I was teaching a hunter Education class at my local Gun/Sporting goods store yesterday. Before class looked over at the consignment handgun case. Spied an ANIB 27-2, 5", S254474 (1965), has box, registration card, instruction pamphlet. No Tools. Asking price $1200, tax & DROS =$1350 out the door.





Did the GunBroker sold auction research for past sales. Big spread, depending on region, accessories, condition, need/wants, etc.

Blue Book of gun Values indicate $1200, have a question about a 50% premium for 5" barrel? Does that apply to this 1965 gun?

Went back today to really check it out.

Now the negatives, the gun was wrapped in a dirty/oily gritty paper towel. There is a scuffed/scratched bluing spot on the cylinder (see Picture) about 1/8th buy 1/4", a small scratched bluing scuff on the same side on the barrel and faint scratching near the muzzle on the other side of the barrel. Other than the spot on the cylinder you have to hold it in the light just right to notice them. This damage appears to be due to sliding around in the box on the dirty paper towel. The gun has been fired, soot in the cylinder throats, streak of lead in the bottom of one rifling grove. Turn line so faint its difficult see or photograph.

So not NIB but still nice for a 51 year old 27-2 in California. This is a California consignment gun so I could buy it as a Calif resident. My dilemma is that I bought a 19-3 in 98/99% for $475 OTD just a few days ago from the same shop that handles, feels and has a smoother action than the 27-2.
So I am trying to talk myself into needing/wanting another S&W. Currently have 2-MP's 2nd & 3rd change, 34-1, 15-1, 15-3, 19-3, 586, 29, 629 classic hunter and a Colt Python for good measure.

Opinions on price/value for this 27-2 California gun.

Being a 1965 gun, it's exempt from the handgun roster in the first place since it's over 50 years old. I'm torn on saying whether or not I think it's a good price. I know the shop that's from and they're generally a little overpriced, but for a 5" 27-2 in that condition, that's generally what I see them go for. Personally I would try to get it for $1200 out the door. Good luck

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Around here, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see that price on that gun.

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John 3:16 .

It doesn't sound unreasonable to me, especially if the stocks SN to the gun.

The scuff in the picture looks pretty bad. On the other hand, a 5 inch N-Frame is something special.

You have a lot of .357s already, and the price on that one is steep. (At least it would be around here, I do not live in CA.)

Do you think you will ever see another? How bad do you want it? Only you can say.

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You're shy a few manners.

Ask yourself when is the next time you'll see an S prefix, diamond stocks, 5" Model 27? I'll bet never. I would ask to pull the grips off to check the serial number on them and look for factory refinish marks and/or dates. A brief look at your pictures suggest it doesn't look refinished. If the grips are serial number matching to the revolver I'll act as an enabler and say GO FOR IT. Based on my observation of California S&W revolver prices that's probably about as good a price as you're going to see on that package (?). The $475 for a near perfect 19-3 was probably a steal in CA especially from a LGS.

I made the below comment in another post in which a member had a question about the finish on his 28-2. I would note this 27-2 is marked B+.
"The below is just my interpretation of what I've seen on end labels and compared to the matching revolver. I've never actually had anyone confirm it or looked it up. Hopefully someone can comment on it.
B=Blue (known per the SCSW)
B+=blue polished
B++=blue high polish"

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

A 50% premium for a 5" on a shooter grade gun? Maybe between NIB
collectable 27s but not on a shooter unless you have some obsession
with a 5" gun for some strange reason. CA is truely a sad
testimonial in our supposedly "United" States. But in any event $1350
OTD is just too much in my opinion unless you have money to burn in
my opinion. Opinions opinions, everybody's got one as they say but
I'll take a 4" N frame over a 5" any day. It's not like you're gunless as
Jack mentioned above. Be patient, others will come along, maybe a
3 1/2" in time!

I'm with g8rb8. Probably as good a price on this particular revolver as you, or anyone, will see for an "S" serial in a blue 5". Having the box is a plus. Too bad the rest of the contents isn't with it....

Unfortunately for those of us that like and want the older gun, and great for those who own them and want to sell them, prices do not seem to be stabilizing. A steady increase seems to be the norm for most revolvers from Smith and Wesson. So, it is what it is and it probably is the right thing to do if you want the "classic revolver" from Smith and Wesson. I'm in the same boat in re: a period K-38 Masterpiece from this era. The seller has an almost pristine K-38 with a gold box, and no other parts, for $1,300. This is Oregon and prices here are pretty high for these guns. Yeah it is a little over priced, but, its condition is exemplary. Probably won't find too many in similar condition.... So, I'll pony up the asking price and have a very beautiful revolver. I would like to pay less but will not be able to. Best of luck. As much as I would like to see prices stabilize some, it just doesn't seem to be the case....

