Are There Very Many M27 w/ 4 inch Barrels?

[bmhiii]

Just wondering about Model 27s with 4 inch barrels. I don't see many at all. Are they somewhat scarce? When were they made? Seems like I read there were some 27-2 models with this barrel length...

Thanks for any input and maybe pictures if you have one.

 

[Texas Star]

Not many. I think they were "listed" during the 1970's, maybe longer. Some may have been made up as special orders over the years. Certainly, some older (pre-27's) were ordered as four-inch guns.

The late gun scribe Col. Charles Askins had a four incher, I think with a humpback hammer.

If you find a good four-incher, hang onto it. I've never understood why the four-inch barrel wasn't a longtime standard choice in the M-27. They were making four-inch barrels for the M-28, and it would have been a better choice than the 3.5-inch barrel.

I think most of the four-inch guns were made after S&W standardized N-frame barrels at four, six, and 8 and 3/8th's inches. I believe some may have made as a short run in the 1990's, but haven't time to look it up. Someone else will post that, I'm sure. I know they made up some five-inch guns then, but those I saw didn't look as good as I'd hoped. I had one that shot so poorly that I soon sold it.
All may not have been that bad.

T-Star

 

[s&wchad]

The 4" barrel was introduced in 1979 on the 27-2 and the 27-3 came out in 1982, so it was the shortest production life of any 27-2 barrel length. When they came out with the 4", they dropped the 3-½" and 5" barrels. No clue as to quantities, but there seems to be a disproportionate number in nickel. I hope to find the right one someday.

 

[michael thornton]

i have a 4 inch, hope to some day have a 31/2, had two 5 inch and a 6, im pretty sure they made less 4 inch than all the others, my 4 inch is a wonderfull shooter! mike

 

[bobf]

Model 27 8 shot Performance Center, I believe 100 of these were made in 2000 for Bangers.

Bob

 

[SmithNut]

Just wondering about Model 27s with 4 inch barrels. I don't see many at all. Are they somewhat scarce? When were they made? Seems like I read there were some 27-2 models with this barrel length...

Thanks for any input and maybe pictures if you have one.

In this thread you will see why these are not seen all that often:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/79908-where-all-4-27s.html
The time that S&W officially cataloged this barrel length (offered as a standard item) was very short compared to other barrel length production.
While this does not speak to actual quantities, the short production time frame, and the limited interest in 357 Mag N frames at that time, along with the option of the less expensive M28 will give you an idea of why these were not made in any great quantities, IMO.

 

[skeezix]

27-3

Here's my 27-3 that I traded for a year ago. Wanted a -2, but this was all that was available at the time.


There's a 4" nickel "shooter" grade 27-2 on GB if you're intertested. I haven't looked at the gun, but I know the seller - he does my FFL transfers, and he offers free shipping and no charge for credit card payment. Current bid seems reasonable at $525. PM or email me if you want the link.

 

[M28]

No clue as to quantities, but there seems to be a disproportionate number in nickel.

This would be my experience as well. Have three in nickel, but only one in blue has come my way.

Brian~

 

[jframe]

I had one in nickel as well. It was recessed but not pinned, making it a transition gun probably built in 1981 or 1982. Wish I had it back.

 

[snw19_357]

I know there were some (at least 24) 5-screw "pre-27"s made with 4" barrels too.

 

[pred]

I got this one by mistake.
I didnt know the 4" ers were harder to find.

I still have this one and like it a lot!

 

[ditrina]

Barry..
Here is my 27-2 4" Nickel....... With a tip 'o the hat to Dick for leading me to it at a gun show

 

[Centenniel]

I have a blued 4" 27-2. It is sweet, but I actually prefer the 5" barrel version.

 

[beemerphile]

Is the Model 29 the opposite situation, where the 4" barrels outnumber the 3-1/2" ones?

 

[bmhiii]

I know there were some (at least 24) 5-screw "pre-27"s made with 4" barrels too.

That there is the cat's meow!

Thanks for all the responses folks. I appreciate it.

Anyone that has an extra blue one they want to let go, shoot me an email....

 

[max]

I don't believe 3 1/2 was ever a cataloged length for the 29.

 

[michael thornton]

i dont think they ever shipped a 31/2 29,

 

[diamonback68]

I love these 4"ers. Her's mine.

 

[ditrina]

Again.. Many thanks to Dick

Two 6 'ers Two 5 'ers and the Nickel 4" in the middle
And yes the 5 'er on left front is a Dash 1 with COKES

 

[Lefkiguy]

Gee, If I had known that (two years ago, of course) I wouldn't have sold my 27-2 4". I was a nickel gun. Then again, I didn't know about this site then either, so I was "un-informed" (dumb, for those not in California). Well I do have a 5" 27-3, a 6" Pre-27, a 3.5" barrel (for a project) and I do have a 4" 5 screw Highway Patrolman (pre 28) to somewhat ease my pain.
Ted

 

[sub-moa]

4" 27s rare ?

