Howdy

I have come accross a couple of 27-2s. One is a 3 1/2" and one is a 5". They are in both in VG condition and about the some money.

So my question is which barrel length is more desirable?

Love to hear your opinions

CHeers

Mike

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N frame fanatic

Mike I have one of each in blue. I can't really say which i prefer. The 5" came to me unfired after leaving the factory so i have'nt shot it yet. The 3" gun is very fun and a great shooter. Love them both.
Maybe you should try to swing a deal to get both. Good Luck with
your choice you cannot go wrong with either one.




chuck

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They hold no Quarter

I'd opt for whichever works best for you. The 5" gun balances nicely for me, but the 3.5" here in the States is quite a bit more popular. Can't imagine people using one for a concealed carry gun but there you have it.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks for the replies Chuck and Alan

Does anyone know which is more common?

I am thinking of trying for both...but might be a little too expensive this month lol

Cheers

Mike

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N frame fanatic

I've got two 5" inch ones. I've never to my knowledge even seen a 3 1/2 inch but once, so I think the 3 1/2" ones are less common.

BTW. I REALLY like the 5 inch ones.

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John 3:16 .

I had a nickel 5-inch gun and yes they balance very well, but I truly love my 3 1/2 inch 27-2. It has this feel to it that is just all business. I can say that the 27-2 is more desirable, and yes you can carry it concealed, I do most of the time when I wear a coat.

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Vaya con Dios

What do you mean by "more desirable?" If you mean more sought after by buyers and worth more money when offered for sale then it's the shorter one. If you mean which is better in terms of shooting then I would say the longer one.

But that's totally subjective.

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No life story has happy end.

+1 on what SaxonPig said as the 5 inch is a better balance gun and is a great shooter. The 3.5 inch is rarer and usually commands a premium over the 5 inch when bought or sold. My 3.5 is an excellent shooter and very accurate but it does have more muzzle blast then the 5 inch.

I also have them both (a few of each actually) and I agree with the majority. The 5" is a better and more accurate shooter for me, but the 3.5" is just too cool. The prices on 3.5" models are 20-25% more up here in New England, and you almost never see them available.

I would think that you don't run into that many desirable N-frames down in AU, so I would make my best efforts to buy them both if possible. In my opinion, those two model 27s, along with the 4" model 28(-2) Highway Patrolman, are the best modern revolvers S&W produced.

Good luck to you.

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Ash

When you get to the issue of which is more rare, I would say the 5", although I believe the rarest 27-2 is the 4" for some reason. Usually the 4" model of any revolver is the most common as it seems to have been the popular police service length, but then again I don't suppose that many 27-2s went for police service.

I would go along with the others. I have both and find the 5" is the best balanced revolver I have run into for everyday shooting.

I have two 3 1/2 inchers and do on occasion use this one for concealed carry.


I suspect if I had to pare it down to one, I would go with the 3 1/2".

It will do everything you need in a 357. It is accurate enough for most needs. It will handle heavy loads with aplomb, and you can conceal it if need be.

As the others have said, the 31/2" seems to be the one in greater demand. I think the 5" would be more uncommon of the two.

Hey I bought these to on the same day, you can too.

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Eccentric old coot

Iggy,

Tremendous stocks on your blued 3.5". Great color and quality.

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Ash

Well since I just sent a check for a 5" I am going to go with 5". Now I need a 3.5" and 6.5" guns to round out the 27 collection.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

Since I don't got neither, I am gonna vote for the in betweener.

Buy 'um both! Buy one and lay away the other or lay away both, but don't let either of those hard to find M-27s get away. Sorry I get a little excited about Model 27s.

Leo

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

I have both barrel lengths,and while I like the 5", I really adore the 3.5". A 3.5" M 27 is a thing of beauty. That said, I would try and get both guns if at all possible.

Respectfully,
Mike Q.

Like i said in earlier post i like them both but the 3 1/2" has the cool
factor going for it. And like Iggy, i also pack this one every once in awhile. Like Leo said though, try to get them both. You won't regret
it later.


chuck

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They hold no Quarter

I'm partial to 3 1/2 inchers myself. I really feel I can shoot them as well as the longer ones. Maybe its because I don't shoot any of them that well, but I sure do enjoy them.

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Pat Henson

I much prefer the 5", but that's a minority opinion these days as the shorties are a bit of a fad. I find the 5" carries as easily as the 3.5" (bulk of the N frame cylinder and the grips are the bulky parts to conceal), and I certainly shoot the 5" better.

For just plain ole' eye appeal the shorter one is the best. For shooting the 5 inch can't be beat. Both of them are GREAT!

I vote for the 5 incher. I don't own either but I had a 6 inch that was a great shooter.

Mike, I'd say that the 3 1/2" is more desirable, but I'd try and buy them both since it might be a long time before an opportunity like that presents itself again. I have a 4" 27-2 but that 3 1/2" just looks so good.

Don't take our word for it, buy them both and decide for yourself! If it's the same seller, you could possibly get a better deal that way. If $ is an issue see if he/she's receptive to a layaway plan.

Years from now you'll regret missing out on the one you didn't get. IMHO.

Todd

Damn, that is a beautiful pair of revolvers!

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Quando Omni Flunkus Moratati

I recently got a 3 1/2" 27-2 and think it's the best modern S&W ever. since I got that gun I sold a 5" 27-2 to finance a 4" 29-2 and haven't regretted it at all. That short .357 is a great shooter now that i had a service trigger put in it.

I think a 3 1/2" for carrying, and a 5" for shooting.Are you going to carry it?

Tough call, the 3 1/2" might carry a little higher value, but not much over the 5". Whether or not you shoot the 3 1/2 better than the 5" is very personal, and unless you are shooting long distances it might be impossible to tell. Best bet is BUY BOTH.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I carry a 5 incher.

I'm an old Skeeter Skelton fan. he said if he could have only one revolver, it would be a M27 5".
So, I now have one and it's all I need in a .357 Magnum..

I prefer the 5" barrel myself--BUT if the price is fair buy both. the 3 1/2" is my second favorite.

John

For a field/range/hunting gun I would pick the 5".

For carry I would go with the 3 1/2".

For the "cool" factor, I would go with the 3 1/2".

The 3 1/2" Mod 27 is one of the Iconic S&W's.

Model 27 threads are timeless...

3.5” for carry or plain clothes
5” for field or uniformed duties

If I came upon a table with both at the same price and condition, but could only choose one,
it would be the 3.5” every time.

Both are the iconic Smith .357s

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I have a 3.5" pre-27 and a 5" 27-2.
I've never shot either one of them.
If it was going to be a shooter I'd pick the 5".

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

Never saw a model 27 that I didn't like.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

He never came back and told us what he ended up with.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

If I came across both it would be the 5er but then again I’ve never fallen for the blonde bombshell. I’m a Maryann type guy, I’ll leave 3.5 to you Ginger fellas!��

(
I always kinda had a Mrs. Howell thing when it came to 27s'
That is to say the pre-model thing floats my boat

For me, it would be the 5 inch.

Also a Maryann kinda guy.