My first gun was a NIB Model 27-2 5" blue purchased by me in 1974 for around $200. Like a dummy i sold it a few years later to fund a new Model 27 nickel in the presentation case. I got it home and started really looking at it closely and could not believe how lousy the quality was. It was just a poor copy of an N frame in my book. It was nothing like my beautiful blue 27. I sold it right away.
Here I am,30 years later with the N frame bug again! My ideal gun would be identical to my first gun,but I would be open to any N frame,in any caliber (as long as it is newish and blue and shorter barrels preferred).
Question: I can get a new gun for less than I can buy an older one in mint condition and get it pronto as well. Are the new Classics of equal quality fit,finish and blueing as the old ones? Is the lock a deal breaker?

I'd always but a used one before the new ones

You can buy a fine used one for less than a new one too

I'm not so sure there are any new blue N frames with short barrels. Heck I don't think S&W makes anything shorter than a 4" in blue in any frame size. Looks like your choice has been made for you.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

Thanks for the advice. By short I meant 4''or 5". I suppose I would even get a 6 1/2" if the right deal came along.

There are a fair number of 3.5 and 4" (pricey) and 5" (less so) model 27s at less than new gun prices. Keep watching the classifieds and auction sites and good luck.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Buy used (IMHO). I think you'll be alot happier. The finish is no better today than it was years ago, the blueing is almost black and does not have the sheen of the older stuff. The only thing about the lock that is a deal breaker for me is the ugly hole in the side. Every time I see one the gun looks like it's damaged (and I own two lock guns, a 629 and a 25-13). If you're patient you'll find the right one.

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Even older, even crankier....

Ditto! Go for the used N Frames!

I've always been partial to the older Smith's. That being said, all Smith's are not equal, as you have noticed. I have owned a number of K-frame Smith's and they have always exhibited excellent quality. Then I purchased a model 48 made in 1980. Until you look close, it looks real nice. Up close you see excessive tool marks left from a sloppy job of final polishing prior to blue. Definitely sub-par for what I would expect to come from S&W.

I'll continue to purchase classic Smith wheel guns, but I can't get warm and fuzzy about the new designs and lawyer proof models. And I'll keep a close eye on quality whatever year a particular revolver was made. And although I can't generate much excitement over the latest designs coming from Springfield, MA, thank goodness there will always be plenty of 'used' guns on the market to satisfy my needs.

This is not the only time I've taken issue and it seems like some years are more prone to finish issues than other years. Having spent my life as a Manufacturing Engineer I know how these things happen. Everyone is looking to shave corners and cut manufacturing cost but quality should not be the item sacrificed. I'll pay extra for quality. If I wanted it cheap then I would have purchased a foreign import revolver.

Well buy used of course.

Here's my S&W 27-2, 3.5" - LGS $350- 10-15 years ago.



I also like Mod 28 and have two(2) old ones - 4" 5 screw and a 6".

N frames just shoot good.

You want a nice finish...then find a late 50s to mid 1960s N... I have a blue 4" and 6" Model 57s that were made in 1964 and they are stunning...as in seeing yourself in a blue mirror blue.





The one in the middle is also a 64 but the finish was ruined and was reblued...





Bob

IMO, any of the older N frames are a wise choice in today's market.. The older ones will only gain in value and that is a big issue should you decide to trade it or sell it later.

A big benefit to buying a new S&W, however, is their lifetime postage paid both ways warranty. The internal lock issue can be easily "defeated" leaving the MIM features as the only major controversy remaining for the new guns. I also have several of the newer guns and neither of those issues have caused me problems.

Some of my earlier favorite frames... These are all pre-1979 guns...

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Terry

I like the older pinned & recessed guns much better so I would search for an as-new N-Frame. The downside of that is that it takes time and patience. In my opinion, it's worth it.

If you are not too concerned about caliber, you should be able to find something fairly soon.

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You're shy a few manners.

I will not buy one of the new ones until I can't find an old one in like condition for inside of $200 more. (usually less)

Just go to your LGS and handle new and older guns. I'm sure you'll find one you like.

