Author Topic: Official Retirement to a Great Revolver (Read 2145 times)

Mohawk · « **on:** December 26, 2008, 11:11:41 AM »

Well, as my family promised, and amazingly my ex-wife pitched in, I have completed assembling my retirement box frame for a dear S&W family member. My Model 28(no dash) .357 Magunum 4". This was my main Christmas gift.

This revolver was purchased by the Georgia State Patrol in 1958. I know very little of what it did until I aquired it in 2003. It was beat up so bad that the extractor rod was bent. With a little TLC I got it back to a usable condition. This revolver killed two deer this year, the only deer that I know of that this firearm has taken. Both of these deer's tails are on the sides of the gun, with both spent cartridges above them. The brass lettering plaque below the gun reads "50 years of service, 1958-2008" At least for me it's taken from possums to deer, and who knows what horrors it saw as a GSP issue gun, but she has a final home and is now an heirloom. Will send pics after this holiday mess winds down......

AtlLaw · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2008, 02:21:52 PM »

WAY cool!

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2008, 06:21:43 PM »

I guess but sorry I just don't understand.

Makes no sense to me.

You've had it for at most five years and are retiring it?

WHY?

I mean if you'd bought it new or even if a member of your family had I could understand but you picked up a used gun kept it five years and are now retiring it?

Sorry that does not compute. $:-\$

Mohawk · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2008, 08:41:55 PM »

It's one of those guns that has "character", I guess you'd call it. Mechanically, the gun only has single action reliable use, double action was blown out due to unknown past wear and tear. Single action is fine for hunting, but that's about it. It's got enough war marks on it, 50 years worth, and deserved a good ending. We figured it was better than having it sit in the safe. And it's being replaced by a 627, my first stainless Smith.

Foggy · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2008, 08:53:35 PM »

Cool story.
My Pet is a 1965 model 28 that was a Texas DPS gun . she's holster worn not very pretty. If she could only talk. Mechanicly shes 100% ' When things go bump in the night shes what I reach for.

catboat · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2008, 05:10:35 AM »

You may want to consider sending your Model 28 back to S&W for a tune up/rebuild, and "unretire" your revolver.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2008, 05:46:11 AM »

I have a S&W copy of the 1917 45 ACP revolver , it was made in 1937 for Brazil . I got it at a gun show . It had 3 notches cut in the grip ( who knows what got shot . I shot it for some time and it got out of time been in a "friends " gun shop for 19 years ( Apart in a plastic tray ) . I now wish i had retired it as you have !
But if you had it put back in order less refinishing you could take it out every so often on speical days . I have sent several guns back to S&W they turn them around in a few weeks .
Anyway nice idea for a real trooper !

Mohawk · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2008, 08:16:22 PM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on December 30, 2008, 05:46:11 AM

I have a S&W copy of the 1917 45 ACP revolver , it was made in 1937 for Brazil . I got it at a gun show . It had 3 notches cut in the grip ( who knows what got shot . I shot it for some time and it got out of time been in a "friends " gun shop for 19 years ( Apart in a plastic tray ) . I now wish i had retired it as you have !
But if you had it put back in order less refinishing you could take it out every so often on speical days . I have sent several guns back to S&W they turn them around in a few weeks .
Anyway nice idea for a real trooper !

Ya know, SHOOTALL, I almost sent it back several times. I thought really hard about it. The gun is very accurate in single action, it just needed a lot of work on the double action function. The cylinder would "skip" a chamber during double action firing. Meaning to fire 6 shots it might take 8 or 9 pulls of the trigger. But, it would reset when the trigger reset, no jamming or anything and actually stayed in time. But the more I thought about it, the more nostalgic the revolver became. It has the same exact parts, best to my knowledge, that it had in 1958. I don't own many things that old. And I decided to keep her as she is. The left side of the barrel looks like a serious case of "Road Rash", a clue to it's patrol days, perhaps. I almost have the final touches finished on the case. It was not assembled and I have been working on it every night after work. The felt inset was made to fit a 27, but of course, it fits the 28 just fine.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2008, 12:41:09 AM »

Mohawk

The DA problem might just be a timing problem, which I had happen to a 3 yr old Mod 19 years ago which resulted in a simple fix.

Mohawk · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2008, 01:02:39 PM »

Quote from: The Montanan on December 31, 2008, 12:41:09 AM

Mohawk

The DA problem might just be a timing problem, which I had happen to a 3 yr old Mod 19 years ago which resulted in a simple fix.

That's the weird thing. If you do the slow cock in single action the timing is perfect. I have done 50 or so slow cocks in a row and the cylinder stop engages just before the hammer is completely back, the way it should. I couldn't get it to fail. Some reason only the double action is affected.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2009, 12:35:25 AM »

Mohawk

That is exactly what happened to my mod 19, a gun smith could fix that and get it back into timing for you easily.

Mohawk · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2009, 07:37:09 PM »

Nah....I'll just leave her as she is. Thanks for the info, though.

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2009, 12:38:01 AM »

Mohawk Ol Buddy - I'll just betcha that if you call S&W and talk to them about it they will tellya to send it back and they will fix it. And when they fix it you will get a brand new gun back - heck, they will even refinish it (like original) for ya. Now where are you going to get a brand new N-frame 357 for what it would cost to have them replace a few parts, time it up and refinish it........JMTCW. Mikey.

