My New S&W Model 28

Just bought this. It's pretty ugly, but the price was right. Maufacture date 1972. I'm just going to tune it, replace the grips and shoot it. Apparently it spent some time in an evidence lock-up and developed surface rust. But there's no pitting to speak of. I'm not concerned with its cosmetics, I just love shooting the older pre-lock Smiths and .357 Magnum in an N Frame is downright sweet.

 

Best kind of gun is the shooter variety, and now you have one of the best.

 

Nice and reliable firearm. How much? I never thought to see if police confiscated firearms were ever put up for sell to the public. Good idea!

 

My first Smith was a model 27. Love the N frames. Good score!

 

Nice. miss my old 6" model 27. Good sturdy firearm.

 

Price $425.
The price was $400. but I paid an extra $25. to cover the seller's gas for an hour's drive.

I bought it on a gun forum that some of us here are on. It's presently up near Portland. The seller is taking it to my friend who's a gunsmith/FFL in that area. He'll go through it to make sure the timing, etc. is good and then he'll ship it down to my FFL.
I've got a correct set of shooter condition target grips for it and I'll install those and it will be good to go.

If anybody has a vintage 4" N Frame holster they'd be willing to sell, please let me know.

Bandit99, the seller bought it at Keith's Sporting Goods up around the People's Republik of Portlandia somewhere. Apparently they are the go-to place for these types of firearms.

EDIT: Right now there's a cosmetically challenged Model 10-5 for sale for $325. at that same forum.

 

I've had a bunch of pretty nice guns and I've enjoyed and admired them all, but with few exceptions I sold every one because I couldn't bring myself to shoot them. I'd rather have something like this M28 because it's immediately user friendly.

 

When it comes to the .357 I'm an L-frame S&W (if it isn't a Dan Wesson) kind of guy. But you shouldn't be able to abuse that N-frame without much consequence. Shoot em if you got em, unused firearms aren't much use. JMHO.

 

Nice Dan's.

 

The N Frame is a sweet home for .357, they are such a dream to shoot, I have had a 27 (in 3.5) and 28 (in 6) that I still miss !! My personal preference is the L frame (I have a pair of them in 4 and 6 inch) however. Its very hard to go wrong with an older smith for putting a smile on your face !

 

SaaWeeett

 

Any idea what a 10" barreled Dan Wesson with a little rust on it would be worth? Asking for a client, gonna clean it up over the weekend.

 

Any tools with it? That adds to the desirability. Check gunbroker's prices, both asking and sold. DW's change hands pretty frequently, you should be able to find out pretty close.

 

Last S&W I saw pre-lock in the $400.00 range was a true throw down, Smith 66 no-dash, Broken rear sight and right side looked like it hit the asphalt at 70 mph, I passed.

 

Pics are always good....

 

Very nice Andy. I really like matte stainless.

 

Yep, love the blasted finish. And since that pic was taken both have had the red ramps replaced with black patridge sights. I bought the 4inch new when I was in the trade in the 80s and the 6inch just a few years ago (both -3 iterations of the 686).

Giving the 6inch a good clean the day I picked it up...

 

..... possibly not "confiscated" as such but perhaps simply evidence in a matter that had to go to court before it was returned to the owner (self defence shooting for example).

 

This pistol is a perfect choice for a refinishing project. Not only would it really look great and add to the value, it would protect her from further damage. You should think about it. Biggest hurdle is getting it blasted. If you know someone who would do it for you, you could apply the coating of your choice yourself. Not a big deal. If ya lived closer I'd knock it out over a weekend for you!

 

Thanks @Tully Mars. I already talked to Velzey about it. I'm not sure if I'll leave it alone or maybe send it back to the Mothership. It's $200. to reblue in matte blue at S&W.
One of the reasons I like the funky look is because I can never seem to keep a blued gun clean, at least on the outside and it drives me crazy. That's another reason why I like matte stainless.

I did an M1917 Eddystone with Brownell's Alumahide and it was good stuff. But that's the only gun I've actually completely re-finished.
I've done some cold blue jobs and touch-ups. I did my M1916 Spanish Mauser and it looks pretty good. I've also refinished a gaggle of stocks. I enjoy tinkering on guns but I also know my limitations.