Pondering a 28-2

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.
 

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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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
I bought a dozen GSP trade ins one time from J&G Rifle Ranch for a lot less than $100.00 each I converted some, sold some, and did several gun trades. All in all a good investment........
 
At $875, you could do worse. The 28 is a spectacular gun. I have a 1967 28-2 (6"), but it is overshadowed by this first year Highway Patrolman. I do have the correctly numbered Magnas, but they're not much fun for shooting,
 

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Well, I pulled the proverbial trigger on a sweet 28-2. This is a different one I found. It is a 28-2 with an S prefix. Not in the box and a little more handling wear, but it is tight and I got it at a great price. I added the magna grips while I decipher which grip iteration was its original configuration. It was wearing non-diamond target grips when I bought it. I just refurbished the stock set it was wearing. They are drying at the moment.
Serial is S3042XX.
 

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Since we're on the subject, A LGS here has a 6" 28-2 for $895. I just gave it a glance and didn't inspect it. I already have a 4", but have kinda wanted a 6" just because. Should I go back and give it a serious look?

Well, they don't make them like that anymore, that's for sure. I think if it checks out and they bend a bit on price, take it home. The 28-2's have definitely increased in price as of late. I really like old N frames.
 
Well, I pulled the proverbial trigger on a sweet 28-2. This is a different one I found. It is a 28-2 with an S prefix. Not in the box and a little more handling wear, but it is tight and I got it at a great price. I added the magna grips while I decipher which grip iteration was its original configuration. It was wearing non-diamond target grips when I bought it. I just refurbished the stock set it was wearing. They are drying at the moment.
Serial is S304246.

I'd take this one over the first one you looked at too.
 
Well, I pulled the proverbial trigger on a sweet 28-2. This is a different one I found. It is a 28-2 with an S prefix. Not in the box and a little more handling wear, but it is tight and I got it at a great price. I added the magna grips while I decipher which grip iteration was its original configuration. It was wearing non-diamond target grips when I bought it. I just refurbished the stock set it was wearing. They are drying at the moment.
Serial is S304246.
That looks like a 5" barrel, too. What is the blistering and powdery look around the thumb latch? Almost looks like somebody welded on it.
 
Since we're on the subject, A LGS here has a 6" 28-2 for $895. I just gave it a glance and didn't inspect it. I already have a 4", but have kinda wanted a 6" just because. Should I go back and give it a serious look?

I would; look at the SN, see how far back it goes in the -2 series. Never know, you might find an "S" instead of a "N", or at least a low number "N". The price isn't bad for any -2 in decent shape, though.
 
That looks like a 5" barrel, too. What is the blistering and powdery look around the thumb latch? Almost looks like somebody welded on it.

That funny look was a combination of lighting and oil with cloth fibers. The barrel is 4" in length also. I took another focused shot of that area.
 

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Update: I went back to take a close look at the 6" 28-2 at that LGS. Mechanics were good, about 90% finish with honest wear, N100XXX serial number indicates 1973 production. I offered $800 OTD. He did some checking of his paperwork, but didn't bite. IDK, the gun just didn't speak to me. Don't really need it as I have a 6" pre-27, along with several other 6" .357s. Decided to pass.
The gun is at Classic Arms in Memphis if anybody is interested.
 
Buy it !!
If it's a nice as it sounds, I'd be all over it immediately !
A friend of mine has a virgin / never shot 28-2 {4 "} with original box, papers, etc. and he's a little high on his asking price, but I may have to grit my teeth, and buy it . Just too nice a gun to pass up .
 
I sold a 4" 28-2 on this site a while back. The whole package, box, tools, paper and literature that came with it.

In my opinion it had not been fired since it left the factory, I ask $1000.00 plus shipping.

The buyer was very pleased with it, as was I.
 
Buy It !

If you haven't already bought it, run! Do Not Walk ! And buy it!


I was fortunate at a local gun show and found my 6" 28-2 1-1/2 years or so ago for the "steal" of a price at $800 with no box or accessories. Around here they go for at the very least $900 for a mediocre shooter grade.
 

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A place not too far from me had a sad looking one for $900. A friend has the "28-2 fever" now and was tempted, but passed.

Lots of abrasions on it, weird grips, and no box, etc. $700-750 would be ok these days.
 
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