Is this the worst? Pre 27?

[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.

 

[old bear]

RG22lr;141878373]OK, So I am not sure how I feel about this.

Sir, ya got a Great working gun there. Leave it as is with the exception of the rubber grips; which should be replaced. Now enjoy it for what it is; I.E. shoot the snot out out of it.

 

[jjfitch]

I like it!

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

I like it! All business, no bling!

 

[dave1918a2]

Another vote for add a rear sight and shoot that thing.

 

[raljr1]

I'd sell it and buy one that already looks the way i want it to.

Robert

 

[Bald1]

Depending on what us have into it, I'd probably blast it then have it blued.

 

[AJ]

People are pretty free with your money.

 

[clang444]

I was in a similar situation on a Model 51 I bought dirt cheap. It had a similar Ceracote to your gun. After thinking it over for quite a while I decided to leave it as is. I even lucked into a nickel .22lr cylinder and now I have a convertible .22lr/.22Mag part time FrankenPinto:

 

[Truckman]

People are pretty free with your money.

Some of us are forced by financial reality to live vicariously......Ben

 

[Doug M.]

If you want a collector gun, this is not it. If you want a shooter than is very likely to be functional and will not lose value in daily carry as a tool, you need to add a rear sight and drive on.

 

[smithman 10]

I'm so cheap I'd just go ahead and shoot it WITHOUT a rear sight, just to see what I could do!