I've wanted a Model 27 4 inch model. The pre27 and first 5 screw 4 in. models that are a preference were scarce special order items that now bring $ that is beyond my budget by far. I understand that the 2nd 27-2 4 inch models were also less produced, but available by us, less deep pocket Smith devotees. That said, I wanted to ask the members if you are fortunate to have a 4 inch model 27-2 357 2nd model on hand in your herd of Smiths ?

I have many 27s and one 357 Magnum (what people like to call a Pre-27) however only 2 of them are 4" guns.

Neither of my 4" 27s are from the -2 engineering revision, they are newer

My first 4" was the 8 shot version manufactured in 2000 in the Performance Center. This is a -7 engineering revision

I am not a lover of the 4" and most of my short barrel Model 27 revolvers are 3 1/2", I have some shorter but they are 327s and 627s

I never had plans on buying a second 4" until I came upon one that was finished in nickle and manufactured in 2008. I think this is a -9 engineering revision, but I would have to pull it out of the safe a I never make note of engineering revisions, just the Model numbers

The modern nickel was so stunning that I purchased my 2nd 4" Model 27. Truth is I have only fired it once. Cleaned it and put it away

The two Model 27s that I shoot the most are one of my 3 1/2" 8 shots and one of my 6 1/2" 6 shots. The 6 1/2" has the red post Patridge front sight and that really works well for me as my eyes get older

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"Acta non verba"

The 4" barrel was offered in the last few years of 27-2 production. Nickel seems to be more common than blue.

This one's mine.

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"I also cook."

I have two 4" blue 27-2s. One I bought in new condition in the presentation case back in the early 80s. Have fired it some over the years, mostly in my back yard chronographing handloads. The case and target stocks are long gone because I like magnas. The other is a more recent purchase and is as new as can be without being fired. Replaced the target stocks with magnas and have fired it once. I thought it was too nice to be fired and thought about selling it but I have decided to keep it and fire it some as I have realized that I will not again soon pass this way as the saying goes. So die with the gun or die with money in the bank unspent for others to spend? Does it matter?

It’s is a recent purchase. The barrel isn’t pinned but cylinder is recessed. It was made in 1981.

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4" barrels were available to order on M27's throughout production, but the 3.5" was the catalogued standard barrel until 1979, when 3.5" and 5" barrels were discontinued and the 4" became the catalogue standard along with the 6". By far, 3.5" barrels outnumber the 4" until 1979. For me, the visual balance of a 3.5" looks better if the gun has magna stocks rather than Targets, but the 4" looks okay with either one.

Here's my P&R 4 inch from 1980. Came with a wood presentation box but maybe not THE box. I think it's the only one I've seen for sale locally.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Thinking back Randy, I don't remember ever owning a 4" 27. They just haven't come my way.

I had a -3 4" 27 that was one of the nicest shooting guns I owned. Not P&R but it was a shooter both SA and DA. If you want one just to shoot don't overlook the later dash models.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

Well, I started this thread in anticipation of receiving
a 27-2 4 inch model I won on an auction earlier this week. I wasn't looking at the possibility of finding a
reasonable one to buy, but a shooter grade showed up on GB this past week and I bid on it and surprisingly won the auction at 755$. I was surprised
it stopped at that price. It appeared in decent shape by the pics, so I'll find out in the next few days how I did once It's in my hands. I was wondering if there is any idea how many of the 4 inch types were made that showed up mostly in the end run of 27-2's.
This one has the target hammer and trigger pieces
on it apparently from the factory.
This is the the rare buy I've done this year for this Christmas Season as my S&W present for Ole Fleabus. I'll post pictures when it's in hand.
I wanted to see other model 27 4 inch models the members may have.
Best, Randy..

Congrats!!! Here's my 4" 27-2 (N831378 - shipped May 1981)...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Congrats! I purchased a 4" two 5" and a 8 3/8" in the last year. They all appear in new un fired condition, presentation case, papers, and tools.

$1150 to $1600. That sounds like a great price. I lean more towards the collector side instead of shooter grade so for me if there is one single mark I am out.Plus must have box papers, and tools.

On the other hand, I would pay that any day for a shooter. Post picks. Sounds like a good deal.

I am asking in a most respectful manner, but how could you pass on the target grips in favor of Magna's? When I bought my first 357 in 1974 with Magna's I laughed out loud and said that looks like toy cap gun grips I had as a child. He hooked me up with the larger target grips before I walked out the door. Still have the gun and both sets of grips.

Can't make up your mind?

Get one of each.

bdGreen

Now I see what my shallow pockets passed on to wait for a blued one. When you put it that way, makes me feel foolish passing on several nickel models. Had I seen one in that condition, I would have somehow made amends. That nice nickel may have me looking again.

This nice nickel one will cost you.

It's a beauty and worth it.

bdGreen

Easy as pie. I prefer the looks of the magnas as they fit the frame and don't give the gun the bulky look that targets do. And most importantly magnas fit my smallish hands as though they were made for me. Actually they were made for people like me

Still on the search for the 4”.

Fleabus101 glad you were able to snag that one earlier this week and I had a bid on the same gun but stopped short…at least I know it went to a good home👍

I know your GB name now so I’ll be cautious when I see it on future guns🤣🤣

Masterbuck54

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Most call me Pete- SWCA#3248

Usually the first thing I do with any N-frame is to replace Target stocks with Magnas. Magnas feel and fit much better to me and they look better. I keep the Targets for sale or trade time; I don't throw them away. Our tastes vary and I won't criticize yours.

