Hey Shooters!
My project shooter is finished! (NOT!) I bought a 27-2 with a 6.5" ported barrel that was bulged. It came with an extra 8&3/8" barrel. But the blue didn't match, so I decided to see about getting the bulge cut off and a new front sight installed on the original.
The gun had been sorely mistreated, so other than cutting 1.5" off the barrel and installing the sight, I replaced the extractor rod and installed a set of rubber Hogues. Also, since it is a shooter, I applied a little Birchwood Casey Cold Blue here and there.
I'm very pleased with my under $400 Mod. 27-2!
The first firing showed it to be hitting about a foot high. After resetting the sight it was bottomed out, but dead center! Lucky!
Also, it turned out to have a 2.5lb, trigger and is super accurate! Most of my guns have 6" barrels so I wanted to try a 5". I really like the feel of it!
I had a young gunsmith in our local gunstore do the work. He only charged me $140 and apparently did very good work!
It's a gun to keep for shooting without worrying about destroying the value.
The only complaint I have is that he didn't crown the barrel. He countersunk it. But, it is a great shooter and a good all round, everyday handgun! Can you tell I'm pleased?
Dick
The light is playing tricks in these photos? The finish is much better than it looks.

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I would prefer a ramp and the grips have got to go. Otherwise it looks good.

Excellent. Enjoy.

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<><

As Hannibal Smith used to say, I love it when a plan comes together! I'm not quite sure about the grips, though...

Looks like it shoots. Nice gun.

Nice looking modification and I love 5 inch N frames as I have 2 factory 27-2's in 5 inch.

Thanks, All!
SP, I was told the sight came from S&W? Don't really know, but that's what he put on it. As to the Hogues, remember, this is a shooter. I think these rubber Hogues are the best fit for my hand that I've ever found for shooting. I have the original wood stocks but have them put up. I have Hogues on almost all my shooters, now. Not to look at, to shoot. My valuable, non shooters all have their original stocks if I have them or something appropriate.
Dick

That looks to me like a non-standard Patridge (lower than usual). The 5" and shorter guns generally came with ramps and the 6" and longer generally came with Patridge type sights.

The stock preference is totally subjective. I, personally, have always hated finger groove stocks. They feel simply awful when holding them. And I dislike synthetic materials. But if you like them that's what matters.

But I will still offer negative comments because that's my job.

"But I will still offer negative comments because that's my job."

And you do your job well!!

Actually, and I hate to tell you this, but you seem to have mellowed quite a bit.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Not giving you a bad time but that sight is not from S&W. It looks to be a Weigand Combat "Interchangable Front Sight System". They are popular with gunsmiths because they are much easier to put on than the original factory ramp, which they would first have to remove from the cut off section of barrel. It ain't easy, particularly when done right.

When properly done it should look like this:


Nothing wrong with the set up you have, particularly since you specified it is a shooter. Just don't like seeing you mis-informed by the gunsmith when he should know that isn't a Smith ramp and blade.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

May not look right but it dang sure puts them on target in fine style.

That's kinda the name of the game I reckon.

Possibly this young man used a Patridge replacement sight because that is what was on the original barrel? It doesn't bother me much because, as I said, it's a shooter. The Hogues are there by my choice. I understand that you don't like them but I guess that doesn't bother me much either. A job making negative comments? Why?
Dick

I like the look of your front sight, its different. Woos stocks are my favorite but I like Hogues mono grips for double action. Nice gun, Larry

Dick, I started my post by saying I intended no offense. I hope you didn't take it as "negative comments". I was just trying to provide a little information. Sorry if it came across wrong.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Thanks, Larry!
I've got into the feel of rubber Hogues just lately! Seems to work for me.
None taken, Dave!
I try to take them all as "constructive criticism!
Dick

Nuff' said !!!

Steve

i like it...congrats!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Thanks, Iggy!
With this old gun, accurate is better than pretty!

Thanks, Kenny and Steve!
Dick

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Just out of curiousity try pushing that front site towards the rear of the gun. I ask because that base looks a lot like the current DX sight base. If it is a DX base or an earlier type of interchangeable sight it might be possible that the current DX sights will fit that base. If so, a new taller front sight is just a mouse click away at S&W's Store.

That certainly turned out well. I am glad for you.

