To Buy or Not To Buy? 28-2 or 19-4?

[SuperGoat]

Of course I want both but can only afford one at the moment. Sorry I have no photos and no greatly detailed descriptions of either gun but I still would like everyone's thoughts and opinions if possible.
My local gun shop has a nickle 19-4 with a 4" pinned barrel, recessed cylinder, target grips, in very good condition. No damage and looks to have only been fired a handful of times. Comes with box, a S&W leather holster, speed loader, and a box of ammo for $779 (was originally asking $995). Owner says he might come down on the price more but didn't say by how much.
The other gun shop in the town over has a model 28-2 blue that is also pinned and recessed, 6" barrel. Doesn't come with anything and is a little worn at the end of the barrel and a few other corners. They were asking $599 firm.
I do own one model 19-4 and would not mind owning more, at the same time I do not own a model 28 and wouldn't mind one of those either. Are either of these set at decent prices? I usually only buy rough looking guns (tend to like those more) so not too sure what these nicer ones are going for now. My other questions is, if I do get the 19 it will be my first nickle gun. How hard is nickle to maintain compared to blue?

 

[JP@AK]

I think both items are slightly overpriced, from what you've told us. However, if you have never owned an HP, you really ought to seriously consider getting one. However, I think you should be able to find an HP without the box and some holster wear for less than 6 bills. Personally, I would not pay $600 for a 6" HP in that condition. I'd keep looking for a 4" for a little bit less money. But that is just my preference.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Jdavis]

If you need a good range gun or hunting gun that can handle heavy loads without complaint then the 28-2 is your best option. However, if you value the gun as a collector piece or your need is a carry weapon that will never be fed a constant diet of rounds less than 158 grains, the 19 is your choice. I think that I would try to negotiate a better price on either gun.

 

[JP@AK]

How hard is nickle to maintain compared to blue?

Not really hard at all. Just clean it up regularly after shooting it. I do notice with handloads (Red Dot or Unique, especially) that the nickel shows the powder residue quite obviously. In one sense that is good because you are able to see clearly when it is gone!

Here's a nickel 19-3 that I've shot a lot over the years. Still looking great.

 

[Capt. F.]

I own a model 66, 2 1/2", stainless version of the model 19 and a 4" and 6" model 28. The 66 is my ccw and is with me day to day, however if limited to only one gun the 6" 28 would be it. Digests anything you feed it, is inherently accurate and I doubt you could wear it out in a lifetime. Happily shoots magnums all day long.
If you buy the 28, I don't think you'll be sorry.
As far as nickel goes never owned one so I'll have to defer to more knowledgable folk.

 

[retiredbadge8091]

If they'd go $599.00 OTD, I'd take the 28-2 but I'd be wishing it was a 4" model all the time. At $700.00 OTD I think you'd be happy with the 19-4, which is, in my opinion, the best variant of the venerable Model 19, although I'm not a big nickel fan.

There's every chance that when you go back they'll both be gone anyway, making it a moot point.

 

[Mistered]

Where In Idaho is the shop with the 28-2 for $599? If you don't take it please let me know.

 

[slickracer]

I would all over that 19!

 

[Cardboard_killer]

I think the 19 is a better deal in terms of cash and in terms of resale/collectible value. Still, price is high. If you do buy, make sure the box is original (serial number should match the gun) and make sure the nickel is factory original (box should note that), too. If not, the gun is $150-$200 over priced.

I prefer N-frame 357s, but $600+ for a run of the mill 28-2 is at least $100 too much. Of course, I live in Florida and there are a lot of gun stores and shows available to me. Idaho may be different.

 

[steelslaver]

In most places $600 is fairly decent for a nice 28-2 and they are making a steady climb. To me a local buy comes with an automatic $50 discount over anything I have to pay shipping and FFL transfer fee. I travel around the Montana a fair bit and constantly check the gun shops, pawn shops etc and decent used revolvers are hard to find and usually marked to the high end. Probably a good thing for me, if they were more common and cheaper I would have every credit card maxed out. LOL

I am surprised nobody has suggested you make him and offer for both, say $1200 and see where it goes. 28-2 makes a great range gun, softer recoil and will take anything you throw in it for a a long time. The 19 would make a better holster gun. But, then I have the "want them all illness".

