Model 27 Target

merbeau

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I just purchased a model 27 that was produced sometime during the 70s. It has a target hammer and trigger along with a target front site. The rear sight is adjustable. The grips are oversize target.

A couple of questions.

Will the longer jump from using the shorter 38 wadcutter decrease the accuracy for 25 yard Bullseye shooting or should I develop a load using the 158 gr SWC using 357 brass.

I am considering placing a Match Dot scope on it. Will having a gunsmith drill and tap the top strap for a scope base such as Weigand ruin its value.
 
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I can't tell the difference using 38sp rounds in a 357. Maybe with a benchrest and lots of time you could find a very small difference. Yes, I feel it will detract from the value.
 
Drilling the top strap will ruin it's value.But it's all about what you want to use the gun for.The extra 1/8" jump should not be a problem,however you can work up a better handload if you need to.
 
I've owned several handguns, purchased for a couple hundred dollars less than the usual asking price for that model...because their top-straps were drilled for a scope mount.

I would not do it to a gun I owned but there seem to be quite a few people who do.

Dave
 
38's will shoot fine in your model 27. If you want one drilled and tapped, just trade yours or buy a later model. No sense in paying to ruin the value of your gun.
 
You'll ruin the value, and you'll ruin the gun. If you want to drill and tap a gun, get a Taurus, no one cares about those.
 
Old eyes

Get a rope!!! That is serious stuff!! Geez I love my SW -- y'all convinced me not to drill and tap it. I guess I will see if my aging eyes can still focus or perhaps as suggested, buy another brand.

Thanks to all that responded.
 
The newer target-sighted S&W revolvers are already drilled and tapped. You can get a post-1993 Model 27-6 or other model so done. Not quite as nice as the old ones but still usually great shooters and fine guns.

However, if you are never going to sell your current gun, or even if you are, and already really know you want the optical sight, the loss of a couple of hundred dollars to some heir may not be such a big deal. It is, after all, YOUR gun, and that is all it is, a gun, not a religious icon or historical artifact or your grandfather's cherished possession. 1970's era Model 27's are very nice guns but not really scarce.

Do what you want!

I think we can safely dismantle the gallows.
 
Since I've been in your shoes I'll share how I arrived at a decision. First I decided how serious I was about competing with a revolver. Once I had made up my mind that I was pretty darn serious I then decided what type: three-gun (2700) bullseye, or Distinguished Revolver, which is a type of bullseye. I then proceeded to build revolvers to fit each type, not at all concerned about collector's value. My goal was a battery of three (22, Centerfire and 45) that all shot sub-2" at 50 yards, and a Distinguished Revolver (in my case a 27-2) that shot commercial 38 Special 158 Round Nose, sub-2" at 50 yards. My 27-2 with no modification but an action job was capable of that level of performance and that was that. The others were more of a challenge but eventually got there as well. Here they are:

This is my 45ACP revolver built on a Model 28 by John Gallagher in Jasper, AL. It replaced the 625 shown below.
Model2845ACP.jpg


The guns from the top are the 625, the 27, a custom Model 14 by Bowen and a Model 17 with only a Performance Center action job.
TargetRevolvers001.jpg
 
Thank goodness the gallows are down!! I was a Bullseye 2700 shooter for years and recently starting shooting indoors at 25 yard Interantional style shooting. I was using my SW 52, however, after the club made a ruling about brass falling being owned by the club, I decided to purchase a revolver.

I will be shooting that style for the near future. I like the idea of finding a newer model that has the scope holes predrilled.

My eyes can not really focus at 50 yards for long periods, however, at 25 yards International the focus time is much shorter.
 
Are the new 14 classics drilled and tapped?
If so that'd be a classy rig for what you want to do. Old school looks, .38 chambered, already has target irons, and tapped for a mount.

As far as your 27, I'm in the it's your gun, you can't take it with you do as you please crowd as far as advice. Hanging it too severe for this. I'd let my dog **** in your yard, but wouldn't hang you.
 
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