Bill

S&W doesn't know squat about designing grips, which they call stocks to distinguish them from something you can actually get a grip on. The go-to Guy for grips in recent years was named Hogue.

Hogue finger-grooved grips fit a lot of people, including me. Whoever they don't fit shouldn't buy them.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Scooter,
The job is already done, so can't move the sight base, now. I checked the S&W store before this was done, and couldn't find much? I'll have to look again. The sight blade is removeable. I'd like to find one with a yellow insert.

Thank you, Bill!
I am pretty happy with it, especially the accuracy of it!

520,
The rubber Hogues fit my hand, too. I have them on several guns.
What does your signature say and in what language?
Dick

Nothing wrong with an interchangeable front sight system, especially if the gunsmith would charge more to move the original sight to the cut barrel. If it's only a shooter, it's probably better to have a sight you can change out for different needs, like a Ruger GP100 or Redhawk.

IMO once you start having barrels cut back, we're firmly into "shooter-range gun-CC Piece" territory anyway, so go with whatever front sight makes it work.

It says "Never again" in Hebrew.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Stan,
That was my thinking, exactly, when I started. I have another, near new, 27, so just wanted a good shooter. So far, this has worked out well. If I sell the extra 8&3/8" barrel and any of the other extra parts that came with it, I should only have around $350 in it! Good price for a high class shooter! The pic is my non-shooter.

520,
"Never again!", huh? Sounds sinister!

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Excellent shooter. This is the kind of guns I like and the hogues are fine for me. All my shooters wear Hogue mono grips. I would love to own one like it.

Thank you, Deano!
I hope you get one, soon!
Dick

The front sight is screwed on from the top, more like a Wiegand, not a Smith ramp.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Yes, it is. (Screwed on from the top.)

That's a nice non-shooter!=) A 6.5" 27 is high on my list.



I have plenty of shooter grade stuff that I just have fun with, I bought a 6" 28-2 for $400 or so this past summer, found out it already was drilled and tapped, so I added a Redfield scope to it. Some people were like "why did you do that?" and I was like, once I found the holes in the topstrap, the gun instantly went into the "shooter" category so might as well have fun with it.

Reddog...I like that 5" conversion you have come up with, Hogues, and especially the front sight. It looks like a serious business revolver rating high in the cool factor. Those shiny semi-wadcutters would look very intimidating to some evil doer on the muzzle end of that .357.

The older I get, and the more arthritis sets in my hands and fingers, The more I like the Hogue and Pachmayr rubber grips.

I post lots of pics of my handguns with wood and stag, but when I shoot (or concealed carry them) them they usually have rubber.

Off topic, but here's an example. My 627-PC Blood Works revolver is in the safe at this moment wearing these Pachmayrs. They stay on it.

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C & L

Reddog,

I sure hope you weren't standing in front of that LOADED gun taking pictures. Even though it is on the table, that is not the safest place to be!

Nice gun for a great price. I saw as long as you are happy that is all that matters!

Also Cocked & Locked very cool gun/photo

Stan,
Sadly, that non-shooter is a 6"! But I like it!
I discovered that the chopped 5" had been drilled and tapped for a scope before I got it. For a shooter, I didn't see that that would hurt anything, so I ignored it. When I started shooting it, I noticed that it was making a small spot on the cylinder at each firing position? Apparently the hole was catching and changing the direction of some of the smoke and lube straight down. Also, it was blowing smoke out the top, under the rear sight tension bar! I found a set screw that would fit the hole but it only went down about half way. I need to find another one to put in from the bottom or I'm afraid it will still mark the cylinder.

C&L,
I do the same thing when I want to show a nice gun! I'm getting too damned old, too, so maybe that's why I like the soft Hogue's for shooting. I do shoot mostly .38's, though.
That's sure a pretty PC 627!

Dash,
The hammer was down on an empty chamber and I was standing off to one side. Not a good idea, though. Thanks for keeping me straight!

Thanks, mhael!
My feelings, exactly!

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I bet it's even more fun to shoot seeing that you had the modifications done at your request.

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

Bushmaster,
You're right, it is sort of personalized that way.
Dick

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Iggy hit the nail on the head! It's the target that counts. Nice fix to a fine old N Frame. Carry it and use it with confidence and pride.

