I agree this was a fantastic concept, but then I am a HUGE fan of the entire Model 27/327/627 family of firearms
It was actually Taurus that released the first 8 shot 357 Magnum in the early 1990s. Smith & Wesson was late to the game, but this was the time that Smith & Wesson was under British ownership
The Factory was not working on a production 8 shot 357 Magnum revolver at the time. So Smith & Wesson's first 8 shot 357 Magnum was a Lew Horton Exclusive offering that was first discussed at the 1996 SHOT Show. The revolver debuted at the 1997 SHOT Show.
I like serial numbers, so when I talked with Lew Horton I wanted to get number 357. I was told that only 300 revolvers were commissioned. So I had number 27 shipped to me. I got it in June of 1997. It is the revolver in the upper left of this photo.
In August of 1997, I received a call from Lew Horton wanting to know if I still wanted #357. I was told that this was the fastest-selling Lew Horton Exclusive in their history with Smith & Wesson and that an additional 300 were being ordered. Revolver #357 is in the upper right of the photo posted above, I revived it in September. # 357 remains unfired since leaving the factory
This initial 8 shot Model 627 was so popular that it eventually became a Performance Center cataloged offerings. It has spawned several dozen 8 shot 357 Magnum offerings and as they say, the rest is history
At the 2000 Shot Show Bangers (a large Smith & Wesson distributor) debuted two 8 shot 357 Magnum Model 27s, a 4" and a 6 1/2" barrels. 100 of each were being produced. I was thrilled with this return to carbon steel. While I understand the utilitarianism of stainless steel for duty, hunting, and carrying, it just does not have the pleasing warmth of a finely blued revolver wearing a pair of beautiful stocks. The 8 shot Model 27s do have checkered top straps, something that is lacking in all the 8 shot Model 627s. It is not the beautiful checkering of old, but at least it is checkering
I was too late to get serial #27 as both were already spoken for but I did get a matched pair. Bangers was supposed to follow up with a 3 1/2" and a 5" the following year. It is unknown what happened between Bangers and Smith & Wesson but the 3 1/2" and a 5" version never materialized
At the 2006 SHOT Show Lew Horton stepped up to the plate and produced Registered Magnums as a Distributor Exclusive. These were offered in 3 1/2" and 5" barrel lengths. Planned production was 350 of each barrel length.
At the 2007 SHOT Show Lew Horton showed 3 1/2" and 5" Registered Magnums in nickel with a planned production of 250 each. I was able to get all four in the same serial number as my Bangers Model 27s. BTW, the factory nickel in these years is spectacular
To the best of my knowledge, pictured below, is the only matching set of all the carbon steel 8 shot 357 Magnum Model 27 variations that have been produced. All these revolvers have the same number with different prefixes and all remain unfired since leaving the factory.
Then we come into Scandium. Just a tiny percentage of Scandium makes aluminum strong enough for Magnum use. . .WOW
As far as I can recall, the 2" fixed sight, pug-nosed, Model 327 and the 4" 327PD are the first Scandium 357 Magnum N-frames. These came along in 2004
This 8 shot, pocketable (large pocket required), 357 Magnum N-frame revolver tips the scales 1 ounce lighter than a 38 Special model 36/60.
The Performance Center also produced a 5" 327JM in 2005. I have no idea how many of these were made, but they are almost never seen on the secondary market. Their serial number prefix is JJJ
Next to be introduced were the 327TRR8 and M&P 327 R8. These variations had equipment rails for mount lights, lasers, optics, and more. The major difference between the two is that the TRR8's lower equipment rail is removable and the M&P R8's is part of the barrel shroud.
There was a small run of two-tone TRRs that had polished barrel flats along with a flash chromed hammer trigger and cylinder release. This offering's serial number prefix is TTT. I changed the grips out for an older set of combats, I do this on many of the N-frames that I shoot.
Another advantage of the 327 family is that they all use a tensioned multi-piece barrel assembly like the old Dan Wessons. DWs were legendary for their accuracy and the Model 327 revolvers are without a doubt the most accurate family of Smith & Wesson revolvers I have come across
So many others have come along since 1996. The 627 Heavy Hunter has the adjustable weight system in the forward section of the barrel underlug. The muzzle of this massively barreled revolver hardly rises even with the most powerful of loads. Between the extra weight and the Mag-Na0Porting, follow-up shots are a breeze
Of course, there is the 627 PDR which ended up in Clint Eastwood's hands in the movie Blood Work, I actually had a pair of these but one of my buddies pestered me so much that I sold him the second one, which was 3 weeks before Blood Work came out and the demand for the revolver skyrocketed.
The 627 V-comp has been offered in 5" and 3" in both full stainless and two-tone finish, mine has a second cylinder set up for 9x23 Winchester. Like all V-Comps that Smith has manufactured since the 1950s, the V=Comp can be removed and replaced with a false muzzle. Yes this is another revolver that I have put the old combats stocks on.
There was a small run of 627 two tones (semi Pinto?) in 2004 for AccuSport. 130 or 160 were produced, can't remember which. This one is also setup with a second cylinder for 9x23 Winchester. That was done more than a decade ago
There are a few more, but I have not photographed them.
