smith model 28 question

C

contender4040

New member
I have seen some model 28's advertised as "S" series while some others are not.

What is the difference between a model 28 and an "S" series model 28?

Is one more desirable/better than the other? Any big significant differences?

Can you tell them apart easily?
 
In 1970 S&W switched the serial number prefix from "S" to "N".
There is no difference other than the S prefix 28's are earlier models then N prefix 28's.
Some folks prefer the earlier guns because of the belief that older is better.

Jim
 
There is no difference other than the S prefix 28's are earlier models then N prefix 28's.
Some folks prefer the earlier guns because of the belief that older is better.
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Layton pretty well summed it up. I want to ad that all 3 screw guns will be N prefix while S prefix would be 5 or 4 screw and perhaps a few late 60s 3 screw guns. The change from 4 screw to 3 also marked the buyout of S&W by Bangor Punta which many consider the beginning of a drop off in quality of the S&W line. S prefix guns are more in demand and more valuable regardless of if there is a quality difference. My 28-2 is a 1970s N prefix gun and I am pleased with the quality.
 
Over the years people have also called these "S" frames, which is incorrect.

They are N frames, just as are all of the other large frame (the .500 excepted, of course) revolvers.

The S serial number prefix was actually first used on K frame revolvers around the end of World War II. I can't remember if before or after.
 
The S serial number prefix was actually first used on K frame revolvers around the end of World War II. I can't remember if before or after.
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It was afterwards. The S prefix indicates the presence of the sliding hammer block that is still used today.

FWIW S-prefix K frames and N frames can be distinguished by numerical range; K's are 811,xxx thru 999,999 while N's are 62,xxx-333,xxx.
 
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