New to the S&W family

[transfusion666]

Hello all,

I recently came into a S&W .357 Magnum and would like to see if anyone can give me some insight to this weapon. It appears to be in near mint condition. I have not shot it yet as shooting areas around me are limited.
I believe the gun is a Model 28 State Trooper issue. Serial # N270XXX
If there is anyone out there that can shed some more light on this as to when it was made and what a est. value of the gun is.

I have $300 in it.

 

[july1952]

Take a look here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/100545-whats-differences-between-m27-m28.html
You have a very nice Model 28 and $300 is an excellent price if its in good shape and it looks like it is.

 

[transfusion666]

That thread leaves as many questions as it does answers.

 

[Hillbilly77]

Hello all,

I recently came into a S&W .357 Magnum

I have $300 in it.

Fine, you wanna play hardball, I'll give you $325 plus shipping for it.

 

[Texas Star]

That thread leaves as many questions as it does answers.

When you ask a question on the Net, you get as many opinions and discussion as there are responses.

The short answer is that you have a Model 28, also called the Highway Patrolman. It has a barrel that is nominally four inches, measured from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle. It was optionally offered with a six-inch barrel and you could get target stocks/grips. Yours has the usual "service" grips.

The $300 price was excellent (for the buyer) these days. Some ask over $500 for this model, and get it.

The name on the barrel indicates the intended market, not that this particular gun was used by a highway patrol. However, the M-28 was indeed issued by patrols in Texas and (I believe ) in Washington, Utah, and perhaps other states. It was also privately purchased by many other police officers all over the country where a .357 was allowed.

It is a superb all-round handgun, very versatile. You can fire any .38 Special ammo or any commercially loaded .357. As you are new to S&W and perhaps revolvers (?), I think you will be pleasantly surprised by its accuracy and reliability.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I believe that M28 was manufactured between 1975 and 1977. I have one that dates to the early 60's and to me it's priceless. A lot of guns, like the 28, form a niche market. That is, while there are a limited number of people interested in it, to them it's very desirable and they will pay top dollar. Just like old cars, coins, stamps, etc.

 

[Stevie]

Congatulations...S&W revolvers are one of the finest handguns known to mankind.

 

[transfusion666]

When you ask a question on the Net, you get as many opinions and discussion as there are responses.

The short answer is that you have a Model 28, also called the Highway Patrolman. It has a barrel that is nominally four inches, measured from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle. It was optionally offered with a six-inch barrel and you could get target stocks/grips. Yours has the usual "service" grips.

The $300 price was excellent (for the buyer) these days. Some ask over $500 for this model, and get it.

The name on the barrel indicates the intended market, not that this particular gun was used by a highway patrol. However, the M-28 was indeed issued by patrols in Texas and (I believe ) in Washington, Utah, and perhaps other states. It was also privately purchased by many other police officers all over the country where a .357 was allowed.

It is a superb all-round handgun, very versatile. You can fire any .38 Special ammo or any commercially loaded .357. As you are new to S&W and perhaps revolvers (?), I think you will be pleasantly surprised by its accuracy and reliability.

Thank you. That was helpful. Glad to know I got a good deal. And yes I am new to S&W but not new to revolvers. Just one this big, lol. I have had various .22 and .38 revolvers over the years. This is my first big hand gun. Looking very forward to shooting some rounds down range with it.

Oh, and Hillbilly, I'm not ready to sell it. I think I'll hold onto this for a while.

 

[Hillbilly77]

Oh, and Hillbilly, I'm not ready to sell it. I think I'll hold onto this for a while.

Lol! Didn't figure you would... Lol.

I just bought a 686 last week at a good deal. Like you, I think I'll hold onto it for a while. The "potential" to make a profit was how I explained the purchase to my wife.
Gee, honey, I COULD make a couple hundred profit IF I sold it.

Enjoy your new Smith. There's just nothing like them.

 

[wbraswell]

And, welcome to the forum.

 

[A10]

Welcome to the forum, and what a great way to introduce yourself! If you haven't found it already, here is just about everything you would ever like to know about your revolver:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...lman-thread-including-n-frame-ser-ranges.html

I would also recommend picking up a copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 3rd edition. It is currently the definitive source of information about S&Ws, the exception being this forum. Many forum members are given credit for their contributions in the book. Jim Supica, the Curator of the National Firearms Museum, is also a member here and has contributed a lot of great information. I would invite you to look him up and send him a PM indicating you are a new member and asking when the 4th edition is coming out. He loves those kind of questions!