How to determine M27/28 barrel lengths from pix

[mrgoob]

I am looking for a 5" Model 27. Is there an easy way to determine barrel length just from the online pictures of revolvers for sale?
Seems that a lot of sellers don't know how to measure correctly.
On the 5" model does the lug comes to the start of the front sight ramp?
Thank you.

 

[BigBill]

You measure from the front of the cylinder to the end of the muzzle. With a pic look at the distance from the extractor guard to the end of the barrel. I wouldn't say anything to the seller just buy it.

 

[ars1876]

I just looked at one of mine and the upper part of the lug ends right where the ramp starts to go up.That puts it between the "I" & "T" in S&W on the barrel.

 

[Iggy]

Five inch 27.

 

[Kurusu]

Model 28s are easy. They come in two lenghts, 6 and 4.

 

[flagman1776]

I specifically wanted a 5" so I had to buy a M27. As Kurusu posted M28's didn't come from Smith as 5".

 

[catadjuster]

Just behind ramp

The underlug on mine comes to just behind the front sight ramp.

 

[Muley Gil]

The underlug on mine comes to just behind the front sight ramp.

I like that one, with the lanyard loop!

 

[catadjuster]

I like that one, with the lanyard loop!

The lanyard loop may actually be factory also as the serial number was split around the frame hole for the lanyard stud.

 

[Texas Star]

It helps to see enough guns to be able to tell by sight which barrel length you're seeing. Some people are no good at this, as is evident when we discuss movie and TV guns.

But the tip here about the end of the extractor rod lug being about even with the rear of the front sight ramp on five-inch guns is the best advice along these lines that I've ever seen.

It's harder to distinguish between six and 6.5-inch barrels, but a trained eye can do it most of the time.

 

[Kurusu]

All.
Somebody made at least one 5 inch Highway Patrolman. I have one. Barrel marked correctly. High polish finish on barrel. Normal finish on rest of gun.
One suggested possibility from another forum member was that someone got ahold of an excess, high polish, in the white, 5 inch barrel for the Nickeled FHP guns. They had the barrel blued and screwed it into this frame.
I am certain there are several other possibilities.
Pic below.
Bill@Yuma

That one deserves a letter to S&W. IMHO.