New member with some questions... SW Cal. 28 pics.

[karmatp]

Hello everyone, first time posting. This seems like a great forum and I was hoping I could get some advice. I have a Smith and Wesson 357 Highway Patrolman cal 28-2 that my wife bought for me about 15 years ago now. She bought it for me when we were dating and now 13 years of marriage later and 3 kids I decided to pull it out and snap some pics. I used to be a avid hunter and shooter but life got busy on me and my 357 has not seen the light of day for probably 12 years. I have been considering buying something a little smaller, with a clip, maybe a 9mm or something of that sorts. My wife purchased it from a sheriff friend of ours at our gym back in the day. I don't have the box or any papers but I know for sure that it is a solid gun. I was just wondering what this model would sell for? I would consider a trade or outright sale. Another question I have is it legal to sell guns like this over the Internet, and do I have to send some paperwork to my local PD to state that I do not own the gun anymore? Thanks for the feedback guys, sorry for the new guy questions.

Here are some pics., there is some wear from rubbing against the leather holster.
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w312/therace/P1010288.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w312/therace/P1010287.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w312/therace/P1010285.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w312/therace/P1010284.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w312/therace/P1010282-1.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w312/therace/P1010280.jpg

[Sneezer]

I am not an expert on smiths but you have something there so don't let it go cheap.

[Gun 4 Fun]

It's legal to sell this over the net, but it should be posted for sale in the buy, sell, trade handgun forum. In the condition it's in I'd say around $275-325. It may be mechanically sound, but the finish is pretty worn and the rear sight looks a little boogered up. They are good guns, for sure. You will have to go through an FFL to FFL deal with someone in another state, unless that state allows guns to be shipped to an FFL in that particular state from an individual. Some may price it higher, some lower, but I've watched a bunch of these sold lately and that's pretty close for the condition it's in on the outside.

Hey, welcome to the forum!!:D

[James K]

I would suggest talking to a local dealer about a consignment sale. You might make a bit less money than on "the net" but you will have a lot less hassle. Another alterative is a trade, if you know what you want and can come to terms with a dealer.

AFAIK, in AZ you can also sell the gun in a private sale, just like any other item, but get good ID and keep a record of the sale. (If I am wrong on that, please correct me, Cardinals fans.)

Jim

[Mike Irwin]

You know, you had my hyperventilating there for a little bit...

On my monitor, those pictures looked a LOT like the gun was nickle plated.

Very few S&W Model 28s were made with nickel plating from the factory. Those that were are VERY collectible.

[orionengnr]

I am by no means an expert, but it looks nickel-plated to me. The wear at the muzzle and forward edge of the frame appears to show some copper below the nickel, which sounds right.

Again, I know nothing about S&W nickel plating, but my general understanding of the process is that a coating of copper is electro-plated to the steel, and then a coating of nickel is electro-plated to the copper (since nickel will not bond to steel directly, the intermediate coat of copper is required).

No idea what this particular revolver is worth, esp. if it is a special and collectable M-28. In my world, good to very good (blued) M-28s go for ~$400.

IIRC, if it is factory nickel-plated, there is an "N" stamped somewhere (not part of the serial number). Again, I don't own a factory nickel-plated S&W, so I'm going by memory and hearsay.

[kraigwy]

I have one just like that, right down to the grips.

No way in Heck would I sell it. I was my issue service revolver my department let me keep when I retired. I have the letter giving me the revolver.

I guess they figured since I retired, I didnt need a watch. So they gave me the revolver with my retirement shield.

[mnhntr]

no way i would get a plastic fantastic and give up that built to last wheelgun, 9mm:barf: its like going from a cadillac to a yugo.

[Bill DeShivs]

Nickel does not require a copper underplate. S&W did not use a copper underplate. The pictured gun is blued.

[bigghoss]

I recommend NOT selling it

[Gun 4 Fun]

Nickel does not require a copper underplate. S&W did not use a copper underplate. The pictured gun is blued.
+1

[Daryl]

You list Arizona as your state of residence.

No need to go down to the po-po to tell them you don't own it any more. If you sell it, just get a bill of sale with signatures from both parties, and each gets a copy.

Unless you went down and voluntarily registered it, it's not registered anyway. Arizona doesn't require such things, and the yellow slip that's filled out when you buy a firearm isn't a registration.

If it were mine, I'd keep it. The older Smith & Wessons are nice, and that one might have some sentimental value to you some day.

Daryl

[karmatp]

Great info. guy, I really appreciate it. Maybe I should keep it and just buy another? :confused:

[bigghoss]

+900000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

[azredhawk44]

karmatp:

I'd be interested in it. I'm in the market for a .357 sixgun. I live up the road from you in Glendale, and I have a concealed weapons permit which demonstrates that I am at least slightly upstanding and not likely to use it in drive-by shootings or anything. :)

It would get a good home.

[Nero45]

The 28 is a great gun that goes for a good price even though its worn on the outside. Basicly the 28 is a duler finish of the 27 and a few other things to keep the price down so that PDs could purchase them for their officers. They are wonderful guns and a joy to shoot. Around here (IL) they can go for around 425-500 for one like that, in better condition well up to 600.00. I got lucky and got mine for 300.00 last year and its in about the same condition you've got, maybe a bit better. I would say keep it, shoot it, and enjoy it. I would only sell it if your hard on cash and these will only go up in value as time goes on.

