Model 27-2 vs Model 28-2

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mrgoob

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If the big difference between the two is the polishing on the 27 then would one be better off buying the gun in better condition at the same price?

I am looking at a 27-2, 6" barrel, magna grips, blue box, blueing wear on sides of barrel and wear on sideplate. Bore looks good, grips are in nice shape. Guesstimate bluing at 85%. Serial #N21xxxx. Asking price is $625.

I have seen several 28-2's in much better condition for the about the same price.

So if the 27 finish is not perfect do I go for the 28 or buy the 27 and have it refinished?


Thanks again.
 
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Does the m27-2 have the target trigger and target hammer?

My M27-2's in nickel & blue have the target options. There pretty much the same except for the finishes and the blue one has the red ramp front sight while the nickel one has the patrage front sight.

When I look at the m28 no dash sitting here next to the m27-2 in blue they appear world's apart yet there pretty close to the same 357 magnum revolvers. The m27-2 with its awesome shiney blue finish looks like Cinderclla at the ball while the m28 is home scrubbing the floors.

I have three m28's and two m27's I like them both.
 
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As you describe it, this model 27 sounds overpriced. As you have seen, whether you are looking for a shooter or collector gun this one sounds like a pass.
 
mrgoob said:
If the big difference between the two is the polishing on the 27 then would one be better off buying the gun in better condition at the same price?

I am looking at a 27-2, 6" barrel, magna grips, blue box, blueing wear on sides of barrel and wear on sideplate. Bore looks good, grips are in nice shape. Guesstimate bluing at 85%. Serial #N21xxxx. Asking price is $625.

I have seen several 28-2's in much better condition for the about the same price.

So if the 27 finish is not perfect do I go for the 28 or buy the 27 and have it refinished?


Thanks again.
Click to expand...

You ask about going for the 28 or the 27, but you don't give any details about the 28. Is there a specific 28 you're comparing to the 27 with the intent of buying one or the other?

I'd also ask what your end use for the gun will be. Are you looking for a collectible or a shooter? In my opinion, there isn't a hair's difference between the two as far as "shootability" goes, if both guns are factory original with no action jobs having been done on them.

If the prices are more or less the same, I'd pick a 28-2 that looks good over a 27-2 that's 85%.
 
You do what you want. Your money and your decision. But here's my opinion since you asked.

1. I would never pay more for a 28 than 27. There's more to it than just how much original finish remains.

2. I would never choose a 28 over a 27.

3. I would never buy a gun intending to spend money to have it refinished thus reducing its value. If I can't live with the gun I am looking at then I skip it and look for a better gun.

I am still puzzled over the phenomenon regarding the 28. Designed and built as a low cost, plain Jane service revolver a cult has evolved where many people are saying they prefer the 28 to the 27. That, in my opinion, is insanity. The 27 is far, far more deluxe. Oh well...
 
Big Bill, glad the tests came out well.

I am looking for a shooter. I did not give specifics on a 28 because there are several I'm looking at and I just don't see many 27's around.

Thanks for all the responses. I'll look for the best condition low price 27/28 I can find.
 
SaxonPig said:
You do what you want. Your money and your decision. But here's my opinion since you asked.

1. I would never pay more for a 28 than 27. There's more to it than just how much original finish remains.

2. I would never choose a 28 over a 27.

3. I would never buy a gun intending to spend money to have it refinished thus reducing its value. If I can't live with the gun I am looking at then I skip it and look for a better gun.

I am still puzzled over the phenomenon regarding the 28. Designed and built as a low cost, plain Jane service revolver a cult has evolved where many people are saying they prefer the 28 to the 27. That, in my opinion, is insanity. The 27 is far, far more deluxe. Oh well...
Click to expand...

I bet that at this point people prefer a 28 over a 27, because if you found a real nice 27, how much are most people going to carry it and fire it? Someone else said it,they are tomorrow's Pythons and the value will joy to up. I was I'm one of my LGS's a few weeks ago, and started talking to one of the guys there. He had 3 model 27s and only one of them gets shot, and that is very infrequently, the other two are pure safe queens.

The 28 is something that you can still carry and shoot, and not worry about deteriorating your investment.

I know I am speaking in generalities, but this is generally true.

Look at it this way, how many people will drive a cool old restored Mustang, compared to a cool old Astom Martin. The Mustang will get driven, the Aston will be used very judiciously.

That's my $.02 anyway. You can use a 28 and not worry about it, and are you truly missing out on anything over a 27? I don't know.
 
The Model 28-2 and the model 27-2 are mechanically the exact same revolver but the 27-2 has a better polish job and the high luster blue and the steel top strap is checkered. The 28-2 made those two changes to cut the cost because the market they were aiming for and got were police officers and orders from law enforcement agencies.

