27-2 price check *Update-picture in post #8*

tlawler

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How rare is a blued 5" 27-2? And what would a decent shooter grade gun in good mechanical condition and 95% finish(no box or paperwork) be worth? It's in a local ad with no pictures, so I'm going by sellers description. His asking price is $1000.
 
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FWIW, I just gave $1065 for a 5" Florida Highway Patrol nickel 27-2. Not sure what/if there's a price differential between nickel and blue, and if so, what it would be.
 

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I emailed him and requested some pictures. Only one of three came through for some reason. Looks like it's in nice shape judging from the one side partial picture. I'll post more if he resends them.
 

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Me, is a 5 inch 27-2 in 95% worth a grand, yeah
probably.

But reality, all you know about the condition of this
decades old revolver is one poor quality photo, and
what the unknown seller is saying.

Would I throw a grand based on that information, nope.

Don't worry, I plan on doing my due diligence. I'll have to see several more pictures of the gun from all angles before I commit my time and gas to go see it in person. Then the grips and side plate are coming off and I'm inspecting it with a magnifying glass under good light. If he's not ok with that, I'll walk.
 
It looks nice from what I see in one pic but that is not enough to move me. I was after a 27 but so long as there are nice 28's to be had 650 to 750 I Eli stay with a poor man's 27 which is a M 28

The only thing is that if you want the five inch barrel, that was only available on the Model 27.

When I bought my Model 28 new in the '70s it was only available in either six or four inch. Since I had a new Model 19 in four inch I took it in six inch.

I sold both of those later to a dealer and actually made money ( I should have figured something was wrong) and while looking to replace the six inch N Frame later on ended up with the five inch 28, which I've been very happy with. That price for the 28 seems reasonable compared to the crazy prices here in MA for some of the older, nice condition guns.
 
I wanted a 27-2 UNTIL I saw my 28-2 Highway Patrolman 6"

Mine IS about 95% and I used my savings to help get into a nice Model 29 in similiar condition

28-2a.JPG


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No idea on the price but, if it is in good mechanical condition, the M27-2 with a 5" barrel should be a great shooter. Mine shows its age (I bought it from a member here several years ago) but it is a joy to shoot. Good luck.
 
I bought mine new 40+ years ago, so admit I don't know current prices. But if I ever decided to sell mine, I would not be removing the side plate so someone could look around inside, magnifying glass or not. I've bought S&Ws since the '60s. I don't think any of those sellers would have allowed me to pop off the side plate. Do many sellers really do that to sell a gun??? If so, do they R & R it for each person who expresses an interest, or do they just leave it off for the next potential buyer?
 

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I, too, wanted a 27. Then I saw my 28 at an estate sale and it came home with me!. A 27 in that condition for a grand? Yup, in a heartbeat. Here in New England, some 28's command higher prices than that!
 
If I ever sell a S&W. Nobody is taking off the side plate....

What's the big deal with pulling the side plate? When I get to that point, I'm about 90% sure I'll buy it anyway. I just want to make sure there hasn't been any really bad gunsmithing done to it and see if there's any corrosion in there. If the seller is worried I'll mar the finish, then he should be willing to pull it. I've bought used revolvers from individuals and pawn shops and no one had an issue with having it removed, though some have offered to do it themselves when I asked if I could. One guy even did it for me before I asked. If someone is selling an item, they should be willing to submit it to a thorough inspection for that kind of money.

Am I off base here? Don't most of you pull a side plate when considering spending a grand on a 45 to 50 year old revolver? When I first started buying used revolvers, I bought a few that looked really good on the outside and had good, if not great actions. Upon closer inspection much later when I figured out how to pull a side plate, a couple had some rust issues that would have been readily apparent had I inspected the internals prior to purchase.
 
Side Plate Removal...

I wouldn't allow anyone to remove a side plate on one I sell, because they could bugger the screws or lose something and I'd be left with a gun that I can't sell for what I was asking when the bozo won't buy it.

And I'm not removing them either. Everyone has their own process and procedures. But I'm no gunsmith and I'm not taking side plates off my OWN revolvers. If it has good lockup, good timing, no push off, end shake, smooth action, etc...then I'm good. I don't need to take off the side plate and risk missing or messing anything up.

When I have internal issues on a revolver, I take it to a smith that I trust.

Earl

What's the big deal with pulling the side plate? When I get to that point, I'm about 90% sure I'll buy it anyway. I just want to make sure there hasn't been any really bad gunsmithing done to it and see if there's any corrosion in there. If the seller is worried I'll mar the finish, then he should be willing to pull it. I've bought used revolvers from individuals and pawn shops and no one had an issue with having it removed, though some have offered to do it themselves when I asked if I could. One guy even did it for me before I asked. If someone is selling an item, they should be willing to submit it to a thorough inspection for that kind of money.

Am I off base here? Don't most of you pull a side plate when considering spending a grand on a 45 to 50 year old revolver? When I first started buying used revolvers, I bought a few that looked really good on the outside and had good, if not great actions. Upon closer inspection much later when I figured out how to pull a side plate, a couple had some rust issues that would have been readily apparent had I inspected the internals prior to purchase.
 
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They sell for $700 where I live.

Well, good for you Doug. Around where I live, you can't even find a nice condition 27-2, much less find it for $1000. The last gun show I went to that actually had a 6" 27-2, the guy was wanting $1300 for it firm.
 
It's pretty easy to bend the upper edge of the sideplate if the bottom drops away from the frame more easily than the upper edge. I know because I've done it! I will admit that I don't have a lot of experience, but all it takes is one time and the gun's value is hurt.
 
I just recently picked up a 28-2, 6" barrel on an online auction, for what I thought was a throwaway bid! It was worth every cent plus a couple hundred more! Didn't pull the side plate, until I had it in hand with no returns. Surprisingly, it had been recently cleaned and re-greased, must have been waiting for tlawler.
 
Prices will vary, its condition, its box/ accessories, vs price, then is it rare and how bad you want it. A 5" barrel is rare, being in the world famous s&w knickel is a plus. For $1,000 I'd have that puppy growing roots in the safe.

After never seeing any s&w in 357/6" barrels my online dealer had five. Priced between $695/$795. I got weak in the knees.

For many decades in the past I never seen s&w, colt or ruger in the used case in 357. I'm talking 45 years of looking. What's causing these to show up now? Are the baby boomers giving them up? Are they being traded in for plastic guns? Why are they showing up now?

Now the case that was once filled with used steel pistols is filled with used plastic pistols now. Seems to me everytime a gun rag says this new plastic pistol is the one to have there present plastic pistol is history. This causes a backup on used plastic pistols. The constant roll over is bad.
 
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I wanted a 27-2 UNTIL I saw my 28-2 Highway Patrolman 6"

Mine IS about 95% and I used my savings to help get into a nice Model 29 in similiar condition

28-2a.JPG


28-2b.JPG

That is TRULY a thing of beauty. My first Smith (1974) was a 28 and it turned me on to these wonderful sixguns. Personally, I LOVE the satin blue finish on the 28. It was supposed to be "cheaper" than bright blue but I think the matte is just absolutely classy. Wish I still had that gun.
 
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