New Classic Model 27

[arizonarotors]

Bud's has the model 27 for about $828.00 shipped. With my FFL holder charging a $25.00 fee, I can have the New Classic model 27 in my hand for $853.00.

My local shop has a very nice condition 27-2 in wooden display box, no turn line, blue really nice, for $775.00 plus $76.00 sales tax; for a total of $851.00.

I guess I should add that I will be shooting the weapon weekly. Not slated to be a collectors item.

I'm leaning toward the 27-2. Opinions from folks familiar with the new 27 (and anyone else) are welcomed.

What say you?

Regards,

Jim

 

[TDC]

Bud's has the model 27 for about $828.00 shipped. With my FFL holder charging a $25.00 fee, I can have the New Classic model 27 in my hand for $853.00.

My local shop has a very nice condition 27-2 in wooden display box, no turn line, blue really nice, for $775.00 plus $76.00 sales tax; for a total of $851.00.

I guess I should add that I will be shooting the weapon weekly. Not slated to be a collectors item.

I'm leaning toward the 27-2. Opinions from folks familiar with the new 27 (and anyone else) are welcomed.

What say you?

Regards,

Jim

This has got to be a well thought out decision for you....

I don't own a new 27 Classic but I do own several newer production N frames that are somewhat similar.

I also have a large collection of earlier S&W handguns from the same era as the 27-2 you are considering. Those are where my heart is....

For a weekly shooter, however, you've gotta give a lotta weight to the excellent lifetime warranty provided by S&W for their handguns today. You may hear a lot of criticism about the new production guns having MIM parts and an internal lock. I've been shooting them for years and have only experienced a couple of minor problems and neither were mim or IL related. In both cases the guns were shipped 2nd day air at S&W's expense both ways, and returned in less than two weeks.... If you've ever had to pick up the expense of doing that with a handgun you'll recognize what a big issue a wonderful warranty like theirs can be.

As for an earlier 27-2 you have no warranty protection. I'm guessing the 27-2 available to you is a 6"... What you would have is a beautifully finished and fitted example of S&W's finest. A handgun that will only increase in value if kept in nice condition. They are truly the "premier" N frame of S&W production and their status is well deserved. But for a weekly shooter requiring an equal expenditure you may want to consider the benefits of buying new...

JMHO

 

[Revolver-time]

I have both, a 27-2 and a Classic. The 27-2 is perfect in all respects. The top strap checkering on the Classic is well done but not like the 27-2. And, the Classic does have the lock. BUT, the Classic has a beautiful finish and very nice grips. And I found that I am leaving the 27-2 at home when the Classic and I go to the range each week. My thoughts say to protect the value of the -2 and shoot the dickens out of the Classic. If you are going to "shoot the dickens out of it", get the Classic.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Fellas, life is too short to not shoot a Model 27-2 weekly. That's what they were made for. I vote for the 27-2.
Period.
End of story.
Move along.

 

[captainjohnsofd]

Had a Classic 4" nickle- along came 3.5" nickle in nice shape. You can figure out what happened next.

 

[18DAI]

No contest, go with the 27-2. The 27-2 is everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't......for $2 less than the knock off. Good luck with your decision. Regards 18DAI

 

[Camster]

Had a Classic 4" nickle- along came 3.5" nickle in nice shape. You can figure out what happened next.

A little nickle 34 was conceived? ;-P

I like brand new,perfect stuff,so I would probably lean toward the Classic.(some dealers would want the sales tax on that one too)
My other thought is this: I used to be ga-ga about cased guns-I'm over that now,just put them in a Boyt case.With the 27-2,I'd probably be looking to sell off the case,perhaps reduce the cost number by $100.

 

[PA Reb]

Wow, that sure is a bad dilema to find yourself in and I've found myself in that same decision making boat many times. In my case, I decided to not shoot the only model 27-3, 4" I have and just recently bought a very nice shooter grade model 28-2 to go out and blaze away with. When reading your question closely, it becomes obvious that you aren't concerned with the "collector's value" and you will be shooting it quite often. That, along with the warranty issue, makes me agree with the statement that member "TDC" has already made. I would buy the new one and have fun with it. If you like it and want to then buy an older example to keep pretty and look at from time to time, there are quite a few really nice 27-2s out there for sale and some are less than the $775 you speak of. Good luck sir!

 

[arizonarotors]

To all,

Thanks for the courteous, well thought out responses. I'll post, with pics, when I decide.

R/S

Jim

 

[tango-papa]

If this were my decision and money to be spent, the 27-2 wins in every category, no questions asked.

Let us know what you decide and pictures after!

tp

 

[VaRecon]

I was in a similar predicament, my choice was between a new 386 XL Hunter and a 27-2.
I went with the older revolver and have not regretted it once.
The 27-2 is a great shooter and a classy revolver, I don't think you'd regret it.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

The recessed chambers on the 27-2 is enough for me to get that one. These are such classy guns that it just doesn't seem right seeing the case rims through that big space. People pay outragous prices for Pythons but when mine is lying next to the 1978 27-2 I just got I can't help but think how classier the 27-2 looks with that extra touch of recessed chambers.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

You may take this for what you paid for it, exactly zero. Just my opinion...

I recently looked at an almost new (not new, but barely used) 27-9 4" nickel with the lock. I stopped at $450, then went ten bucks more to $460 and wasn't the high bidder. It ended up selling at $466. Now you can say I should have gone $10 more, but I had already gone past what I thought a gun with the IL was worth.

A nickel 4" 27-2 that's 40 years old would go for over $700 in the for sale section here. And go quickly, I would think. The workmanship on a 27-2 is unequaled on any S&W. It was the Rolls-Royce. Twenty years from now, that 27-2 will probably be worth the same amount amount you paid for it. Perhaps more, perhaps not. I don't think the same would be said about the IL gun.

