers, you may want to search the Classifieds on this forum, or be on the lookout for original N frame Targets to return your Model 28 to near original.
I'm like you.....these are real honest to goodness shooters that deliver right to point of aim as long as you do your reasonable part. The other pic titled Trigger Control helps keep your focus.
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That's a nice lookin M28 you got and a real good price too. As far as some history, check the factory Letter of Authenticity I received on my Model 28-2 4" HP.
Mine is a October 13, 1975 shipment to a Maryland Police Supply outfit.
My pics show the "brush blue" or "satin" as some call it which was no frills subdued finish for duty weapons. The pic of an original advertisement was borrowed from another post on the forum, but shows that the service magna grips were on the 4", and it seems the 6" got Targets (either football cutout, or speed loader relieved). If you've got no rust or pitting under the rubbers, you may want to search the Classifieds on this forum, or be on the lookout for original N frame Targets to return your Model 28 to near original.
I'm like you.....these are real honest to goodness shooters that deliver right to point of aim as long as you do your reasonable part. The other pic titled Trigger Control helps keep your focus.
I have to use that target! The very clear positive and negative reinforcement is what I need.
Reviewing the letter you attached, as the serial number on my revolver is lower than your's numerically, I wonder if I should assume the manufacture date of my 28-2 is toward the earlier end of the 1974 to 1977 range. I know that guns were not shipped in numeric order by serial number, but it may be an indication.
Bumpus13
Member
It's because of the "flat spot" at the 6 o' clock position on the forcing cone to accommodate the crane closing on the K frames creating a potential weak spot that has been known to occasionally develop a crack with enough of those lighter weight rounds fired.
Your N frame Model 28 has no worries in that department. Fire away with confidence.
Also, the bad news is that your lever gun is REALLY gonna get mad about its new stablemate's appetite for your .357 pile.
The .357 Magnum is my favorite caliber, except my mitts prefer the K and L frames to the N frame.
Enjoy your new revolver!
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My Altamont grips/stocks arrived today! The 28-2 finally looks classier than it has for some time now!
It will be a few more days before I can get out and shoot it to get a feel for the new grips/stocks, but I am so far very happy with the way it looks!
It will be a few more days before I can get out and shoot it to get a feel for the new grips/stocks, but I am so far very happy with the way it looks!
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I put those same stocks on a 4" Model 27-3...they are nice.
They appear a bit darker in person than I expected, but I do think it still looks excellent! They complement the bluing quite well.
I bought them on ebay. Intriguingly, while the ad said Super Walnut, the bag they were sent in notes them as Santos Rosewood. Any idea which of the two mine would be?
That's a nice lookin M28 you got and a real good price too. As far as some history, check the factory Letter of Authenticity I received on my Model 28-2 4" HP.
Mine is a October 13, 1975 shipment to a Maryland Police Supply outfit.
My pics show the "brush blue" or "satin" as some call it which was no frills subdued finish for duty weapons. The pic of an original advertisement was borrowed from another post on the forum, but shows that the service magna grips were on the 4", and it seems the 6" got Targets (either football cutout, or speed loader relieved). If you've got no rust or pitting under the rubbers, you may want to search the Classifieds on this forum, or be on the lookout for original N frame Targets to return your Model 28 to near original.
I'm like you.....these are real honest to goodness shooters that deliver right to point of aim as long as you do your reasonable part. The other pic titled Trigger Control helps keep your focus.
If you read the smaller print, Magnas were standard and target grips were an option at additional cost. Over the years, I bought three new 6" M28s and all came with Magnas.
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