The 8 3/8" Appreciation Thread!

Nframe_is_no1 · #1 09-12-2011, 11:34 PM

I thought it was time to give our long tubed Smiths the respect they deserve! I have always liked 8 3/8" Smiths, especially model 27s even though the knowledgeable collectors here say they tend to bring a bit less than other lengths. An 8 3/8" 27 was on my grail list for years, and then last year I found two in about a month. Anyway, here's my 8 3/8" Smiths, feel free to add yours!

Model 17-3, 3Ts and special order factory red insert patridge blade front sight

S series Model 27-2 (1966), 3Ts as well as special order red ramp front /white outline rear sights.

Model 27-3, 3Ts:

Model 460 XVR:

Model 500:

Dennis The B · #2 09-12-2011, 11:38 PM

...I own. A real tack driver.

GLL · #3 09-13-2011, 12:56 AM

25-5

Jerry

TDC · #4 09-13-2011, 04:46 AM

Three N frames that haven't been included yet....

glenncal1 · #5 09-13-2011, 10:04 AM

I have a few:

27

29

17

53

48

fyimo · #6 09-13-2011, 10:57 AM

Here's mine
29-2

629 no dash

14-4

17-4

Model 27-2

nightshade2x · #7 09-13-2011, 11:07 AM

Here's a few I have (had):

14-4 (sold)

Target Python (sold)

586

27-2

29-2 (pictured in the center) with the rest of the gang

Nice stuff guys. I tend to like the long tubes.

Have fun and be safe.
Nightshade2x

bmcgilvray · #8 09-13-2011, 11:12 AM

I like the ungainly things for some reason. They're posted here.
The Long-Barreled Smith & Wesson Thread

rags · #9 09-13-2011, 12:08 PM

Just the one...27-2

rags

kenjen · #10 09-13-2011, 01:21 PM

my 686-1

Wyatt Burp · #11 09-13-2011, 02:31 PM

This 1979 29-2 is the only 8 3/8" S&W I've ever owned. With Claro Walnut Karacs.

bravastar1 · #12 09-13-2011, 11:46 PM

How about a Md 29 no dash. If there is another out there I would love to see it.

nutsforsmiths · #13 09-14-2011, 01:21 AM

I have a few, but this is the only one I have a picture uploaded for right now.
It is a Pre-29 that was originally shipped in 1956 with a 6.5" barrel, then sent back to the factory when the 8 3/8" barrel length first came out around 1958-59. Then it was shipped back in the new style case.
I will try and get pictures of the others that I have up at a later date.

TAROMAN · #14 09-14-2011, 01:29 AM

29-2. Bought this one in 1975 at the height of Dirty Harry mania. Found it to be a great hunting and later silhouette gun:

17-6. Wanted a .22 companion gun to the .44, so this one was added about 1981. Very good silhouette and pest gun:

14-4. LGS got this one in about the same time. So, why not? A nice revolver, but I've never shot it much:

(barrel isn't bent, just my cheapo camera)

RKmesa · #15 09-14-2011, 02:47 AM

Hey - you guys are letting the secret out on the greatness of these long tubed revolvers.

Now we're going to see prices start to jump. I actually have a bunch of the long tube 27's, pre 27's and pre-war 357's and have shared many of the photos on the Forum. Here is a non RM with a HBH and 8.375" barrel (I don't think that I have shared this one yet):

Whoops

- This gun is a little pre 1962 - Hope you'll forgive me for posting it in this part of the Forum....

glenncal1 · #16 09-14-2011, 09:52 AM

RK, that is a sweet one. I will offer you 5x the original list price for the gun

GF · #17 09-14-2011, 11:00 AM

Man!

Some heavy hitters posting in this thread. Nice guns boys.

Let me sneak a few in...

29-2

Mod 18

Mod 27-2

14-3

GF

fyimo · #18 09-14-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GF

Man!

Some heavy hitters posting in this thread. Nice guns boys.

Let me sneak a few in...

GF

Great revolvers and beautful photos as always. Those are some killer grips on the 14-4 and 27-2

Chubbo · #19 09-14-2011, 03:51 PM

My long tube collection. The Magna Classic 629 is about 7/8" short, but was in the picture I had. The others are a mod.14-4, a 27-2 and a 57.

Chubbo

410bore · #20 09-14-2011, 04:22 PM

617-0

17-6

have a couple more but dont have pics handy

TDC · #21 09-14-2011, 10:19 PM

WOW!!! I don't think I've ever seen a thread where every single gun displayed was at the top of my "drool" list and at least worthy of a "Like" button.

I don't need to name everybody because you all know who you are.....

What a great crossover display of S&W's from all era's and frame sizes....

valkyriekl · #22 09-15-2011, 01:43 AM

I just picked up this 27-2 yesterday (for a song and a dance, too!), my first and (so far) only revolver with a long tube, so now I can join in on this thread:

digi-shots · #23 09-15-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bravastar1

How about a Md 29 no dash. If there is another out there I would love to see it.

Here's mine... shipped December 1963:

YeshuaIsa53 · #24 09-15-2011, 08:12 AM

My two favorites:
14-1 minty
14-1 formerly used in competition, not by me

redbos · #25 09-15-2011, 08:28 AM

You know, I have a bunch of 6 inch Smiths, but I am inspired. Those 27-2's and Model 14's with the long tubes have me looking now! Like someone said, the secret is out, prices will rise now!

Sportsterguy · #26 09-15-2011, 06:05 PM

Beautiful Hog Legs guys! Make for one accurate revolver and tames them magnums down. My best friend offered me his 8 3/8 nickeled no dash 57 with the presentation case, tools, paperwork and ANIB for $500.00 some 3 or so years ago. Turned him down as I was on a 3" kick, now I'm kicking myself for not buying it.

aslap · #27 09-15-2011, 06:39 PM

Given to me for a bit of work cataloging a gun collection.
What a world!!

