You need to find a gunsmith or firearms instructor
Depends on the load.
You need to find a firearms instructor.
You need the services of a firearms instructor or a good gunsmith.
Recommend you find a qualified firearms instructor or a gunsmith and ask for assistance.
Needs an appraisal
The model 28 was made to fire the .357 magnum cartridge, but you can also fire the .38 special cartridge. The .38 special is lighter in recoil and easier on the pocket book than the powerful .357 magnum. Use .38 Special for practice, and .357 for a hunting or defense load.
I would refrain from attempting to fire +P loads in any Smith and Wesson revolver if it is not marked for such use.All that will be achieved is a fine made handgun shooting loose or worse with such ammo.little will be achieved by firing a more hotter load thru a 2-2 1/2inch barrel anyway.Stay with a good standard load,besides these standard loads are what made this fine cartridge such a legend in police work for nearly a century anyways.I shoot a handload of 158gr lead semi-wadcutters through my 2 revolvers,which are a smith and Wesson model 12 airweight witha 4in.barrel.I also have a colt official police with a 4in.barrel and both are excellent made revolvers of which I have fired hundreds of rounds through without them becoming loose.I keep the velocity down to around 800FPS,and they shoot to point of aim with there fixed sights.
Model numbers didn't start unitl @ 1957. It it has one it will be inside the crane area.
Have it examined by a gunsmith
Just below the hammer on the left side of the frame is the cylinder release, it has some checkering on the rear half of it. Press it forward and at the same time with your finger press the cylinder from the right to the left and it will come open. You can use either .38 special or .357 Magnum cartridges in this model revolver.
Take it to a gun smith
The 500 Smith and Wesson cartridge fired from a rifle typically has a muzzle velocity of around 2000-2300 feet per second and can have an effective range of up to 200-300 yards depending on the rifle and load. The heavy weight and size of the bullet (typically around 350-700 grains) provides significant stopping power and energy for hunting large game at short to moderate distances.