Mohawk · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2009, 04:24:01 PM »

The model 627 is a great grand child of the 28. Cost wasn't a factor, it was a gift, sort of. It took a lot of Red Lobster dinners and watching unpopular movies to earn this and I have it !!!! "Golden Girls" , season 2,even!!!!! Ugggghhhh!, but it paid off

Having a bed time, answering text messages, and even attending a Mary Kay party..

..trust me, I have earned the new 627!!!!!

superdown · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2009, 06:03:31 PM »

could you please post a picture of both your new 627 and your model 28 together ?

Mohawk · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2009, 07:21:18 AM »

Yes I will post the pics. Working on the last two sides of the frame. Would have been easier if the thing was assembled.

Mohawk · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2009, 01:34:57 PM »

Does anyone have experience with display case mounts/woodworking? Ater re-doing the frame 15 times I think I have it, almost! Should have paid someone to do it! I applied the stain to the wood, but the fumes were horrible. Does this smell go away, like paint fumes? Sorry, I just have no experience with assembling a gun case or any other kind of wood work.

maglvr44 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 08, 2009, 08:07:54 PM »

Your "Official Retirement to a Great Revolver" shows a total lack of respect for the gun and the officer who's life it once defended! I hope your child never shatters a knee cap and has to spend life in a wheel chair or worse, because you wanted him to have all his "original parts" whether working or not!
I can hear it now "Oh he can hop really good(single action) but when he tries to run(double action) well..................... sometimes he skips!
I'd better leave him in his room from now on!!

Mohawk · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2009, 10:53:31 PM »

Quote from: maglvr44 on January 08, 2009, 08:07:54 PM

Your "Official Retirement to a Great Revolver" shows a total lack of respect for the gun and the officer who's life it once defended! I hope your child never shatters a knee cap and has to spend life in a wheel chair or worse, because you wanted him to have all his "original parts" whether working or not!
I can hear it now "Oh he can hop really good(single action) but when he tries to run(double action) well..................... sometimes he skips!
I'd better leave him in his room from now on!!

Ok? .08 is the limit.......

Mohawk · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2009, 11:08:34 PM »

Quote from: maglvr44 on January 08, 2009, 08:07:54 PM

Your "Official Retirement to a Great Revolver" shows a total lack of respect for the gun and the officer who's life it once defended! I hope your child never shatters a knee cap and has to spend life in a wheel chair or worse, because you wanted him to have all his "original parts" whether working or not!
I can hear it now "Oh he can hop really good(single action) but when he tries to run(double action) well..................... sometimes he skips!
I'd better leave him in his room from now on!!

You compare a child to a handgun? Is priorities in your vocabulary? And just a refresher, I obtained it in 2003. It was in HP service in 1958? After 15 vodka shots that would make sense to you but in the real world that is many decades? And if your screen name is not" Graybeard, Mikey, Markc, Dee, Bilmac, Shootall, S.B, MSP Ret, etc....." I would appreciate you not mentioning my child on-line again. It is not appreciated. You are the first person I have ignored on GB's in 8 years. Congrats!!!!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** January 09, 2009, 01:42:30 AM »

MY 1917 HAD A BAD HAND .

Mohawk · « **Reply #21 on:** January 09, 2009, 08:04:58 PM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on January 09, 2009, 01:42:30 AM

MY 1917 HAD A BAD HAND .

Probably, SHOOTALL. Or the bent extractor rod. But again, single action was never affected, just double action. Our armorer told me that when the timing goes, single action is effected first due to the enertia used in double action as the cylinder rotates and engages the cylinder stop. So, who knows. I just can't wait to try the new 627 out. I called my girlfriend and she said the fumes are not bad anymore, like I was hoping. All I have to do now is install the hanging chain and it will be done.

maglvr44 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 09, 2009, 09:30:25 PM »

Quote from: Mohawk on January 08, 2009, 11:08:34 PM

Quote from: maglvr44 on January 08, 2009, 08:07:54 PM
Your "Official Retirement to a Great Revolver" shows a total lack of respect for the gun and the officer who's life it once defended! I hope your child never shatters a knee cap and has to spend life in a wheel chair or worse, because you wanted him to have all his "original parts" whether working or not!
I can hear it now "Oh he can hop really good(single action) but when he tries to run(double action) well..................... sometimes he skips!
I'd better leave him in his room from now on!!

You compare a child to a handgun? Is priorities in your vocabulary? And just a refresher, I obtained it in 2003. It was in HP service in 1958? After 15 vodka shots that would make sense to you but in the real world that is many decades? And if your screen name is not" Graybeard, Mikey, Markc, Dee, Bilmac, Shootall, S.B, MSP Ret, etc....." I would appreciate you not mentioning my child on-line again. It is not appreciated. You are the first person I have ignored on GB's in 8 years. Congrats!!!!

Actually I have many priorities, all of which start with Smith and end with Wesson

Mohawk · « **Reply #23 on:** January 10, 2009, 12:08:57 AM »

Thank you.