My new S&W

[Idaho Ron]

Well it is new to me. I have a S&W model 28 Highway patrol with a 6" barrel 357 mag. I would like to get a new set of grips but I am not sure which ones to get. I don't know which frame I have. I know it is a N frame but I don't know if it is round, square or a combo. Can anyone help?   Ron

[Redhawk45]

If I was a betting man I would say a square butt.  The best way is take the grips off.  If the base of grips are flat (no curve) it would be a square butt. Also if the frame is flush with the grips is another way to tell.  If at the base of the grips have a sutle curve then it is a round butt.  I can't remember what year, but pretty much all new smiths are round butt.  Another trick is if the bottom of the frame is not visible it is a round butt.  This is how I can tell.  Just my two cents

[Broom Rider]

Model 28's are N frames and should all be square butt. Round butt N frames are for the most part a newer thing.

[Idaho Ron]

Thanks guys. The gun is a 1950 I think. I looked at the metal between the grips and it looks to be squair. 
Thanks   again   Ron

[Tom C.]

The Model 27 and 28 are both great guns. The Model 27 has a higher level of finish. The Model 28 is more utilitarian. My first handgun was a 6" Model 27-2. I still have it. The Model 28 originally was cheaper, but due to the lower production numbers, the value is increasing faster than the Model 27 and may have passed it.

[tallpaul]

The Model 28 originally was cheaper, but due to the lower production numbers, the value is increasing faster than the Model 27 and may have passed it.

I seriously doubt that.... I own two but they are no where near the gun the 27 is in the same shape. Can you prove that statement- I'd likely trade both mine for like shaped 27's even if ya got em and you can keep the "extra value"

[Mikey]

The M27/28, M57 and M29 are all square butts.  It is true the M28 is a more utilitarian piece than the 27 but comparing both side by side, there are other differences.  I feel the 28 comes more refined from the factory, or at least it used to - smoother pull, outlined and red ramp sights, target trigger, target hammer and target grips.  I had to 'dress' my M28 to get it near what the 27 felt like - but then I sent it back to S&W and they removed the old 6" bbl and installed a 3.5" M28 barrel and blued the piece to match - almost a 28. 

At my local gunshop I see 27s and 28s in the case, each within $25 of each other but most right around $325.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Hammerdown]

The Model 27 and 28 are both great guns. The Model 27 has a higher level of finish. The Model 28 is more utilitarian. My first handgun was a 6" Model 27-2. I still have it. The Model 28 originally was cheaper, but due to the lower production numbers, the value is increasing faster than the Model 27 and may have passed it.

Hello
This may be true if you are Buying a model 28 recently Paying Retail Dealer Prices, But I have seen many more model 28's in the used market than the model 27's, and can safely say you will Not get as much for a model 28 as a 27 when you sell it. I also have not seen any 27's priced lower than the 28's and tend to believe there was just as many 28's produced as model 27's as they were standard issue for many Highway Patrolmen, and State troopers. I have both, But value my model 27 a lot more than the Lower cost 28. The 27's were made with top strap cross checkering, Various sights combinations, and Barrels available in 3-1/2" and 8-3/8" where the 28 only came with a 4" or 6" barrel and Baughman quick draw front sight's along with a lower cost  Matte finish Bluing Many model 27's were shipped with Full Target options and in presentaion cases and this was not offered with the model 28's.  Hammerdown.