Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman--any love for these?

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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?
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman--any love for these?

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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.

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Re: Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman--any love for these?

4
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.
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman--any love for these?

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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.
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman--any love for these?

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Well, I did it! I found a nice Highway Patrolman, about the same vintage as the one mentioned above. This thing's in rather good shape. Apparently someone had put the thicker target grips on it at some point. Also came with Pachmayrs and a set of Altamont laminated wood grips which also look pretty nice.
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman--any love for these?

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BTW, the trigger on this thing is very nice, too, much like the first one I'd spent time with. Tailgunner's comment about the older S&W wheelguns is true; they can be sweet pieces of machinery.

Turns out the Seattle, WA Police Dept. once carried this model, with the 6" barrel, like this example. Not saying this particular gun served with the SPD, but they did carry 'em back in the day. The barrel is pristine; it looks like the revolver wasn't used much.

You all know I'm going to be handloading for this thing, right? :-)
Last edited by CowboyT on Sat Nov 02, 2024 8:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman--any love for these?

24
CowboyT wrote: Sat Nov 02, 2024 8:07 pm
BearPaws wrote: Fri Nov 01, 2024 12:01 am This discussion had me thinking of some Junior Brown music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2un_jJMD4lI
Well played, Sir. :-) The forum software needs a "like" button for posts like this....
Glad you liked it! Junior Brown has a long list of great songs.
Eventually I'll figure out this signature thing and decide what I want to put here.

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