I got to spend some quality time recently with a S&W Highway Patrolman, 6" barrel, in .357 Magnum. Yes, this is the N-frame, the Model 28, apparently made in the late 1960's. Man, that thing shoots so well. The single-action trigger broke beautifully, and the double-action trigger, while a little long-ish, was still smooth. Did they hand-fit these guns back in the day or something?

Anybody else have any experience with these?

Long years ago it was a choice between a Smith 28 and a Python. Having a S&W 29-2 already, I went with the Colt. These things are so beautifully built it makes me cry when I handle one of the plastic 'Hasbro' offerings these kids are all on about today.

No experience with the M28 but I had a M19-3 and an M10 in my possession for some years. The triggers on all of those old S&W revolvers were stellar and it is my understanding that all of those were hand assembled and fitted by pro's. Probably the best triggers I ever had the opportunity to shoot.

VooDoo

Yeah, I know what you mean. Some of those older S&W revolvers are just suh-weet like that. If your understanding is correct, that would explain that fine trigger. Colt Pythons also were hand-fitted back in the day, with similar results.

Anyway, I'm now seriously considering a Highway Patrolman, specifically the 6" barrel one, due to their above-noted characteristics. The N-frame S&W revolvers, to me, are just aesthetically beautiful and classic. Plus, it's got a cool name: "Highway Patrolman". :-)

BTW, the cylinder walls on those things are THICK! I haven't seen .357M cylinders like that on any gun not named "Ruger" before.

I had to give that gun back, unfortunately, to its owner. :-( But, glass half full, I'm now on the hunt for one like it, i. e. 6" barrel and a bit of an older model. That wheelgun is just really nice, folks. If one hasn't tried something like an older S&W, one should do so. Yes, even Colt Python owners.

6 rounds of pure muscle.


https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/b ... man/137714

Yum. We'll never see the likes of those old Smiths again outside of custom work in the future. Nice revolver.

VooDoo

And with the target grips, too. That thing is nooiiiice!

I have always loved the S&W revolvers. I had an N-frame 6.5" model 29 in .44 Magnum several decades ago (bought new in the late 70s), though I had no need for it at the time. It was a beautiful gun but I sold it on to a friend who could get some use out of it.

I still have several older K-frames from the late 70s - early 80s era.