They are all shooters, ultimately. Enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Thank you, Bronc!
Now, if I could just be 50 years younger, so I could bring my M-27 out to explore your country on foot---------!

The purpose of shooting is hitting, and you seem to be doing OK with that arrangement. I would hang on to that long barrel, in case you want it later.

The front sight does look like the Weigand unit. Not very elegant on an S&W, but it's getting the job done for you.

M29,
I'm sure you're right, several people have mentioned that it doesn't look right. Look at the pic, the top is S&W, the bottom Wiegand or? The difference seems to me to be mainly in the size of the base and the screw to hold it on. Even so, cheap is as cheap does! $140 to cut off the barrel, furnish the sight and install it. I think the factory sight was quite a bit more than that. It's a good shooter that will last much longer than I, my son and probably my 30 year old grandson will. I think I'll keep it!
I want you guys to all know that I really appreciate your comments! It's what makes something like this fun!
Dick

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I've ran into another snag on this gun. When I received the bulged barrel someone had removed the plunger pin that the front end of the extractor rod rides on. I took it back to the local smith and had him install one. Now, the clyinder is very hard to open? Any ideas?
Dick

The front bolt likely needs to be fitted. It may be a touch long, or need an angle touched up, or both. If the gun wasn't hard to open before the installation of the bolt, it is either the bolt or the length of the ejector rod and center pin may have to be adjusted to suit the different barrel. Either of these fixes are a simple matter for the gunsmith if he knows his way around an S&W.

I'm surprised he didn't check the function of the gun before he gave it back to you...

I like it the way it is - except for the cylinder latch thing.

The front sight looks ok and I shoot the patridge sight much better than a ramp. I hated the hogue look ... until I traded into a set. Now they look better cause they work great. Have a set on my mod 58 that is cosmetically challenged.


Charlie

M29,
I did take it back to him, and he seems to think there might be a twist in the frame. Like maybe someone may have used a hammer handle to remove the frame from the barrel?

Every enthusiast site needs a resident curmudgeon or two for reality checks, deflating egos, and to say what everyone else is thinking but is too polite to say. SaxonPig nearly always states that what he is writing is simply his opinion - you can take it or leave it, but somehow it usually comes across as a challenge. I sometimes take a perverse pleasure in reading SaxonPig's comments and getting riled up at something I have no stake in.

I personally like the look of a Patridge blade on a short barrel. I know it doesn't make practical sense - short barrels are supposed to be holster sidearms, and a flat blade is more snag-prone. However I'm talking about look, not practice. And as you said, it's a shooter and a Patridge blade is superior to a ramp for that purpose. (Or is that Partridge? )

As for the grips, I'm not a fan of finger grooves for the same reason as SP. If they fit, great, but if they don't (and most don't for me) then they are just awful. And in my younger days, first thing I did with a new gun was take off the stocks and put on a set of Pachmayers. Nowadays I usually go the opposite way, although I rarely put on factory S&W stocks. While S&W factory grips are usually good for looks, virtually none of them feel good in my hand.

All the above is just my opinion, of course.

That's a little scary. But if you have ever seen an S&W armorer whacking away on a revolver with a babbit hammer, that can be a little exciting too.

I would hope, whatever the case may be, a good revolver-smith could straighten it out. That is too nice of a gun to bite the dust. Let us know how this turns out.

He advised me that one fix would be to remove the front bolt. I shot it that way the first month while he ordered the parts to replace it. I guess that in the old days they didn't have that front support, anyway? Maybe as a last resort?

Check the center pin with the cylinder open and using a flat piece of steel or something solid to push the center pin in until it is flat against the steel part that holds the pin. Then see if the end of the center pin is flush with the extractor rod. If it is not then stone until the extractor rod is shortened flush. Then fit the locking bolt. Also, is the extractor rod centered up with the locking bolt? How about some pictures?

I have not worked with a sprung frame, but I would think that the sights would not center horizontally and that the you would be able to see the barrel woulde not square up with the frame. And the extractor rod would not center up with the bolt. With the cylinder in place, is there any increase in friction while rotating the cylinder in lockup? There are lots of things to check before decreeing that the frame is sprung.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Richard,
The center pin is about 1/16" over long. I'll try to get some pics up, tomorrow.
Dick

Excuse the dirty gun!

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