So, I get an email about a pre Model 27...

[Lew Archer]

...from my local gunshop. He had one on consignment. Excellent condition, though no box. 3 1/2 inch barrel, S prefix serial number. The Magna stocks are correct, but not numbered to the gun. Asking $1,750. Blue Book puts a 98% S prefix pre Model 27 model at $1,730, but not sure if that number contemplates a box and accessories. According to The Standard Catalogue of Smith and Wesson, the 3 1/2 inch barrel brings a premium. Serial number suggests 1950-51 manufacture.

Anyway, not an easy gun to find in California...

So, I stop by the shop on the way home from work. I have a Model 27, an FBI commemorative with a 5 inch barrel, made in the 1980s. So, a pre Model 27, while hardly something I need, is something interesting to me.

I take a look at the gun. Beautiful blue finish, almost new in appearance. Slight turn line. One very small scratch on the side plate. Stocks in very good condition. Just a fine specimen of a revolver.

The price seemed reasonable to me, though it's a lot of money. Anyway, I decided to give this fine old but new looking wheel gun a home.

A little paperwork, a swipe of plastic, and now a ten day wait till I can bring it home. Or to the range. It's been shot and deserves to be shot again!

 

[Blowncar]

Congrats, very tough to find a gun like that in Ca.

 

[Dave from Pa]

Good for you,hope it's a good shooter.

 

[CatboatWilly]

A 3 1/2 27 ....That is an unusual find and good luck with it. I wonder as states tighten their gun laws - are people dumping their collections out on the open market ?
I was speaking to a friend in NewJerseystan and the laws in NJ are getting so difficult just to head off for a day at the range that it's not even worth it any more so many are dumping their collections. Wonder if same thing is happening in California ?

Anyway, that's a great find and good luck with it.

 

[Lew Archer]

A 3 1/2 27 ....That is an unusual find and good luck with it. I wonder as states tighten their gun laws - are people dumping their collections out on the open market ?
I was speaking to a friend in NewJerseystan and the laws in NJ are getting so difficult just to head off for a day at the range that it's not even worth it any more so many are dumping their collections. Wonder if same thing is happening in California ?

Anyway, that's a great find and good luck with it.

No, I wouldn't say that's the case in California. Hunters will have to comply with ammunition regulations. Governor Brown vetoed most of the gun control bills developed in the wake of Newtown. But, as a practical matter, the current laws are pretty much the same as they've been for years--not as gun friendly as Arizona by a long shot, but far better than New Jersey or New York.

 

[fireball228]

Nice find, I also got one not long ago, now looking for others, would like to have all the different barrel lengths, they are just beautiful guns and may be as close to a registered magnum many of us will ever get !

 

[A10]

Pics or it didn't happen!

 

[Art Doc]

I'm really glad I bought mine back when I did. I couldn't afford to buy anything I own...now.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Quote:
Originally Posted by CatboatWilly View Post
A 3 1/2 27 ....That is an unusual find and good luck with it. I wonder as states tighten their gun laws - are people dumping their collections out on the open market ?
I was speaking to a friend in NewJerseystan and the laws in NJ are getting so difficult just to head off for a day at the range that it's not even worth it any more so many are dumping their collections. Wonder if same thing is happening in California ?

Anyway, that's a great find and good luck with it.


No, I wouldn't say that's the case in California. Hunters will have to comply with ammunition regulations. Governor Brown vetoed most of the gun control bills developed in the wake of Newtown. But, as a practical matter, the current laws are pretty much the same as they've been for years--not as gun friendly as Arizona by a long shot, but far better than New Jersey or New York.

I was thinking, other than California, New York, Connecticut, maybe Massachusetts, what states are tightening their gun laws? I will investigate New Jersey directly - I have not heard about anything new occurring there.

My question is, aside from the scarcity of a 3 inch Model 27 maybe anywhere, why would it be particularly scarce in California?

***GRJ***

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I'm really glad I bought mine back when I did. I couldn't afford to buy anything I own...now.

AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!!

I sometimes wonder if I'll ever add any more revolvers to my collection.

Then I think, "Yeah, you will; you'll find a way."

***GRJ***

 

[Lew Archer]

Pics or it didn't happen!

You bet...once the waiting period has passed...

