Another Shoot it or Not?

[b.guggenmos]

I have what I believe is a gorgeous 27-2 that is an S serial number with not even a hint of a turn line. The bluing is a mile deep and the presentation grips are flawless. For this one I do not have the documents or tools but I have what I believe is the correct presentation case?

I am working my way towards safe queens I thought I would never shoot but the couple I have decided to shoot I find a great enjoyment in actually shooting them. If that makes any sense!

Thank You, Brian

 

[glenwolde]

Shoot them all and let God sort it out.

 

[Welder1]

Good reason to find a 27 that been shot already. Have one to shoot and one to keep unshot

 

[rwsmith]

I'm not a collector but.....

That sounds like a gun that I'd like to keep in good condition. Normally I'd say, shoot it, but such a nice example would be a good safe queen. I'll tell you one thing, though. I'D SHOOT IT.

 

[shouldazagged]

I guess I'm the forum equivalent of trailer trash. I can't imagine buying a gun and not shooting it. But then I've never been able to afford to be a collector or to purchase guns as investments.

Nahhh, I just think guns are for shooting.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I have what I believe is a gorgeous 27-2 that is an S serial number with not even a hint of a turn line. The bluing is a mile deep and the presentation grips are flawless. For this one I do not have the documents or tools but I have what I believe is the correct presentation case?

I am working my way towards safe queens I thought I would never shoot but the couple I have decided to shoot I find a great enjoyment in actually shooting them. If that makes any sense!

Thank You, Brian

I agree. Shoot it. When it is handed down after you are dead, the weapon should be excellently maintained, in good shape, but lacking substantial finish from daily carry, and you should shoot as many original vintage .357 Magnum rounds (you know, the kind that send a 158 grain SWC out the bore at 1,510 fps) as you can afford. In other words, give it good, honest wear! And enjoy it!

 

[hammerfired]

SHOOT. IT.

You know you wanna.

 

[mod29]

To shoot or not to shoot, that is the question

I struggle with that one, myself.
I have a near-100% blued 29-2 6.5" with the presentation case, outer cardboard box with S/N label, the whole 9 yards.
I bought it several years ago, advertised as 'unfired' and I believe it. It's as close to perfect as I've ever seen a blued S&W.

However, neither your M27 or my M29 is exactly rare. Perhaps in their condition they could be considered a bit scarce, but there was a lot of these guns made.

(ETA: I'm not sure if your model 27 is a rare variation or not ("S" S/N and all). I shouldn't make claims I'm not sure about, sorry)

I have plenty of other guns to shoot, so this one sits in my safe and is brought out from time to time to be wiped down & just to appreciate the gun for what it is.

I suspect at some point, I'll load up the cylinder and see what she can do

I mean, why not!

 

[mojave30cal]

For the love of God man, shoot it!

 

[Rpg]

I have a rifle I haven't shot, but prior owners did over the last 100 + years. I haven't assembled enough ammo to start shooting it yet.

I don't buy guns because they're brand new or pristine: I buy them to use.

In fact, the last brand new firearm I puchased was a M 29-2
In 1977.

I shoot, or intend to shoot, any firearm I acquire.

 

[diggler1833]

I have what I believe is a gorgeous 27-2 that is an S serial number with not even a hint of a turn line. The bluing is a mile deep and the presentation grips are flawless. For this one I do not have the documents or tools but I have what I believe is the correct presentation case?

I am working my way towards safe queens I thought I would never shoot but the couple I have decided to shoot I find a great enjoyment in actually shooting them. If that makes any sense!

Thank You, Brian

To me it boils down to whether or not I plan on selling them later really. I have two that have not been shot: a 25-3 that I recently picked up, and a 629 no dash also still in the original box that I gave to my father.

At some point I will probably break down and shoot them, because I do not plan on selling any of my P&R Smiths. They will all be handed down to my kids, like many were handed down to me from my father.

That is a beautiful 27-2 that you have there, but unless you strictly consider it an investment I'd go out and have a little fun with it!

 

[bigggbbruce]

I have a couple I will never sell, none I will never shoot.

But I have been known to profit from Safe Queen collectors. And the funny thing is I shot most of the ones I sold.

 

[murphydog]

With a ramp front sight, this one is likely a 6.5" model 27-2, not a more common 6". Also, if it has the wood Presentation case it is likely not original to the gun from that era - it may have been a special ordered option from the factory however.

My thinking would be, do you intend to keep or sell it, and do you have a similar gun to shoot? If you intend to sell it and you have a "used" 27 they will all shoot about the same, and if selling it is the ultimate goal some picky collector will take 20% off the value of your pristine but fired model 27 (not that I know anyone like that personally ). Good luck in your decision.

 

[varmint243]

S&W did not make these little works of art to be taken out and used for entertainment.
They were made to be kept in a safe or behind glass and handled with white gloves.

 

[one eye joe]

I have what I believe is a gorgeous 27-2 that is an S serial number with not even a hint of a turn line. The bluing is a mile deep and the presentation grips are flawless. For this one I do not have the documents or tools but I have what I believe is the correct presentation case?

I am working my way towards safe queens I thought I would never shoot but the couple I have decided to shoot I find a great enjoyment in actually shooting them. If that makes any sense!

