My UUUUGLY Model 28-2-Update on Post #57

[unclewheelgun]

I think it is just fine. Touch up the surface rust and enjoy it. (a lot)
If the finish ever 'bothers' you re-blue it, and then enjoy it. (a lot)
Either way, you done good!

 

[Derosa]

Ugly? No way. Just like a cheap date on pay day, it - we - all have a purpose in life. It just needs recognized. Enjoy it.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My nephew has a cocking indicator Model 41,,,
he left it under the seat of his pickup for 3 years,,,

The Model 41 makes the OP's gun look like a custom Performance Center recent delivery!!

He keeps the Model 41 in his gun cabinet,, to remind himself to never do THAT again!!

NOOOooooooooo!!!!!!!

A early model 41 under the seat of a pickup truck........makes one have thoughts of....of ...of .... staking your nephew out for............... some feral hogs!!!!!!!!! (To cold for a fire ants)

 

[OFT II]

Your model 28 isn't ugly. It's just well seasoned.

 

[S.B.]

A LGS actually let you open this pistol up to see the insides or are you saying after you completed the purchase?
Steve

 

[S.B.]

This is mine.
Pre model 28
Nikel refinish
But is a keeper

Am I seeing the caliber stamp on your barrel of your "Pre" model 28 correctly? Looks like .38 SPL?

 

[D Brown]

A LGS actually let you open this pistol up to see the insides or are you saying after you completed the purchase?
Steve

You misunderstood my original post S.B. What I meant was, the exterior is downright pathetic, but the ratchet, breech-face, forcing cone, etc., all parts excluding the actual exterior are nearly pristine. I still haven't removed the sideplate, but expect to find very little wear or corrosion when I do.

If I'm the one responsible for the confusion, I truly apologize.

 

[bananaman]

I walked into the local gun store this afternoon and the owner immediately began trying to sell me on a Model 28-2 he had just put up for sale today. Appearance wise, it really looks bad, but on the inside, this gun is literally like new! Bottom line, I walked out of the store with the gun for a total price of $433.00, y'all are free to express your opinions on whether or not I got skinned.

This is a 1978 issue, according to its serial number, N52891#.

Some pictures.

I sure would have done the same thing! Congrats! Bob

 

[blfuller]

I would grit blast it and give it a moly coating or cera coat and it would probably look pretty good. You do want to neutralize the rust in the pitted areas. Don't moly coat the hammer or trigger though.

 

[rcortesvargas]

Am I seeing the caliber stamp on your barrel of your "Pre" model 28 correctly? Looks like .38 SPL?

Definitely a pre 28 and verify year of manufacture 1955, it happens that the previous owner marked with 38 spl to adapt to the absurd Mexican laws, I know it is crazy, but Mexican gun laws violate the human rights of Mexican citizens . As I say.

 

[raljr1]

Definitely a pre 28 and verify year of manufacture 1955, it happens that the previous owner marked with 38 spl to adapt to the absurd Mexican laws, I know it is crazy, but Mexican gun laws violate the human rights of Mexican citizens . As I say.

That's odd, because the last time I researched it, .357 was legal in Mexico, 9 mm and 45 ACP are not. Weird set of laws, I agree. Doesn't seem to stop the shootings, however...

 

[silentflyer]

To paraphrase one of my buddy's "ugly guns need love too"......

 

[WC145]

I'd buy it at that price and convert it to 41, 44, 45lc or acp ,etc...anyday.

That's what I did with the pitted and bubba'd M28-2 I bought in the classifieds here last year and the OP got a better deal than I did. Turned out my gun wasn't even shootable when I got it and I paid $500 for the damn thing. Sent it and some parts to Pinnacle and had Mark turn it into a 3" .41mag and it gets plenty of use and carry time now.

 

[S.B.]

Definitely a pre 28 and verify year of manufacture 1955, it happens that the previous owner marked with 38 spl to adapt to the absurd Mexican laws, I know it is crazy, but Mexican gun laws violate the human rights of Mexican citizens . As I say.

