Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W model 28

I came accross a "s" serial numbered model 28, in basically unfired condition, with the pinned barrel, etc. This is the highway patrolman in four inch. Anybody have an opinion on these. It would be bought for about 400 dollars.

The "pinned" model 28 I owned was a very good handgun. It basically wore out after I had shot over 250 pounds of cast bullets through it. (7000grains/pound, 158 grains/bullet--you figure it out) The 28 I bought to replace it has a crush fit barrel and hasn't been nearly so accurate as the older revolver. $400 may be a bit high, but that depends on condition more than anything else. I've seen the polished Model 27's sell for about that money, and they had only light drag marks on the cylinder.

Sounds a bit high to me as it does the Fjstad Blue Book. They are great work-a-day guns as a .357 takes a looong time to wear out an N frame.

MODEL 28 HIGHWAY PATROLMAN
- .357 Mag. cal., "Highway Patrol" utility model, dull or brushed nickel (very rare) finish, adj. sights, standard grips, blue only, 4 or 6 in. barrel, mfg. 1954-86.
Grading
100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60%
$325 $260 $210 $200 $190 $180 $150
Last MSR was $306.
Add $20 for TS.
Add 30% for 5 screw variation (pre-Model 28).
Add 300% for brushed nickel finish (beware of fakes).
There were 3 engineering changes to this model.

A model 28 was my friend's carry gun when he was a customs agent in Miami back in the 70's, it got him thru a couple of incidents. A great gun. I, too, have shot the heck out of that particular gun....accurate and reliable. Not as pretty maybe as a Model 27, but a great carry gun.

If it�s a NIB, then the price may be right for your area (I�d pay it). Remember, the Blue Book is a reference, not the rule. Depending on where you live, some guns may be a bit more scarce than others and will command a higher price. If you look on Gun Broker, you�ll see that the average price for good condition 28�s start at high Blue Book, so the book my be a little weak on this model. As a general rule, in the past 5 years, S&W N frame revolvers have been increasing in value at a somewhat brisk pace.

As an investment, forget it. But if you want a good .357 and you like the N frame, tell me where you�re going to find another N frame that�s essentially new in the box for $400.00, regardless of caliber? The 28 is a good gun and I�ve owned a few over the years. The only complaint I have with the N frame .357�s is the short cylinder when compared to the K frame .357�s. I really like the Lyman 173 grain Keith style bullet (358421 � I think), but in the shorter cylinder of the 28, I�m forced to use .38 Special brass. Not a big deal, I just don�t care to have magnum pressure .38 Specials lying around.

RoninPhx,

The prices sounds about right my area. A guy doesn't see many "basically unfired" M28's anymore.

As for my opinion of the revolver, I wouldn't buy it unless I specifically wanted a M28 (collector, etc.). A K or L-frame .357 Mag will do everything a 4-inch N-frame M28 does in a more tidy package.

I bought one like yours new in 1971. I was a very good revolver. I just had to have a S&W with the "brite blue" so traded it off for a Colt .45 auto and also bought a S&W Model 19 which I still have. Regretted it ever since. Thanks...Bill.

I agree theough he will probably pay a tad more. They are good guns and for an unfired 28 they just go for that. They aren't made anymore and getting tougher to find. I'm not a collector when it comes to that sort of thing and I too like the K and L frame guns. Heavy guns just don't do anything for me.

Ron,
The cheapest 28 I have seen in Phoenix last two years was $275 for good/vgood. More likely bottom for a decent gun would be $300-$325. If it is LNIB/unfired $400 seems pretty fair to me.

I picked up an s numbered, four inch, pinned barrel M28 for $300 back in April while in Tucson. Close to new condition. A little wearing around the muzzle and light drag marks in the cylinder. For me it carries well and shoots great. I�m happy with it.

Buy it!!!