So I recently bought a 27-2 that I found here in California; the front sight (a Patridge) was modified to include a red face -- it's a nice job. Couple of questions:

1) ever seen a mod like this one? Is this a gunsmith special or would the factory make a mod like this at a customer's request?

2) could I send the gun to S&W to have the front sight replaced with a standard nickel front?

Sorry for the blurry pictures - won't have the gun out of 10-day jail for a little while yet, so the iphone pix will have to do.

--Neill

I've personally never seen a front sight like yours, but I must say, I kinda' like it. If it doesn't bother you that much, I'd suggest keeping it and letting it grow on you.

Beautiful 27-2, by the way.

I too like it. Leave it alone and enjoy...

S&W put red inserts on patridge front sights but looked more like a small red block. My guess that is after market work, but i could be wrong.

I believe the sight inlay is custom work by a good gunsmith. S&W offered a red post front sight blade, but the red square protruded from the back of the blade (not flush like on the gun you have).

If it were mine, I would not change a thing as the work is well done and nicely compliments the 27-2.

Bill

I think it really looks good. When you can, I would like to see close-up pictures of the front of the sight. Thanks.

__________________
Miss My Buddy crsides!!

I have one very much like that except the insert is yellow. My father was a dentist and one afternoon I brought the 27 nickel to his office with one of the Brownell's sight kits. He cut out the 'notch' and we mixed the material and set it in the groove. Its not factory, but it certainly helps with shooting. At 25 yards I fill the rear notch with the top of the blade above the inset. At 50 yards, I fill the rear blade with the inset and at 100 yards, I use the whole blade.

Super nice gun. I would leave it as is and use it. Smith produced the Model 27's in that configuration in the mid 70's, ie with target trigger, hammer and in the presentation case. Prior to then, they came in a cardboard box with standard hammer, trigger and Magna stocks.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Update - just brought this baby home from the high desert.

Here's your S&W 27-2 with a 6" barrel, in nickel with smooth/presentation target grips; came with presentation case (in OK condition, one of the hinges is busted) and tools/papers. Serial # is N381xxx dating it to 1976/1977. Grooved .500 target hammer and checkered .500 target trigger are standard, of course.







Closeup of the custom modification to the factory Patridge sight previously discussed: a red plastic insert - done very nicely. (pardon the fuzz on the barrel)






And here's a close-up of the busted hinge; any idea if I can source these hinges somewhere?...

Overall the condition of the gun is really sharp condition - flawless mechanically, and the nickel is mirror-like, with the exception of a little bit of cloudiness just under the edge of the Target grips (probably because they've never been removed). The only real finish wear on the gun is on the cylinder sides, and I imagine that's because the gun was stored in the presentation case for a long time. This baby came from the High Desert (and Las Vegas before that) and so I imagine the low humidity keep the fuzz from absorbing any moisture and degrading the finish.

Not bad for a gun that is ~33 years old!

cheers,
--Neill

I have seen a front sight done that way before but I don't own the gun and don't remember specifics. Those of us who have fired S&W nickel guns a bit understand why the mod was done. I say keep it as is.

__________________
Bob.
SWCA 1821