I have been looking for an N-Frame 357 with a scope on it. I could not bring myself to put a scope on any of the ones that I already had - so it was a good excuse to buy another gun. As it ended up, I purchased two within the period of a week: 1) a 6" Blued pre-27 (late 1955 or early 1956) with beautiful stocks and a Leupold scope on a Buehler mount, and 2) something that I never thought that I would own, because it's "too new" - an October 2006 Stainless 627-5 PC with a Nikon Scope (it is my only S&W with "the lock" but once I shot the gun - it bothers me way way less than I thought it would).

Both guns are very well made and very pleasant to shoot. I took the both of them out shooting with my 17-yr old son and a few of his friends a couple of weeks ago and surprise - the young guys liked to shoot the 6-shot pre-27, while I thoroughly enjoyed shooting the 8-shot 627.

Anyway, I cleaned them both up today and took a few photos of two ways to solve the same problem - engineered 50 years apart.













Any ideas on the age of the Leupold scope?

Thanks for letting me share,

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

The 627 would be a great choice to scope! Did you get the original sights with the pre27? I hope the top strap wasn't milled.....

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Even older, even crankier....

Very cool old and new side by side pictures. Very nice pair!!
I can appreciate the 627, but I'm a sucker for the stuff from the 50's and earlier.

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

Since you like the 627 better why don't you sell me the Pre-27? Heck, I'll even let you keep the Leupold and mount[if the top strap has not been milled or messed with] I just "happen" to have a Mod. 27 rear sight in my war bag. BTW, a really nice pair of guns!!! Nick

Is it the lighting or is the Leupold scope on the 27 have a brown cast to it?

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The Leupold has that purple tone that the ones from the late '60s and early '70s sometimes get. You should be able to date the scope by the SN. Leupold has, or use to have, the date codes listed at their website.

Make mine "old school"......I, too, am a Luddite.....

Unfortunately, the pre-27 did not come with its original sight. But it was priced right and I think that as long as I own it, the scope is there to stay. I do not believe the top strap has been "milled", but it has been drilled and threaded for a mounting screw. Like many of the rest of you, I have a few extra rear sights (some of which are checkered), but I'm not sure if I have one that would fit a pre-27. Since this is the section of the forum for us "appreciators" of older Smith's, here are a couple of stand-alone photos of the 58 year old gal...





The early 1960's presentation stocks really are beautiful and with the price I paid, the gun, net of the value of stocks, has a very low monetary basis.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I really appreciate the older guns, the hand fitting, polish and finish, but when it comes to shooting the new guns are awesome.
The accuracy and durability of the new guns are much better. Maybe those little - really are improvements, not just cost savings?
I've got a 5" pre 27 that's a great gun and I can't really see any improvement in my 5" 27-2. My 5" 27-5 is superbly accurate often shooting 6" groups @ 100 yds with 3-4 rounds in a 3" group. My 5" 27-8
is the best of the bunch, 8 shots, accurate as the -5 and that PC action job is superb.
Take a 4" pre-29 to the range along with a 329 PD sometime. Then tell me that the 329 isn't a better gun for what the pre-29 was designed for...carry and defense. It's more accurate and durable to boot.
So why am I wanting a 5" Registered Magnum?????

Richard-

I remember that pre 27 very well...I almost tried to Buy it a Hundred times...It was a Hell of a Buy...And it cleaned up VERY nice...

I think you are doing the right thing leaving her alone...although I wish those Stocks could come and live at my house...

Thanks for sharing these Guns...

...because they are just so dang cool:... And they shoot like a dream. I have a couple of 5" RM's, one of which was cut from 6.5" to 5" (I shoot it often), the other, left the factory as you see it below:

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Feel free to sell the pre 27 stocks to me and make a nice profit...

Nick:

Not sure that I like the 627 "better", I just really enjoyed shooting it that day. I actually really like blued guns and if I had to pick one to sell, it would most likely be the 627 - I can always get another one of those as S&W is still making them. Plus - the stocks on the pre-27 are really beautiful and I am a huge sucker for beautiful wood.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Very nice pair ... and that 357 did clean up very well!

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John
S&WCA Life Member