So to me the question is if it's going to be a shooter and get shot a lot and the 28-2 is cheaper to buy and I would get that considering that both are in the same condition. To me the 27-2 is S&W best looking revolver from that era and that is why prices have been higher for the 27-2 when compared to both Models in the same condition.
 
The subject of the cost difference between the 27-2 and the 28-2 keeps coming up. Personally, I see it this way, I'd rather have two Model 28's than one Model 27 for the same money.

Also, when you have the sights aligned up and are squeezing the trigger, you cannot see the bright blue and the checkered top strap.
 
The problem is you can't get two 28s for the cost of a 27. The prices on the 28s have crept up to where they very close to the 27s. A recent post stated the writer just paid $750 for a 28-2.

As for buying guns to not use them, that ain't me. I have 8 Model 27s (or pre guns) and 1 Registered Magnum and I shoot every damn one of them.
 
SaxonPig said:
The problem is you can't get two 28s for the cost of a 27. The prices on the 28s have crept up to where they very close to the 27s. A recent post stated the writer just paid $750 for a 28-2.

As for buying guns to not use them, that ain't me. I have 8 Model 27s (or pre guns) and 1 Registered Magnum and I shoot every damn one of them.
Click to expand...

I like that you shoot them Saxon. These guns are works of art, but they are also very purpose built and can stand up to punishment of .357 rounds. They should be shot and enjoyed.

And BTW if I had the Aston Martin, I would drive the hell out of it, which I suspect you would do as well.
 
27

The 28 is like the fat girl - moped deal both are fun , but don't want to be seen with .The 27 is something that looks good & shoots good is a pleasure to clean, not wiping over a matte dull Highway patrolman that will never have any eye appeal IMO . That money go with 27. OldSeabee
 
If the object of the purchase is a shooter, there would be no advantage with either revolver. It would come down to mechanical condition and price. I would think that you could get a very nice 28 for the cost of that worn 27.
 
The m28's I bought are $695, while the m27-2's were $795. But there in excellent condition. I'd go for both if you can afford two's

We always seem to get stuck in a price time warp between what we paid years ago, to what deal we found last year. There are few and far deals or steals to be found today depending where we live in what part of the country, plus how much business the LGS is doing. If he is busy or not he could raise and lower his prices depending on how bad he needs the cash or not. Remember to haggle, point out the flaws on the gun. Say you collect and finish means everything. Buying two guns? Bundle them and haggle.

It's been said here that the s&w prices will soar near the python prices soon. I believe it.
 
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Both you can't lose.

Here's a hint every time I get into a new hobby the prices seem to go higher all the time. I was into the military surplus stuff and look at those prices in the last decade+?

Now I'm seeing even the older ruger security sixes and police service sixes going up lately.

My point is I remember the old surplus days when I purchased a Brazilian '08 mauser and a week or so later the prices soared from the average $150 to $450 why I don't have a clue. I'm thinking it's the demand. Or what's the hot collectable at the moment.

I just looked up my two m27-2's and there dated the 80's that puts them in the dirty Harry era. That's why there hardley used they were purchased as a gotta have that dirty Harry n frame. Now think back when everyone thought they were bad as Harry and had to have this 6 1/2" barreled magnum. They paid $550 as high as $750 on the black market to get one. The distributors were selling them as fast as hotcakes. I seen these guns appear at my dealer and the cash come out for these dirty Harry n frames.

Today's prices really aren't that far off.
 
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The last two 28-2s that I bought were $425 and $450. Not more than 20 minutes ago I saw a like new 6 inch 28-2 in a pawn shop just down the street. It was priced $599. Judging by past purchases at this place, it can be had for around $525-550 out the door.
The last 27-2 that I saw for sale locally was $1000. I'm well aware that prices vary up and down across the country. This is in my area.
I shoot, I don't collect. I would still take two 28's over one 27 for nearly the same money.
 
The fit and finish on this 1960's 27 is amazing.
Top strap work and action are old school.
But it's not a safe queen.
My 1873 Winchester gets shot, so why not this?

In fact I went out to a great dinner the other night and carried it, a bit bulkier than my normal 1911 but it works.

The 3" is perfect in speed and accuracy for self defense.

Your choice but I really don't see the comparison.

Mike
 

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As stated the M-27 has a better finish, hand fitting, and top strap checkering. What no one has mentioned yet, is the "snob appeal" that owning the flagship Smith and Wesson revolver.

These are two different revolvers made and marketed to two different markets.

If I wanted a N frame to shoot a lot and tote around I would opt of the M-28, if it was selling for a fair price.

If I wanted one of the finest revolvers ever produced, I would purchase the M-27.
 
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