Tony S.

nutsforsmiths · #28 09-16-2011, 12:15 AM

Here are a few more that I just uploaded.

Model 48-3 shipped in 1977. I have the original magna grips for this pistol, but I enjoy shooting it with the grips that are on it

Model 647

Model 57 shipped in 1975

Nframe_is_no1 · #29 09-17-2011, 09:33 PM

Beautiful guns everyone so far! I am really impressed! Now I have to get a new keyboard since I soaked this one with drool.

BTW,

Quote:

Originally Posted by GF

Man!

Some heavy hitters posting in this thread. Nice guns boys.

Let me sneak a few in...

Mod 18

GF

I never heard of a model 18 with an 8 3/8" barrel! They were only made in 4". Is that a rebarrel or did you mean to say model 17?

teesur · #30 09-17-2011, 10:53 PM

Another Model 25-5
teesur.

pharmer · #31 09-18-2011, 12:18 AM

Only one, 29-5. Joe

Dave_n · #32 09-18-2011, 07:32 PM

I am photo-challenged! but I would add a 57 no dash, a 25-5 and a 29-3 all with the"long tube". Dave_n

GF · #33 09-19-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nframe_is_no1

Beautiful guns everyone so far! I am really impressed! Now I have to get a new keyboard since I soaked this one with drool.

BTW,

I never heard of a model 18 with an 8 3/8" barrel! They were only made in 4". Is that a rebarrel or did you mean to say model 17?

32 D'oh's in 15 Seconds - YouTube

Yes it is a Mod 17. Forgive me, I'm new at this....

GF

Nframe_is_no1 · #34 09-19-2011, 11:40 PM

GF,
Thanks for getting back to me on that. My curiousity was killing me! Mistakes happen.

dnonac · #35 09-20-2011, 09:57 AM

27-2 shipped July 1974.

squarles67 · #36 09-20-2011, 11:55 AM

I'm new to the long tube club

This is my first one, a 27-2 from 1973 I picked up a few weeks ago

semperfi71 · #37 09-20-2011, 01:41 PM

I have found the 8 3/8 inch S&W N-Frames to be just about useless in most applications.

They are too long to carry concealed.

They are too long to carry comfortable.

Holsters are too expensive because they require more material than a 2 inch snubbie.

They are too cumbersome for the "quick draw".

I have found one use for them. If grabbed by the barrel and thrown as a boomerang they will work almost as well as a boomerang. As in the fact that when they make contact with something, they will knock it out.

Try it sometime. They won't come back to you though.

Seriously I own two, a M29-2 and a M27-2 and will be looking for a M57.

Very nice pics and revolvers here.

big50_1 · #38 09-21-2011, 01:15 AM

My most favorite .357: 27-2

29-3: Too much gun for me; hence, gone. Getting older makes snappy recoil not fun.

These are great hunting guns. Good to shoot but awkward otherwise.

S&W_aussie · #39 10-15-2011, 05:31 AM

My meagre contribution:

A couple of nickel 29-2s

GM4spd · #40 10-18-2011, 11:57 AM

from June 6,1960

Trighap · #41 10-18-2011, 01:18 PM

I had one in 45 Colt 20 years ago. it could hit a qt. oil can at 85 yards from just a sitting position w/o a rest of any kind. But I sold it for reasons I can no longer remember. I was young & dumb at the time...

Rich King · #42 10-18-2011, 04:17 PM

I currently own this one a S&W 17-5 with 3-T's, but I have had 2- 57's in 8 3/8" one nickel one blue with the wooden boxs.
Regards,
Rich King

MAG-NUM · #43 10-18-2011, 04:57 PM

GM4 the finish on your gun is amazing

Below is my 586 no dash.

And a mint model 57 in a relined display case.

Mike1957 · #44 10-18-2011, 05:39 PM

17-4

29-3

500

Tom K · #45 10-18-2011, 09:45 PM

I don't have any pictures handy, but squirreled away in my safe are 8-3/8 Models 17, 48, 14, 27, 29 and 25.

My first was the Model 17 bought about ten years ago. I didn't particularly want it but it was at a pawn shop and it was so pretty I couldn't stand the thought of some knucklehead (besides me) getting his mitts on it. As my close-up vision gets worse, my interest in the longer barrels rises. Still looking for a long Model 57.

YeshuaIsa53 · #46 10-20-2011, 02:38 AM

14-3, another of my favorites

bshepherd · #47 10-20-2011, 05:16 AM

27-2 and 629. I need a 57, a 29, a nickel one etc

SgtSam · #48 10-20-2011, 11:01 AM

Don't have any pictures, don't have a digital camera.

But, I do have an M27-2 with the 8-3/8" pipe. Gorgeous gun, but I'm thinking of selling it.

I used to have an M57 with the 8-3/8". Sold it some 15 years ago. Sorta' regret its passing, but it was killing my hands to shoot it much. I didn't reload at the time and the only ammo available was .41Mag full power loads.

I did sell an M29 with a 6" barrel. Couldn't stand the .44Mag loads anymore, same problem as the .41Mag, and thought I'd just replace it with a .44Spl model. Didn't do that, however.

teesur · #49 10-20-2011, 06:40 PM

Here is another Model 27-2, c. Jan. 1976. This one shoots about as well as any revolver I've ever shot.
teesur.

Retired W4 · #50 10-20-2011, 08:57 PM

The only long tube I still own, other than a Ruger Super Black Hawk in 44 Mag. This is probably one of the last 25-5 pinned barrel 45 Colts. That's just off the cuff. I could be wrong about that. The right stock panel is stamped 5 1982. Picture lacks, but it can shoot!!!