The ultimate Highway Patrolman thread.including N frame ser# ranges

[shrew]

I have a 28-2 when I checked the s/n on this thread it seems to be around '78. My question is since I got it with aftermarket grips how do I know what factory grips should have came with it? I would like to have the original grips for it.

 

[nn]

Thanks....

 

[tyler2u]

Guess he should have read the thread here. Then he would have realized it's not a -2 and the box isn't original

Also, the screws don't look "right".

Guessing it's not going to move too quickly at that price.

Edit--guess I was wrong on that one. Looks like it sold pretty quickly.

 

[bwsmith2850]

Re post with new 'shoes'

I posted this a few pages ago but since then it got Grashorns , a.k.a. 'Executioner,' Elk grips and the T grip both off the 'sell or trade' forum from other members. I think it looks much better now with them and in the C.O.W.S. holster.

28-2 4" N5935xx 1979-ish Pinned, not recessed.

 

[mkk41]

As I have the week off , I've been hitting the gunshops in SE PA and have seen several Mod.28s on dealers shelves , many like new in box.

 

[bamabiker]

As I have the week off , I've been hitting the gunshops in SE PA and have seen several Mod.28s on dealers shelves , many like new in box.

What were the prices in your area? If you don't mind. Just curious. Thanks.

 

[bwsmith2850]

28-2 1978: what factory grips should have came with it?

From what I have read here, non-diamond grips, either magnas or targets. Only a letter or original box will tell which for sure. Both would be 'correct.' I got mine with well worn diamond targets that were added later. The date I see here for the switch to non diamond is 1968-ish.

Many are listed in the buy, sell, trade forum below, gunbroker or ebay.

 

[AirCommando]

My new 28-2 4"

Just got this HP today, and at a fair price, too...$445!
Maybe prices are coming down!

Looks like it is in pretty good shape!

Grips match.

AC

 

[shoprat_10]

I recently purchased a 1967 28-2 357. I've looked at a lot of 28's but I haven't seen any with a swivel strap loop on the butt. Is that something that was added by a previous owner? thanks, Tedd.

 

[Canadienne]

newbie question on finish

I recently purchased a Highway Patrolman with 4" barrel, magna grips, DOB about '78. I realize the frame is a matte finish with "bead blasting on the rounds and top-strap". On my gun, there's a definite difference in the finish between underside and front of gun as compared to the rest. The trigger guard and front of crane (?) have a rougher finish as compared to the rest of the blueing on gun. Is this what they are referring to on the "bead blasting" or do I have something else going on here??

Also, bore rifling seems pretty shallow to me but I'm much more familiar with rifles..subjective question without a picture I know, but how pronounced should the lands and grooves be? Good luck trying to give me an idea on this without a barrel to look at!

I'll get the serial # and a pic when I get courageous enough to figure that process out! I can't say I'm a great fan of technology so I usually avoid it!

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[AirCommando]

Does it look like my gun? If so, it is normal. And welcome to the forum!

AC

 

[NCBeagle]

I just purchased a 6" 28-2 with target stocks, # N2303XX. My guess, based on the Catalog and other posts, is that it was manufactured in 1975 or so...any thoughts?

I will post pics when the gun arrives on the 27th. It was a Gunbroker.com purchase.

 

[davel686]

Pistol rifling are shallower then a typical rifle's, this normal so not to worry.
as for the finish, what you discribe in normal for the M 28 highway patrolman.
they are meant to be user guns not safe queens.

 

[Canadienne]

That's the critter!

Thanks for the info AC and Dave...........it all checks out good and after giving it a real good cleaning, the bore is looking excellent. Finally did some shooting with it and can't believe how excited I am with this revolver....feel like a kid who got his first pocket knife! Now I need to get to work with some leather and put a decent holster together for it.

By the way, the serial # is N591043 with a 4" barrel and Magna grips (I believe...the narrow, walnut checkered ones).

Thanks for all the information and sharing the excitement. I could get into this S & W revolver stuff if I'm not careful.

Adios for now!

 

[Fishslayer]

Now with 50,000 views, and more than 300 posts, is this thread some kind of record?
Little did I know when I started this , where it would end up.

Congratulations to all you H.P. owners, keep the faith.

Probly a few more views by now. The 28-2 seems a real popular weapon.

Great thread. Just got my first S&W. My 28-2 falls just about right in the middle of the '64-65 group.

Now.... I'm not usually much into plastic guns, but in this case...

 

[srgvaz]

I recently purchased a 1967 28-2 357. I've looked at a lot of 28's but I haven't seen any with a swivel strap loop on the butt. Is that something that was added by a previous owner? thanks, Tedd.

I believe the "swivel" was added at some point.

 

[srgvaz]

I recently purchased a Highway Patrolman with 4" barrel, magna grips, DOB about '78. I realize the frame is a matte finish with "bead blasting on the rounds and top-strap". On my gun, there's a definite difference in the finish between underside and front of gun as compared to the rest. The trigger guard and front of crane (?) have a rougher finish as compared to the rest of the blueing on gun. Is this what they are referring to on the "bead blasting" or do I have something else going on here??

Also, bore rifling seems pretty shallow to me but I'm much more familiar with rifles..subjective question without a picture I know, but how pronounced should the lands and grooves be? Good luck trying to give me an idea on this without a barrel to look at!