I'm off topic here but, curiosity got the best of me. From the angle and lighting of your photo, I would venture a guess it's a roll
mark and below the nickel? Did your research mention anything if it was factory nickel?
Steve

 

[rcortesvargas]

That's odd, because the last time I researched it, .357 was legal in Mexico, 9 mm and 45 ACP are not. Weird set of laws, I agree. Doesn't seem to stop the shootings, however...

357 sig by a void in the absurd law that separates allowed gauges to revolver and semiauto, but 357 magnum has been banned since 1971

 

[oysterer]

kroil and RIG

put it in kroil and leave it for a while, then some brass wool, gently rubbing, put a thick layer RIG grease on it and leave alone for a whole while, days/weeks and see what happens. I had one that 'healed' itself strangely.

 

[D Brown]

Smooth Combat Trigger

Just a minor update to an old post y'all. This is more coincidence than suggestion at this point, but in reading over this old thread I discovered that GCF from Corpus Christi, TX had suggested I replace the original trigger on my Model 28-2 with a smooth Combat version in Post #21. This is something that I actually did a couple of weeks prior to going in for major surgery on the 30th of April. I had ordered a new old stock .400" Smooth Combat Case Hardened Trigger to replace the .264" stock trigger, and it's probably the best upgrade that I can ever imagine being done to a Model 28! I highly recommend this to anyone who may have been contemplating a smooth trigger. Wow! What a difference!
My Ugly Model 28-2 with the old trigger out, new .400" trigger in and cold blue on cylinder.

 

[Art Doc]

I have put that smooth trigger on several of my S&Ws.

You did a pretty good job of repairing the damage. To be honest, I would not have bought this revolver because I have learned that no matter how low the price, aesthetics are important to me and I am never happy with a disfigured gun.

PS: Sort of a shame to have those post 1982 Target stocks on a pre-model revolver. But again, that's just me.

 

[one eye joe]

Very nice gun, with some minor finish issues. Remember that they will never make a gun like this again. No "lock" marring its appearance, pinned and recessed, a stout working gun, and a reliable partner in the woods, for less than one of the current lot.

You did very well indeed.

Best Regards, Les

I'M IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH les b. I DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE JUMPED ON THIS DEAL......

IMHO, THIS GUN WILL CLEAN UP NICELY. ONCE YOU KNOCK THE SURFACE RUST OFF IT--MAYBE GENTLY, WITH SOME COPPER "STEEL WOOL" AND SOLVENT--YOU CAN PROTECT THE FINISH, AND THE GRIPS, WITH A COAT OF JOHNSON'S PASTE WAX.....

I THINK THAT YOU WILL ENJOY THIS REVOLVER IMMENSELY, AND YOUR PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP WILL GROW, THROUGH THE YEARS. BEST WISHES.....

 

[D Brown]

I have put that smooth trigger on several of my S&Ws.

You did a pretty good job of repairing the damage. To be honest, I would not have bought this revolver because I have learned that no matter how low the price, aesthetics are important to me and I am never happy with a disfigured gun.

PS: Sort of a shame to have those post 1982 Target stocks on a pre-model revolver. But again, that's just me.

I can certainly understand your sensibilities regarding not wanting to own a disfigured S&W revolver, but I'm not sure where you were mislead into believing that my model 28-2 was a pre-model of some sort. It is a model 28-2 that according to its serial number was shipped from the factory in 1978. This was clearly stated in the first post on this thread; sorry if you missed it.

The stocks which I've currently put on it are indeed post 1982, so they are roughly 4 years (at least) younger than the gun. To my eye, they look better than the ratty Magna stocks that came with the gun; again, see post #1. The main thing is how these post 1982 stocks feel, I happen to really like target stocks on K and N frame S&W revolvers. I guess we all have our own preferences.

Thank you for your post Art.