So I'm on the road working this week, and happened on this mom and pop by a mom and pop gun shop. I troll their cases, and there it is ..... The Holy Grial! A 3.5 inch model 27. They have it price at $450.00. I asked to see it, and he handed it across the counter. It has some wear on the blueing from holster wear. No pitting, and locks up pretty tight. No end shake, and cylinder gap looks good. Timing looks right. I snapped it up, and had it transferred as I was out of state. Should pick it up tomorrow or Monday depending on delivery time. My questions are as follows.. I would like to have it refinished, and need to know the BEST place to have it done. Would Smith and Wesson be the best option? I would like to have it gone through as well by someone whom would appreciate its beauty, and history as much as I. I do not want a butcher, or some hack to fiddle fart around with this Majestic beauty. I only want to restore it to its original condition (after I shoot the heck out of it of course). What are my best options, and approximately what are the costs involved. I am fortunate to have enough that cost ain't a real issue. Though I would like to know what to expect to pay. I still can't believe that I found this beauty. It is a shooter grade gun but I really feel SUPER LUCKY TO HAVE FOUND IT AT ALL. Much less for $449.99. What other things should I look for as far as potential issues with this unit? Any input is helpful! Thanks!

You certainly got a good buy on that 27. But, I would not reblue it unless there was not any blue left, maybe not then. You can shoot that gun forever and not wear it out or wear the blue off, if properly taken care of. Just shoot it and enjoy it. Just my opinion, YMMV.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

In all honesty I have actually considered that. Just keep it as a working gun, and maybe fetching one in more pristine condition someday! Though the idea of this beauty reblued with some nice stag grips and maybe a Tyler T would be a sight to see! Or perhaps as it is with the same accoutrements . Opinions?

It seems there are two good arguments against refinishing a gun.

(1) You'll destroy the collector value.

Well, it it's in bad enough shape require refinishing, does it have any collector value?

(2) You'll never get your money back in you have to sell it.

That's probably true, but if you don't plan to sell it, what difference does it make? If you HAVE to sell it, you'll probably be glad to get what you can get.

Personally I probably wouldn't refinish it. But then I'm cheap.

If I did, I'd probably send it back to Smith & Wesson.

__________________
John 3:16 .

My opinion is also to not reblue it. A little wear adds character! Shoot it and enjoy it and post a pic when you get it!

Why buy a gun planning to refinish it? I never understood this thinking. If you wanted a better gun then buy one. By the time you pay for refinishing and shipping you will have about as much invested as you would if you had bought a nicer gun only yours will be worth half as much being refinished.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

I would think you are looking at $300-350 with shipping to have S&W refinish the gun. If you want to fix the gun up the way you like it, do it.

__________________
Jim
Many K and N Frames

Sax,
I have decide your right! I have had as a background on the computer for a long time a well used 3.5 inch 27 with stag grips. I love the look so I'm gonna keep it as is! I will likely just buy a pristine example later. Thanks guys for talking me off the ledge!

My 27 is my everyday carry gun and a workhorse. She might not be pretty to some, but she's flawless to me.

This 5 screw pre-27 3 1/2" was my fathers service weapon I had S&W go through and reblue.



(Sorry for the poor quality picture)

My father mentioned many times prior to his passing that he wished he had taken better care of it.
Prior to his passing I presented him with his wish and it doesn't bother me one bit I ruined it's collector value.
The look in his eyes was priceless.

Your weapon, enjoy it your way.

Just my .02,

Krusr

I too have to vote for leaving it alone. In car collecting we say, "You can restore them as many times as you want but, they're only original once."

I have two Pre 27s with 3.5 inch barrels. One in 99% condition that I will never shoot and one in about 95% condition that I shoot on a regular basis. I get a LOT more enjoyment out of the 95% gun.

The following opinion is not directed at the OP but at gun folks in general, and the fanciers of S&Ws that frequent here.

I've never understood the almost knee-jerk reaction of so many people who, upon buying a used firearm feel the need to immediately re-finish the thing. As SP said in his post, why not pay for a really clean gun in the first place?

