Please Help Me Decide

[ma deuce]

I escaped over the border to my favorite honey-hole up in America, and find myself in a quandary. Don't bother telling me I ought to buy all three of these - Christmas is coming and I can't afford it. Also, don't tell me that they're all overpriced. I live in the mid-Atlantic, not one of the vast desert or swamp regions of flyover country.

Gun one is a 1955 6" 5-screw 6" K-22. Good finish, faint muzzle wear, sharply-defined turn line, smooth football targets. No box or papers. $799.

Gun two is a 4" 19-3 in immaculate condition. Perfect in every way, including no turn line. No box or papers. Also smooth football targets, no other options. $699.

Gun three is the real temptation. 28-2. Condition as perfect as the 19-3. Proper magnas. Box, papers, tools. The former owner bought it from the PX when stationed in Germany; the papers include his bill of sale and the bring-back papers. $799.

I'm a K-frame guy. I've already got other K-22s and 19s in all lengths. No N-frames though. I'm always reading on here about overpriced 28s, and I've seen the prices rise the past few years. However, given the condition and all the extras, the 28-2 seems like the one to buy.

What say ye?

BTW, there were other old Smiths to be had, including a Model of 1905 .38 with almost perfect nickel finish for $899 and a like-new 3" nickel 36 for $599. Those were tempting, too.

 

[bamabiker]

You don't mention barrel lengths on the 19 or 28 but since you already have the K22s and 19s I think you know which one you should get. Everyone needs at least one HP.

 

[Jack Flash]

... However, given the condition and all the extras, the 28-2 seems like the one to buy. ...

I can certainly agree with that.

 

[ma deuce]

You don't mention barrel lengths on the 19 or 28 but since you already have the K22s and 19s I think you know which one you should get. Everyone needs at least one HP.

Fixed it. 4" 19, 6" K-22.

 

[Peak53]

I'm with the others on the N frame to fill that large hole in your collection. You are approved to buy.

 

[ma deuce]

Yeah, doesn't take much to persuade me. Looks like tomorrow I'll try to get past the guard dogs, through the minefields and under the razor wire to put my money down. I just went through the completed 28-2 auctions on Gunbroker, and it confirmed my impression that the asking price wasn't too much out of line, even without the papers and tools.

 

[Jack Flash]

Maybe I'm just missing it, but I never did see the barrel length on the M28. The 4" version seems to be more in demand, hence would be a better deal in today's market. The 6" version may be best for all-around shooting, so either way it's not a bad deal.

 

[samandglove1]

I would choose the Highway Patrolman, especially considering you already have examples of K22's and 19's. I think the price is a bit high (especially if the revolver is a 6"), but not crazy high for the condition. If I didn't have four already, and ran into that one, I wouldn't let ~$50-100 stop me from buying it.

 

[ma deuce]

It's a 4". I decided not to go back today, because I expect it's just as crazy there as it was yesterday. (25x25 foot showroom jammed with 20 people waiting 2 hours for their NICS checks to go through.) I doubt it'll be sold before I can get there Monday or Tuesday evening.

 

[Jack Flash]

It's a 4". I decided not to go back today, because I expect it's just as crazy there as it was yesterday. (25x25 foot showroom jammed with 20 people waiting 2 hours for their NICS checks to go through.) I doubt it'll be sold before I can get there Monday or Tuesday evening.

If you really want it, you should go in and put it on layaway. That way, you could do the actual purchase after things calm down.

If I was in your shoes, I would be afraid that it may get snapped up in the feeding frenzy you describe.

 

[ma deuce]

If you really want it, you should go in and put it on layaway. That way, you could do the actual purchase after things calm down.

If I was in your shoes, I would be afraid that it may get snapped up in the feeding frenzy you describe.

Possible, but I doubt it. If it's gone, I'll just have to add another pre-17 to the family. Funny how I can go for months and not see a gun that does anything for me, then walk in a place and they've got a dozen I'd like to take home. And naturally just out of state so I'll have to pay transfer fees on handguns.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Possible, but I doubt it. If it's gone, I'll just have to add another pre-17 to the family. Funny how I can go for months and not see a gun that does anything for me, then walk in a place and they've got a dozen I'd like to take home. And naturally just out of state so I'll have to pay transfer fees on handguns.

Isn't that the way of things??? And always when you are most limited on expendable funds... At least that's how it goes for me..

As much as I love my 4" 19-3, I would go for the HP as well.. mainly because you already have the m19 covered.

 

[bananaman]

The only gun that I have of the 3 is a 28 no dash from 1960. 6 incher (I like it that way) It is at close to the top of my favorite revolvers to shoot. #1 is a 625JM. That big N, (28) feels so good in my hand, and is great for 25 yd. target shooting. I have had it a couple of years. It cost a lot less than the one you are considering. Good luck with your decision! Bob

 

[firemanhank]

For all the reasons stated above, as well as the paperwork from when it came home from overseas, the 28-2 is the clear choice. Of course, I'm partial to the 28 as I have adopted 2 of em over the years and love shooting them.

 

[CajunBass]

Yea. The 28 is the one to get.

 

[Bugkiller99]

HP is on the top of my list.

 

[ma deuce]

Finally got back to the store today and took another look at all three guns. On second look, I ruled out the K22 - not as nice as I'd thought originally. Negotiated the owner down a little, put deposits down on both the 28-2 and 19-3 - both of them just too nice to pass up, nearly perfect. No box with the 19, but the 28 had box, factory papers, wrapper, tool, and vet bring-back papers. I'll go back after Christmas, pay the balance, and off they go from PA to a week in Maryland handgun purgatory.

Question: Am I correct in assuming that a late 28-2 would have come with a brush in addition to the screwdriver/sight adjustment thing?