I picked up this beautiful RM from my local dealer this past Saturday. I finally got one! I bought it from a guy in NV, and you know, I still can't believe I got one. Its one of the hottest domestic made handguns in the gun collecting world, and certainly one of the most sought after S&Ws, if not the most sought after S&W model. No matter how popular the Colt Python is (IMO they are over-rated), the Registered Magnum is and will always be King of the 357s!
Ever since I got interested in S&Ws, my mind/body/soul gravitated towards the concept of "S&W + 357 magnum." After getting a few other S&Ws, years back, I just had to get a S&W 357 magnum. I mean how can you not want one? The power, the accuracy, ability to shoot 38s, the history, the thrill of shooting them, etc. S&W and 357 magnum go together like a burger and fries. Anyways, I ended up getting a 686-3 that I still have today as my first S&W 357 mag. After getting a few more S&Ws, I bought the SCSW 3rd, and I of course read up on S&W 357 magnums. I realized right away I wanted a model 27. Then I learned there was a 5 screw version, which was made before the model numbers arrived. That 5 screw version however was post war, and there was a pre war 5 screw 357 as well. I then learned about RMs...hmmm, I thought to myself: so before WWII they had a total custom order, super high quality 357 magnum, and this gun debuted the caliber itself? It was $60 in 1935?...those must be valuable, I thought...then I got to the value section, and I then thought to myself well, hopefully I luck into one of these, for a reasonable price because it may be a long time before I can afford one. I of course accepted that the odds were not good to find one of these that was misidentified or undiscovered, although it has happened. I later would mention to my wife that perhaps I should buy one after getting my degree in nursing, which she replied back with a stunning level of disapproval, due to the cost.
That was some 4 years ago that I got my first 357 and started learning about the 5 screw 357s. Since then I got other S&Ws, but still longed for the RM, which I intended to be my centerpiece. I started to wonder if I ever would get one. There isn't really a shortage of them necessarily, and of course, there are many which are in the $2000 range. Many of us see good affordable examples which often have some degree of modification or wear. But I personally didn't want one that wasn't original, I didn't want a beat up example (unless it had provenance) I didn't want a refinish, and I didn't want one that was back to the factory. I wanted something better than average for my first one, in case my first RM was my last.
About 2 weeks ago I discovered the RM below online. After talking to the seller back and forth, doing some additional research, and getting a little help from my friend (thank you Cole), I made the purchase. The nice thing was that this gun was already lettered. Its a first year production example, SN 46996 - REG 492. It sports much of its original finish, its original 6in barrel, original patridge front sight with square notch rear, its original SN matching grips, and a grip adapter! I am very happy with it. It has a few marks, a ding on the left side, a ding on the lug underneath, a little edge wear here and there, some light surface rust speckled in a few places, but its an all original specimen, which made all the difference to me. I don't want to discuss what I paid, but it was a pretty reasonable price, considering everything.
Here it is...my first Registered Magnum, but hopefully not my last
I really lucked out with the grip adapter. Not only is it nice, but the S&W Historical Foundation found the factory invoice which mentions the gun having shipped with the grip adapter. Unfortunately the factory letter does not mention this. I asked the seller, and when he sent in his letter request, he forgot to mention that the gun had the grip adapter. I am hoping, after I get the documents from the S&W HF, Roy will will then revise the letter to mention the grip adapter.
I knew the gun would have to have the large medallion service stocks since its a first year gun. When the seller confirmed they matched, it was yet another thing to appreciate about this RM.
The grip medallions washed out. I never saw this before. I suppose its anyone's guess why this happened. The grips are pretty nice otherwise.
I wish the gun had a humpback hammer, but you know, the gun is good enough It has the serrated/grooved hammer. I know early model 1917 45s had a serrrated hammer as well, although that hammer was different. What was the purpose of the serrations? What about the checkering on the spur, was that from that period or special for a RM?
I was also of course pleased with the sights both being original. I realized a long time ago that many RMs may have different sights than when left the factory. These sights, while being the standard type, were left on the gun, to my satisfaction.
Here is the glorious checkered top strap and barrel rib.
I even decided to carefully take off the rear sight assembly, just to check everything. I didn't expect to find anything out of the ordinary, but I was curious.