 

[Lew Archer]

I was thinking, other than California, New York, Connecticut, maybe Massachusetts, what states are tightening their gun laws? I will investigate New Jersey directly - I have not heard about anything new occurring there.

My question is, aside from the scarcity of a 3 inch Model 27 maybe anywhere, why would it be particularly scarce in California?

***GRJ***

A few years ago, California enacted a law that limits the sale of handguns to those listed on the California Department of Justice (CALDOJ) Roster of Handguns approved for sale. To be approved, manufacturers have to submit a sample for "safety" testing. Any variation in an approved model, say barrel length or finish, would require that the variant also be tested and approved. A very costly process.

Approved handguns are on the roster for a limited time and if the manufacturer wants to continue to sell that model in California, the approval will have to be renewed. More cost to the manufacturer.

This means that dealers essentially sell only those handgun listed on the roster. These will generally be current production guns. Once an approved model goes out of production, the manufacturer is not going to spend the money to renew it and keep it the roster.

Smith and Wesson and Ruger are now suing California, and letting models drop off of the roster as they expire.

There are exceptions...private party transfers and, I think, curio and relics. When a dealer sells a gun for a customer on consignment, it's considered a private party transfer. Governor Brown vetoed a bill that would have eliminated this exception last year.

Single Action revolvers (except for the mini revolvers) are exempt from the roster requirement, ironically. So, a brand new Colt Single Action Army, which could never pass the drop test, does not have to be tested or be placed on the roster to be sold new by a dealer. That's curious, since the supposed purpose of the roster was to ensure that only "safe" handguns, specifically those that could pass the drop test, are sold in California. Why the exception? It was a compromise to get the law enacted, as Cowboy Action shooting was popular--and Cowboy Action shooters were not just conservative Republican types. A Bipartisan shooting sport! Anyway, the law wouldn't have gotten through without this exception, due to the potential political backlash.

So, most used guns sold by dealers are really consignment sales. Someone brings in a gun to sell, or a widow contracts with a dealer to sell off a collection, etc.

The law really dried up the used gun market, except for private party transfers. It's hard to buy on Gunbroker and such, since many sellers out of California don't want to bother with other California requirements. Additionally, if the gun isn't on the roster, it cannot be brought into California for sale. There are exceptions to this...peace officers can purchase non rostered guns, so they may buy a gun on Gunbroker--the seller will ship it to the California FFL, who will conduct the private party transfer.

Anyway, there is just not as much of a used handgun market here for these reasons. That drives up the price of used guns being sold on consignment, too.

 

[CatboatWilly]

Thanks for that explanation Lew ! NJ used to be my state of residence but couldn't afford it any longer. The state issues a Firearms Identification card and with that in your possession, you can buy long guns and ammo.
A separate permit is required just to Purchase a Pistol or revolver requiring approval of the local chief of police or his agent. A few$$ to the FOP helps. There are very few -if any- Carry permits issued to the general public.
If you are stopped with a gun, you better be a good talker and have a good excuse cause now, the legislature has decided that you can't even stop for coffee on you way to the range. NewJerseystan. It has always amazed me why people give up their hard fought for rights so easily. Better stop (Getting into a rant ! )

 

[gruntdeputy]

Lew,

You summed up the California situation very well!

Some of the "old" (off-roster) guns like K-frame S&W that come into CA gun shops have to be sold out of the state. So a Model 19 that is $500 everywhere else is $650-$750 here in CA... IF you can find one.

Frank
San Diego

 

[CatboatWilly]

Lew, Why do you allow the most bizarre people to enact such laws....?
Doesn't anyone object. Certain the general public couldn't care ??

 

[Troystat]

The "safety" law in CA is just pablum for the democrats so they can say they are trying to enact "responsible" gun laws. Really just a bunch of bs. A very nice pistol by the way.

 

[Lew Archer]

Finally picked up my .357 Magnum today...will post a couple of pictures soon...

 

[Lew Archer]

Now this is a Smith and Wesson! I was lucky to happen on to this one. At least, that's what I'll tell myself when the credit card bill is due!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Lew Archer]

I'm really glad I bought mine back when I did. I couldn't afford to buy anything I own...now.

That's what I call a sound investment!

 

[Stirling]

Now this is a Smith and Wesson! I was lucky to happen on to this one. At least, that's what I'll tell myself when the credit card bill is due!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Glad we finally have proof!!! Nice looking handgun that.