New Gun Day: S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman

[3rdGenFan]

HAPPY DAY! I had one of these years ago. My dad bought me a new/oldstock one as a High School graduation present back in 1991. Me and him had a lot of fun over the next few years shooting that gun. I liked it a lot but dad LOVED it. About 98-99 someone stole the gun. I looked to replace it for years but I never found one that I liked. They would either be a 6 inch barrel or beat to crap. I finally gave up and just forgot about it.

Well, sadly, dad passed in 2005 (miss you pops).

Today, I went to a guys house to look at Ruger MKII .22. When he opened the case I saw that he had an absolutely gorgeous model 28 in the case. After some negotiation (begging) I left, went to the bank and came back to complete the deal.

I stopped at the store on the way home and picked up a box of shells. I got the gun home and spent some time shooting it with MY son. Just holding that gun brought some great memories of my dad back. I could almost see him smiling as my son out shot me, just like he used to.

Anyway, red letter day for me and wanted to share with some Smith fans.

The guy I got it from told me that the grips where custom made. I don't know about that but he also told me to save the original grips. He said whether I liked them or not, they had some value to them. Can anyone tell me anything about either set of grips?

Yeah, I got the Ruger too.

 

[kscardsfan]

looks like a great (expensive lol) day. Congrats on your new toys!

 

[Dragon88]

Congrats, that's an outstanding piece. The fact that he saved the original stocks and told *you* to save them tells you a lot about how the gun was cared for IMO.

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the purchases and the story and a 4 inch Model 28 is a real keeper and great gun.

 

[Gary7]

The guy I got it from told me that the grips where custom made. I don't know about that but he also told me to save the original grips. He said whether I liked them or not, they had some value to them. Can anyone tell me anything about either set of grips?

Your grips are made by Altamont. They are not really "custom" made, but they are quality grips. Here is a set on my Model 28. Yours are the smooth; mine are the checkered.

 

[Camster]

Ruger grips appear to be Esmeralda.

 

[Munsterf18]

Might be Kelly Grips

If you pull them off you can probably tell. They are nice grips for shooting. They are available with or without emblems.

 

[Gary7]

If you pull them off you can probably tell. They are nice grips for shooting. They are available with or without emblems.

If you're talking about Kelley Arms, they are a reseller and the grips they sell are by Altamont.

 

[3rdGenFan]

Just wanted to bump the thread with some better lighted pictures.

Eh, I stink at picture taking.

 

[Rugskipper]

Nice gun, UGLY towel.

 

[michael thornton]

nice 28 ! i bet the factory grips look better on it

 

[Gary7]

Nice gun, UGLY towel.

I think that's a rug.

 

[M28]

A lot of vintage Smith and Wessons got separated from their original grips for various reasons. From a collectors standpoint, having the original grips is a big deal and will definitely effect resale value.

That Ruger is a sweet gun as well. I have one and it is ridiculously accurate.

Brian~

 

[3rdGenFan]

Nice gun, UGLY towel.

I think that's a rug.

It's a fleece blanket :lol:

nice 28 ! i bet the factory grips look better on it

You think so? I love the after markets. They look gorgeous and fit better than the originals.

That's not to say the originals look bad, but they really are small for a large frame revolver.

Either way, I'm glad the guy kept the originals with the gun.

 

[JSR III]

I agree, that blanket has got to go. Your pictures are not bad at all. My only suggestion would be to use a solid color back drop. That multi colored thing makes me seasick and fights with the stock grain. Try something blue similar to the lining in the 44 magnum cases. I think that S&W blued guns show off better with that background.

 

[Buford57]

You are right - magnas look puny on an N-frame. But magnas with a silver Tyler T-grip look like they were made for it, and handle well, too.

 

[KEN L]

She's a beauty! Next time use a solid color for your background. Red is good, or white or even blue, hmmmmm sounds like I'm gettin patriotic here. Anyway, use a background that doesn't draw your attetion away from the subject. Its a beautiful gun and I believe has just become a family heirloom!

 

[valkyriekl]

Ruger grips appear to be Esmeralda.

They're the factory Ruger thumb-rest grips.

 

[mikeruns]

3rdGenFan.
nice revolver! Let me know if you want to shake loose (sell) of the magnas/ I have a 4" M-28 that I would like to get magnas for! Woot!

 

[3rdGenFan]

You are right - magnas look puny on an N-frame. But magnas with a silver Tyler T-grip look like they were made for it, and handle well, too.

What are Tyler T-grips? I know I could Google it, but that would deprive me of some good gun forum conversation.

Its a beautiful gun and I believe has just become a family heirloom!

I believe you are right

3rdGenFan.
nice revolver! Let me know if you want to shake loose (sell) of the magnas/ I have a 4" M-28 that I would like to get magnas for! Woot!

I appreciate the compliment and the offer, but the gun and grips have been together for 30 years. It would be a shame to separate them now