I've got a blue 3 1/2" 27-2 with some serious finish problems resulting from poor storage by the previous owner. I took some 4 ought steel wool and scrubbed some rust off of it leaving bare metal in some spots. There is no pitting and it is perfect mechanically. For a short barrel it's a tack driver. I paid $325 for it with Pachmeyers to use as a shooter and it serves that purpose well. I've had two revolvers nickeled by S&W and were very pleased at the results. I'm thinking about doing it to this one for a BBQ project. The last one I had done was an old duty revolver with almost no finish left. It was a P&R 2 1/2" model 19 that I bought new in 1971. That was 7-8 years ago and it cost me $180 for the nickel job. I haven't shot it since I got it back and it's lived in my safe wearing Grasshorn stags since coming back from Smith. Since I don't think the nickel job on the 27-2 is going to hurt the value any the main question I have is what are they charging nowadays to nickel a formerly blued gun?

Looks like 250.

Precision Gunsmithing Services - Smith & Wesson

Shipping will probably add about $50 each way.

Personally, I regretted refinishing the two shotguns I had it done to.

si--------

Shipping a handgun is a killer if you play by the rules. The cost is high to refinish. You don't get it back in increased value. But a nice gun with rust and bare metal is probably a candidate for refinishing.

You paid $325. Let's say $250 for refinishing with shipping (will likely be more like $300). That means you will have $575-$625 invested in a refinished 27. Would you buy such a gun at that price? If yes, then do it.

Does S&W re-stamp and clean up the logo and barrel stamps when they do a refinish?
Just curious.

si--------

I would put some cold blue and enjoy it as is. I like guns like this. No always worring about a scratch or ding.

You get it re-finished and it will by like your Model 19. Too nice to shoot and enjoy and to expensive to get your money out of it if you try to sell it.

Don't ask me how I know this....

I've got a pre 27 that has finish issues. I have been thinking about having it hard chromed. That way, in about 30 years, someone can check the forum to inquire if there were any stainless pre 27's made! Smiley face goes here. For now it sits in the safe.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

lol @ stainless pre 27 remark.

I had 2 guns refinished at great expense then they looked to nice to shoot.I will not do it again.

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T. Johnson

To Funny !!!!!!

Whut he sed!!

Do you want a BBQ gun or a working gun?

Know what I'd do? I'll tell you what I'd do.
I'd sent it to Doug Turnbull and have him case harden the frame and re blue the barrel, pin and all the other parts. Then you'd have a BBQ gun If you don't want to do that-sell it to me for what you paid for it and I'll do it.

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Forum consigliere

This 27-2 had a similar history when I bought it for $225. Unlike yours, mine had some deep pits. I had my gunsmith bead blast off the rust and the worst of the pits. Before he blued it he rounded the butt and tuned up the action. Here's the result:




My total investment is about $550 unless you add the stocks which I bought at a gun show for $90. Guess that bumps it up to $640.

I probably couldn't get that for it in an out-right sale and for sure not in a trade. But I have the gun, have carried and shot it, and had the pleasure of both showing it to people and telling it's story. I think it was worth the cost but that's in large part because I am keeping it.

YMMV,
Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Dave:

I Like It ! I REALLY like it !

Seems I like a lot of the guns you have "worked on" !

Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Dave,

That finish on your 27-2 looks almost identical to the "mystery finish" that's on my 28!! I like yours a lot, and I need to dig out some of my 12 year old daughter's brightest, gaudiest nail polish, so I can have a custom front sight blade like yours, too...