Is this the worst? Pre 27?

[RG22lr]

OK, So I am not sure how I feel about this purchase. It was cheap enough but kind of a disaster. I bought a Pre-27 5 screw 5 digit serial S89xxx off a fellow today not knowing for sure what he had. Just that it was a Ceracoted S&W 357. Now what to do with it. Shots is or try to strip it? What would you guys do? TIA
Pre 27#2 | Dennis Thomas | Flickr

 

[Xfuzz]

Add a rear sight assembly and shoot it.

 

[Ameshawki]

Add a rear sight assembly and shoot it.

This. Not sure how strip-able Cerokote is. Looks like a decent job.

 

[Masterbuck54]

While you're at it

Slap on some red paint to the front sight & shoot the snot out of it.

Masterbuck54

 

[22hipower]

I'd probably leave it as it is and shoot it. Cerakote covers a multitude of sins and removing it for another finish is likely to reveal some issues that you can't see now. I can understand why you might want to return that pre-27 to its former glory but I've never been happy with efforts, usually expensive efforts, to do that. Put a rear sight on it, shoot it, enjoy it for what it is.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[CH4]

Slap on some red paint to the front sight & shoot the snot out of it.

Masterbuck54

^^^^^^^
She was made to shoot!

 

[Slufstuff]

Cerakote can be chemically stripped, but it is a messy process and not easy to do. You need a potent stripper (the stuff you need protective gloves to use). Then a lot of scraping. A lot.

If it were mine, I would leave it alone and shoot it. The finish looks like it was properly applied and looks good (for what it is).

 

[shown50]

This. Not sure how strip-able Cerokote is. Looks like a decent job.

When I strip old cerakote jobs off my guns I use 80 grit aluminum oxide in a blasting cabinet. Cerakote is very thin so if you can't see any major pitting then it's likely not there.

 

[VM]

I'm guessing there is a reason why it was cerokoted (assuming bad finish).
I'll vote with the gang….
LEAVE it alone and shoot it!

 

[dobegrant]

I would just be shooting it.

 

[DETROIT]

I would strip it. The finish is already wearing off in areas. With it being a pre 27 and in poor condition, I would send it out and fix the metal and turn it into a custom build. A royal hot blue finish, d&l fixed sights, round butt and a trigger to match!

 

[pharmer]

Agree with all the foregoing posts. To add, as told to me: "It ain't ever gonna be what it was, not worth the trouble to make it what it could be. If'n you can enjoy the "what is" well, get after it." Joe

 

[sodacan]

The bloom is off the rose on that one. Enjoy it for what it is, not what it was-- which it can't and won't be ever again. Hope it's a great shooter.

 

[clang444]

You could spend a lot of money and kind of get it back to what it was, but it would probably cost more than going out and buying one in original condition.

It's shooter grade - so just shoot it.

 

[steelslaver]

I would give it a trip though my blast cabinet and a nice hot bath in my blue tank. But, that is because I can

 

[RKmesa]

I agree with most of the above - put a rear sight on it and enjoy it for what it is - a 3.5" pre-27 and shoot the heck out of it. Carry it in the desert or in your truck and don't worry about it. Looks like a fun gun. I'm positive that if I found that for a reasonable price it would have come home with me...

 

[67ray]

Wow a 3.5" too

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

how much do you have in it??

 

[A10]

It hurts to see that done, but water under the bridge. The action should be great (it usually is on the older ones) so carry and shoot in good health! I'd throw a good aftermarket adjustable sight on there....

 

[gdogs]

When you start looking for a rear sight that will fit it:

Home - Poppert's Gun Parts

Larry Poppert
P.O. Box 413
Glenside, PA 19038

Tel. 215-887-2391