I was on my way home yesterday from the local ACE Hardware and took the way that passes by the most local gun shop. They have had the same used revolvers for a while but I figured I would take a look anyway. To my surprise and pleasure sitting in the used section were 3 Smiths. A 63 4" in the original box with tools and paper SN. M1880XX, A 686-1 6" SN. AUT25XX, and a Model 27-2 6" or 6.5" barrel. ($1200). I bought the 63 and 686-1, two revolvers I really wanted but haven't found locally until yesterday, but the 27-2 was just too pretty to shoot and I shoot my revolvers. Here in NJ I have to wait for pistol permits which will take about a month and I am only allowed to buy 1 gun every 30 days. I will post pictures as I pick them up. If anyone wants to know where the 27-2 is just ask.

Always like to hear about someone buying a 686

Thanks Browns fan. It appears to have it's factory original grips. No box but they don't make them shoot any better. lol
My biggest dilemma at this point is do I pick up the 686-1 first or the 63 no dash. Darn Jersey laws.

Flip a coin. Can't go wrong with either one.

That is 100% correct bamabiker.. I am leaning towards the 63. I haven't had a .22 revolver in some time. Too long, actually.

I left NJ 43 years ago, the gun laws were already onerous. All desirable guns but these days .22 gets the most "exercise." Any one would be great to have, I vote 63. Good thing you can only purchase 1 a month. Since I have been here 5 is my record for one day purchases. Joe
#M141xxx.

__________________
Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

A great score! Congrats to you on your find. That hunch steered you on auto-pilot to that store for a reason. I've had similar things happen... Just go with it.

The .22 gets LOTS of use anymore for me, so it's King here at my lil rural chicken ranch.

I lived in Palm Beach County from '83-92. I was in culture shock the first time I stepped into a "hardware" store and bought a Costa Mesa AR-180 and a H&K 91 and walked out with them. OMG! I thought I was in heaven. LOL

I will have to agree that mine will too. .09 cents per round as opposed to .50 to $1.25. Even I can do that math. LOL

Most avid revolver fans I know reload. Even with primers taking a 3x jump in price in the last 3 years, my 38 reloads are still under 20 cents per shot. So only about double the cost of a 22.

Still, I shoot more 22 than all other calibers combined, just because I don’t want to be a slave to the reloading bench.

Understand your point, MajorD. I'm not a reloader so I have to buy factory ammo. I still work and this is my only hobby so I am allowed to spoil myself. After the cat, of course.

I'd take the 63 first. Is it common practice for the store to hold a gun (or guns) for the waiting period? I'm guessing you would have to pay up front. My state is much better for gun owners.

Yes. If I don't have a valid permit at the time they will store the gun,free of charge, until the permits become valid. And recently the term "lay-a-way" has gone out the window. Pay in full and wait.

Sounds like a nice haul! I have a 586 6" that I just love to shoot. It's to hot out right now though haha.

Yes it is. And rainy/muggy.

My advice. Get out of New Jersey.

I escaped from New Jersey in 2010. It sucks to be a gun owner in NJ, and it's getting worse. You have my sympathy.

Maybe my buddy Snake can help me?

Attached Images

PCS-Snake-Plissken-004-800x450.jpg (44.5 KB, 67 views)

Georgia may very well have been the best for gun owners----at least a while back---a loooooooooooooong while back.

I bought my very first brand new in the box handgun at the ripe old age of 18------and I didn't even live in Georgia.

"Wanna buy a gun?"----just put your money on the counter.

And talk about selection!! I bought a Browning Auto 5 as my first shotgun. They had A BUNCH of spare barrels----all lengths and chokes, so your gun could be custom made to order right then and there---and then the store clerk asked, "Do you want light wood or dark wood?"

"You pays your money, and you takes your pick!"

Ralph Tremaine

A friend of mine recently moved to Missouri. He said as long as the person selling a firearm is not an FFL there's no paperwork involved.

Good evening,
Central NJ here, nice job finding an early 686 and a 63 in the same place. Sure would like to take a look at that 27-2 if you're willing to give the shop's location. I passed on a 28 some years ago and wish I didn't.

The 27-2 is located at Freedom Firearms, 1800 Double Trouble Road, Beachwood, NJ 08722 848-238-7172. It is off of exit 80, GSP South. I am not affiliated with this business whatsoever, I just buy guns there.

The box has a little wear with one corner coming apart but the revolver looks,to me,unfired. Taking it to the range on Monday.

