Hey, guys. I had asked about whether or not this N-frame would of been a good deal in a previous thread; seen here: Is $600 fair for a VG condition 5" Model 27-2 w/o Box or Papers?

I figured it was probably an alright deal, but the advice of those that commented in that previous thread really sealed the deal for me. I'd been looking at it for two weeks, and was both suprised and relieved that it was still there w/ the $599 pricetag hanging on it.

I checked the gun out thoroughly for any finish or mechanical issues...and found none. The action seemed a little gummy though, and I found later that the lockwork looked like it was lubed about 20 years ago, then left to congeal. The particular shop this was in also offers 10% discounts to service members...so the OTD price came out to $590.

I've wanted a Model 27 for a while now, but they always seemed too high in price when I didn't have the cash or too low in condition when I did. This one worked out perfectly, and the 5" barrel was nice to find as well. I thought it was pretty clean for the price, and GB completed auctions seem to have these guns going for a bit higher...so I didn't feel too bad relinquishing the cash for it, or for the M28 & M442 I had to sell to fund this 27-2 and my new Model 639.

I brought it home and popped the sideplate, and was a little overwhelmed with how sticky the lockwork was It took a few hours of soaking to get all that gunk off and some good scrubbing w/ a nylon brush to clean the inside of the frame. Once it was done though, the action was soo much smoother. I really love these N-frames, and I'm glad to finally have a 27...I just find something extremely appealing about that checkering on the topstrap and barrel rib. This one'll be a keeper for me and I'm happy to be the one that'll give this gun it's honest wear

Thanks for looking, guys.
-Rob

Ohh, purty. Yep that's a nice clean gun (partly thanks to you), and these days, that's a fair price - in other words, someone else would soon buy it, me for instance. Fifteen years ago it would have been $399 but that was then. Good deal, wish it were mine.

Well... I've gotta say the 5" Mod. 27 is my favorite S&W handgun. Beautiful gun you have and I believe you did extremely well price-wise...

Excellent pictures of the checkered top stap and rib too. That feature is hard to capture and you photos are great!!

Congrats!!

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Terry

Great gun! The 5"'guns have a lot of soul

Congratulations! What a nice old 27. I think you did fine with that price. Now, go enjoy it.

Jerry

Rob, that's a beautiful gun and you are an outstanding photographer...even the dust particles.

Great rescue. Hate to see fine firearms in the pawn shop. You know whoever sold it (really) got the short end. Its in a good home now! H.

It's a 27 in very nice condition, it cleaned up very well, it's a dash-two, and above all, it's a FIVE-incher. You have truly been blessed.

Beautiful! The 5" M-27 is the best shooting 357 there is.

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6/23/2022

In my book you got a great deal on that revolver as with the recent surge in prices the Model 28 is costing in that neighborhood these days. The Model 28 is the same revolver with matt blue instead of the high luster blue and it lacks the steel checkered top strap.

That's a beauty!

Nice piece!!! I don't think I'd have waited two weeks on that one!

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Great job cleaning it up. You will have years of enjoyment with your 27. You picked up a real winner at a pretty reasonable price.

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Ash

Thanks for all the kind words, fellas I'm really excited about this 27-2. I just really gotta do something about the TT & TH...they just feel too big and awkward for me, especially for DA shooting. I'll have to take more photos after my first attempt w/ the Renaissance Wax, if there'll even be an appreciable difference. Now I'll be on the lookout for a 3.5" example


I've already got the next S&W lined up, too...a CEN-prefix Model 640

I am happy to own two 5" M-27s, and both get used. It is a favorite, and especially in its own as a practical belt gun.
When I was a boy, I anticipated the arrival of Shooting Times every month so I could immediately turn to Skeeter Skelton's Hipshots column. Mr Skelton remains one of my favorite American writers to this day and I've saved some of his better works.
Skeeter advised us that if he could only have one gun, it would be a 5" M-27. It remains THE revolver most associated with him by those of us who remember him well.
Now, a Threepersons holster and matching outer gunbelt from El Paso Saddlery and you will be ready to ride the river....

The Trigger and Hammer are fairly easily swapped out if you find the right replacements. Keep the originals and do not modify them.
Also, they actually help IF one primarily shoots in SA mode. The trigger is, of course, more critical than the hammer.

Second what he said.

I also remember the golden days of Skeeter Skelton's articles. Several years ago I had a 5" factory nickel 27-1, and STUPIDLY traded it off. I have mourned it ever since and the guy I traded it to just laughs maniacally anytime I mention trading him back out of it. (Sniff....***)

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Retired Dep Sheriff & Armorer

Good looking 27. Looks like you found a nice one. If you just have to do something with the TT & TH, just set them aside. Don't trade them off or otherwise let them get away. You will want them, someday... guaranteed.

As I reflect on Skeeter Skelton's pick of the 5" M-27 as his "one gun", I recall his reasoning. A revolver was more reliable and more versatile than an auto, with much more powerful choices of calibers available without having to handload. He felt a DA revolver offered more than a SA. He felt the 357 magnum was the most versatile of all handgun cartridges and plenty accurate too. Adjustable sights were a must. He wanted a strong and reliable gun. He narrowed it down to the Model 27 for all the reasons stated and picked a blue finish out of personal preference (nickel being the only other option at the time). He found the 5" bbl the perfect length for a belt holstered gun as it did not get in the way or cause discomfort when wearing it, yet had adequate sight radius and power for longer shots.

To this day the 5" M-27 remains a viable all around handgun for exactly the same reasons.

It is too bad Smith did make that identical gun in .44 Special and .41 Magnum.... I have been tempted to find a 5" 27 and have it rebored to .41 and a proper length cylinder put in.... A friend did the same to a 6.5" 27 and it is a nice shooter...

Bob

Yes, there is still a lot of truth in that. I have yet to see convincing evidence of widespread need for 15+ shot handguns. Someone once said pistols that hold a lot of rounds are mostly good if you, "plan to do a lot of missing."

I once read an interesting story about a fellow in Israel who had a Browning Hi-Power for self-defense and who was a passing-fair handgun shot. He liked the Browning, but apparently his antagonizers knew the limitations of his gun and they were fond of getting after him with pot-shots his direction from 150-yards or so. He had little luck with them. But then he replaced the BHP with a Model 29, which soon caused his friends to lose interest in their little game.

Sorry if all this was a bit off OP topic.