I own both, and rate it on the particular gun over whether it's new or an older model.

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Watch & Pray

There are lots of beautiful S&W N frames out there used and in some cases they are near mint and you can buy them usually for equal to or less then a brand new one with the lock.

Here's a 27-2 with 5 inch barrel I bought for $680 two years ago

fyimo, that gun is stunning! The blue color and shine, the grips look great! I just got a 28 no dash, and as good as it looks, that just puts it to shame! ( i know that it is meant to be that way) Bob

Best advice of the whole thread.

I own some of both.......ALL are good.

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S&W Accumulator

I'm gettin' a little light headed lookin' at those Cokes...

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Even older, even crankier....

I don't have a 27 myself, but IMHO; I just compare the price and quality of a new one to a used one. In my personal experience the used ones are at least as good as the new ones and cost a lot less.

But that's just my .02.

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But then, what do I know?

While I prefere the old guns generally, I can find much to fault in the 21-4, "Thunder Ranch", 44 Special I bought not long ago. It's got a non-pinned barrel, mim parts, and a lock, but looks like a million bucks and in my very limited shooting, shoots like one too.



But I did get it used.

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John 3:16 .

"N" frames??. OK look for one of the lew horton 24-3 with 3" bbl, or even a 24-4 with 4" bbl these are blued finish. 624 44 special I believe that these came with 3"4" and 6.5" all in stainless steel. Factory winchester 44 specials fired in these revolvers is almost like firing a 22 as far as recoil goes. First time I shot my 624 with the 6.5" bbl I had a big smile on my face. If you don't reload and you should, you'll find a wealth of information here and in loading books that goes from mild to wild. Both cast bullets and jacketed bullets as well. Frank

From the standpoint of the feeling and appearance of quality, I personally feel like the older pre- numbers guns up to the last of the pinned and recessed are overall much better fitted than many of the brand new, CNC'd N-frames.

Work the hammer and trigger and feel the cylinder lockup on an old N frame that is in good shape, now pickup a new one and cock the hammer and feel the cylinder.....

I love my x-frame 500, but I would pay $150 more to have an action like my 28-2. My x-frame goes clunk when I cock it. My 28-2 goes click, snick like a fine watch.

Smith and Wesson, just like all other firearm manufacturers went to cnc and less hand fitting of parts. When You consider that the older employees were master gunsmiths compared to today's robot-watching assemblers, You might imagine the difference.

My vote, hands down, old N frame over new.

Being that you owned one of the "good ones" (older model) and you know what it SHOULD BE, I would definitely get a used one. Not to beat a dead horse over it again, but I for one just will NEVER accept the internal lock. Not withstanding the lock, the new Smiths are nothing like the old ones in terms of quality. I just had the opportunity to handle and shoot a new M617 & M686 and IMHO they were pathetic (fit & finish, trigger pulls, smoothness, & looks) in comparison to the older versions.

Chief38

I still wholeheartedly disagree with everyone who patently disregard every Smith & Wesson manufactured since the "MIM/IL" era. Some of the newer guns are superb examples of the gun making art. Certainly the older guns are finished to a cosmetic level unobtainable today. Time and technology have marched on. I own a few beautiful 1960's and 70's examples of the N frame art. Also in the safe are several 1990's- 2000's N frames with the MIM/IL. In accuracy, mechanical fit and trigger precision, the newer guns hold their own and have become constant range toys!

The 21-4 and 22-4 Thunder Ranch Revolvers shown here both have factory single action triggers which break at 3.2 lbs and have DA pulls of 10lbs. The only factory triggers better than those two are my 1975 27-2 @ 2.75 lbs SA and my 1989 617 @ 2.85 lbs SA.

I purchased both used for way, way less than new!

If S&W ever produces the M21 in .45 Colt with a 5" barrel, I may just have to order one. MIM, IL, and all.

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You're shy a few manners.

That's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. S&W is a mere shadow of what it once was. Quality control is non-existant and your chances of getting a gun that has to be returned for re-build are very good.

Go for the older gun and pay a little more if you have to, to get the condition you want. You'll be miles ahead.