I must be even luckier than I'd originally thought.

My S&W accumulation habit started with the 4" and 6" revolvers, mostly Ks, I carried on duty and competed with in local PPC matches.

Once I started branching out to models and calibers I just liked, I limited myself to 4" & 6" versions. For 27s, I picked-up a Blue, 4", 27-2 (P&R) first, 20+ years ago which was followed shortly thereafter by a Blue, 6", 27-2 (P&R).

Years later something dawned on me; at my original Police Academy, now 37 years ago , we had to check out revolvers from our individual command armories on range days. My command was 30 miles away from the Fort at which the Academy was being held. Apparently I'd shown some promise on the range, so the Academy Director Mr. Luther K. Duffield offered me his personal 3 1/2" 27 for quals. That is exactly why my next 27 had to be a 3 1/2" .

Unfortunately, that did not just happen. I just couldn't find an appropriate 3 1/2"er, anywhere. I became convinced the 3 1/2"er was the Holy Grail of 27s. Although I had/have no personal interest in 8 3/8" revolvers, I was offered and bought, a perfect condition Blue, 8 3/8", 27-2 (P&R) for a song, with the expressed purpose of putting a 3 1/2" barrel on it. WRONG again, even harder than finding an appropriate 3 1/2" 27-2 was finding just a perfect condition 3 1/2" barrel by itself .

Other projects came and went while the 27-2 status quo remained, that is until several years ago. I finally found that Mr. Duffield clone, a Blue, 3 1/2", 27-2 (P&R). Having previously fallen into that 8 3/8 my 27-2 family was only one short of complete. A couple years ago I finally filled that remaining void with a 5", Blue, 27-2 (P&R).

Through a comedy of errors over the years I've ended up with all the barrel lengths of the 27-2s, makes it almost like having a "Collection" ...

All that and no Photos? Maybe later. Just had a new hip installed last week, dragging the 27s out for a photo op is not up there on my "To Do" list right now ...

Thanks for letting me tell the story though

 

[j38]

Beautiful examples of 4" 27s! I've always had a soft spot the 4" guns ... and hope I find one down the road.

Regards,

Jerry

 

[bshepherd]

Here is my 27-2 4-inch in Nickel. I have the correct grips but they are slightly damaged so I put on these later ones. They have gorgeous grain and look pretty good on it. N793xxx serial number range.

 

[jcelect]

Missing One?

Hey sub-moa, your still missing one barrel length for the "complete" collection of 27s.

The last find for this collection was the 4" gun, about 4 years ago, which is recessed but not pinned. It has taken me almost 20 years to find all these guns in cases!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[sub-moa]

Missing One? Naaaaa!

Hey sub-moa, your still missing one barrel length for the "complete" collection of 27s. SWCA#LM723

Never said "complete 27 collection" my friend ...

I've got too many varied "accumulation" desires already ...

I wish though , but that'd start me down the path of pre and post, counting screws, finishes, yada yada yada ...

I'm content with my "complete 27-2 family"; all barrel lengths, all blued, all P&R'd 27-2s is all. Actually, a '72, '74, '76, '78 and '80 makes the "family" a little neater as well ...

 

[Ky Bob]

Here is my 27-2 4-inch in Nickel. I have the correct grips but they are slightly damaged so I put on these later ones. They have gorgeous grain and look pretty good on it. N793xxx serial number range.

WOW! That is one beautiful pistol!!!

 

[dan belisle]

I just picked up a 27-3 about a month ago, for $400 Cdn. If it's been shot, it wasn't much (no wear at cylinder front or muzzle). Unfortunately it came with rubber Hogues instead of the correct grips, but I'm still looking. Not sure why I like these, I'm more of a big bore N frame guy, but I've ended up with a 3.5, 4, and 5 inch 27, and a 4 inch 28, a 4 inch 38-44HD and a 6.5" Outdoorsman. They just "speak to me", I guess, lol. - dan

 

[Marshal Tom]

I looked at a nickel 4" at a local shop in excellent condition for 6-8 months. I went out of town and told the owner that I would purchase it when I returned if still there. Fat Tom kept telling me to grab it at $600. I got back and she was gone. I have kicked myself ever since.

Tom

 

[wheelgun28]

May as well add mine to the group, same photo as the other thread.

 

[alwslate]

I have a blue 4in 27-2, serial # 810xxx. Also an 8 3/8ths blue. Have 2
4in 28-2's N566xxx and N586xxx. Would like to aquire a nice 3 1/2 in
27-2 for a shooter at a reasonable price. Not likely to happen.