 

[Camster]

You may take this for what you paid for it, exactly zero. Just my opinion...

I recently looked at an almost new (not new, but barely used) 27-9 4" nickel with the lock. I stopped at $450, then went ten bucks more to $460 and wasn't the high bidder. It ended up selling at $466. Now you can say I should have gone $10 more, but I had already gone past what I thought a gun with the IL was worth.

A nickel 4" 27-2 that's 40 years old would go for over $700 in the for sale section here. And go quickly, I would think. The workmanship on a 27-2 is unequaled on any S&W. It was the Rolls-Royce. Twenty years from now, that 27-2 will probably be worth the same amount amount you paid for it. Perhaps more, perhaps not. I don't think the same would be said about the IL gun.

Yes, the old guns are nice,but they churned them out just as quickly as they churn out the new ones.
I think that 27-9 nickel would fetch more than 466 on here,or on an online auction,all depends on who's looking at any particular time and I'm sure that old ones do go for sub 500 numbers in local auctions as well,but I do understand what you're saying and most agree to,ie,everyone would consider an old one,not everyone would buy a new one.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

Yes, the old guns are nice,but they churned them out just as quickly as they churn out the new ones.
I think that 27-9 nickel would fetch more than 466 on here,or on an online auction,all depends on who's looking at any particular time and I'm sure that old ones do go for sub 500 numbers in local auctions as well,but I do understand what you're saying and most agree to,ie,everyone would consider an old one,not everyone would buy a new one.

Oh, I agree that it might well sell for more than $466 here - but who knows how high the winning bidder set their max bid. It could well have gone past $600. We'll never know. But it was on GB for a week, garnering 17 bids from 12 different bidders. Since it was only an hour away I drove up and looked at it. I just wasn't going to spend more than that, preferring to save the money for something else that might come along. Which worked out well, since I'm picking up a 27-2 3.5" shortly. Paying more than $466 for it, but the money I didn't spend on the IL gun it makes it easier to pay for the one I'm getting now; a gun I will like better every time I look at it and don't see the IL.

 

[gr7070]

Twenty years from now, that 27-2 will probably be worth the same amount amount you paid for it. Perhaps more, perhaps not. I don't think the same would be said about the IL gun.

I'm not so sure.

My Ruger MkIII and Remington 1100 are worth more than I paid for them in only about 8 years of appreciation. My S&W617 is probably worth more than what I paid for it just 1.5 years ago. All of these were and are still newly, mass-produced guns with locks or other disliked safety measures.

High quality guns from high quality manufacturers increase in value, lock or no lock. That's just how the market has worked. While that might not always be the case, there's little to suggest that older ones and newer ones won't both be affected the same way as eachother by the market.

Aside from small communities like this forum, few folks today appear to care about these issues. Smith, Ruger and everyone else continue to sell new guns at extraordinary rates, lock or no.

 

[PA Reb]

You may take this for what you paid for it, exactly zero. Just my opinion...

I recently looked at an almost new (not new, but barely used) 27-9 4" nickel with the lock. I stopped at $450, then went ten bucks more to $460 and wasn't the high bidder. It ended up selling at $466. Now you can say I should have gone $10 more, but I had already gone past what I thought a gun with the IL was worth.

A nickel 4" 27-2 that's 40 years old would go for over $700 in the for sale section here. And go quickly, I would think. The workmanship on a 27-2 is unequaled on any S&W. It was the Rolls-Royce. Twenty years from now, that 27-2 will probably be worth the same amount amount you paid for it. Perhaps more, perhaps not. I don't think the same would be said about the IL gun.

What you said is very true and I admire your ability to stop bidding when you felt the value was going beyond what you feel its worth . The OP however, stated he wanted a gun to shoot on a regular basis. I doubt very much if the 27-2 will in any way be worth the same in twenty years if it is fired as the OP states he will. That of course is just MHO!

 

[campfire]

The model 27-9 Classic is an excellent gun, I have put a few thousand target rounds through mine and not an ounce of trouble. The gun has a beautiful nickle finish I like the fit and feel of the grips.
Campfire

 

[arizonarotors]

Made different decision

Hi,

Well my problem is solved for now. I suspect it is a familiar path to many of you.

I found an older 28-2 6" for $450.00. Not a 27, but very similar to the 28 I carried as a 21 year old LEO in a little town named Loveland Ohio.

The weapon was absolutely filthy. The service grips were long gone and it was wearing the ubiquitous Pachmayr mono grip.

There are scattered rust fecklings that are cleaning up well.

The action is tight and positive. The crown is perfect. The recoil shield is unmarked and there is just the faintest whisper of a cylinder turn line.

The weapon was dropped at some stage in it's life because one corner of the rear sight leaf carries a bent corner.

There is a very slight loss of bluing on the left side of the barrel tip; probably from use in a right hand holster.

Tomorrow I'll investigate how to remove the rear sight leaf and how hard it will be to find a replacement. I may simply clean up the rounded off corner and make the other corner the same.

I think I'll be happy with this old shooter. The serial number is N920xx. Anyone know the approximate age of this neat old gun?

Pictures will follow tomorrow.

Thanks for your input guys. I'll probably still buy a 27 to drool over but I think my next acquisition will have to be a 28-2 with a 4 inch barrel.

Regards,

R/S

Jim

 

[PA Reb]

Basing this post entirely on your original post, I believe you made a wise choice. Now you have a gun you can shoot anytime and as much as you want without the worry of "ruining it". Be cautious though, you seem to have been bitten by THE bug as you are already hinting at buying another. Have fun with that 28 !