Factory work on old revolvers.

[Peter Lemonjello]

Hello guys,
Ive been looking at a pre 27 1954 revolver in my local shop. It's beautiful and has very little visible wear. Locks up fine, no shake, timing is also excellent. It doesn't look to ever have been carried.

Of course id like to take it to the range at least one time to verify it shoots works as expected. My question is if I got it should i send it to S&W and have them do a factory clean and inspect or stick to if it ain't broke dont fix it?

Secondly would any of you actually even bring it to a range and just keep it as a safe queen? My thoughts are it's just a pretty paper weight if it doesn't get some use.

Thoughts?

 

[Bald1]

I vote option 5. Just buy it and shoot it. Just because it's old doesn't mean it doesn't function. Clean it when you're done. You say it's coming from a shop. I doubt they'd sell something they knew would fail.

 

[smoothshooter]

I would take the side plate off and look inside. Unless it's loaded with crud, reinstall sideplate and move on.

 

[Gun Relics]

You've already inspected most of the gun and it sounds almost like new. I use a borescope (with my smart phone camera) to check the barrel, then clean and lubricate with the grips and cylinder off.

I have found many old revolvers that were barely shot. Just because it's old doesn't mean it's worn. They get worn because of use. Taking it to the range and using it occasionally won't hurt it in the least.

 

[22hipower]

There's really not all that much that can go wrong with those old revolvers. if they look good and don't show much use it's hard to go wrong if the price is attractive. S&W won't work on it, nothing significant anyway, so don't send it there. Price? Pictures? Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Model19man]

I did not vote because S&W won't have anything to do with a revolver that old. If it was mine I would be writing a range report right now.

 

[Grayfox]

Buy, shoot, enjoy.
End of story.

 

[Peter Lemonjello]

Pic attached

Thanks guys, just came back from the shop with it.
Keep the stocks or try to find a vintage set of Magnas?

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Thanks guys, just came back from the shop with it.
Keep the stocks or try to find a vintage set of Magnas?

I like those stocks.

I have revolvers with real ivory and stag grips. When I go to the Range I take the nice grips off and put Pachmayr or Hogue grips on.

 

[Peter Lemonjello]

I'm not sure if they are original stocks and had some carving done on them or if they picked them up later. That's why I was thinking of trying to find magnas from the 50's.

 

[paplinker]

I like those stocks.

I have revolvers with real ivory and stag grips. When I go to the Range I take the nice grips off and put Pachmayr or Hogue grips on.

I do the same but use the old Herritts without the thunbrest that wrap around back strap.

 

[Grayfox]

I like those stocks. Never seen any quite like that before. Somewhat unique. I'd keep 'em.
Besides, if you're gonna shoot magnum ammo out of that gun, you're gonna want something a bit more hand filling than magnas.

 

[sigp220.45]

I'm with the load it and shoot it camp. I love those grips and wouldn't change them out.

 

[Kansasgunner]

Very nice old revolver and I really like the grips. You did very well!
Would love to see more pictures of the gun and grips. Photos of the inside of the grips would be great.

 

[sodacan]

A large part of my collection consists of 70+ year old revolvers, all of which I consider high grade shooters, and I do shoot all of them. None have seen the factory since they left.

 

[Gun Relics]

Thanks guys, just came back from the shop with it.
Keep the stocks or try to find a vintage set of Magnas?

That gun is a real keeper, congratulations. I've been looking for a 3 1/2 " for a while now that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

It would be nice to have an original set of stocks whether or not you prefer the customs you already have. While the relieved diamond target grips are more expensive than magnas, I would probably go with those. They are not numbered, look great on the Pre-27 and feel amazing to hold. The magnas from that era will be numbered. If I decided on magnas over targets, I would definitely try to get the best ones with the closest number possible (to help ensure the fit).

 

[Peter Lemonjello]

Do the target stocks look period to you? When you say numbered do you mean serial number? The barrel, frame and cylinder all match. I'm guessing the stocks don't or are not numbered.

 

[glowe]

A Pre-27 is not an antique revolver. Second, the factory does not work on old revolvers. My unreliable sources tell me that they will not work on anything before mid-1970's, meaning maybe 50 years old is their limit? Does anyone have an exact cutoff date on which they will refuse repairs?

 

[LocoLucas]

If you are concerned with the internals, take it to a reputable gun smith for a check over. Pulling the side plate is usually not that expensive and, old guns do tend to clog up with drying out oil and or grease. A good cleaning doesn't ever hurt. This way, you have peace of mind and know the real condition of your new piece.

 

[GypsmJim]

Funny thing is that I also have a Pre-27, though it is a 1953 model. It was in the same condition as yours...looked almost unfired. I bought it in 2009 and since then I have shot the **** out of it. It has never been disassembled, and only cleaned after each shooting like the book would tell you to do.

So what is a "factory clean and inspect"? Stuff like that should be readily viewed on U-Tube, and done by the owner not the manufacturer.

Personally, I think that if the gun is in as good condition as described, I would run to the dealer and snap it up before someone else got there before me.