What's the difference between a 27 & 28?

[Lou_NC]

I own a few Smiths and have been following this Forum for some time, but haven't really understood the difference(s) between the model 27 and 28. Seems to me that folks drool all over 27's but I don't hear much mention of praise for 28's. They're both N-frame .357's, right?

The reason I ask is that a fellow gun club member has two 28's for sale, supposedly LNIB, one in four inch and one in six inch. I don't own an N frame and was thinking of checking them out.

Is the 28 "as good" as the 27? What would I be giving up in an N frame with a 28?

Thanks,
Lou

 

[Lou_NC]

I own a few Smiths and have been following this Forum for some time, but haven't really understood the difference(s) between the model 27 and 28. Seems to me that folks drool all over 27's but I don't hear much mention of praise for 28's. They're both N-frame .357's, right?

The reason I ask is that a fellow gun club member has two 28's for sale, supposedly LNIB, one in four inch and one in six inch. I don't own an N frame and was thinking of checking them out.

Is the 28 "as good" as the 27? What would I be giving up in an N frame with a 28?

Thanks,
Lou

 

[Erik F]

The 27 has more vivid bluing, as well as some nice checkering on the topstrap. Essentially, it's a "nicer" gun, but only cosmetically.

The 28 is more of a "workhorse" gun. Both are excellent choices.

 

[diamonback68]

Originally posted by Lou_NC:


Is the 28 "as good" as the 27? What would I be giving up in an N frame with a 28?

Thanks,
Lou

Every bit as good. Same gun. It just doesn't have the high polish and checkering of the 27.

 

[S42N8]

Finish, checkering, and about $100-150 more for a 27 vice a comparable 28.

As for shooting, not much; the real difference will be how well the individual revos were cared for. If they're taken care of, a 28 should perform about the same as a 27; the 27 may have come from the factory with more work on the trigger works.

28s were developed as a lower-cost version of the 27, generally for police or security sales, but were always available for general sales as well. Mechanically, they're pretty much the same under the finish, but the 27s may have had a little more attention by the fitters prior to shipping.

I've got 28s and a 27; the 28s are excellent weapons in their own right, and as far as function goes, 28s need not take a back seat to a 27. The 27 does have the high polish & checkering, and usualy shipped with nicer stocks than 28s. If cosmetic appeal is your thing, go for a 27.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I have a Model 27. The Model 28 is just as good. I've owned a Model 28 in the past. Both are as good as it gets in .357 Magnum.

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Funny that you mention that the 28 doesn't get as much talk here. The Model 28 seems to have developed a cult following on this forum.

<------------Model 28 Cult member

 

[Andy Taylor]

Everything already said is correct. Here is a little background:

The .357 Magnum (M27) was the first gun ever chambered in .357 magnum (cartridge) It was S&W's premium gun. Rich deep bluing, a checkered topstrap, overall a very finely finished product, that also functioned very well as a law enforcement weapon. Almost twenty years later it was still the only .357 magnum around. Many LE agencies wanted the gun, but could not afford the premium price tag. About this same time Colt launched their first .357. S&W decided that a lower priced utilitarian version was in order and the Highway Patrolman (M28) was born. The Combat Magnum (M19) also came into being in this general time frame as well as a smaller, lighter alternative to the big N frame .357 magnums.

 

[Mack]

Also barrel length is only 4" and 6" for the M28, the M27 was avaiable in 3 1/2", 4" (rare), 5", 6", 8 3/8" and maybe others.

 

[toroflow1]

And I am finding that 27s seem to be CHEAPER than 28s due to this "cult following"!

 

[epj]

Originally posted by toroflow1:
And I am finding that 27s seem to be CHEAPER than 28s due to this "cult following"!

In some instances, this seems to be the the case.

 

[Lou_NC]

Thanks, everyone! Very educational (as always for this forum)!

Lou

 

[Lou_NC]

Hey, I just thought of another question. Is there such a thing as a 627, and 628?

I know S&W made a 625 and 629, just wondering if they ever came out with SS versions of the 27 and 28?

Thanks,
Lou

 

[NFrameFred]

What's the difference between a 27 & 28?

These days, about a hundred bucks

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Originally posted by Lou_NC:
Hey, I just thought of another question. Is there such a thing as a 627, and 628?

I know S&W made a 625 and 629, just wondering if they ever came out with SS versions of the 27 and 28?

Thanks,
Lou

There is a 627, but no 628 model was ever made, to my knowledge.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by Lou_NC:
I own a few Smiths and have been following this Forum for some time, but haven't really understood the difference(s) between the model 27 and 28. Seems to me that folks drool all over 27's but I don't hear much mention of praise for 28's. They're both N-frame .357's, right?

The reason I ask is that a fellow gun club member has two 28's for sale, supposedly LNIB, one in four inch and one in six inch. I don't own an N frame and was thinking of checking them out.

Is the 28 "as good" as the 27? What would I be giving up in an N frame with a 28?

Thanks,
Lou

They are the same gun machanically, but the 27 is finished to a higher degree and has more polishing and the checkered top strap, while the 28 has a matte finish and sandblasted top strap.

If those things are not important to you, then the 28 is just as good in all other respects.

 

[stevieboy]

I don't think that there's a lot in common between the 27 and the 627 except that they're both N-frames. The 27 is a blued, 6-shot revolver. The 627 is stainless and, in it's current configuration, is an 8-shooter. There are several Performance Center variations of the basic 627. I fired a 627 recently, for the first time. It's a nice gun. Personally, I prefer my 686s to the 627 and I suspect that's because the slightly smaller frame of the 686 fits my hand just a bit better.

 

[magnummitch]

27's & 28's? What More could a guy ask for? 19's,66's,29's....But a 28 is a Helluva great start....And if you only had ONE .38/.357, you'd have ONE of THE Best!...Great Revolver, the 28!

 

[kwbikr]

Love the 27 and the 28 in all barrel lengths...although a 5" feels perfect to me and only comes on the 27. I do have a lovely "hybrid" 28 in 4" that had been polished and high luster blued in a past life...I worked it over inside and out and use it for steel plates...best 357 I ever shot IMHO...here it is...