Thank You, Brian

IMHO, THAT DEFINITELY IS A GORGEOUS 27-2, JUST AS YOU DESCRIBED. THERE IS NOTHING MORE SATISFYING THAN SHOOTING A FINE FIREARM. I WOULD TREAT THIS GUN WITH THE REVERENCE IT DESERVES, AND ENJOY SHOOTING IT. PUT IT INTO THE ROTATION WITH THE OTHER COUPLE OF SAFE QUEENS THAT YOU TURNED INTO SHOOTERS. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO DO OTHERWISE......

 

[Dillyp]

heavily shot smiths can retain most of there value and appearance, if properly maintained. I have a m15 no dash that had a very prominate turn line and some fair rub-wear on the back strap. No muzzle wear. This gun had not rode in a holster, but had been someones favorite range toy. Now it is my favorite range toy. I have shot 3000+/- rounds thru it with no more wear than when I bought it. It is still shiny, about a 97% gun. If I were fortunate enough to have a 27-2, I couldn't just look at it

 

[one eye joe]

heavily shot smiths can retain most of there value and appearance, if properly maintained. I have a m15 no dash that had a very prominate turn line and some fair rub-wear on the back strap. No muzzle wear. This gun had not rode in a holster, but had been someones favorite range toy. Now it is my favorite range toy. I have shot 3000+/- rounds thru it with no more wear than when I bought it. It is still shiny, about a 97% gun. If I were fortunate enough to have a 27-2, I couldn't just look at it

VERY WELL STATED, Dillyp. YOU ARE A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART......

 

[cadmike]

My goal would be to wear it out from shooting before I died. My heirs could sell it for parts, or a paper weight. Or more likely, they would be left with a valuable and serviceable firearm.

 

[Mehutch]

You marry a very beautiful young virgin, and keep her untouched.
You buy a mint '65 corvette with 2 miles on it and park it in your garage...
You buy a a gorgeous S&W 27-2, and question whether or not to shoot it...
You die and some guy takes your un-virgin for a ride in your '65 vette to the shooting range for a day and night of fun fun fun!

Any more questions?

 

[gmborkovic]

OK, you have a pristine 1963 Split Window Vette in the garage. Drive it?
Same thing, right? Darn right drive it. Aint going to hurt it. Best

 

[Laketime]

Safe Queen all the way.Plenty of guys out there that will shoot everything they gets their hands on ,so shooter grades are much more common.

 

[lawman445]

No way would I take it out and shoot it in that pristine original condition. There are only so many out there in that condition and they aren`t making any more of them so why would you want to start putting wear on that one and make sure there`s one less pristine pinned and recessed 27 in the world? There are a ton of other ones out there that already have the wear on them from being carried and shot or have been nicely refinished so to me it makes more sense to stick to shooting those and leave the few like new original finish ones that are still out there alone. Their purpose is to get out of the safe once in a while and imagine what it was like to walk into a hardware store back in the old days and be able to buy a brand new one just like the one you`re holding. I like to shoot these old guns and I like my pristine ones too so I have both shooters and mint condition collectors of models that I like. My advice would be that if you can`t afford to buy a 2nd gun to carry and shoot would be to sell that ultra nice one to a collector then go buy another cheaper one with some wear on it already and spend the difference on ammo or maybe a nice carved leather holster for it.

 

[DocB]

No, you can't shoot it, and the only reason is the complete absence of a turn line. Do you know how few guns have "no" turn line? Otherwise, I would say shoot it.

 

[03hemi]

Shoot the **** out of it, that's what its for.

 

[mod29]

No way would I take it out and shoot it in that pristine original condition. ...Their purpose is to get out of the safe once in a while and imagine what it was like to walk into a hardware store back in the old days and be able to buy a brand new one just like the one you`re holding.

Pretty compelling opinions on both sides of this debate, as always!

I really like what Lawman said about walking into a hardware store in the old days and seeing one of these behind the glass in perfect condition.

That's one of the pleasures people get from owning an unfired, high-condition example of these revolvers.
It's like a time capsule

 

[VaTom]

Shoot it. I have a 1943 Ithaca 1911a1. All original. These are going for around $2,000 +. Do I shoot? Yes, about once a year or so. Have !et others shoot to enjoy a piece of history. Does it affect the value. Don't think it has. It has doubled in va!UE from what I paid 8 years ago.
Last auction I went to older model Winchester .22 rifles that had been shot many times but were in very good condition brought sky high prices.

Nice revolver.

 

[Buford57]

It belongs to you. Do what will bring you the most pleasure: if that is shooting it, shoot it; if you would be happier knowing you have one you think is unfired in the safe, keep it as is; if you consider it an investment, don't do anything to compromise its appreciation; if you bought it so your heirs can gaze on its pristine beauty and praise your name when you are dead, seek help.

 

[S&WIowegan]

If it gives you a thrill to deflower virgin Model 27s, you should do it. Your money, your gun.....what the hay!

 

[Cariboo Canuck]

ALL of our guns will belong to someone else eventually. An unfired gun is an expensive paper weight, not an investment.

 

[S42N8]

FWIW, I'd be happy to provide a suitable substitute M27 for you and treat that one with the reverence it deserves: Only taken out of the safe semi-annually for preventative cleaning & Ren waxing, gazed upon during the full moon with a fine sipping bourbon, and returned to its Bore Store and cozy cushioned rack in the safe. Precioussss....



OK. If you plan to keep it as an investment gun, careful storage in its current condition is warranted. everybody should have at least one safe queen . If not, doesn't it deserve at least one trip to the range to fulfill its purpose?