I have a 3 1/2" 1954 (?) 5 screw pre 27 that is causing me some heartache.
The gun has a finish that I would rate at 90%+ maybe a little higher. Grips are correct but not original.
The gun has more end shake and rotational movement than I care for. I have had two very competent revolver smiths go through it. Both state that it is "within spec" and safe to shoot.
Regardless of their opinions, I am not happy with the gun.
I have had Cylinder and Slide quote me for making the gun right again. The price is right at $400.00 assuming no additional work is required. They are including cutting the barrel back 1 full turn, recutting the forcing cone, shim the cylinder (?), new oversized hand and new cylinder lock, re-time and test fire.
I am not a big N frame guy but this is such a grand old gun that I am reluctant to let go of it, but not too sure that I want to sink the money into it. The bugaboo is that I find no satisfaction in the gun as it is.
Any opinions or suggestions would be welcome. Really cannot come to a conclusion on this one. Pics of the gun are in the link to a post I did concerning the gun.

31/2" 5 Screw 357

This may be a dumb question but are you testing the lock up with the trigger fully pulled back ?

How does it shoot ?

I personally would trade or sell the gun, add the $400 bucks and more if needed, and buy one I was happy with. Someone else may be happy with it just like it is.

Yes, and the two people that went through the gun for me are very good with revolvers. Both have done work for me.
Shoots just fine, No signs of flame cutting either. I just do not like the slop in the action "within spec" or not. Just a personal quirk

Thats too bad, but if it is within spec and shoots fine that $400 is probably not well spent if it doesnt increase the guns value $400, then again depending on what you paid originally you may not be upside down as the 3.5" five screw pre 27 is the most desirable version and worth a pretty penny.

Another option is to put the $400 (plus maybe another $200) into a tight four inch Model 28 and keep the pre 27 just for lookin at like an old piece of rock candy

If all you have issues with are endshake and rotational play, $20 in parts, maybe, and a half hour of labor will correct both. No need to do anything with setting the barrel back, unless B/C gap is over .010 when endshake is repaired.

Some endshake in the area of .002 is acceptable, and a little rotation will not hurt, either. Why not just ask one of your gunsmiths to fix it to your satisfaction?

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I think you are describing two separate issues, subjective (what you are thinking) and objective (what can be measured). Does this particular pre-27 just 'feel' like it has more cylinder play than your other S & W revolvers, or did your gunsmiths tell you any measurements? Is it really very different than your other S & Ws?

It is understandable that you want to fix it if you think it is too loose, but endshake is a different animal than rotational play. You may be a lucky guy but 'nearly' every S & W revolver I've handled has a slight wiggle on rotation at full lockup (it doesn't differ whether or not the trigger is pulled, unlike a Colt). As Nightowl mentioned, endshake can be easily fixed if excessive with shims of differing width, easily found and installed.

I guess if it really bothers you that much that finding another one with less play may be best; I suspect you won't have any problems selling yours in the current market. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It's pretty evident you are not going to be happy with this revolver regardless of what is done to it. I agree you should should sell it and get one you are happy with. Price it for a quick sale, (you can discount it up to $400 you might otherwise spend).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Speaking as one who's been there: sometimes what we think we want is kinda unrealistic. After being on this forum for a while and reading all the accounts of pristine old firearms with "perfect" actions, it's easy to get into a mode of thinking that's the only way to go. Reality is that few are in that condition, and the vast majority that are mechanically safe or "within spec" are perfectly good firearms as-is.
It sounds like yours is in that last category. It's your gun, but if it were mine, I'd spend the money on ammo or another gun instead.

[/QUOTE]



"Endeavor to persevere"!


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Terry Lester

If $400 gives you peace of mind, that could be an acceptable price. Of course, that will lead to a correct set of grips, and there's always a refinish lurking. Slippery slope indeed.

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50 Years of DSOTM

Put it in the classifieds here with the information you explained and it will sell if priced appropriately. Squirrel the money until another surfaces.

IMO you fix a gun to make it work, not to raise its value.

Of course, if the work needed is over the replacement value of the gun, and it's not special to you (heirloom, former service gun, etc), you cut your losses.

I personally don't like selling guns with known problems beyond cosmetic issues. Maybe that's the insurance agent in me talking. I once sold a CZ52 that had the common "decocker fires the gun" issue, but the buyer was a very experienced buyer and had no issue with it.

A little bit of play is normal. If the gun is within specs and shoots fine, quit worrying about it. Even if you get it "fixed", there's no guarantee that it'll actually be any better.
A package of shims isn't very expensive and you can do it yourself if you are so inclined.
If you just can't live with it, sell it. No need to spend money on it when there's really nothing wrong. I'm sure somebody will be tickled plumb to death to reap the benefit of your misplaced anxiety.

Chukar, We're all aware a little play is normal, but it is a grand old gun and were it mine, I'd have C&S fix it. Of course a shim/s will correct end shake, but the B/C gap may then be excessive. Significant slop in the carry up/timing, even if "within spec", would not be OK with me either. I've owned S&W revolvers since my first, a model 57 .41 Mag,. back in 1965, so I'm aware what is normal in S&W revolvers. I suspect you also aware of what a normal amount of play is too. I may be a bit biased in my answer because I have had guns repaired that were technically in spec. but that did not satisfy me. You could certainly sell your example and buy another similar, But what issues might the replacement have?. The Devil you know vs. the Devil you don't.etc....ymmv

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

Thank you all for the input. A lot of good advice as usual. I was not trolling for a buyer when I posted the thread, but a forum member approached me about buying the gun and I decided to let it go.
Once again, Thank you all for your opinions. Always good input from the forum.

This right here is the correct answer.

If you are unhappy with the gun you are unhappy with the gun and you will likely be unhappy with the gun even after spending money on it. Either because it's still displeasing in some way, or because you had to spend so much money to make it right.

I'd suggest selling it and buying another one, just make sure the next on you buy pleases you fully before picking it up, which will likely mean having to buy it in person.

Get a second opinion.
I would call the nice folks at Clark Custom Guns , describe the problems , let them decide what's needed , and get a price from them.
It doesn't cost anything to ask how much and I know they do excellent work !
Gary

It might be that Clark Custom Guns isn't what it once was since Jim died recently. In another thread on this board, a fellow who wanted a barrel set back a turn called to ask if they would do it and asked for a price. He figured to have them do it since he was within driving distance and didn't want to ship the gun. After getting a quote, he drove there just to find that they had changed their mind and declined to do the work. NOT COOL. I mean this isn't a complex job for an experienced 'smith but for whatever reason, they reneged.

See this thread:

Cylinder gap on Highway Patrolman M28

Bruce