Looking at a 27. Could use some input.

[33jayman]

I am new to the forum but not new to firearms in general. I have a few newer Smiths but I'd like to try one of these 27s out. To me they seem to be over built for the caliber, which I like. I know the 27 comes with a lot of history too which I like.

I guess what I need to know is what to look for when buying a used 27?


Thanks for any advise you might have

jayi

 

[dlbx2]

Welcome! Since you know about guns in general, apply everything that is an issue with any other gun to the 27. Finish, lock-up, timing, and general appearance. In general, the shorter the barrel the higher the price, all else being equal. Buy a Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition if you plan to get into Smith & Wesson collecting. A lot of the info available on this forum is right out of that catalog, and a lot is experience. You will fing a number of nice, well informed folks who just love to share their knowledge. The 27 is a well made workhorse with a rich & diverse history, and more variations than most guns that I have seen. I am sure some of the experts will post here, and you will do well to absorb what they offer! Good luck on your future finds!
DLB

 

[rags]

^^^ What he said! ^^^

 

[Stick895]

I always look for wear or impressions around the firing pin hole inside the frame behind the cylinder. Search GunBroker and look at all the pictures and you'll see the differences. Also depends on are you looking for a shooter or a collector/safe gun?

 

[33jayman]

Thanks for the information guys. I really want a nice shooter. I have owned some highgrade collector pieces and end up selling them without shooting them and all the time that I have them I am afraid of marking them up. So no more safe queens for me.

Jay

 

[VaRecon]

They are by far my favorite guns.
I bought one that was in great shape, and I still shoot it as much as possible.
They hold up well if you treat them well.
N-frame 357's are as good as it gets.

 

[Engine49guy]

Generally the older they are the more expensive but condition is everything, also 5 screw guns bring more than the 4 screw which brings more than the 3 screw version, 3 screw P&R brings more than 3 screw Non P&R (dash 3 and later).

As shooters they are all great, You said "over engineered" I like that word but when the .357 round was developed there was no L frame and the K frame was not up to the task yet.
Now S&W offers a "J" frame .357 but no longer a "K" frame 357...go figure.

The Model 27 has a higher level of finish and was originally intended to be a custom revolver ,
If your on a budget and finish is not as important in your "shooter" consider a Model 28 "Highway Patrolman" as an alternative,
The HP only came in 4" and 6" barrel lengths but has the same "N" frame with a plain finish and no top strap checkering for about half the price....at least in the 4" barrel models.

Perhaps decide what barrel length you want first then set a budget,
The 4" is rare in the 27 but common in the Model 28,
The short 3.5" barrel length 27 generally brings a premium ,
The 5" 27 is usually slightly more than the 6" and 6.5" and 8 3/8".
Do some reading and look at some pics and you will start to focus on what you like exactly but they are all great guns for range use.
Good Luck , keep us posted and dont forget to post some pics when you find the right one.

 

[gunny4053]

A lot of good advice has been given, and not much I could add. The 27s are great firearms, as I've found with my 5". If I may offer something else to think about, if you're looking for an N frame .357, you might also consider the model 28. Basically the same gun as the 27 without the bling (checkered top strap, nicer finish). If you're primarily looking for a shooter, it might be a very good alternative.

My 27-2

My 28-2

 

[33jayman]

Thanks for the help guys. You have hit squarely on the answers that i have been looking.

There is a mint 6 inch Highway Patrolman in town which Ilooked at yesterday. I have a 686 with a 6 inch barrel and i am not really interested in that lenght of barrel. In fact, i like the 686so much, my thinking was that I wanted another one but blued, with a shorter barrel, and on a N frame. So that is how i became interested in the model 27.

Jay

 

[David LaPell]

I have had a couple of Model 27's and a Model 28. The 27's were 3 1/2 inch and 5-inch and the Model 28 was a 4-inch. The 3 1/2 inch is probably my favorite although someday I do want another five inch gun. I can tell you though that my 3 1/2 inch gun is very accurate well out to 25 yards and then some.

 

[gkitch]

Just be careful of price. I see many S&Ws for sale with aftermarket (or otherwise wrong) grips, missing parts, no box, etc...yet priced like a NIB collector piece.
Also, a model 27 has a checkered rear sight rib to match the surrounding topstrap. This is a difficult part to replace and if you are looking at a 27 with a serrated sight or a scope mount, deduct accordingly.

Yesterday, I saw a 6" M-28 for sale with K-frame target stocks somehow misfitted to it. The pawn shop wanted $595 for it, which would be about right for a NIB gun. Happens all the time.

 

[33jayman]

Yeah Smiths can really shoot well. I have a target in my basement from the Michigan Police Chief's match where I shot a 99 with 3 in the x ring. Did that with my 686. That was 10 shots at 25 yards, off hand into a sub three inch group. Love that gun!

Jay

 

[David LaPell]

Another thing on the price is that each barrel length seems to command its own price. The 8 3/8 inch is the least valuable while the 3 1/2 is the most, but you have to be careful not to overpay on them. I see folks asking big money for the short barrel guns, even if they are shooters. It is not uncommon to see some guys asking $1000 for shooter 3 1/2 inch barrel 27's (not to mention more for pre-27's). They are out there but you probably won't find a good price on an auction sight, and its real easy to overpay on one of those on Gunbroker. I found my 27-2 short barrel in a little out of the way shop.

Again be careful on these because the prices can be all over the map on these.

 

[33jayman]

Oh man is that ever nice! I need one of them too!

Jay

 

[SixgunFife]

I'm pretty new to the 27 scene, having once owned a spectacular 5-inch example that I all-too-quickly sold. This was about 20 years ago.

A few weeks back I was able to buy another 5-incher and I'm loving it. Had a custom holster made for it, and am now scouting for grips.

Once you find one (or more!) you like, hang onto it!

 

[glenncal1]

If you want to get a gun with some collector value you probably want a -2 or older and it should have all the accessories. I bought this 4" -3 that has had the hammer and trigger jeweled (and I think an action job too) and it is a delight to shoot and a tack driver. Once you get a 27 you will want more (don't ask me how I know this):

 

[txbrill]

Based on what you say you might want to look for a 4" 586, not the new classic but the original ones. Don't get me wrong the 27 and 28 are both great guns, but of the three my favorite is the 586.

 

[33jayman]

Thanks for sharing your photos and input gents!

I just have this S&W itch that needs some serious scratching.

Jay

 

[kennyb]

just two weeks ago i found at my LGS a 3.5"pre-27 from 1954....no box and had fingergroove combats (which i have corrected) for under $600....so....deals can still be found