 

[llowry61]

I agree with the offer for both at 12. Is there anything in the herd you might be willing to cull or trade to make that happen ? I would think about what I might get for the 19 you have, if you feel the one available is a move up in condition etc. Good luck, let us know how it shakes out. I have not had any luck finding nice revolvers in LGS' here in Ohio. Maybe one day.

L

L

 

[tops]

A 4 in. M19 is a better carry gun than a 6 in. M28. You will never shoot the M19 enough to wear it out in your lifetime so why will it matter if the M28 will last longer. Larry

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

In my area, the nickel 19 with all of the accessories listed is a pretty good deal, a better deal than the price on the 28. The 28's do seem to be climbing in price though....

The 28 cannot be beat in terms of durability, not that you will destroy the 19 shooting mags out of the if you do your part in not abusing it.

I have a 28-2 with 6.5", and a pair of 19-3's with 4" and 6". Given the choice, I myself would go for the 19.. I don't have a nickel Smith yet and would like to get one at some point.

 

[hittman77]

In my area the 28 is more fairly priced than the 19. Nickel doesn't do anything for me and the 28's are far, far less common around here.

Him coming down on the 19 and may having more room to work only means he's over-priced it ..... not that it's some sort of bargain or special deal.

 

[Breakaway500]

Tough decision. In my opinion,neither is going to be an edc (right?) so I would opt for the Highway Patrolman N frame. You already have a 19. Seeing as both guns are at different gun shops..no chance on a package deal. Buy the HP....put a deposit on the 19..

 

[Jack Flash]

...I do own one model 19-4 and would not mind owning more, at the same time I do not own a model 28 and wouldn't mind one of those either. ... I usually only buy rough looking guns ...

Since you already have an M19 which I presume is a shooter, (given your "rough looking guns" preference), you should get the M28. This is especially true if you plan to use it as a range gun as opposed to a carry gun.

But do whatever you like. A nickel revolver is probably easier to maintain than a blued one. Nickel is certainly more durable.

 

[SuperGoat]

Thank you for the opinions everyone. Still a tough choice. I live in a smaller town so I figured overall the prices might be a little higher here. The 19 has been at the shop for a few months already, I don't know how long the 28 has been at the other one though I see more 19s than 28s. This is only the third 28 I have seen here and the other two were closer to $1000. I think I will try for the 28 and if it gets sold before I get there then I will go for the 19.
The guy who was selling the 28-2 also had two other revolvers I was looking at. A model 60 snub in not so great shape for $499 and a model 586 in decent shape and after market grips for $699. Not too familiar with either of those models.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Thank you for the opinions everyone. Still a tough choice. I live in a smaller town so I figured overall the prices might be a little higher here. The 19 has been at the shop for a few months already, I don't know how long the 28 has been at the other one though I see more 19s than 28s. This is only the third 28 I have seen here and the other two were closer to $1000.

I love 357 n-frames. However, $1,000 is an insane price. Model 28s were going for $300 ten years ago, as PDs were transitioning to glocks. I've bought two in the last five years, one for $320 and one for $450. Even gunbroker has some that go for under $500, but shipping and transfer can eat that up, and you can feel the one at the shop and do some testing to make sure it's in decent shape.

I think I will try for the 28 and if it gets sold before I get there then I will go for the 19.
The guy who was selling the 28-2 also had two other revolvers I was looking at. A model 60 snub in not so great shape for $499 and a model 586 in decent shape and after market grips for $699. Not too familiar with either of those models.

Not sure of the snub, but the 586 is on the high end unless it's minty and has box & docs with it. Those are L-frame blued 357s. Once again, they were being blown out 5-8 years ago when all the police traded in their revolvers for glocks.

 

[bigmoneylewis]

The 19 sounds like a good deal . A 4 " nickel , pinned and recessed ,
in near mint condition with original box , probably $ 850 around here .
The holster and box of ammo are just icing on the cake on an otherwise extremely good deal . The ONLY reason that gun has not sold is because you are in a very small town . That deal would not last 24 hours around here . That 19 is a gun you are not going to shoot . It would be shoved in the back of the safe . Hower, if you want a "shooter' the 28 seems like a great deal as well . Priced about $ 100 below market value , and it already has holster wear, so , buy it and shoot the hell out of it .

Lewis

 

[Tom_R]

I would grab the 28-2 since you already have a model 19.