The same gun could be purchased from out of state as it's over 50 years old. But finding it in state is a plus. Damn stupid useless CA laws. OK, no politics.

I was thinking the price is high given the condition but it is a 5" 27-2 and it's in CA. Want it? Got the money? You decide.

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No life story has happy end.

I wasn't aware that a gun more than 50 years old is exempt under CA laws....hope this is true. I have seen many old revolvers on Gunbrokers with the caveat NO SALES To California...do you know where I can get this info? Thanks.

I see the same thing on sales to NY. I think that basically the dealers don't want to have to figure out what people can or can't have in other states, and so they just post no sales to that state to be certain that they're remaining legal. I have sent a seller a message and asked about a sale, as I was interested in something he had. He sent back that if I had all the proper documents to send him a copy and he'd work with me.

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

2t's, overall nice but located in California...

IMO, you should have the $1200 in your pocket, but try to work them over a bit to bring it back in line.

At the very least, a deal OTD for $1200 would be a victory.

How many of these are you going to find? Bird in the hand and all that.

Go in with the attitude of not caring, don't let them know you're interested, but don't leave without it.

Hi All

Thanks for your inputs. Not much wiggle room for dickering in CA on classic S&W's. Offered $1245 OTD last night will know if they agree in a day or so. I want but don't really need it for another shooter range gun. Gun still has about 2 weeks of the 30 day CA gun jail detention before I could start the DROS process and then another 10 day gun jail wait. I didn't know about the 50 yr rule myself, will have to investigate further with my 3 LGS. Our CA DOJ web site isn't very user friendly.

It is California, very few high condition S&W's available to purchase due to our states antigun atmosphere. Frequent lots of gun shops and gun shows haven't seen one this nice in years. If the 50 yr rule pans out it's time to hunt down a vintage K-22 on the auction sites.

I almost sprained my wrist getting my wallet out for the 19-2 for $475 OTD. Been looking for a 98% plus gun for years. This one will get shot a lot with cast bullets.

Well, its been 12 hours since your post. Did you stop torturing yourself and buy it? Man I hope so. We have all suffered the anguish you have experienced. Nice gun, fair price.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Handguns that have attained C&R status (either 50 years old or specifically listed before that age) may be sold and imported bypassing the stupid "drop test" law.

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No life story has happy end.

Just another reason for being glad I was sprung from Calif. after my tour of duty there.

If you really want it buy it. I found a 3.5 inch 27-2 here for $600 two years ago and have been very happy with it.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Buy it. You can always get more money but there is a finite supply of fine pistols.

It's listed in the penal code in the curio and relics section. I couldn't tell you the exact code that says it, but summed up it basically says that any handgun that is at least 50 years old or otherwise classified as a curio and relic, it is exempt from the roster

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It would be too much for my blood. That is mainly because I like K-frames better than N-frames. If your tastes run the other way, well, I have not even seen a 5 inch M27 in person, so........

OK, I bought the 27-2 for $1205 out the door. My $1100 offer was accepted at 9am this morning. No remorse on the purchase, fair price for a nice desirable S&W. If I hadn't made the offer last night that was accepted, 2 other buyers looked it over today and were ready to buy it on the spot. LGS hadn't removed the gun from the consignmemt case when the shop opened at 10am. Could have been sold twice by 2pm today. Was only on display 3 days, made a mental note to myself to drop into the store more often to see what may have come in for consignment, I live 1.5 miles from the shop.

Over all a very good week, model 19-2, 4" in 98% plus condition $400 and the 27-2, 5 ", for $1100. Taxes and DROS added $177.50 but that is all part of doing business. I will be floating high in CA come July 1st when I can take them into my position. Will post pictures when I have them.

Thank you all for your input and wisdom.

Buck

If it feels a need and it is a gun on your list of must haves, then buy it. If it does not fill a need, or is not on your short list, let it go.

I know it is CA, and these don't come up often, but it is $1200 and it isn't perfect.

If you get it, we will all hail it as a good deal and be happy for you.

If you pass, I think we will understand too.

I was in a similar position last year. I was actually saving up for a Dan Wesson Commander. I had half the money needed.

I saw a really, really clean 6" Model 29-2, and I got that instead.

It is beautiful, it has a set of beautiful grips that I put on it. It is a safe queen/investment gun, and I don't enjoy it.

I should have got the Dan Wesson instead. It's not that the DW is a better gun, I would carry it, shoot it and enjoy it more.

But I can make money on the 29, and you won't lose miney on the 27.

My advice, only grab it, if it is on your short list. Otherwise, let it go.

Good job! I'm in Kali and have bought S&Ws via SAE from out of state. Less than 50 yrs old.
That is about the right price in here Kali.