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

 

[Yendor357]

You got that thing dirt cheap, or you wouldn't have bought it.

Send the gun and $100 to Steelslaver and tell him to have at it. It's worth the effort because it's a 3 1/2. In its day, that was a serious piece of equipment. It's hard telling who owned that and where it's been, and what it's seen. That's a pistolero's pistol. It deserves a shot at redemption.

Post pics when you're finished.

PS: Add some sort of wood grips; The more "experienced " the better.

 

[notsofast]

If you bought it to work on it you won't be satisfied until you do. The tittle of your thread, "is this the worst pre-27 ?", I doubt it, there are worse examples out there. Try shooting it.

 

[Iggy]

That gun is durn near broke in. Get a rear sight and enjoy it.
Your grandkids will be able to also.

 

[Hawg Rider]

What a shame! It was a beauty back in the day, but must have been.abused to get ceracoated! Tough choice on whether to leave as is, or to fix it up. I think you got it cheap and planned on it being a fun project piece- so go for it! Total refinish (hopefully the stampings can be saved), new rear sight, and custom stocks! Good luck!

 

[JSR III]

Well I am perplexed. I would either restore it or leave it alone and just shoot it.

As with most restorations, it will never be original again, however since it has already been altered in your case it doesn't matter.

That said if you bought it right and don't care about recouping your investment and are merely doing it to make it look original-ish again then I would send it off to Steelslaver and see what he can do.

If you don't want to spend any more on it then find a rear sight and just enjoy shooting it.

 

[AJ]

It is a shooter! Refinished is refinished, you probably won't recoup the funds you expend. Does not look bad as it is. Keep it and shoot it!

 

[Retired W4]

Forget about the finish. What you need is a rear sight.

 

[2152hq]

The correct rear sight won't be cheap if the seller knows what they have.

You need both the M27 'checkered tang' rear sight and the early style screw hole spacing for the pre-27.
There is a specific blade height for the 3 1/2" bbl as well.

If you are 'in' to projects, I'd go ahead and continue in that direction.
Strip it, polish, refinish, customize, make grips,etc.

All the while knowing that the money and time you put into it is likely never going to return a profit in the future if sold.
If it does and you count your own work time, your labor will be priced at something like minimum wages of 20yrs ago.

But it can be a hobby to many and a very enjoyable one.

If neither of the above sounds good to you, then turn it over, resell it and look for a better gun.
It's not like they are rare. Just that they can be pricey!

 

[steelslaver]

You got that thing dirt cheap, or you wouldn't have bought it.

Send the gun and $100 to Steelslaver and tell him to have at it. It's worth the effort because it's a 3 1/2. In its day, that was a serious piece of equipment. It's hard telling who owned that and where it's been, and what it's seen. That's a pistolero's pistol. It deserves a shot at redemption.

Post pics when you're finished.

PS: Add some sort of wood grips; The more "experienced " the better.

Sending a frame or complete gun to me is pretty much a one way trip. I do not have an FFL and probably never will. Send to my FFL buddy means I need to fill out and sign the 4473. If it became an issue, saying I bought it for my own use and my use was testing, refinishing abilities would probably not wash.

To get an FFL, I would need to get the city to OK a second address and a small business for my shop, both probably doable. But, making a hobby into a business takes the fun away.

I have done a few things for others, reamed cylinders, cut for clips, etc.. But, only for steady members here. With revolver parts one little screw up and the part is wrecked and it cost me money instead of making just a bit.

 

[Jim Watson]

I would at least get quotes on a proper refinish.
For some odd reason, I am not bothered by a painted automatic but coating on a revolver jest ain't right.