Pondering a 28-2

[Relic Hunter 451]

Truth be told, I sold my only other 28-2 4" in 98% condition on a whim about eight months ago for $700.00 and have regreted it ever since. The opportunity came up to purchase this one and i was a little shaky on the price vs value/worth of it. I am still a little sticker shocked by the current prices and the demand is through the roof. Sure wish i would have had the forethought to have bought all the true "classic" S&W's I had the opportunity to buy in my travels. Granted that hindsight is 20/20, im fortunate to have all the horses that are in my stable.

 

[KalamazooKid]

I would wait. Prices will come back down.

Although prices generally trend up, we are experiencing a local phenomenon that will correct.

That said, that is probably a "market" price for that revolver today.

Disagree. They may flatten out some, but $1,000 is the new "$600".

 

[Tytan01]

So I am pondering the purchase of a 28-2 4". The gun is at least 98% in original box with all papers, cleaning rod and such in original vapor paper. Has original grips and S&W faux pearl grips. Has faint turn line and appears fired very little or not at all. N serial prefix. The sales card indicates 1976. It is priced at $875.00 OTD. What do you guys think? Buy or pass on it?

Buy it or forever be shunned by Santa Claus and get coal in your stocking...and your children's stockings...and their children's too...

 

[Golphin]

They are great guns in my opinion. A few years ago that price would be on the high side but the last couple of years just average has been bring the $800. range so it sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[growr]

Can't believe you are asking THIS crowd that question!!!

Randy

 

[mk70ss]

BUY THAT GUN NOW!!!

 

[Dvus]

Tell me where it is, I'll go check it out for you.

 

[RayRay7]

I said the exact same thing on this forum in December and brought a 4" -2 (sadly no box or goodies) home a couple weeks back DO IT...

 

[bananaman]

I have looked at 4" 28's for a while. 2 years ago I could have picked up a shooter {gun only} for $600 asking. It was there a few shows. Don't know why it did not sell. I am living in the past, because I bought my 6" no dash 10 years ago for $475. {1960} It was my 1st online gun purchase. Very happy with it. It came with rubber grips. Now has several sets of stocks.
My whole point to this, is that prices keep rolling up on nice guns. Bob

 

[CQB27]

You know what to do.....so do it.

 

[Art Doc]

I know I am out of the mainstream but I would not pay 875 for a 28-2 with cheap aftermarket grips. The 28 is a service grade revolver and I don't think it should command that much money. I realize everyone will disagree and it's your decision.

 

[S&W Kid]

Buy It !! With box and papers at that price? They usually run a little higher than that around here when you can find them. That said, when I bought my 28-2 6" almost 2 years ago ($799) and my 28-2 4" ($650) no boxes or papers I sweated like a 14 yr old kid at his first prom with a lady of dubious reputation all the way home while looking for the police vehicle in the rear mirror. I'm surprised I didn't have a pile up on the way.

 

[hemiram]

Buy it, it's going to be gone and the little bit you might get another one for is not going to be enough to compensate for the loss of it. I paid more for the last couple of N frames I bought and don't regret it a bit.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Another vote...BUY IT NOW!

Here's another vote for "BUY IT". I've purchased 3 Model 28s over the past 10 years, all 28-2s. I would love to have a 1954 Highway Patrolman (my birth year), but I just haven't run into one. Mine are all early 70s and in VG to EXC condition but no boxes or goodies...2 are 4" bbl. and 1 is a 6" bbl. The most I paid was $575 (6" in 2014)- which was a little expensive at the time but it's a 99% revolver. I'm also of the belief that prices for vintage S&W revolvers will continue to increase, not decrease. Model 28s used to be the bargain N-frame, and still are when compared to Model 27s, 57s, and 29s, but they've definitely appreciated. $875 for an excellent condition 4" 28-2 with the box and goodies is a pretty good deal right now. I'm sure that more than a few Forum members would be willing to take that revolver off your hands right now!

 

[Pine_Worker]

The first N frame I bought was in the '70's for $128. Second one in the '80's fir $357. The next one was $500, then $700, then $1200 trade value 2 years ago. They only go up. Buy it.

 

[Jack Flash]

When you adjust for inflation, they cost now about what they did in the 1950s, or reasonably close. There are exceptions (RMs & TLs for instance), but we are talking about the more common ones like the M28.

 

[mikeruns]

I think it is about $100-200 high and there are lots and lots of model 28s' out there....that being said, it isn't a crazy $1000 asking price and $600 is not the new $1000 dollars....we need to be a little more frugal and look around because like I said, there are a lot of Highway Patrol revolvers out there....I own 2 myself, one in each bbl length last one a 6" in pristine condition no accessories for a hair over $600 in Tx last year at a Cabelas. All this being said, if you actually just can't wait a bit, $875 isn't so much that it will bankrupt you. I have been excited about a lot of s&w revolvers(every one of them) and I have only paid top dollar once....it is an early 6" model 686 anib unstamped "m" and I paid about $850 for it and I have seen many priced a little less without box and accessories which mine has, and I also have 2 same L frames in 4", one is a 586, and another 686...those two I paid closer to the $600 mark, both also anib...and I have seen all three models also priced at &1k but I know the truth is that if I surf the shows and stores, I will find them for less again.....just recently, I passed on a 3" model 36 about 1980 or slightly newer-in fantastic condition here in Southern California at a busy gun shop....$500 and it was there at least 1 week....but I have one a little older with a pinned bbl that I don't shoot and thought it best to let someone else who would jump at the chance to go for it and I suspect they have...I almost bought it on rule of thumb cost point though resisted lol....
All this babble by me and my point is, be patient and you will save a little, but, you won't be getting stung much if you pay that premium.

 

[ddixie884]

It has been a long time since used 28s could be bought for a coupla hundred bucks. Those were the days...............

 

[Jason Demond]

I think it is about $100-200 high and there are lots and lots of model 28s' out there....that being said, it isn't a crazy $1000 asking price and $600 is not the new $1000 dollars....we need to be a little more frugal and look around because like I said, there are a lot of Highway Patrol revolvers out there....I own 2 myself, one in each bbl length last one a 6" in pristine condition no accessories for a hair over $600 in Tx last year at a Cabelas. All this being said, if you actually just can't wait a bit, $875 isn't so much that it will bankrupt you. I have been excited about a lot of s&w revolvers(every one of them) and I have only paid top dollar once....it is an early 6" model 686 anib unstamped "m" and I paid about $850 for it and I have seen many priced a little less without box and accessories which mine has, and I also have 2 same L frames in 4", one is a 586, and another 686...those two I paid closer to the $600 mark, both also anib...and I have seen all three models also priced at &1k but I know the truth is that if I surf the shows and stores, I will find them for less again.....just recently, I passed on a 3" model 36 about 1980 or slightly newer-in fantastic condition here in Southern California at a busy gun shop....$500 and it was there at least 1 week....but I have one a little older with a pinned bbl that I don't shoot and thought it best to let someone else who would jump at the chance to go for it and I suspect they have...I almost bought it on rule of thumb cost point though resisted lol....
All this babble by me and my point is, be patient and you will save a little, but, you won't be getting stung much if you pay that premium.

...and I bought a model 28 last year for 600 bucks. Even back then, it was a fluke price as other guns they had listed were 900 to 1000 bucks.

Prices are nuts right now for most everything but cheapo guns.

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

not a bad price,but a few hundred more will get you a beautiful Model 27