[Ozzieman]

To get an idea what people think that there 28's are worth check out the following web site. There are 58 for sale here.
This does not mean what your gun will bring, but give you an idea what they are worth.
I agree with others here, keep it and forget a 9mm. That gun with 38 specials will be as powerful as a 9 and a lot easier for you to shoot.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=28%20Smith%20and%20wesson

[karmatp]

Great link Ozzieman, very interesting. Today I pulled out my cleaning kit and gave it a fantastic cleaning, I should take more pics. because it really looks sharp. I am leaning on keeping it now, you guys are so influential, thanks. I think I am going to give my Grandpa a call, he is a huge collector and hunter, he might even have something I could buy from him. He has long been retired and actually works at the local shooting range. I might just have to pay him a visit and shoot some rounds through my 357. This forum actually had me pulling out some of my other guys last night, kinda got me fired up to go do some shooting. Once again, thanks for the feedback, all your knowledge is very much appreciated.

[Peter M. Eick]

Mike Irwin,

I recently have seen a factory nickled model 28 in the original box unfired with the appropriate paperwork. The finish is perfect and it does not look like even the cylinder was turned. Yes the box even documents it was factory nickeled. Truly astonishing to see such a rare gun as I understand there were only 5 made.

It makes my Registered Magnum look downright "common".

Fortunately it is being held by another SWCA member so it will be cared for.

[Mike Irwin]

"That gun with 38 specials will be as powerful as a 9 and a lot easier for you to shoot."

:confused:

You may wish to consult with your local neighborhood ammunition guide.

Most, if not all, 9mm loads easily outpace .38 Spl. ballistics.

[Mike Irwin]

"I recently have seen a factory nickled model 28 in the original box unfired with the appropriate paperwork. The finish is perfect and it does not look like even the cylinder was turned. Yes the box even documents it was factory nickeled. Truly astonishing to see such a rare gun as I understand there were only 5 made."


Sweet.

I've seen three nickled 28s over the years.

Unfortunately, all three of them were factory redos being passed off as the real deal or, in one case, it was out and out fraud.

[Jim March]

Most, if not all, 9mm loads easily outpace .38 Spl. ballistics.

A few 38+P run even with the 9mm or even 9mm+P. Buffalo Bore's 158+P hits 1,000fps from a 2" barrel, will beat 1,100 from that tube, which is DEEP into 9+P territory.

But that issue aside, several very good 38+P rounds keep up with the 9mm in terms of effectiveness even when down a bit on power. 38 hollowpoint designers don't need to worry about feed ramp compatibility, so they can run monster cavity shapes that would never work at all in a bottomfeeder...take a look at Speer's 135gr 38+P slug for instance. In another example, the plain lead hollowpoint semi-wadcutter in 38+P is an old-school design that still works in wheelguns and is completely incompatible with autoloaders. In those instances where they fail to expand, they're still basically a Keith SWC which isn't at all harmless.

I think the best 38+P doing only 275-300ft/lbs energy from a gun like this can be more effective than 9mm loads with 350+ ft/lbs energy on tap, due to their improved nose shapes once "feed ramp compatibility" is tossed out the window in the wheelgun-centric round.

As to this gun:

It was made during the peak years of S&W's quality. Notice both the pinned barrel and "recessed" cylinder - what we call "P&R" or "pinned and recessed" for short. It's damned unlikely that even a "custom shop" modern S&W will shoot groups as tight as that thing, if it's in good shape. With the pinned barrel, they didn't need to tighten it as much as the modern "crush fit" barrels as the pin holds it well enough. That means you're less likely to get a constriction at the back end of the barrel, and that means greater accuracy. It was harder to fit though and required more hand-fitting. Which is why it's gone as a feature...

[Jacks]

I do some hand loading of 38 +P semi wadcutters...158 grain...these have a terrific sound from a 4" barrel and leave malicious holes in things. They can expand (being lead) to hollow point size...the exit hole is especially large...in my iron burn barrel the exit is close to an inch across. The entrance hole is almost as large...lots of blood loss possible with those.

[Mike Irwin]

"A few 38+P run even with the 9mm or even 9mm+P. Buffalo Bore's 158+P hits 1,000fps from a 2" barrel, will beat 1,100 from that tube, which is DEEP into 9+P territory."

So capitalize MOST and strike "if not all" and my statement still works. :)


"so they can run monster cavity shapes that would never work at all in a bottomfeeder...take a look at Speer's 135gr 38+P slug for instance."

What's that old saying about size not mattering?

Bullet design is far more important than the simple size of the hollow point. Physical size of the cavity may have been a lot more important in years past when getting most handgun bullets to expand at all was an iffy proposition.

Today, that's not a problem. New designs give us controlled expansion bullets keyed to the velocity of the round, while other designs give us non-hollowpoint ammo that expands as well as HP ammo.

Brave new world and all that.

Remington's 9mm Golden Saber is an excellent example of a bullet with an unassuming cavity but excellent penetration and expansion characteristics.

[BillCA]

I'd keep that Model 28. That particular gun looks like it was the duty weapon of the Sheriff's deputy who sold it to you. Lots of miles in the holster and probably not that many rounds through the gun.

If you know very little about revolvers, then I suggest you also ask around for a good gunsmith who knows S&W revolvers. Let him inspect it and advise you of any adjustments or fixes it may need due to wear. S&W may still be able to service this old warhorse for a nominal fee.

The Model 28 Highway Patrolman is a less-fancy finished version of S&W's premium .357 Magnum, the Model 27. The Model 28 was produced to provide police officers and agencies a robust .357 Magnum revolver at an affordable price. The 41-44oz weight of of these guns tamed the recoil of the .357 Magnum considerably over lighter guns of the day. With .38 Special +P ammo, recoil is not objectionable at all.

As a home defense gun, loaded with a good .38 Special +P round, the Model 28 is formidible. If in good shape, you should be able to shoot 2" groups at 25 yards if you do your part.

If your 28 has been sitting unused for 12 or so year, you'll want to clean it and relubricate it. Hoppe's gun oil works fine when used sparingly. If you need advice on properly lubricating your model 28, just PM me.