Also, and this is no doubt the driving thought process behind above opinion, I have always like the look of honest wear to a blued handgun. Bright spots on the high points from going in and out of a holster, most of the finish off the back strap from some callused hand making repeated contact, even the scorched look of the front of the cylinder from high temp flames escaping the barrel cylinder gap. All of these are honest and well earned and in my eye don't detract from a gun's appeal at all.

My $.02 worth. YMMV!
Dave

__________________
RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I think the stags and T-grip should just about make that a class act. Enjoy

IMHO the best advice ever given on this subject.

I'm jealous of the great score you made. As to the reblue, I probably wouldn't do it, but it all comes down to whatever makes you happy.

Well boys I picked it up from my FFL on Friday and its just too beautiful as it is. I won't be refinishing it for sure! I think I'm going to order and grass horn stag grips for it. My eyes ain't what they used to be so I'm thinking about getting a red ramp front sight to put on it though. Does anyone know where I can find one? I shot it and it is exceptionally accurate, and has a fantastic trigger. Indoor range is kinda dark so a brighter front sight would help me. I will load up a picture when my wife can help. I can't work these new contraptions. As a side note I have a 9mm Ruger Speed Six on the way now too! I love a good wheel gun, and just can't say no!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I would go either way.

If EVER you want a MUSEUM PIECE, send it off to FORD's in Florida for their master blue finish. Worth the wait and worth the price.

Take a look at their web-site.

Otherwise, you are very, very lucky to get that 27 at that price.

There is a NIB 27, 3.5 " on Gunbroker now (blue box only) going for $1,800+ with about five days left!

FYI

TAKJR

I think you can get a kit to do the front sight yourself from Brownells.

__________________
Eccentric old coot

I have my Model 27. It's not perfect and I don't care. The original grips are somewhere in someone else's possession, I don't care. I carry it alot and it has holster wear but that's no issue to me. You can refinish it, but there is a strong reason for it to be left alone. The loss of bluing is what I would call character.

I would not dream of refinishing this gun.

__________________
Vaya con Dios

I have a shooter grade Model 27-2 with 3.5 inch barrel that looks brand new until you take the grips of and see the guys name engraved on the frame. I shoot it all the time not having to worry about the finish getting worn.

Something down right friendly about a gun with honest wear. I enjoy my well worn examples much more than the safe queens.

Nice price on the 27-2

Charlie

I have a few pristine examples, but most of my guns have honest wear. I love the looks of safe queens, but as an old friend says, it ain't no good unless you can take it out and play with it! Enjoy your new 27!

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

I've seen some nice reworks done by S&W but a 3.5 27? just hold it and keep it warm...

I'm really glad to hear you are leaving it alone. I don't understand the concept of refinishing, even if it was worth a little more afterwards. Put some stags on it and you're all set. Mine cost a penny more than yours last year with a sticky DA that cost $48 to have fixed. I then had a service trigger installed that someone here gave me. The Ajax sambar stag and a Pach. grip adapter finished it off. You really lucked out. Here's mine again with my "new" 29-2.

I HAD MY 27 6" REDONE IN A NICKEL CAD FINISH BY S&W, BEAUTIFUL JOB. THEY HAVE A WAY OF TESTING BRFORE SHIPPING IF THER IS GOING TO BE PEELING AND THEY WILL ALSO GO OVER GUN TO SEE IF ALL OK. WHEN I GOT MINE BACK IT WAS SO WELL ADJUSTED AND TIGHT AND A BEAUTIFUL FINISH. YOU WANT IT RIGHT S&W ONLY WAY TO GO. I THINK IT WAS AROUND 150. DOLLARS. GOOD LUCK.

Oh Wyatt Burp! That 27 with the stag grips is absolutely what I'm going for! I'll only be jealous till my stag goes arrive! How long does it take to receive a set of grasshorn grips after you order them?

He sent me a pair of elk bone (not antler) for my unlikely 39-2 and they got here in a little over a week. Colt N.S. grips about the same but I think these were already in stock. He is beyond great to deal with. Check out these elk bone grips. Phonomenal! I think these are the maximum size for elk bone. I prefer these over antler because of the non poreous creamyness of them.

Dang Wyatt,
You got some nice guns, and excellent taste!