Author Topic: WHY A M28 ? (Read 3766 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** January 04, 2013, 10:24:32 PM »

I have discovered something about M28's. I can't post these thoughts on the S&W Forum---They have threatened to bar me for doing anything to Smith---it is just desicaration to Collectors.
M28's can be had at reasonable prices and they are tanks---you can do a lot to one like you can't to less sturdy Smiths. They were a gun that is no frills workhorse. The finish is--to me--useless. They make good project guns.
Blessings

pastorp · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:07:48 AM »

I agree Bill, too heavy for me any more but I used to love them. I even owned model 27s and registered magnums. The N frame guns were my favorites.

but then I got old and this thing with my hands don't alowe me to shoot more recoil than a 32 H&R mag.

Regards,

Dee · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:20:47 AM »

The Model 28 used to be The Model 28 Highway Patrolman. To me is has always been "OVERBILT" in the cylinder dept. Rapid fire of the Model 28 in high volume training willh cause it to go out of time. The cylinder stop, and cylinder hand, are moving, and stopping, an unnecessary amout of steel to safelly fire the 357 magnum. Slap the trigger once too often, and you will find it not as forgiving as the K & L frames in the same caliber.
With that said, I used the Model 28 in an extended fight, that involved both two vehicles, and the Model 28. The Chevrolet Impala I was driving took a beating, but did what I intended it to do, but when neither car was running any more, the Model 28 finished what someone else had started. I am not an enemy of the Model 28, but it is an unnecessarily BIG 357 magnum.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2013, 06:43:31 AM »

If I have seen one real problem with the 28, and all N frames for that matter, is some people have a hard time with the grip size / trigger reach for proper D/A shooting. That can be fixed, to a large extent, with proper replacement stocks. When I started on the job back in 1980, the dept. issue gun was the K frame 19 / 66, using 125 grain Remington 357 ammo. You could carry your own gun as long as it was a S&W K, N, or later, L frame with a 4 inch barrel. Most guys stuck with the issue, I jumped to one of the first L frames when they 1st came out, and some guys carried 28's and 27's. Among those who were serious shooters, I seen a lot more battered K frames than I did L or N's.

Larry

Dee · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2013, 07:00:47 AM »

Most likely you saw more battered K frames because they had been shot more, likely carried longer. The Model 28 is what it is, and so be it with the K, and the L. I have carried and shot all three extensively. The L frame is Smiths answer to the Python with a better action than the Python, but for day in and day out carry, I preferred the 19/66 when the revolver was still king, as did MOST L.E. of my day, and wore two 19s out in less than 4 years doing training, and some exhibition shooting. This could be different from region to region. I cannot speak for other areas.
I didn't see this thread as a contest, but an exchange of personal experience, and opinion.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2013, 08:01:18 AM »

Contest??

williamlayton · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2013, 11:10:18 AM »

I began the thread about "N" frames and why I found them to be good slave guns.
Nothing about timeing or parts that cannot be Smithed---and---as far as my experience goes---there are far more that havenot been shot enough than have been shot out.
Most other Smiths come under the heading of collectors guns. The tank & workhorse is the "N" and the M28 Highway Patrol is the plain jane of the family.
There are a lot who collect HP's---but, to me it is begging to be fancied up.
Blessings

Dee · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2013, 12:01:15 PM »

Well William, I will say that the inner workings of an "N" frame are no "sturdier" than an L or a K frame. With that said, I will withdraw from your thread, and get out of the was, as I suppose I misunderstood your direction on the thread on this "workhorse theory".

williamlayton · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2013, 05:50:48 AM »

Shouldn't feel that way Dee--but it's your call.
Blessings

trex1310 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2013, 11:56:03 PM »

Quote from: Dee on January 05, 2013, 12:01:15 PM

Well William, I will say that the inner workings of an "N" frame are no "sturdier" than an L or a K frame. With that said, I will withdraw from your thread, and get out of the was, as I suppose I misunderstood your direction on the thread on this "workhorse theory".

