Hi

I recently purchased a Smith & Wesson 27-2 four inches. I been reading around the internet that the S&W 27-2 4 inch pinned and recessed is uncommon. I just wanted to confirm if its borderline rare or just uncommon.

Some information regarding my gun, serial number N461xxx, so I was able to date it at 1978 based on the serial. The grips match the date since its the Goncalo alves Checkered Target Stocks with extractor relief made for the 1978 production.

My 27 does not have the red ramp nor the white outlined rear sights.

I read elsewhere saying, "some 27-2s made 1979-1981 (particularly the 4" versions) lack the pinned barrel and/or the recessed chambers as S&W started running out of these parts and began using the -3 parts."

Also is it possible that I have a transitional model combining aspects of both earlier and later models? Could it also be possible the barrel was replaced at a later time?

Thanks

The 4" barrel on the Model 27-2 is less common than other barrel lengths (except 3 1/2"), in my experience. And most of them did have red ramp front sights. But I don't think there is anything about your gun that would make anyone refer to it as "transitional." Nor do I think it is "borderline rare."
There were lots of sight options available on this model and I have no trouble believing that some 4" examples were shipped with a plain blue serrated ramp on the Baughman sight. That was standard on the companion gun, the 28-2 Highway Patrolman.
Sounds like you have a nice revolver that might get a small premium in the market for its 4" barrel. I've always liked that barrel length on the N frame revolvers.
In 1978, all Model 27-2 revolvers would have had pinned barrels and recessed charge holes. I would be extremely surprised to find one of that vintage that lacked those features. The L frames were still two years off and the elimination of P&R features on the N and K magnums was at least 3 1/2 years away.
As an aside, there is lots of stuff on the Internet. Just 'cause it's written in cyberspace, don't make it true . . .

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

The 4" was available on special order until it became a standard length and replaced the popular 3.5 for reasons known only to S&W. The 27-2 with a 4" barrel was offered from 1978-1981 so only 4 years of production means there are fewer of them than other barrel lengths. Most guys still prefer the 3.5 guns. Is the 4" 27-2 rare or uncommon? I guess.

The barrel pin was officially eliminated with the 27-3 introduction. However, many 4" 27-2s are seen with unpinned barrels and my speculation is they started running out of pinned -2 barrels around 1980 and started using the -3 barrels. I refer to these as Model 27-2.5s.

I have heard that some were also made with pinned barrels but non-recessed -3 cylinders. I have never seen one like that.

One of my great regrets is passing on a special order 4" 27-2 made in 1963. The price was not outrageous, but it didn't excite me at the time. Now it does but the gun is long gone.

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Exactly as JPOAK and SP said,

With a caveat that the reason the 4" 27 was produced in smaller numbers than other barrel lengths is because the 4" length is basicly best suited for duty carry and for that purpose the Model 28 was available cheaper.

Also as the NON P&R era arrived it was easy enough to simply crush fit the barrel and not drill and pin it in place but S&W didnt waste parts and apparently they had a large supply of recessed cylinders still in stock as those so called "Transitional" dash 2's you have heard about have non pinned barrels with the old recessed cylinder.

What is interesting is that when the change from the old 4 screw frame 27 to the new 3 screw occurred S&W used the dash 1 revision to identify the transitional guns that had the old 4 screw frame with new Left hand thread ejector rod,
There was no need to create a new revision for the 27-2 transitional because they were easily distinguished by the non pinned crush fit barrel but were otherwise the same.
I do not recall seeing a transitional 27-2 with a pinned barrel and non recessed cylinder and probably if one did exist it would be stamped as a Model 27-3 but as with anything S&W there is nothing absolute with S&W.

SP
I agree the reasons are not really known. But here's my speculation. The 4" barrel was common on the Model 28. We know that 27 and 28 assembly was concurrent, since parts had to be marked with an H to have them get the satin finish when they were destined for an HP. For efficiency of the forging and assembly process, it would make a ton of sense to forge the same barrel length for both models, rather than having one that was only a half inch shorter. Remember, this is the Bangor Punta era, when the company was being charged to save production money at every turn.

That's my theory and I'm stickin' to it!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

What is even more interesting is that this apparently did not happen with the Highway Patrolman. Except maybe once!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Welcome to the Forum.
You have a very nice, highly collectable revolver. The M27 was the Cadillac of the line. The nicer finish and checkered topstrap make it stand out. The 4" M27-2 is pretty scarce as stated above.
The only M27 I have is a blued 4" M27-2. It is a 99% gun and I paid all of $300 for it about 15 years ago.
We'd love to see a picture.
Jim

This one (N7558xx) has all the P&R features including RR/WO sights. There was a point where the sights were "upgraded" as standard features. The experts have that info. Your gun is likely just as it left the factory. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I agree the 4 inch is the rarest 27-2 based on the years manufactured but it seems to the uniformed that the 3.5 inch is the current darling of the 27-2's. I personally like the 5 inch 27-2 for balance as I believe it's the best balanced 27-2.

Thanks gentlemen, that was all very helpful. I will try to upload a pic soon.

Mine is just like yours except mine does have the white outlined rear sight.

This thread is 7 years old, just FYI.

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Psalm 27:2

Gets me every time. Liking guns somebody probably sold 4 years ago.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615