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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 05-04-2018, 09:40 PM
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Default What Older Nickel .357 Should I Get?

I have always wanted a nickel revolver. Prefer an older one in .357 since I will shoot it but not too often. It is not going to be a carry gun, just for the range. Leaning towards a 27 with a 6" barrel but open to 3" or longer. A Model 19 is also a possibility.

Suggestions?

Thanks!
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Old 05-04-2018, 09:44 PM
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Five inch Model 27.. All the old pistoleros bragged on the balance of the 5" guns. I heartily agree.
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Old 05-04-2018, 09:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iggy View Post
Five inch Model 27.. All the old pistoleros bragged on the balance of the 5" guns. I heartily agree.
^^^^^ This ^^^^^
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Old 05-04-2018, 09:59 PM
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Based on your stated intentions, the 5-inch or 6-inch Model 27 would fill the bill perfectly. Expect to pay about a $200 premium for the 5-incher over the 6-inch gun.
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Old 05-04-2018, 11:08 PM
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Nickel 5” M27’s rock. This one came to me unfired (outside factory) but has since “had some fun” in the back yard! What Older Nickel .357 Should I Get?
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Old 05-04-2018, 11:27 PM
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I'm a fan of the 5". Although mine isn't nickel.
You can tell by the turn line that it's been fired once or twice though... When it's time to go shoot, she is one that comes out Every. Single. Time.
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Old 05-05-2018, 06:46 AM
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Default 586

I saw a wonderful 4'' or 5'' 586 no dash from the 1980s when traveling in South Carolina. I did not buy but I keep thinking about that one. Super action nice tight action, nice light original wood grips and looked stunning in nickel. I would have loved it. I am glad however I was able to resist, can't keep buying and buying.
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Old 05-05-2018, 07:54 AM
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That’s an easy answer. Buy every nice one you can afford. You can find some “sleeper” nickels as a lot I’ve bought looked ok at best in the display case but after some elbow grease with Fitz Polish they look new again.
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Old 05-05-2018, 11:34 AM
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One thing to consider since this is going to be a range gun is sights. Just going by memory the 5" barreled M27's I looked at had ramp front sights. My eyes just can't seem to focus properly on a ramp sight. In the 6" and above (if my memory hasn't failed me again) you can get the Patridge sight. For me they are a lot easier to focus on. By the way, below are pics of my M19-3 6" nickel. I usually black out the front sight blade for range work.
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Old 05-05-2018, 11:47 AM
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Concur with the five inch recommendation if you're only going to get one, but you really ought to have a 3.5 inch too, and, and, and. . . . Good luck.

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Old 05-05-2018, 04:28 PM
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IF you can can find a 5" model 27-2, that would e a great one to get.

A model 19 would also be great, or a 586.

I have had K Frames, N Frames and L Frames. They are all excellent and you would be happy with anyone.
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Old 05-05-2018, 04:36 PM
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I agree on the sleepers. Pictures tell all the story. I took a chance on this one, only bidder as the seller wasn't that great with the photos nor did he clean it real nice. I doubt I'll ever sell this one.

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Old 05-05-2018, 07:44 PM
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Default S&W Nickel

I also could not decide on a Model 27 or Model 19. So I got one of each. 27-2 5 inch on top and 19-4 4 inch underneath.
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Old 05-05-2018, 08:33 PM
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Thanks for all of the feedback.

I was looking on Gunbroker for nickel M29 5". I saw a gun. Here is one of the pixs showing the forcing cone. What is with the chewed up outside of the cone?
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Old 05-05-2018, 09:35 PM
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586 all the way.
Or, even rarer is a 581.
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Old 05-05-2018, 11:28 PM
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Have no idea what happened to that cone. But perhaps
Bubba’s Guns, Tires and hair salon got hold of it?
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Old 05-06-2018, 12:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zogger52 View Post
Thanks for all of the feedback.