I'll get the serial # and a pic when I get courageous enough to figure that process out! I can't say I'm a great fan of technology so I usually avoid it!

Thanks for any and all help.

Does the shallowness affect its accuracy?? All 28's are finished in that fashion unless they've been refinished just look at all the ones on this great thread. Don't avoid TECNOLOGY you will just get left behind even more than you already have. Enjoy the 28 it's one of the best guns ever built.

 

[BubbaSmith]

Hi everyone--been enjoying reading everyone's comments on the HPs and seeing the photos..

Bought a 28-2 a week or so ago with S/N S293XXX for $410 at a local shop--I know I overpaid a little but I figured I wasn't paying for shipping so it was worth it..

Anyway It came in the (what I think) dull pachmayr presentation grips... so I was thinking I should get some nicer ones grips for her.. I'm using the 28-2 purely for shooting, but I figure she might as well look nice, too!

I was looking at these-- Product: N/G Square Butt Rosewood Checkered Target Grip w/S&W Medallions but I'm not 100% sure they'd look good..

Ahrends could also make some nice custom grips I could put on her as well (and I could choose the shape and wood) Ahrends Grips : S&W Tactical Grips

what do you guys think? thanks!

 

[snw19_357]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on one of the finest revovlers every made. Is it a 4" or 6"?

To me, I think a nice old 1967 (most likely) revolver like that deserves to wear a set of diamond center magnas. But they might not be the best for shooting.

 

[BubbaSmith]

It's a four incher--even though the 6 inch ones are more accurate, I've always preferred the look and feel of a 4inch...

The diamond magnas would look great, but they're either pretty expensive for old ones that would date with my HP, or extremely worn... I'm not wanting to spend more than $100 on grips, and if I spend close to $100, I figure they better be in pretty darn good condition..

 

[alwslate]

I have 3 28-2's. A 6in S285xxx I bought new in late 1966. Also 2 4in,
N566xxx and N586xxx purchased at gun shows about 20 yrs apart. Both
were used but not very much. Even though they are tough N-frames I
shoot mostly light plinking loads.

 

[DCWilson]

My newly acquired Pre-28

Allen, I am coming late to your HP party, but there's a reason -- until today I didn't own one.

But that's now taken care of. Here's S127225, a Pre-28 that shipped in May of 1955. All numbers match, including stocks. It's just a little too young to be first-year production, but it's a nice five-screw in about 97% condition. The gun has been shot, but not too much. Here are some photos, featuring the oil streaks, fine hairs and dust spots that are a hallmark of my style.

How have I waited this long to pick up a Highway Patrolman? I feel a range day coming on!

 

[Fishslayer]

My first S&W

Well... 2 different M19 deals got away from me, but I met this gal at the shop. I sprang her from PRK pistol jail today...

Her SN puts her DOB in the '64 to '65 range. Bit of skin showing at her muzzle but very faint wear ring. Doesn't appear to have been shot much. The wide trigger addon feels pretty nice. I'll be taking her to the 'smith. The SA trigger feels VERY light. I suspect work may have been done on her, but I am a revolver n00b. I tell ya. The trigger makes my Ruger KP90 feel like ummm... well....

hehe... the shop also had a grunch of old Remington +P 110gr JHP. I picked up 200 rds. Ready for the zombies now!

Meet Mrs. Smith.

 

[j_bauer]

Newbie with a 28-2

I sent an email to S&W to get some information regarding the 4 inch 28-2 that I recently acquired, and this is what I received:

1. Year of manufacture for #N86xxx (five digits) - 1973

2. Original stocks installed - Magna

My questions to forum members:
1. In comparing it with the OP's list, did I get the right year information from S&W?

2. What was the correct optional target stocks for my gun during that period.

Thank you in advance.

 

[snw19_357]

Welcome to the forum!

1973 seems right for a ship date. You have to remember that they did not ship in serial number order. After manufacture it could have been put up first and pushed to the back of the shelf. You could see N999xx ship in 1972.

I'm not 100% on the wood but I'm pretty sure that if it were to have shipped with targets, they would be made of walnut and have the 'football' relief.

 

[NCBeagle]

I posted at least one of these photographs elsewhere in this forum...but I should put a couple here. This is a mid-70s (1975?) 28-2 with a 6" barrel that I picked up earlier this week. Serial No. N230XXX.

 

[roberth]

I was at the gun show today in Denver. I picked up a 28-2 4", s/n 91922. The SCSW gives it a 1972 date. I hope to have pictures up in a day or so.

 

[dnonac]

Another for the spreadsheet

For the list......Here is a 4" HP Ser # N5879xx that I picked up at a gunshow in Houston last month. Unidentified rosewood stocks are really comfortable to shoot.
Shoots like a laser!

 

[Dave T]

Here's one to add to your data base. It was marked as a 28-2 in the shop but a close look at the frame under the crane shows it to be a 4-screw M-28 no dash.

Serial number, which is as hard to read in person as in the picture, is S 189XXX. It came with diamond checkered targets but I don't like them on any N-frame with a barrel shorter than 5". I had the undercover diamond Magnas on hand along with the grip adapter.

Dave

 

[woodsltc]

Wow, that's quite a find ...... and unusual in that 4 screw models are normally pre-28's. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

Don