Could someone tell me the approximate age of this revolver. Even though the barrel is not pinned it is stamped MOD.63 and the box is marked Model 63. (no dash)

Attached Images

	thumbnail_IMG_20230824_164557931.jpg (42.5 KB, 60 views)
	thumbnail_IMG_20230824_164537895.jpg (54.2 KB, 71 views)
	thumbnail_IMG_20230824_164441812.jpg (131.7 KB, 84 views)
	thumbnail_IMG_20230824_164432890.jpg (131.1 KB, 77 views)

last two pictures....

Attached Images

	thumbnail_IMG_20230824_164432890.jpg (131.1 KB, 53 views)
	thumbnail_IMG_20230824_164416168.jpg (70.9 KB, 49 views)

Did you try to haggle offering to buy both? And just pickup the second 30 days later?

__________________
Romans5:8

Get the 63 first.

I wouldn’t go back for the 686. It doesn’t serve my needs.

The SCSW lists the SN as being 1981 production, but the unpinned barrel suggests a slightly later build date, perhaps 1982? Or it may be a gun made when that part first became available.

I used to live in a state that had a "one (hand)gun a month" law. I took that not as a limitation but a mandate and bought that many until I moved.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Yes I did. I was able to reduce each revolver by $100 each. I can do the paperwork on the 686-1 30 days. Take about a day for the NICS to come back.

I had to pay for it first so I would loose a "restocking fee" but I happen to like shooting .357 so I'm going to get it in ~ a month.

Thank you Alan. I have too much keeping me here so moving is not an option. I don't mind 1 a month. There is also a twice a year option where you can pick up 19 handguns at once if I wanted to. Dealer has to verify purchase. It's a little known loophole.

As a side note when I picked up the 63 I noticed the 27-2 I mentioned in the OP was still there BUT instead of $1200 it was now marked down to $895.00 No idea why. It looks like it was not fired very much if at all. P&R, 6", Original cokes. Of course I bought it. When I pick it up I will post it in a new thread.
SN N1625XX.

Domyou mind telling the price on the 63?

Not at all. I got the 63 and the 686-1(no M) for $857.50 each after the bundle. $1715.00 total.
It may sound a bit high to some but it's good for N.J. and they will only appreciate in value. From what I understand the 686-1 was only made for 1 year, 1986. Correct me if I am wrong.

Would love to see your 63. Just picked up one, RB with factory rubber grips, now looking for the orig Wood Grips, I prefer the Wood

This is my new toy👍😉

Attached Images

IMG_6422.jpg (41.1 KB, 66 views)

Check out the above posts #23&24. There are pictures.

My brother in Oregon was telling me about the Model 28 he sold years ago to help pay for his daughters education(along with other stuff) I was telling him about the 27-2 I bought. Sooo, I had my local FFL send the 27-2 to his local gun/pawn shop the other day and it arrived there yesterday. He is currently in California so he will have to wait until Monday to go pick it up. I consider it a very early b'day gift for April. Wish I had a brother like me LOL.

my brothers' exact words were "exceeds expectations" so I'm guessing he likes it.

Great stories. Yes you are a nice bruddah!
Good deals on those wheel guns also!

A set of J-frame target grips would round that 63 out nicely.

OP, is your brother sending pics of that model 27?

He's currently out of town and then will be heading for Germany for a week or so. I will ask for some pictures when he gets back.

The model 63 was always my grail gun when I was in high school in the 80s. I found a nice one in a LGS this past summer so it came home with me. I did inquire and someone here was kind enough to loan me a revolver chamber finishing reamer. I cleaned up all six chambers, the rounds drop in and out SO much easier now. I really enjoy that revolver.

Apparently my brother didn't like the grips that came on the 27-2 so he sent them back to me. I was wondering if these are factory grips and proper for a 1972-3 model 27-2?

Attached Images

	IMG_20231113_170436290_HDR.jpg (81.0 KB, 37 views)
	IMG_20231113_170457173.jpg (122.6 KB, 25 views)

They look like correct football targets to me. But then, my 27-2 I bought in April 1974 new had Magna stocks when I bought it. I think the model 27 started shipping with targets as standard was some time in 1975 or 76.

The N frame stocks are now listed in the For Sale section if anyone is interested

Both happy and sorry for you. Happy you still have a local gun shop and that you found some jewels for sale there. Sorry you still live in the PRNJ and are forced to live with foolish regulations. Congratulations on your find.