Question on a "perfect" gun - Model 27 in 3 1/2 inch

[fyimo]

This looks mint but under the grips is someone's name engraved and it probably was a law officer.

 

[s&wchad]

They seem quite a bit different to me. The 3-1/2" guns just don't look right with target stocks, but the 4" guns look fine. Go figure...

 

[sigp220.45]

To me, a four inch Model 27 just looks like a shiny Model 28.

But a 3 1/2 incher looks just right.

 

[P&R Fan]

I'm in agreement that it's all about the looks. The 3 1/2" just looks mean. The 4" looks kinda sedate, like a well mannered M28 Highway Patrolman that put on a tux.

I have two 4" M28-2s and a 4" M27-2. I had no idea that barrel length was rare on the M27-2 until I joined this Forum. It's the only M27 I have (so far) and I bought it about 13 years ago at a show from a private seller. Talked him down to 300 bucks.

No, I DON'T want to double my money, but thanks for askin'.
Jim

 

[Marshal Tom]

I only have a 4" pre model 27 (special orderd) at the moment. I would love to have both a 3.5" and a 5" pre model 27 in my collection at some point.

Tom

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

I recall NIB 3.5" ones sitting in gun stores for long periods when they were new;

No way! wow

 

[glenncal1]

I have both 3.5" 27-2 and 4" 27-3






I like the 4" gun better, YMMV. As I have said before model 27's are the coolest S&Ws.

 

[DRYHEAT]

In the OP's title: "perfect".

 

[66Park]

I like mine.

 

[Old TexMex]

In the OP's title: "perfect".

Gadzooks and eeho lay! Perfect is right.
Surely you have an old beater lyin' around.....

 

[DRYHEAT]

Surely you have an old beater lyin' around.....

Well, how about these two old beaters:
Bad, freckled nickel:

Missing finish & surface rust:

 

[Dave T]

DRYHEAT,

Which ever one Old TexMex doesn't take, I'll buy. Heck, I'm in Arizona so I'll even drive over to pick it up. You won't have to ship it or anything. (smile)

Dave

 

[DRYHEAT]

Disclaimer: The pictures shown in Post #31 are the "before" shots of the 27-2s shown in Post #28. I believe that life is too short to shoot ugly guns. Since I only buy guns to shoot I will "rescue" some dogs (at a good price) and send them to S&W's P.C. for a mechanical and cosmetic makeover. Then I will shoot the snot out of them. No NIB, box, papers, tools, test target safe queens for me.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Fascinating.....thanks, y'all!

Since you don't mention in what regards you are looking for "how much different", we could answer the obvious (1/2"), or we could answer based on value (as I tried above), or we could get into a discussion of ballistics - but that would likely be inconclusive at best, or we could just go with the emotional play and say "it just looks better, well balanced and mean", a purpose built professional and stout 6 gun that would get the job done if/when you needed it.

It was a generic question, actually. I might collect S&W .38s and .357s but I don't pretend to know nearly as much about them as some folks. My point being that offhand I didn't know there was a 3.5" Model 27. Which brings me to my next question, why is the Model 27 Classic a 4" barreled gun?

Okay, I do have one of those, I think it's gorgeous, but I admit those 3.5" guns are VERY SEXY! And my favorite line is this one:

3 & 1/2" or 4"? The 3&1/2 looks sexier and brutal. The 4" ,not so much,but the difference is in the eye of the beholder. It's all looks.

Looks brutal? I LOVE THAT!!!!

***GRJ***

 

[dlbx2]

Well..............here's one more!

 

[ditrina]

Been a while And it's all DICKS FAULT

 

[Iggy]

I kinda like "pugnacious" myself...

 

[SmithNut]

Wow.................

ditrina sure has a passel of nice .357 Magnums, all lined up and organized.....

I'm almost embarrassed to show this old pic, makes it look like I dropped the bunch out of a box and they just landed the way they did......

Now, to finish the question about the "perfect" gun, I'll just amend my opinion to the following:

The 3 1/2" M27 and pre-27's are all nearly perfect, no doubt, but for perfection you need one of these:

A bit older, oddly shaped hammer, different front sight, same barrel length, same manufacturer Perfection

P.S. ditrina, nice pic of some lovely Smiths.... color me envious....

 

[dlbx2]

Bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbang!
DLB

 

[ditrina]

ditrina sure has a passel of nice .357 Magnums, all lined up and organized.....

I'm almost embarrassed to show this old pic, makes it look like I dropped the bunch out of a box and they just landed the way they did......

Now, to finish the question about the "perfect" gun, I'll just amend my opinion to the following:

The 3 1/2" M27 and pre-27's are all nearly perfect, no doubt, but for perfection you need one of these:

A bit older, oddly shaped hammer, different front sight, same barrel length, same manufacturer Perfection

P.S. ditrina, nice pic of some lovely Smiths.... color me envious....

Why I do believe your right..
A bit older, oddly shaped hammer, different front sight, same barrel length, same manufacturer Perfection

Mr yoda.. you have started down a LOOONG slippery slope.. were all waitin' on ya at the bottom