Visited a LGS today and looked at a Model 27-2, 3.5 inch, no target trigger/hammer with magnas. The gun would have been about 90% save two issues with the cylinder. On opposite sides of the cylinder there were places where the blue was not intact. One side looked almost as if the issue was on top of the blue but I could not wipe it off so I assume it is a finish issue. The other side is similar but maybe a little worse. One could position the cylinder in the frame where these problem places could not be seen. The case color on the trigger/hammer were beautiful. The OTD price was $750 and they would not come down any. I would conservatively put the gun at 85% with the noted cylinder issue.

Around this part of the country we rarely see 3.5 inch guns. I was wondering if I did the right thing or not.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Bill

I would have passed too as I do not need another 357 N frame shooter.

If I did not have one and didn't want to spend four figures for a 95%+ one, I would have bought it.

I would have bought it at that price.

Assuming it was mechanically sound and in spec, at that price I'd've walked out with a nice shooter 27 snubby I wouldn't have to worry about actually using.

A strong maybe on a mistake....... sounds like the gun was laying on something..... .... go back see if they will spray the spots with some gun oil let soak and rub lightly.....at 90% I'm assuming muzzle and some other minor wear........????????

A 3 1/2 inch "shooter grade" for $700( pre tax here) would be nice to have..... something too nice .....not so much

I was doing good to get the employee to find a silicone rag to wipe it and it was only because he was part time. This place has a rep of hiring mall ninjas and know it alls and is not very customer friendly. I only go there because it is a pawn shop and sometimes takes in interesting stuff.

I would have taken a chance on it. It's worth it as a shooter if it wouldn't clean up and be worth more.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I'd have to see your specimen first. I did pass on a 3½" 27-2 at $900. Some wear, but it had a stainless hammer and a jeweled trigger, neither original to the firearm. The seller didn't wish to come down any.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

It's a shooter grade gun.
Do you want a shooter grade gun badly enough to sink $750 into it? If so, it might have been a mistake to pass it up.
If you were looking for more of a collector or safe queen gun, or something to resell for a profit, you did well to let it lie.
Just my $.02.

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John

I would have passed too...

Then again if it was a mechanically sound 27-1 or older revision with diamond grips it would be a different story.

I'd have taken it at that price. To me a shooter 3-1/2" is worth $750

If your gut told you no, then go with what your gut told you. Keep the $750, and keep adding to it, and get something nice. When you have a little more coin.

I passed on a (legitimate) mint model 58 last summer. It was perfect. They had it marked for $1000, and said I could take it out the door for $800. I hemmed and hawed on it, then decided to go back and look at it, I had them hold it for me, I went and looked at it again. I almost said, I'll take it, but part of me held back.

I drove home thinking I messed up. I got home, and realized it wasn't for me. I don't reload, I'd be afraid to shoot it and make it less than perfect. It just wasn't right for me. Another forum member asked me about it, I gave him the details, and he had it sent to his FFL, and he is thrilled with it.

I don't regret it.

I don't think you should regret the 27-2.

$750 is right for a rough 3.5" 27-2, but $750 will also get you a perfect 19 or 66, or a real nice 28.

Again, your instincts probably steered you right here.

I'd have to look at it to say if it was a good or fair deal, but as Tom said, if it wasn't right for you, you made the right decision.

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Even older, even crankier....

I agree! Just saw one at the Reno show offered at $1395. I really want a 3.5" 27, but not $1395 bad.

Around here, if you'd passed on a 3.5", 27, for $750.00 you wouldn't have to worry about rather you made a mistake.

It would be gone before you got back from the men's room.

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John 3:16 .

It matters in what part of the country you live, as to how much certain guns sell for.
Me personally, I would have passed on it, but I'm pretty fussy about condition of my guns.
I don't buy a gun with any known defects, physical or mechanical.

My philosophy is that another one will always come along if you'll just be patient. It's always worked out for me, but I'm an old fart (almost 68). It took me many years to come to this conclusion.
But my patience has almost always paid off.

Damn! I could have said the exact same thing,verbatim.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

I would have taken it at that price.

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Don Mundell

Assuming that the finish wear was the only problem with that gun, I would have taken it. Around where I live, you hardly see any P&R 27's, much less with a 3 1/2" barrel. And it should run just fine as a shooter with a little finish wear on the cylinder. And if you were in the market for a shooter grade gun anyways and the wear on the cylinder bothered you that much, you could always send the cylinder off and get it re-blued and then have a great looking shooter grade pistol.