Gman56 said:
I finally got a S&W 6 IN 28-2.It looks like it was not used much no holster wear hardly a a ring on cly!I paid $500 otd.I believe it was made in 66 serial number s265xx.It is my first S&W will be getting more!The trigger puLL in da is very short compared to my GP100.The GPs trigger pull is smooth. When this S&W was made fit and finish was job one for smith&wesson!I think it has a target trigger and hammer how can you tell the difference ?I also found a 686-1 for $600! I hope it is still there when my 30 days are up!
The Model 28 debuted in 1954 as
The Highway Patrolman and became the Model 28 in 1957. The -1 variant was made in 1960 (one year) and they are scarce guns. The -2 variant (which eliminated the trigger guard screw and changed the cylinder stop) started in 1961 and continued until the -3 in 1982 (eliminate counterbored chambers and pinned barrel).
Your serial number should be six digits - S265xxx - because a 5-digit number would be lower than the start of the "S" series. S265xxx dates to the 1966-67 period (a Johnson-era gun). In 1969, S&W began numbering them with an "N" prefix (and no, the "N"
did not stand for a Nixon-era gun, just coincidence!).
The Model 28 came with standard "Magna" grips. The hammer was a .400" wide semi-target hammer, combined with either a grooved .265" trigger or a .400" smooth "combat" trigger. Full target hammers are .500" wide as are target triggers, which are usually grooved. Some officers would have the hammer swapped out for the wider one. Somewhat fewer had a target trigger ground smooth, claiming the extra width gave them a faster purchase for shooting.
Fit and finish of the Model 28 was usually excellent overall. The finish is a semi-matte blue (as opposed to the highly polished deep blue/back of the Model 27) and the M28 lacks the checkered topstrap and sight rib of the M27. These changes allowed it to be offered at a lower price to both police and civilians.
The Model 27 in a 6-inch had to be custom ordered with a Baughman front ramp sight (the Patridge was standard) while the Model 28 used the Baughman on both 4 and 6" barrels. Adding a color insert (usually a red insert) and white outline (WO) rear sight was another custom order option, although some gunsmiths could obtain the parts.
The Model 28 was never offered in a nickel finish. There are supposed to be some special-order and salesman samples in brushed nickel, but these number less than 15 and are exceedingly rare (and require a letter of authentication from S&W before believing it's one of those).
In the condition you describe, that $500 was well spent. The model 28's were selling for $550 in that condition in California in 2001. With proper maintenance that revolver will outlast your grandchildren.
Be sure the mainspring tension screw at the front of the grip frame is flush with the frame. It does not need to be "backed off". If the trigger pull still seems short, remove the screw to see if it has been ground off at the tip (most often they're not reblued or show a different bluing color). It may be time for a new mainspring (about $5-$7). I know that the Ruger Security Six had a slightly longer trigger pull than the S&W, so it may be that the GP-100 also has a longer trigger pull.
These guns are built like tanks and should digest any .357 ammo easily. If you use lots of .38 special ammo, however, be sure you clean the chambers of lead and carbon build-up so that .357 rounds can easily be chambered. Also ensure you clean the barrel's forcing cone with a brush to reduce lead and copper build-up.
Have fun with your new toy!
