Found a nice S&W 28-2 today
- Thread starter Vet66
- Start date
Driftwood Johnson
New member
Howdy
Perhaps this would be a good time to give a little historical background to the Model 27 and Model 28.
In the 1920s, S&W received requests for a 38 caliber revolver that could fire a more powerful cartridge than the standard 38 Special round. The obvious choice for a platform for such a round was the large N frame. This size frame had largely been reserved for 44, and a few 45 caliber revolvers. Chambering the larger diameter cylinder of the N frame for 38 Special would result in a cylinder with massive chamber walls that could handle the higher pressure generated by this round.
This were born the 38/44 Heavy Duty and 38/44 Outdoorsman revolvers. 38 for the caliber, 44 to signify the larger '44' sized frame. The Heavy Duty model had fixed sights, the Outdoorsman had adjustable sights.
Here is a photo of an early 38/44 Heavy duty, that shipped in September of 1930. Please excuse the incorrect Magna grips.
But the problem with the 38/44 revolvers was the more powerful ammunition could be chambered in a standard K frame S&W, with possible disastrous results.
Colonel Douglas Wesson (grandson of Daniel Wesson) worked with ballistic experts to come up with a new cartridge, still more powerful than the 38-44 S&W Special (also known as 38 Special High Velocity) round. The new round had a case roughly 1/10" longer than a 38 Special, so it could not be loaded into a conventional 38 Special revolver. Legend has it that Douglas Wesson was a wine aficionado, and dubbed the new round the 357 Magnum, because large bottles of wine were called magnums. I cannot verify this story.
And S&W introduced a new N frame revolver, simply called The 357 Magnum, to shoot the new cartridge. The 357 Magnum was available in a bewildering array of options, many barrel lengths, different sights, blued or nickel plated, Service grips or Magna grips, and different hammer styles. These were pretty much custom guns. S&W also offered a program whereas the gun could be registered at the factory to the owner, these became known as the Registered Magnums. Highly sought after by collectors.
In 1957, Smith and Wesson changed over to the still current practice of using Model Numbers instead of names for all their firearms. The 357 Magnum became the Model 27. The Model 27 was not made in quite as much variety as The 357 Magnum had been, but it was still a very fancy gun. Finish was either the standard high polish blue, or nickel plated.
With all due respect to 44 AMP, early Model 27s came with Magna grips. This four screw Model 27 no dash shipped in June of 1959. It is wearing its original Magna grips, and yes, they do bear the gun's serial number inside.
This photo shows the knurling on the top strap and barrel rib of my Model 27. That is a Model 19 beside it.
The Highway Patrolman was first offered in 1954. To quote the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, it was conceived of as a 'utility version' of The 357 Magnum. The Highway Patrolman had a satin blue finish, less expensive to produce than the standard highly polished blue finish. In 1957, the Highway Patrolman was renamed the Model 28. Interestingly enough, the finish on the Highway Patrolman/Model 28 has varied over time, sometimes being almost as highly polished as the stand S&W blue.
Perhaps this would be a good time to give a little historical background to the Model 27 and Model 28.
In the 1920s, S&W received requests for a 38 caliber revolver that could fire a more powerful cartridge than the standard 38 Special round. The obvious choice for a platform for such a round was the large N frame. This size frame had largely been reserved for 44, and a few 45 caliber revolvers. Chambering the larger diameter cylinder of the N frame for 38 Special would result in a cylinder with massive chamber walls that could handle the higher pressure generated by this round.
This were born the 38/44 Heavy Duty and 38/44 Outdoorsman revolvers. 38 for the caliber, 44 to signify the larger '44' sized frame. The Heavy Duty model had fixed sights, the Outdoorsman had adjustable sights.
Here is a photo of an early 38/44 Heavy duty, that shipped in September of 1930. Please excuse the incorrect Magna grips.
But the problem with the 38/44 revolvers was the more powerful ammunition could be chambered in a standard K frame S&W, with possible disastrous results.
Colonel Douglas Wesson (grandson of Daniel Wesson) worked with ballistic experts to come up with a new cartridge, still more powerful than the 38-44 S&W Special (also known as 38 Special High Velocity) round. The new round had a case roughly 1/10" longer than a 38 Special, so it could not be loaded into a conventional 38 Special revolver. Legend has it that Douglas Wesson was a wine aficionado, and dubbed the new round the 357 Magnum, because large bottles of wine were called magnums. I cannot verify this story.
And S&W introduced a new N frame revolver, simply called The 357 Magnum, to shoot the new cartridge. The 357 Magnum was available in a bewildering array of options, many barrel lengths, different sights, blued or nickel plated, Service grips or Magna grips, and different hammer styles. These were pretty much custom guns. S&W also offered a program whereas the gun could be registered at the factory to the owner, these became known as the Registered Magnums. Highly sought after by collectors.
In 1957, Smith and Wesson changed over to the still current practice of using Model Numbers instead of names for all their firearms. The 357 Magnum became the Model 27. The Model 27 was not made in quite as much variety as The 357 Magnum had been, but it was still a very fancy gun. Finish was either the standard high polish blue, or nickel plated.
With all due respect to 44 AMP, early Model 27s came with Magna grips. This four screw Model 27 no dash shipped in June of 1959. It is wearing its original Magna grips, and yes, they do bear the gun's serial number inside.
This photo shows the knurling on the top strap and barrel rib of my Model 27. That is a Model 19 beside it.
