Mod 27 - shoot or safe queen?

[Tractorshaft]

Agree with the BMC

A six-inch 27-2 that already has a turn line. What's to save? Give it some range time. 5000 rounds through it, carefully maintained, and not holstered and it will be no worse for the wear.

I agree with the BMC here; Most wear & tear on pistols is from being toted around or in-out of the holster. I am not talking about burning through the top strap of a .357 by shooting thousands of hot hand loads here. I am talking about "Handling Wear".

I have several nice, collectible (as defined by some), NIB, old Smiths. For example, last weekend I just took a 125th anniversary Model 25 out of the original S&W packaging and put 200 rounds through it.

In this particular case its just not worth that much as a "Collectible" and I weigh the few bucks more it would bring later as "NIB" not worth the pleasure I get from firing it.

Its a gun, not a Duncan fife sofa. IMHO, Shoot them but take care of them. Its what they are made for Like the scorpion who stung the frog taking him across the river "Why", because "Its what I do"

Jerry
Winsted, CT

 

[lagavulin62]

my vote is to at least run a few cylinders of 357, then you can clean and retire it. on the rare occasion you show it off you got to say "he_ _ yeah I've shot it, why do you think I bought it?" ....then make the 28 the shooter. well thats the way I'd do it. (if I had those two guns)

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I have the same situation with a ANIB blued 8 3/8 M-57. It's the only revolver I own that I havent shot yet. I know the prev owner and I know it's never been fired out of the factory. But I do think that may change this summer! So what should you do? Follow your gut feeling's.

 

[Wingwiper]

should i shoot the 27, or just keep it?

Both!!!!

 

[oldRoger]

Shoot it!
I have a 27-2, 5" which I bought new. It looks very nearly unfired, some slight turn ring, and burring on the sight adjustment screws. I have very seldom holstered it. It rides to the range in a bore sock, is fired regularly and seems to me none the worse for it.
My point is that I believe with careful handling It will still look great when whoever inherits it, gets it, many years in the future.
I have been told that old guns like old people need exercise and a proper diet to stay strong. I recommend a 158gr Keith at about 1250fps.