27-2 cylinder question

[KYGlock]

I see what appears to be relieved areas evenly spaced around the cylinder of an otherwise great 27-2 6". Please see pic. What do you think this is? I thought it was damage, but it is evenly spaced around the perimeter of the cylinder.

 

[alwslate]

I don't see anything except the locking notches and the relieved areas
for the locking bolt to slide in as the cyl rotates.

 

[Gunhacker]

I think he's referring to the chamfering of the flute edges at the face of the cylinder.

Looks like someone knocked down the original angular edges in an attempt to eliminate snagging/gouging when re-holstering... can't think of any other reason to do that.

 

[KYGlock]

Hi Conrad, you are correct sir, it's the triangular areas I was referring to. Will try to add a pic with those areas circled for others to reference.

 

[KYGlock]

Here's the pic

 

[AJR337]

Looks like someone filed down the sharp corners... the previous owner did the same thing to my 640 but I finished them with some fine grit sandpaper when I polished it:

 

[Troystat]

I will have to look in the safe tomorrow but I think the cylinder of my 27-2 look just like the OP's

 

[stansdds]

I think this was a feature on the pre-Model 27 and Model 27's that had pinned barrels and recessed chambers, but was dropped when S&W discontinued pinning barrels and recessing the chambers (Model 27-3).

 

[Old_Cop]

Not a factory mod in my opinion, too sharp and not rounded and finished.

 

[Green Frog]

JMHO, but I'm thinking that was the beginning of an "upgrade" or "improvement" that went unfinished. Having those sharp corners beveled was once a mark of quality finishing, but leaving the edges sharp is to me at least a mark of unfinished work... the edges you have now are just about as unpleasant as the points that were removed.

Froggie

 

[KYGlock]

Whether this was offered at the factory is my main question now. Wondering if someone can confirm it was offered on 27-2s. This one is P&R 1969 to 1972

 

[herschelgconyers]

My 100% original 27-2 have the relieved front of flutes.


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[KYGlock]

I contacted Smith today to ask about this. The CS person stated they didn't think Smith offered this as an option or that it wasn't done by the factory. Their rep didn't sound entirely sure however, and checked two sources of info while I was in the phone. Several people have commented that they had seen it as a factory option.

In checking online auctions today for 27s, I actually saw it as often as not. Not sure what to believe on whether Smith ever did it, but acquired this great 27 in the meantime. If Smith did offer it,I don't believe mine was done by them due to lack of blue and rougher appearance. I would like to get those areas smoothed out an the bluing touched up. Any suggestions on how to go about this, tools and techniques, or Gun Smith recommendations would be great.

 

[KYGlock]

My 100% original 27-2 have the relieved front of flutes.


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Thanks. Is yours more smooth and are those areas blued?

 

[KYGlock]

I will have to look in the safe tomorrow but I think the cylinder of my 27-2 look just like the OP's

Hey Troystat, were you able to check this? I saw a few auctions today, some higher end, that had this 'upgrade.'

 

[Troystat]

Looked at my 27-2 and it does not have the bevels on the front of the cylinder but I looked at my 17-4 and it does have small bevels like the OPs 27-2. I bought both of mine used about 35 years ago and I doubt they were modified.

 

[CH4]

FWIW; my newly acquired 3.5" pre 27 has those beveled corners on the front of the cylinder. I won't be able to examine my gun more closely until next week.

 

[Kurusu]

I don't have a model 27 but, Ol' "Blood and Guts" Registered Magnum had them.

 

[stansdds]

I contacted Smith today to ask about this. The CS person stated they didn't think Smith offered this as an option or that it wasn't done by the factory. Their rep didn't sound entirely sure however, and checked two sources of info while I was in the phone. Several people have commented that they had seen it as a factory option.

In checking online auctions today for 27s, I actually saw it as often as not. Not sure what to believe on whether Smith ever did it, but acquired this great 27 in the meantime. If Smith did offer it,I don't believe mine was done by them due to lack of blue and rougher appearance. I would like to get those areas smoothed out an the bluing touched up. Any suggestions on how to go about this, tools and techniques, or Gun Smith recommendations would be great.

Other than Roy Jinks, I expect most of the reps knowledgeable about pre-plastic gun era firearms have retired.

 

[Nightowl]

You kidding me? Smith has cut the edges of the flutes on all the older guns, some more than others, kinda depends on the time and on the energy of the workman. I have some guns where it is really hard to see the cuts and some that are very obvious. However, the later guns, do not have the cuts. I have a 617 with the cuts, and I have seen a couple of 686-4s that do not. So, I would expect virtually all the 27-2s and guns of that age to have the bevels cut.

Now realize that a 27-2 could be 40 or more years old and the Smith reps many not be half that!!!