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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 07-20-2012, 05:50 PM
shootershack shootershack is offline
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Default Model 27-2 Odd Barrel Length Question

We recently acquired this apparently unfired model 27-2 in the presentation case. Measuring the barrel it shows 5.75" from the cylinder face to the end. It is a one owner gun purchased in 1981. Catalog shows 5, 6, or 6.5" barrel. You can see that the barrel doesn't go out all the way in the presentation case (which I assume would also house a 6.5" barrel). Serial number is N79093X which should put it manufactured 1980.

Any thoughts on the strange measurement? I've measured lots of Smith barrels and they usually gauge out exactly what it is supposed to be but this one has me stumped.

Thanks
Alan



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Last edited by shootershack; 07-20-2012 at 05:53 PM.
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Old 07-20-2012, 06:06 PM
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usm1rifle usm1rifle is offline
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Could have been shortened by someone. The only way to be certain is spend the $50 for a factory letter.
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Old 07-20-2012, 06:19 PM
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Sebago Son Sebago Son is offline
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Barrel lengths stated by S&W are "nominal". It's not uncommon for them to be over or under the stated length. Usually the variance is slight, no more than 1/8", but I have nominally 6" gun that measure 5 11/16ths.
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Old 07-20-2012, 06:20 PM
amazingflapjack amazingflapjack is offline
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The case seems to be made to accommodate a "ramped" sight (?).
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Old 07-20-2012, 07:09 PM
feralmerril feralmerril is offline
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I have/had a number of those wooden case`s for 5". As said they arent always exact as advertised, but you are only talking about 1/4" down from 6"s. Remember, they were made in both 6 1/2" and 6" a little later. If many are a 1/8 th" off, whats another 1/8th? Probley not that big of a deal.
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Old 07-20-2012, 09:08 PM
Frank V Frank V is offline
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Shootershack

First Welcome to the forum.


I'm not a collector, but could it have been a special order?
Might be worth a factory letter?
Frank
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Old 07-20-2012, 10:23 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebago Son View Post
Barrel lengths stated by S&W are "nominal". It's not uncommon for them to be over or under the stated length. Usually the variance is slight, no more than 1/8", but I have nominally 6" gun that measure 5 11/16ths.
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Old 07-21-2012, 12:58 AM
P&R Fan P&R Fan is offline
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This has come up before, and I posted these lengths, but might as well do it agin.

These are six of my N-Frames. All are supposed to be 4" barrels:
M27-2 N Serial # 4 1/16"
M28-2 S Serial # 4"
M28-2 N Serial # 3 15/16"
M29-2 N Serial # 3 7/8"
M57 N Serial # 4 1/16"
M624 4 1/16"

Only one is truly 4". I have no idea why this is. It just is.
Jim
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Old 07-21-2012, 07:41 PM
smithnframe smithnframe is offline
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Whatever the reason......very nice!
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Old 07-21-2012, 08:06 PM
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They ruined it I will give you 500.00 just because I have had a glass of good dark beer and feeling generous.
Regards
Bob
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Old 07-21-2012, 08:22 PM
rck281 rck281 is offline
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This is very normal. There is a long story about how they started out at slightly under the nominal length then changed to about 1/4" longer than nominal due to legal considerations. They they became too long for some competitions and the length was again shortened below nominal. Might be able to search for the full story.
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