Took My M28 To The Woods.

[ACP230]

I got out grouse hunting for the first time this season yesterday.
Along with the shotgun I carried my Smith M28 .357 Magnum in a Ted Blocker DA 1 holster with thumbsnap. The holster held the gun tight to my side and the weight of the N-frame didn't bother me at all.

I loaded the M28 with Black Hills 125 grain .357 Magnum ammo. I'd have preferred 158 grain loads, but didn't have any on hand.

I didn't fire a shot from the shotgun or the pistol. It was hot and the grouse avoided us. It was nice to have the M28 on hand, however, especially after I put the shotgun down and started fishing for trout in a pond near where we started hunting.

The M28 is a neat revolver. It works just about as well as a "woods gun" as my Old Model Ruger Blackhawk and reloads are much quicker.

 

[sgt127]

Its an N frame Smith....Nothing more needs to be said. They stand on their own and have for close to 70 years.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir. I agree with you on the Model 28. I've foolishly let a few of these slip away in years past, but have one. It's an older 4-screw gun and one that remains a favorite. It goes with me now and again into the field and as you noted, the N-frame can be carried quite easily with a proper holster and good belt. It is a comforting feeling in the woods and it ain't bad in the city, either!

It is one handgun that remains loaded 24/7 and has for years.

I trust it completely.

Best.

 

[TK73]

Why "they" (= S&W) don't produce the M28 or a stainless-steel version (M628?) is beyond me...

 

[ACP230]

Yeah, a stainless M28 would be great.
I might even pay the retail price for one.

 

[Majic]

Why "they" (= S&W) don't produce the M28 or a stainless-steel version (M628?) is beyond me...

Because when they made the M627 they removed the few things that separated the M27 from the M28. The M627 is more of a M28 than a M27.

 

[TK73]

Dear Majic:

As far as I can recall, the S&W M627 5.5" that became available in the late 80s featured a full lug barrel profile, an unfluted cylinder, a pinned red ramp front sight and smooth Goncalo Alves grips with finger grooves, although it retained the fine checkering of the M27 on the topstrap. If a comparison can be made at all, it looked more like a "Classic Hunter"-variation (unfluted cylinder, full lugged barrel) that was quite popular in M629-, M657- and M686-guise. With the exception of chambering and frame size I can see not much similarity to either the deeply blued M27, let alone the M28 (matte brushed finish, no checkering on topstrap, different grips etc.).

I'd like to see a stainless-steel M628 "Highway Patrolman" with a 4" tapered barrel, pinned ramp front sight and fluted cylinder (no internal locks, please!) that more closely resembles the original M28-design...

...and while we're at it: S&W, please bring back the original, blue-steel M25-5 in .45 Colt and also start producing a M625-5 with 4 in. and 6 in. "heavy" (not tapered; no underlug) barrel for the stainless-steel fans. Please incorporate the quickly interchangeable front sight arrangement of the "Classic" N frame series into both .45 Colts, too.

Thanks.

 

[TK73]

Ooops!

Shame on me.

Dear Majic, when posting I mainly thought about the first incarnation of M627. Of course, they're were and are other variations around, most notably the S&W Performance Center M627 8-Times, that more closely resemble the M28.

It's difficult keeping track of all model variation Smith & Wesson made over the many years...

Still, an exact duplicate of the original M28 "Highway Patrolman" was never made in stainless-steel by S&W.

I beg your pardon.

 

[magsnubby]

The N frame Smiths are really under rated.

My brother bought a 6" 28-2 nib back some years ago. I tried to talk him out of it for years. I finally wore him down last Xmas. He let me have it for $200.00. The blueing is worn on the barrel and the cylinder but it's in exellent mechnical condition.

I'll never part with it.

 

[VonFatman]

I'm kinda "28 poor" myself...

APC230,
I'd love to grouse hunt! We do not have many here in Missouri. Sounds like a great day in God's country!

My first N-frame, a 28-2 with a 4" barrel. I literally bought it just after the little old ladey left with her money! No kidding. I gave $260 out the door and never looked back. It was 95% and had some serious trigger work!
It's still one of my favorite N shooters.
Since then, My (then) fiance bought me a refinished (nickel) 28-2 and I recently picked up a very sweet 28-2 six inch from a member of the S&W Forum.

It's hard for me to walk by one!!

Bob