My previous thread regarding the failure to fire problems on my first range trip:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/for...4/m/5941010392

***

I recently acquired a Smith & Wesson Model 27 Registered Magnum distributed by Lew Horton. This is the new version, complete with heretical lock. This revolver includes modern innovations for revolvers and has been modified by S&W's Performance Center. I chose this particular gun because it just looks great. I love the three and a half inch barrel and sculpted lug.


S&W Registered Magnum

This gun has a really nice list of features. It has everything I'd want on a revolver except a gold bead front and rear sights.


Eight chambers for two extra rounds of fun

The gun is chambered for 357 Magnum. It holds eight rounds and the cylinder is cut for moonclips. The charge holes have been chamfered and beveled for quick reloads. Both the front and backstraps are lined. It has a square butt and comes with magna grips. The wood is very nice on mine.

I did notice that the magna stocks allow the gun to twist when firing full magnum loads. Even the vertical serrations in the frame did not stop this. I plan to replace the stocks with some Eagle boot grips for square butt N-Frames.


Checkered top strap

The top of the gun is checkered. The checkering is not as good as I would like. Several lines across the top from right to left, are not deep enough or are completely missing. Several of these errors cross three lines, resulting in a long rectangle.


Ball detent

There is another lock-up point on the front of the crane. Also notice that the hammer is leaf shaped. The checkering on the hammer is very good and is not sharp like on my Ruger SP101.


Trigger stop

The Performance Center did some action work on the gun. Both the double and single actions are smooth and light. They added a trigger stop. The trigger face is smooth.



I fired a total of 75 rounds. I used Remington UMC 125 grain semi-jacketed hollow points, Remington UMC 130 grain FMJ 38 Special, and CCI Blazer 125 grain TMJ 38 Special +P ammunition. Initially, the gun shot low, so I gradually adjusted it until it was centered on the target.


S&W Model 27 Registered Magnum with CCI Blazer 38 Special +P ammunition

The gun shot very well; I'm not a very good revolver shooter. The Remington UMC 38 Special rounds felt like 22 LR coming out of the heavy N-Frame's barrel. They were so easy to shoot that I'm going to use this round for training new shooters. The CCI Blazer rounds were a bit more snappy, but felt like 9mm. The Remington UMC 357 Magnum rounds were powerful and had lots of flash. However, they were controllable.

Overall, the fit and finish of the gun is good. There are a few errors, most notably the stupid lock and missed checking on the top of the gun. The classic magna grips are a bit small at the top and allow the gun to twist under heavier recoil. It shoots very well and the Performance Center action work made it easy to shoot. I really like this gun and plan to shoot it frequently.