I was looking on Gunbroker for nickel M29 5". I saw a gun. Here is one of the pixs showing the forcing cone. What is with the chewed up outside of the cone?
Ejector rod came loose maybe.
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Old 05-06-2018, 02:04 PM
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I had a real nice nickel model 13 (fixed sights on a K-frame) , just didn't care for it so I sold it . Later bought a nice nickel 19 , 4" barrel and find it a better fit for me . The N frames are nice and very well built , but quite a bit more heavier . If shooting max 357 magnum loads is your plan then by all means get the N frame . If occasional use and lighter loads is your plan , the K frame should be a good fit . Regards, Paul
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Old 05-06-2018, 02:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cowboy4evr View Post
I had a real nice nickel model 13 (fixed sights on a K-frame) , just didn't care for it so I sold it . Later bought a nice nickel 19 , 4" barrel and find it a better fit for me . The N frames are nice and very well built , but quite a bit more heavier . If shooting max 357 magnum loads is your plan then by all means get the N frame . If occasional use and lighter loads is your plan , the K frame should be a good fit . Regards, Paul
Thanks! Good advice!
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Old 05-06-2018, 02:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zogger52 View Post
Thanks for all of the feedback.

I was looking on Gunbroker for nickel M29 5". I saw a gun. Here is one of the pixs showing the forcing cone. What is with the chewed up outside of the cone?
If there is a corresponding ding on the front edge of the cylinder you have your answer, but I suspect it is from a 'vigorous" barrel installation. Hard to imagine how to get that kind of damage from firing or with the barrel in the frame.

Did you mean to say the photo is of a 5" model 27, or have you branched out into looking for a .44 Magnum? A 4" nickel 586 would be a good one too.
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Old 05-06-2018, 03:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog View Post
If there is a corresponding ding on the front edge of the cylinder you have your answer, but I suspect it is from a 'vigorous" barrel installation. Hard to imagine how to get that kind of damage from firing or with the barrel in the frame.
I don't see any dings on the cylinder in any of the pixs.


Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog View Post
Did you mean to say the photo is of a 5" model 27, or have you branched out into looking for a .44 Magnum? A 4" nickel 586 would be a good one too.
This is from a 29-2 5".

No looking at 44 Mags, just 357s. I already have a M29 to get my 44 Mag fix when needed.

A 586 is a good alternative. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Old 05-06-2018, 05:26 PM
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Maybe a Model 586?
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Old 05-06-2018, 06:16 PM
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I agree, a 586 in nickel. My 1983 586 no dash with Culina Padauk wood grips.




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Old 05-07-2018, 12:24 AM
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After shooting my m58/4” barrel in 41 mag it changed my mind about shorter than 6” barrels. But I still perfer 6”/6.5” barrels.
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Old 05-07-2018, 12:52 AM
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I also like the 5" Model 27s

However if I were only going to own one 357 Magnum revolver. it would be the newer 8 shot Model 27

The nickel on this modern generation of Model 27s is just spectacular. In addition to being a fine shooter, the 8 shot model 27s are also great conversation starters among other enthusiasts of the shooting sports

This is not to say that I do not love my 6 shooters as well, but we are talking about only owning one 357 Magnum revolver here


Of course, it is always possible to come across a 5" Model 27 in the Presentation case, complete with tools.

These look great sitting on the credenza in the study
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Old 05-09-2018, 05:40 PM
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A 5” nickel 27 is going to be hard to come by.

If it’s a M-27, I’d look for a 6 1/2 or 8 3/8”. I love the lines of the tapered-barrel N-frames with a Patridge or bead FS. I also prefer the sight picture over a ramp.

After that I guess there’s the M-19 or hens-tooth 586.
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Old 05-09-2018, 06:50 PM
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I can’t say since it’s impossible for me to own just one .357 Mag revolver. But of the ones I have the 27 is my favorite. The nickel 19-4 is next.
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Old 05-09-2018, 07:42 PM
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What Iggy said:

Model 27-2, 5 inch barrel



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Old 05-09-2018, 08:37 PM
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Enjoy my 27-2 5" (c.1965), just a deep blue. Always thought it a bit odd that it came with Patridge sights, but it works. Great shooter.
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Old 05-09-2018, 09:34 PM
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I have the m-27-2 in nickel with a 6” barrel. What’s another inch no one complained yet.

I think it’s neat to own n frames in different calibers in the same barrel lengths.

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Old 05-18-2018, 07:50 PM
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Looks like I am honing in on getting a Model 27 6" in nickel. Looks like it will need to be a 27-2.
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