I have found a 1950 model 357 magnum model in what I

would estimate to be in 95% condition 3 1/2 in. bbl. but it has

later non-diamond stocks on it. Is this worth buying at $700

out the door or should I keep looking for one that is 100%

correct with numbered grips? What do you say folks?

Buy it....

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Dave

Buy it. You'll regret it later if you don't.

Buy it and find some nice "bone" grips to go on it, like this...





Oh wait a minute... those are ivories.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Have you bought it yet?

While I'm generally looking for other types of grips I see enough sets of N frame diamond grips for sale that if I wanted this gun I would buy it and expect I could find a set of correct grips for it in a reasonable time frame.

Certain types of stocks are very hard to find. From my own experience, high horn Centennial grips are hard to find, pre war Detective Special grips are hard to find, round butt post war M&P diamond grips are hard to find. There are others of course.

The hardest to find for me was an original stock set for a Portuguese model AR-10 rifle. There were a little less than 10,000 rifles made. There were two basic models and some transitional models and they did not use the same types of stocks. So not all of the 10,000 AR-10s made were the Portuguese model. Of all model AR-10s, less than half remain. Of those, maybe half or less reside in the USA. On top of that, the stocks were not very strong and most of the rifles that were purchased by Sudan, Portugal, Guatemala or used in Army tests were well used and many were not well taken care of.
I bought a Portuguese model AR-10 with an after market stock set figuring I'd find an original set later. After 3 years and some help from an established collector who became a good friend, I found a set. I didn't realize how lucky I was to ever find a set for this rifle. Looking back, I would pass on this situation again.

I can't see it being a major problem for you to find correct grips for this Mod 357.

I agree with others. Buy it. In California model 28 "plain Janes" are going for $700.
Regards,
Howard

What do you want? Do you want a 100% gun in the original box? Then don't buy this one.

Do you want a high-end shooter grade 357? (I'm not sure about that "Model of 1950 357" moniker being correct terminology.) Then buy it.

You have to decide if this gun meets your needs and if the price sounds fair. None of us can make up your mind for you.

I recently offered a forum member the same amount for his 27-2 3 1/2" and he declined the offer. The one you are looking at should be a pre 27 so it should have an additional collectors value.

Saxonpig is correct, in the end only you can make the final decision about the purchase. Best of luck.

BUY IT! If I understood your post correctly, what you are considering is a 5 screw Pre-27 with a 3 1/2" barrel. That is one of the finest revolvers ever made in, perhaps the most desirable barrel length.

I have two. One is a 99% "safe queen" and the other is a 95% "shooter". The "shooter" is the one I enjoy the most.

Buy it. Then sell or trade it to me. You will be a happy person!

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Even older, even crankier....

Buy it, then get a set of Elk stag stocks and add a BK Grip adapter and shoot it.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I would be in the ER having a cast put on my wrist because of "wallet snap". Buy it.

Buy it, or at least give me the seller's contact info!

If I needed another pre-27 I would buy it. As mentioned before at 95% you can shoot it and not worry about devalueing it. I have a blued 3 1/2 inch pre-27 in about 80% that I shoot and a 100% 3 1/2 inch nickel pre-27 that I never shoot. If you want a shooter buy it. They are not getting any cheaper in that barrel length.

SWCA 892

get her done!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I do not need another one, but at that price I would buy it anyway. Maybe it shoots better than the others. Doubt it, but it would be fun to try it out. That's a bargain, and who cares whether it has original grips or not.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

If I wanted a 3.5" 27 or pre-27, I'd pay you to buy this for me. I am not a collector. I don't care about the box, or the grips, or a factory original vs. well done refinish. Most of my revolvers are or could have been duty guns. They are for fighting. From that perspective, this is a great gun at an outstanding price.

However: if you are a guy that values having matching grips, with the S/N inside, and know the difference a year makes it what grips were on a gun, and when S&W changed box configurations each time, this might not be the gun for you. I'm a professional nerd, and when I see that level of knowledge displayed, I am positively impressed. That I do not value that set of attributes does not mean I don't respect the knowledge, but I don't need the same things that some other members do.

Pick which of those value sets more accurately reflects what you want out of a given purchase, and act accordingly. If you want a shooter and have not yet taken steps to make this gun yours, you should fix your priorities and buy this revolver. Shortly after that, you should pay someone to kick you in the backside for not paying attention to what matters.

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NHI, 10-8.