The Highway Patrolman was first offered in 1954. To quote the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, it was conceived of as a 'utility version' of The 357 Magnum. The Highway Patrolman had a satin blue finish, less expensive to produce than the standard highly polished blue finish. In 1957, the Highway Patrolman was renamed the Model 28. Interestingly enough, the finish on the Highway Patrolman/Model 28 has varied over time, sometimes being almost as highly polished as the stand S&W blue.
Last edited:
My 28-2 is a 1974 build according to it's serial number. Six inch barrel.
I find it to be aesthetically odd and gangly. The finish is not attractive... the cylinder looks short & stubby and dimensionally "off" for the revolver. Some previous owner hacked up the thumb-piece on the hammer and I cannot see what he had hoped to accomplish with that. And the cylinder stop stud is razor sharp.
So mine lacks curb appeal, but -wow- what a fantastic shooting revolver! I have a bunch of .357's but the 28-2 handles the heavy stuff better than all of my other revolvers. Only one complaint when shooting-- the large cylinder get hot and seems to retain that heat longer, so I have to pace my shooting with it.
To other's posts:
SaxonPig: amazing tale, those dates/location. Awesome.
44AMP: eye of the beholder, but your take must match up with probably 1% of the public I would guess!
Driftwood: always a pleasure & opportunity to learn and the classic "Howdy!" always sets the tone!
I find it to be aesthetically odd and gangly. The finish is not attractive... the cylinder looks short & stubby and dimensionally "off" for the revolver. Some previous owner hacked up the thumb-piece on the hammer and I cannot see what he had hoped to accomplish with that. And the cylinder stop stud is razor sharp.
So mine lacks curb appeal, but -wow- what a fantastic shooting revolver! I have a bunch of .357's but the 28-2 handles the heavy stuff better than all of my other revolvers. Only one complaint when shooting-- the large cylinder get hot and seems to retain that heat longer, so I have to pace my shooting with it.
To other's posts:
SaxonPig: amazing tale, those dates/location. Awesome.
44AMP: eye of the beholder, but your take must match up with probably 1% of the public I would guess!
Driftwood: always a pleasure & opportunity to learn and the classic "Howdy!" always sets the tone!
BornToLooze
New member
My 28-2 was my first gun that I bought myself.
I bought my Model 28-2, with the 6" barrel, new in 1977. It's been a very good revolver but I fall within the 99% of the public Sevens referenced when it comes to speculating as to which revolver is the most "aesthetically pleasing"; the spiffy Model 27 or its more homely sibling, the Model 28. "Eye of the beholder" indeed.
Thanks for all your replies, after thinking about the grip adapters I tripped upon a set of grips on evil bay. Very nice grips appear to be mahogany from
Thailand. Shipped to my door for an amazing $30.00 they feel good and, to me look good. I'm now able to put the original grips away in the box as not to damage them. Here is a picture of the grips I just installed.
Thailand. Shipped to my door for an amazing $30.00 they feel good and, to me look good. I'm now able to put the original grips away in the box as not to damage them. Here is a picture of the grips I just installed.
Small correction on Amp 44's info. Target stocks (indeed full target options) became standard on the 27-2 in 1974. Prior to that the Magna socks came as standard equipment.
I have read a large number of comments similar to Amp 44's expressing preference for the 28 over the 27. I confess to not understanding this at all. I guess some guys would rather drive a Corvair than a Caprice.
I definitely have my preferences...
Have to stop due to image limit...
I have read a large number of comments similar to Amp 44's expressing preference for the 28 over the 27. I confess to not understanding this at all. I guess some guys would rather drive a Corvair than a Caprice.
I definitely have my preferences...
Have to stop due to image limit...
I don't see it that way, for me, its more like I don't need (nor want to pay for) chrome trim and fancy paint, leather seats etc., on a farm truck. Not an exact comparison, but close.
27s are beautiful, no question about it. For me, the 28's satin blue has always said "I'm all business". And its way better looking to my eye than Parkerizing. I'm also not a fan of polished stainless or shiny chrome finishes.
Other people love them, and that's great. That's why they make so many different versions.
I have my Dad's M29-2. Beautiful finish, high luster blue, and I wouldn't change it. Top end S&Ws are things of beauty and I respect that a lot. Its just for me, the "plain" sister of the prom queen dances just as well, and costs me less.
The question really has no meaning for me. Back when I was "shopping", I had the money for either. I chose the 28 for sentimental reasons (my father had one), and once I had one, there wasn't really any need for me to get a 27.
I had four M28s a couple years ago, am now down to 2, and will be keeping one, no matter what.
If you want something the 27 has, get one. I happen to have a soft spot for the 6" M28, and my favorite one has the S&W target hammer and trigger. It is one of my two favorite revolvers.
I had four M28s a couple years ago, am now down to 2, and will be keeping one, no matter what.
If you want something the 27 has, get one. I happen to have a soft spot for the 6" M28, and my favorite one has the S&W target hammer and trigger. It is one of my two favorite revolvers.
The "question" was really a rhetorical one. As mentioned earlier, I have a Model 28 that I purchased forty years ago and I have never owned a Model 27. However, money was a big issue for me back then but if price was no object, I most certainly would have gotten a Model 27 for same reasons that most people do: the splendid blue job and extra finishing touches. That said, if I were in the market for a used N-frame .357 Magnum today, I'd still opt for the Model 28 because, well, price is still an object for me. 
I was actually thinking about the pickup truck comparison before I ready your post. I appreciate the 27 and 28 for differing reasons. The 27 is a gorgeous gun, especially the top strap checkering. OTH, I do think their is something particularly menacing about the 28's "all business" look
.Picked up this 28-2 in around 2011 for $425. I do carry IWB when going to rough areas. In my hands, it is the most accurate handgun I own.