I disagree completely. The "N" frame is much sturdier. Just compare the hammers and
triggers. If they were the same you could use "K" frame parts in a "N" frame. It's just
silly to think that the ineer works of a "K" frame are equal to a "N" frame. Break out
the calipers if you think otherwise.
The M28's are great project guns. Back in the 80's I used a 6" M28 shooting silhouette
in the revolver class. I put many thousands of fullhouse magnums through that gun
with nary a hiccup. I switched to a 8-3/8" M27 and put many thousands of fullhouse
magnums through that gun. It never once had a problem. I've had a M28 converted to
.44 Special with 5" barrel. I stupidly sold that gun. They are getting fewer and fewer
as people hoard them, but you can find them if you look.
What's different about this M28?

williamlayton · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2013, 06:45:47 AM »

Other than it has no drag marks from the ground--I don't see anything.
Blessings

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2013, 02:05:04 PM »

No revolver ever built is sturdier than the Model 28. My favorite handgun of all time. The very best. The Smith and Wesson Highway Patrolman. I'd rather have one than any other firearm ever made.
When they were introduced, the .357 Magnum was not the factory cartridge we know today. It was stronger. Much more powerful. That's why the Model 19 fell away. It could not take the energy of the standard Remington 158 grain magnums. Today's girly .357M round is now fed through the very tough 686, a very tough gun. But back then, the 28 was all a man needed for any purpose. The sissyfied polished 27 had the same strength, but not the same look and sophistication of the no nonsense Model 28. I had one, oh so many years ago. An N frame .357 with no gloss, no frills. A real man's gun. It was the most any hunter or cop could ever want.

williamlayton · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2013, 03:01:16 AM »

MIV
I want the black finish to go away.
I am considering sending one back to S&W and get their real old blue done on one.
Blessings

FPH · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2013, 04:38:50 AM »

Bead blast it and refinish it with a nice deep bluing of a 27.

Dee · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2013, 05:01:31 AM »

Quote from: Mike in Virginia on January 10, 2013, 02:05:04 PM

No revolver ever built is sturdier than the Model 28. My favorite handgun of all time. The very best. The Smith and Wesson Highway Patrolman. I'd rather have one than any other firearm ever made.
When they were introduced, the .357 Magnum was not the factory cartridge we know today. It was stronger. Much more powerful. That's why the Model 19 fell away. It could not take the energy of the standard Remington 158 grain magnums. Today's girly .357M round is now fed through the very tough 686, a very tough gun. But back then, the 28 was all a man needed for any purpose. The sissyfied polished 27 had the same strength, but not the same look and sophistication of the no nonsense Model 28. I had one, oh so many years ago. An N frame .357 with no gloss, no frills. A real man's gun. It was the most any hunter or cop could ever want.

Prior to the Automatic craze hitting law enforcement, the Model 19/66 was more popular than the long time around Model 10 smith in 38 special. How do I know this? I lived it in that era. A young border patrol Agent years ago, named Bill Jordan help talk Smith into this Model 19 thing, as I recall. The Model 19 was LIGHTER, QUICKER, and JUST AS POWERFUL as the N frame in 357 magnum. As for the 125 grain jacketed hollow point in 357 mag.? It was, and IS, the KING of one shot stops in L.E., with the best record of all calibers.
While everyone here seems CONVINCED that the Model 28 is STURDIER than the other Smith Models INTERNALLY, it is not. Parts ranging from the GAS RING, to the SEAR, to the TRIGGER RETURN SPRING ASSEMBLY, to the MAIN SPRING, to the CYLINDER HAND, are ALL THE SAME and INTERCHANGABLE. The CYLINDER STOP "IS" different as to the heavier cylinder and the momentum generated by it. The Model 28 cylinder is thicker for ONE REASON, and ONE REASON ONLY. TO TIME THE "N" FRAME TO 357 MAGNUM.
Now the question as to whether it will withstand a steady diet of MAGNUM LOADS better than the K frame? Yes! Because of CYLINDER STRETCH in the THINNER K frame cylinder which CAN cause the K frame timing issues, just as the OVERWEIGHT "N" frame 357 cylinder can cause it timing problems in the CYLINDER HAND, and STOP.
Am I condemning the Model 28, or it's worshipers? No I am not. I am merely stating facts than can be obtained in a simple PARTS LIST COMPARISON, and 20 years experience both on the range, and dealing with revolver fixes. The Model 28, and the Model 27, are much the same, with the exception being MOSTLY, "FIT & FINISH".
With that said, I will again withdraw, but for those wondering, they now have a place to start comparing ACTUAL facts on this fine pistol, as compared to other Smiths.

