Smith & Wesson Model 28

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S&W Model 28
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	Idaho State Police, Washington State Police, New York State Police, Texas Department of Public Safety, Florida Highway Patrol, Georgia State Patrol, San Francisco Police Department (S.F.P.D).
Production history
Manufacturer	Smith & Wesson
Produced	1954 - 1986
Variants	Blued Steel model. Available with 4 in and 6 in barrels. Fewer than 100 reported as being manufactured with 8-3/8 in barrel. Twenty-five guns with 5 in barrels and nickel finish marked "F.H.P." (Florida Highway Patrol) #32 through #56 shipped in 1959.^[1]
Specifications
Weight	4" barrel model 41 oz. 6" barrel model 44 oz. 8-3/8" barrel model 47 oz.

Cartridge	.357 Magnum
Action	Double Action
Feed system	6-round cylinder
Sights	Adjustable rear sights and Baughman front sight.

The Smith & Wesson (S & W) Model 28, also known as the Highway Patrolman, is a revolver chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge. It is a budget version of the S&W Model 27. It became the epitome of minimalism in handgun design.

[edit] Development

The Model 28, also known as the Highway Patrolman, can trace its heritage directly back to the venerable Registered Magnum. The Registered Magnum later morphed into the Model 27. Law enforcement agencies favored the Model 27, but the high polish and sumptuous topstrap checkering was not practical in a carry gun. In addition the Model 27 had a higher price which made it a less practical handgun for police budgets.

The Model 28-2 is a rather unusual Smith & Wesson. It is a revolver that has had features removed rather than added, for the dual purpose of building a more pragmatic gun as well as one that would fit within the budget of the average police officer. Pinned and recessed N frame Smith & Wessons are rapidly becoming scarce on the used handgun market. Representing the classic N frame, the Highway Patrolman is blued, but it is not polished. The top strap and frame rounds are bead blasted to achieve a stippled appearance.

By the early 1950s Smith and Wesson had returned to manufacturing many of it's pre-World War II models - to include the .357 Magnum. The descendant of the famous Registered Magnum. However the .357 Magnum was more costly than the standard .38 special revolver of the time.

In the late 1940s and the first part of the 1950s Smith and Wesson was the only American gun company manufacturing a .357 magnum revolver. Since there was only one model available at the time there wasn't any possibility for police departments and individuals to "shop" around for better prices. Many police departments, as well as individual officers and private shooters, requested from Smith and Wesson a "budget" .357 magnum revolver. S&W responded with the Highway Patrolman (later changed to the Model 28 in 1957). The manufacturing changes made for a more affordable revolver. Mechanically the Highway Patrolman is the same as the more lavishly produced Model 27.

The Model 28 was in production from 1954 through 1986. For most of its production run it was a very steady seller with both police officers and civilian shooters.