Here are 3 generations of S&W 357s - top RM, middle 1951 357 magnum 6in and a 6in nickel 27-2. Does anyone know how many RMs came with 6in barrels?
And finally, here is the letter. I hope to get this revised eventually...
Ever since I got interested in S&Ws, my mind/body/soul gravitated towards the concept of "S&W + 357 magnum." After getting a few other S&Ws, years back, I just had to get a S&W 357 magnum. I mean how can you not want one? The power, the accuracy, ability to shoot 38s, the history, the thrill of shooting them, etc. S&W and 357 magnum go together like a burger and fries. Anyways, I ended up getting a 686-3 that I still have today as my first S&W 357 mag. After getting a few more S&Ws, I bought the SCSW 3rd, and I of course read up on S&W 357 magnums. I realized right away I wanted a model 27. Then I learned there was a 5 screw version, which was made before the model numbers arrived. That 5 screw version however was post war, and there was a pre war 5 screw 357 as well. I then learned about RMs...hmmm, I thought to myself: so before WWII they had a total custom order, super high quality 357 magnum, and this gun debuted the caliber itself? It was $60 in 1935?...those must be valuable, I thought...then I got to the value section, and I then thought to myself well, hopefully I luck into one of these, for a reasonable price because it may be a long time before I can afford one. I of course accepted that the odds were not good to find one of these that was misidentified or undiscovered, although it has happened. I later would mention to my wife that perhaps I should buy one after getting my degree in nursing, which she replied back with a stunning level of disapproval, due to the cost.
That was some 4 years ago that I got my first 357 and started learning about the 5 screw 357s. Since then I got other S&Ws, but still longed for the RM, which I intended to be my centerpiece. I started to wonder if I ever would get one. There isn't really a shortage of them necessarily, and of course, there are many which are in the $2000 range. Many of us see good affordable examples which often have some degree of modification or wear. But I personally didn't want one that wasn't original, I didn't want a beat up example (unless it had provenance) I didn't want a refinish, and I didn't want one that was back to the factory. I wanted something better than average for my first one, in case my first RM was my last.
About 2 weeks ago I discovered the RM below online. After talking to the seller back and forth, doing some additional research, and getting a little help from my friend (thank you Cole), I made the purchase. The nice thing was that this gun was already lettered. Its a first year production example, SN 46996 - REG 492. It sports much of its original finish, its original 6in barrel, original patridge front sight with square notch rear, its original SN matching grips, and a grip adapter! I am very happy with it. It has a few marks, a ding on the left side, a ding on the lug underneath, a little edge wear here and there, some light surface rust speckled in a few places, but its an all original specimen, which made all the difference to me. I don't want to discuss what I paid, but it was a pretty reasonable price, considering everything.
Here it is...my first Registered Magnum, but hopefully not my last
I really lucked out with the grip adapter. Not only is it nice, but the S&W Historical Foundation found the factory invoice which mentions the gun having shipped with the grip adapter. Unfortunately the factory letter does not mention this. I asked the seller, and when he sent in his letter request, he forgot to mention that the gun had the grip adapter. I am hoping, after I get the documents from the S&W HF, Roy will will then revise the letter to mention the grip adapter.
I knew the gun would have to have the large medallion service stocks since its a first year gun. When the seller confirmed they matched, it was yet another thing to appreciate about this RM.
The grip medallions washed out. I never saw this before. I suppose its anyone's guess why this happened. The grips are pretty nice otherwise.
I wish the gun had a humpback hammer, but you know, the gun is good enough
It has the serrated/grooved hammer. I know early model 1917 45s had a serrrated hammer as well, although that hammer was different. What was the purpose of the serrations? What about the checkering on the spur, was that from that period or special for a RM?
I was also of course pleased with the sights both being original. I realized a long time ago that many RMs may have different sights than when left the factory. These sights, while being the standard type, were left on the gun, to my satisfaction.
Here is the glorious checkered top strap and barrel rib.
I even decided to carefully take off the rear sight assembly, just to check everything. I didn't expect to find anything out of the ordinary, but I was curious.
Here are 3 generations of S&W 357s - top RM, middle 1951 357 magnum 6in and a 6in nickel 27-2. Does anyone know how many RMs came with 6in barrels?
And finally, here is the letter. I hope to get this revised eventually...
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