Though I love my 5" Model 27, it's becoming a bit much to be my everyday carry gun. I have a couple of decent holsters, but summer time is begging for a shorter barrel.

I don't want to go with a smaller gun. I like the 27 and the fact that it will take any ammo I put into it and politely ask for more.

Mine's a 1964 27-2. Shooter grade. Not a junker, but definitely not like new.

I really wanted a 3.5, but when I saw this one, and got the deal I got, I jumped on it to get me my first 27.

What can I expect to pay for a 3.5 with some holster wear, any kind of grips and a face only a mother could love?

I know geography plays a part in pricing. A gun I bought here in Eastern NC, can go for twice as much in, say, Tennessee.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I'd even give up my 5 incher for the right 3.5 incher.

August1410,

All N-Frame 357s seem to be pricy around here, about the only N Frames I see cheap are 44 Magnums. At the last Dixie Gun & Knife show I looked at a few 3.5" M27s and they were $900 & up! Best advice, check local gun shops and look for people with collections. In my experience, trading makes getting one far less painful, it's how I got mine.

Regards, Jesse

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"Suum Cuique"

Just one more "for what it's worth" thought if you are looking for a good shooter/carry grade N frame .357 with a shorter barrel than your 5" Model 27, you might not want to rule out a 4" Model 28? They are plentiful in good to very good condition (unlike the 3.5" 27's), only 0.5" longer, much less expensive, and won't incur significant depreciation from serving as a day-to-day carry gun. But if that doesn't work for your circumstance, I wish you the best of luck on your search.

I would say between $550 and $600.

EXACTLY !

The 4" Model 27 is the most rare version IMO,
Last clean one on the forum sold quickly at $1000.00

4" Model 28's are actualy quite plentiful and usually priced around $500.

Too bad you cant send a Model 28 back to S&W to refinish to Model 27 spec .......

One other thing of note, 3.5 inch M27s that don't have recessed cylinders will have a slightly longer OAL than comparable guns with recessed cylinders due to less barrel being in the frame window. So you want a recessed gun if you want the absolute shortest M27.

Regards, Jesse

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"Suum Cuique"

You can actually. It's a different blue than they used to use up to the mid 70's or so, but they will re-finish a gun in deluxe gloss or whatever they call it. Or you can have a third party do it.

I bought two 3 1/2" pre-27's out of South Carolina within the past couple of years... both were high-condition-shooter grade. Paid less than $600.

Then what do they do for topstrap checkering?

You just pretend.

If you can carry a 5" M27 through a Craven Co. summer, you're THE MAN!
I'd go the 4" M28 route if you wanted to stay with an N frame. Maybe even a short barreled SS M624 in .44 spl. That way you'd be safe from the salt air comin' off the Trent River.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

5 inch M27 in a Triple K Model 420 Holster. Just got back from running into town. She was on my hip all the way.

They dont do anything about the checkering, that's really got nothing to do with the blueing job.

I suppose if you really wanted to, you could get a machine shop to do something fancy for you, or you could swap on a model 27 barrel. I mean by refinishing it you are already significantly changing it. Whatever you want at that point i guess.

jesseatamez- I do not believe there are any 3.5" M27s that are not recessed. The counter-boring was dropped in 1982 and the 3.5" barrel was discontinued in 1978. If you have a 3.5" non-recessed M27 that is a very rare gun.

To all discussing refinishing a 28 to be a 27: Can't be done.

Due to its near cult status a 4" M28 will bring almost as much as a 27. If the price difference is only $150 or so (rather than twice as much as it should be) then I would go for the 27.

Anyone packing an N frame has my admiration. I find a 2" J frame uncomfortable at times.

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No life story has happy end.

I lean a little when I walk, though.