holster worn 6" Model 28 357 magnum

[AkRay]

Saw this on a local board last week and I don't know why but I jumped all over it.  I did have a much nicer 4 screw one about 10 years ago but sold it when money got tight.  Turns out that the one I bought last week was made in '71 or '72, and it has the original walnut factory magna grips on it.  It has heavy holster wear on the cylinder, on the sides of the frame where it meets the barrel and on the sides of the barrel.  It's definitely been carried, but the inside of the barrel and the chambers tell a different story.  They're as smooth and shiny as a new quarter.  The cylinder has virtually no endshake and it locks up tighter side to side than I would have expected it to, given its first glance appearance.  It's been much carried but I'm thinking little fired.  The asking price was $350.00 which I paid.  I was in the mood to buy a handgun, but I think this one was worth it.  I'll be able to shoot up some 357 ammo with it.  Any other Model 28 fans out there?

[bikerbeans]

I picked up a 1978 vintage 28-2 6" this summer.  Sounds similiar to yours without the holster wear.  I have been handloading 158 grn LSWC and 125 XTP/HP.   Both bullets with max load of IMR 4227.  Guns shoots the cast lead better than the lighter jacketed rounds.  It is fun to shoot for me but not smaller folks as it has the original wood grips which are tough for small hands to hang on to.  At least it hasn't jammed the hammer into someones forehead yet.   

[Warhawk]

My favorite 357, and the most accurate I've ever had is a model 28.

My first 6 incher was stolen, and I had to sell my first 4 incher. Luckily I've found replacements that are even better condition than the first ones.

[Mikey]

I've had my 28-2 since '72.  Sent'r back to S&W in 92 for a rebarrel - they installed a 3.5" bbl for a M27, then blued the entire piece to match the barrel.  My favorite loads are 200 gn cast Keith style semi-wadcutters over factory charges of WW296.  Very accurate, very easy to shoot.   

[Graybeard]

I've never been able to warm up to a .357 magnum on the N-frame. When I get a gun that big I tend to want larger holes in the cylinder and barrel. It is about the strongest of the commercially available .357s of course and can be pushed to the level it was originally intended to in the N-frame guns but for me they are just too big and heavy to be just a .357 bore.

[Drilling Man]

I've never been able to warm up to a .357 magnum on the N-frame. When I get a gun that big I tend to want larger holes in the cylinder and barrel. It is about the strongest of the commercially available .357s of course and can be pushed to the level it was originally intended to in the N-frame guns but for me they are just too big and heavy to be just a .357 bore.

  I agree with you...BUT, they sure are accurate and nice to shoot, also as you said, they are about as reliable as a rock.  Another thing, i'd rather shoot the "N" frame with decent 357 mag. loads, than an "N" frame loaded with some way underloaded 44 mags, or 44 spls...

  DM

[P.A. Myers]

The single gun started out as a 28. Like yours it was heavily worn. It is now a dual cylinder 45. The 6 inch in the other photo has had over 20k rounds through it. They both got a bit of an overhaul a while back, including wide triggers and hammers. When I was young and poor the 6inch was my only pistol. A 28 is a little big for carry [I did], but a fine shooter.