Thinking out loud.

I’ve been looking at a 27-2 locally that is not selling. It’s definitely shooter grade and has a 8 3/8 inch barrel. I really have no interest in that length barrel, and no barrels seem to be available in the usual places online. If I were to have it cut to say, 3 1/2 what are good sight options?

At the price I think I can get it for, and my gunsmith being a good friend, I should probably be able to do this for maybe half the cost of a true 3 1/2 inch.

Also, when would N36xxx have been manufactured?


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Dave

N36xxx (5 digits) would have been 1969 through 1972, as 1973 was N100000.. If it is actually N36xxxx (6 digits) it would be 1975 to 1976. Either way I believe you are looking at a red insert, ramp front sight (Baughman).

Pics below show my 27-2 3-1/2", 27-2 6" Nickel, and my 1952 "Pre 27" (S serial number) with Patridge.

Hope this helps. Good luck getting that gun, hopefully before July 1 when all the face to face sales & trades disappear here in Virginia. You may wish to just keep up the search for a original 3-1/2" barrel for your 27-2. I saw one not that long ago on one of the auction sites and it went for $156 plus shipping. I recall it had bluing wear at muzzle, but bore looked crisp and bright.

Attached Images

	M27-2 A full size.jpg (37.7 KB, 62 views)
	M27-2 B full size.jpg (51.6 KB, 57 views)
	27-2 N2.jpg (117.0 KB, 54 views)
	Pre 27 d.jpg (36.3 KB, 54 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

I just pulled the 27-2 3-1/2" out of the safe along with my Model 28, 4" Highway Patrolman and it appears they both have exactly the same front sight which is NOT a red insert...it is the 1/8" serrated ramp, Baughman quick draw style. Of course the deep blue finish on the 27-2 is obvious over the matte finish of the HP.
My 3-1/2" 27-2 shipped April 5, 1977 per factory Letter, and the Highway Patrolman Model 28 was a 1974 gun so closer to what you are looking at.

Just didn't want to mislead you.

Attached Images

	Model 28 - D1.jpg (51.2 KB, 40 views)
	Model 28-A.jpg (42.0 KB, 41 views)
	Model 28-B.jpg (44.1 KB, 41 views)
	M27-2 A full size.jpg (37.7 KB, 37 views)
	M27-2 B full size.jpg (51.6 KB, 45 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

My opinion. If it is a bargain buy it. But don't cut the barrel. Consider it an "investment". And who knows, you might grow to like it.

Meanwhile keep looking for a 3 1/2. They are out there.

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Expect the unexpected

From a cost point of view, it might be cheaper to buy a 3-1/2 inch barrel and have a qualified gunsmith perform a swap. Keep the 3-3/8 inch barrel, just in case you decide to one day sell the Model 27.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I like shooting them all. The 8 3/8 is fun for longer ranges, but I would'nt want to carry one to the woods!

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I generally agree with hold out for what you want. My dilemma here is that I can have the barrel cut and crowned, and reblued for the price of a good bottle of bourbon.

At the asking price I’d have the short barre 27 for well under 800, probably well under 700. That is including the price of the bourbon. It’s probably a birth year gun as well.


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Dave

It's your gun if you buy it........Fix it the way you like it and be happy. I don't see a dilemma.......I see an opportunity.

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S&W Accumulator

That’s true. The main thing I’m trying to figure out is the best front sight option if I do it.


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Dave

4" and shorter the S&W Baughman 1/8" wide ramp sight is about perfect.

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S&W Accumulator

Buy the gun and keep it like it is. There's enough M27's out there that you should be able to find one with the shorter barrel, but not enough of them to start cutting them up.

A S&W, especially the pre-80's guns, are true works of art, IMO. You wouldn't buy the Mona Lisa and give her a nose job, would you?

Buy it but don’t cut the barrel. Look for a 3 1/2 inch barrel which will probably have the correct sight already on it and swap them out. Keep that longer barrel in the event you want to sell the gun later.
It’ll just sweeten a deal later on.

What stansdds said!

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

I used to feel the same way. Then I purchased an 8 3/8" Model 27 (technically a pre-27)... and shot it ... a lot. It is now one of my favorite barrel lengths. That was a long time ago and I have accumulated more than a couple of handfuls of that length... and I love each of them. A few examples of their beauty:

The pre-27 shooter:





...and a 27-2 with a red ramp:



...and one with the more typical Patridge front sight:



Also... if you cut the 8 3/8" barrel to 3 1/2", you will most likely either cut through the barrel roll mark or it will not be centered making it look "off".

Definitely the Baughman ramp front sight if you want to stick it in and pull it out of a holster. The front sight bases on the earlier 27-2s were pinned to the barrel rib (usually with two pins), while later ones were integral with the barrel. So, if you cut the barrel, you would also need to find a front sight with an integral base, or a ramped base for your GS friend to pin a sight blade to.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

There are some beautiful examples in this thread... I too, am looking at a 27-2 (with an 8 3/8” bbl.). The asking price is, in my estimation, high. It has the 3Ts (non-diamond target stocks) and a high (?) serial number: N7613xx.

I’m guessing it should be about an eight hundred dollar gun.

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

You don't mention condition but if 98% or so I don't think you can find one for $800; will likely be a fluke if you do. Last 8 3/8 I bought was about four years ago and $900 without box/papers. I'd buy everyone I saw at $800.
Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I would never buy a gun planning to do major work on it. Cheaper faster easier to buy the gun you want.

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No life story has happy end.

I've had two with 8 3/8" barrels.
A nickle 1982 transitional M27-2 and a very nice 1959 M27.
I never did shoot either one of them.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

Thanks for sharing your real world experience, Jeff.
That helps. He’s asking $1,000. I know there are many factors to consider; location is definitely one of those factors. I haven’t viewed it but this picture gives an idea of its condition.

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90