FPH · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2013, 05:08:36 AM »

X2.....fit and finish......27 is just a prettier version of the 28.

williamlayton · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2013, 01:26:14 PM »

When I get thru with two of these 28's they will be a competition to the 27.
Blessings

pslshooter · « **Reply #17 on:** February 03, 2013, 04:36:58 AM »

Just picked up a model 28 from a coworker who wanted a Ruger GP100. The Smith has been a safe queen for the past 30 yrs. He didn't like how it felt in his hand or the rough texture of the grip when he fired it. I think I made a good trade. I like the 28's heft and smooth action. The grips do leave a little to be desired, but am getting a new set. $20 part to make it fit my hand better.

williamlayton · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2013, 09:10:27 AM »

I don't care for those knuckle busting Magmas.
Blessings

StrawHat · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2013, 08:04:08 AM »

William, I believe you and I have chatted before about the M28. In my opinion, the only thing wrong with the M28 is the cartridge si too small for the frame. That is why I reworked mine to handle the 45 ACP. With the skinny barrel and big holes in the barrel and cylinder it makes a nice carry revolver and uses a cartridge that really does have a proven track record. Those who like the 125 grain bullets of 36 caliber can keep them.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2013, 08:15:22 AM »

Wild , I had one , 28 it was ok . Big , heavy for the round it shot. In reality it was a cheap 27 that departments could afford . The idea was bigger was stronger and more cost effective. The finish was less than other S&W guns to save cost.
As for it being stronger than any other gun , you must not have shot a Ruger . Ruger came along with a clean sheet of paper to draw a new gun and built a very strong one. But that is not Bills topic. The only draw back to the 28 is the 4 inch bbl.

canon6 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2013, 12:42:48 PM »

My first issue handgun , after my time in the service, was a 6 inch Model 28. I loved it then and still do.I think it was a fine,albet,heavy 357.Doug

williamlayton · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2013, 03:59:54 AM »

Hear now---I like heavy guns. I like the 28 BECAUSE it is heavy. For the periods of time I carry it, it is not a bother and shooting it is fun.
The "N" frame in any caliber is good for me.
Parts can be fixed and I don't tend to try and launch anything to the moon or thru a bank vault door.
I am getting itchy much too soon---the chopped down one will not be on the bench before July and the HC version won't be here til April.
I got one here with bone handles that is going to James soon and will have a pair of T's to wear when I get it back.
Blessings

Barstooler · « **Reply #23 on:** May 01, 2013, 04:47:03 PM »

I bought a M28 with a 6 in barrel new in 1970 (I believe). I put custom grips on it, a "shoe" on the trigger to improve "feel," a dab of nail polish on the front sight (replaced as needed) to improve visual pickup of the front sight.
I have put thousand of full power 357 handloads and double that number of 38 specials through that revolver and never had a problem of any kind. I had a full flap custom holster made for it and backpacked, camped, fished, and hunted with it for years. It is just an excellent outdoor pistol.
It sets now loaded with 125gr HPs on my bedstand as my upstairs home defense gun. It complements my .45 1911 on the main floor and my 44 Mag in the basement. I can't see anything wrong with the M-28 for how I use it. A friend of mine just picked up a 4in M-28 for his home defense use and decked it out similar to mine. We shoot them both regularly and he loves his.

Barstooler

Boxhead · « **Reply #24 on:** May 11, 2013, 11:51:02 PM »

Because they are the perfect base for something better.

williamlayton · « **Reply #25 on:** May 12, 2013, 10:57:02 PM »

compare

Now---dang it all---I have posted pics before---I'll report to the Mods.
Says it took to long to post----HUMMMM !
Blessings

FPH · « **Reply #26 on:** May 13, 2013, 04:06:41 AM »

Had a 28 which had been carried by a TX DPS Officer. Good solid work platform until a girl friend stole it back in the 70s.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #27 on:** May 13, 2013, 04:48:03 AM »

a freind had a 4 inch 28
i had a 6 inch 29.....44 mag

we were young and DUMB ...and just starting to reload

he had me use the same charge in his 357 i used in my 44
his thinking he had ''so much more steal around the bullet''

it didn' blow up

i ended up with the gun years later
would have kept it but that was a huge gun for ONLY 4inch barrel and only 357

quickdtoo · « **Reply #28 on:** May 13, 2013, 01:10:22 PM »

Quote from: williamlayton on May 12, 2013, 10:57:02 PM

compare

Now---dang it all---I have posted pics before---I'll report to the Mods.
Says it took to long to post----HUMMMM !
Blessings

The pic needs to be reduced in size more than likely due to the forum size limitation if you're trying to attach it, see one of the how to post pic stickies in the classifieds for a link to freebe photo software that you can resize the pics, otherwise you'll have to host it elsewhere, info for that in the same sticky.

Tim

williamlayton · « **Reply #29 on:** May 14, 2013, 12:12:08 AM »

HUMMMM. I guess the computer changed the size---I had posted that pic before.
Blessings