I got this one maybe 20 years ago. A local dentist, with the sweatiest hands I can ever remember, had this in a rumpled paper bag like a sammich. I asked "What's in the bag?" He pulled this out (N7558XX), told me a dealer's offer. I went $25 more. Joe

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Behavior Creates Destiny

I like the looks of Target stocks on longer barrels, but prefer magnas on shorter barrels for the visual balance. To me, the gun looks "tail heavy" with a short (3.5-4") barrel and target stocks. For shooting, magnas fit my hand better, or actually something in between would do best for me. I swapped the target stocks on my 4" M25-5 with magnas, and the M28-2 I have came with magnas. I shoot those more than my other N frames. The magnas do make the 6" M28-2 look a bit like a 1940's .38 pencil barrel, but that's okay too.

Well some of you guys make me feel a lot better owning a 357 N frame with factory magnas. It is the only N frame I own that doesn't have target stocks. Glad to know others like them!

Here's a couple of pics of my 4" 27-2 (N654XXX), which is a nickle gun that I bought 4-5 years ago in unfired condition (except for the test firing S&W did). First pic is how I received it.



And this is how it sits nowadays, wearing a set of John Culina's coke targets in Kingwood.



I felt I needed to replace the stock target grips on this gun as I'm not a big fan of how they fit my grip. But I also find that the Magna grips a bit too small for my hand too. But John Culina's targets feel just right, and look darned good doing so.

Here are a couple...

So, Went to N Ga to visit grandkids. While I was gone the GB 27-2 4 Inch
Smith arrived to my good friend and FFL during my trip. While I was away I
picked up an UnMarked Smith Blue Revolver Box and a Helpful Hints Brochure and a yet to arrive Orig S&W model 27 parts and instruction manual for its box. I maintain my
Smiths in either correct boxes or UnMarked Blue Boxes. Just my own storage habit. I'm into it for the final auction price of 755 $ and 72$ GB fees and taxes, and misc for about all in at about 875 $..The add ons sure kick the total up from 755 to the end price to 875 $ ..
I was really very very pleased at the almost new overall condition , other than very slight tip end muzzle wear, and a small rub mark on the very front of one of the cylinder flutes. These were shown in the blew up auction pics , but were actually smaller and not as noticeable as the pics portrayed. The rest of the bright finish is exc. I'm a happy camper..
It sold w nice condition Hogue rubber finger-groove grips. I have installed a nice correct period goncalo-alves figured honey color set of Targets on it for now.
It has the multiple Target options on it, Target Hammer , Target Trigger, prob had Target Stocks on it , that it wears again now. It also was made w the front red ramp and white outline rear sight as a benefit.
Overall , I'm tickled that my once a year Smith Revolver buy that has turned out well.
I will try to post a few more pictures of it soon , but here are a couple to look at.
Edit..Spelling fixes..
Best , Randy..

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Even at your all in price, I think you got a good deal on that gun.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

You dog you. Do you know how many people here are turning green with envy? I think those targets are perfect.

Those targets are likely what would have been on that gun from the factory, very nice set and identical to grips on my original 4” 27-2. I am not the original owner of the one I have but it appears to have not been fired and I have not shot it. I have no aversion to shooting what I have but I have a 4” model 28 that I shoot some and I may never shoot the 27. One of my grandchildren can shoot it someday when it passes down.

Like a few of the guys picked up one in blue and nickel to match.
On a side note it's a shame SW never offered these in SS during that period with real checkered topstrap.

The four inch 27-2 is a conundrum because there were so many 4" Model 28's out there that cost alot less,
Agree the four inch 5 screw guns ar way cool , IIR they appear right about the same time as the Combat Magnum and four inch 44 Magnum but about a year after the Highway Patrolman.

I'm the caretaker of 2 Nickel and 1 Blue 4' barreled late M-27s. I've been on the look out for a Blued and a Nickel 5 screw for years. So my revolvers are hole fillers in my collection for now. I've got the 8&3/8", 6 1/2", 6", 5", and 3 1/2" 5 screw 357 magnums in blue and nickel, just need the 4 inchers.
SWCA 892
PS, I'll still buy every 4 incher I can find if I have the funds.

I don't know if it mattered in the auction sale, but there was a thing worth noting.
The Smith was mentioned in its auction as a consignment sale.
When I picked it up and got it home I had a problem w it. My FFL friend hadn't done anything w it but set it aside til I got back and picked it up.
When I went to cycle it, I noticed the cylinder was really stiff rotating, the cylinder release slide knob was stiff on feeling binding, and the trigger and hammer weren't operating much at all.
So, I'm thinking , might be a reason it was being consigned. Now, I don't think at light speed since my strokes, so I pondered it as I went thru steps to look it over.
I put a few drops of oil into the action recesses, and opened the cylinder back up again to put a few oil drops on the extractor rod to help the cyl to rotate. It was then I noticed the extractor rod would barely push into the extractor recess under the barrel.
Hmm...So, Went to push and pull on the extractor rod back and forth, and saw it jiggle w some free play up and down. Hmm..
Using my poor operating fingers ( nowadays ) I started turning the extractor rod and saw it wasn't fully tightened. A few oil drops on it freeing it up some and spun it on to tighten it solidly in place..Eureka !!. Problem solved. A thing to note to Self, Always check for operator error when diagnosing issues or problems created by previous owners own mistakes. Made me wonder if even the selling gunshop knew what to do w the bound up Smith Action.. Ya never know..
So , my luck held out w the action issue along with the nice overall condition of this
very nice Bright Blue 27 P & R 4 Inch Smith & Wesson..
Best, Randy...

Had a similar but different issue with my recent pick up 27 ND. The yoke was stiff at opening so I thought someone switched the side plate screws. I switched the screws and the yoke was still stiff. Pulled the yoke for a good cleaning along with the recess it goes in, put the screws back the way I got it and...it works perfectly now. Must have been some serious crud in there. All's well that ends well.