N Frame .357 4"

[flundertaker]

Looking for some info on the 4" Model 27. In the section for the Model 27, the bible says the 4" "came later", when exactly was the 4" introduced? I am assuming it was after the model numbers were introduced and therefor there is no ".357 Magnum" in 4"? Are there any S prefix serial number 4"? A quick look at GB I could only find one 4" Model 27 that was pre lock. All the rest were recent production. Are the 4" guns a rare(r) commodity?

thanks

 

[Marshal Tom]

They were in the -2 run but there were 4" special order(non cataloged) .357's. Several of us own those.

 

[lihpster]

The .357 Magnum, pre-27, was originally a custom order gun, with barrels available from 3 1/2 inches up to 8 3/4 inches in 1/4 inch increments. So, while it was nowhere near the popularity of other lengths, I'm sure S&W produced a few 4"ers.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

I have a 4" M27-3. I don't know when it was produced, but I've had it for 36 years, bought used.

My understanding is that with the -3 iteration, barrel lengths were standardized at 4", 6", and 8-3/8". I'm not absolutely sure about that, and there are enough experts here I'm sure I'll be corrected forthwith.

ETA: The serial number starts with AJN, so anyone with a listing of serial numbers can figure out when it was produced. My guess is '85-'86.

 

[mchom]

Here’s a pic until the experts can comment

The 2 in back are -2’s (N serials) . I don’t think they are uncommon.
The early post war (pre 27) in front is harder to come across
This one letters from a shipment of 8

 

[lowriderfxr]

I have a 4" M27-3. I don't know when it was produced, but I've had it for 36 years, bought used.

My understanding is that with the -3 iteration, barrel lengths were standardized at 4", 6", and 8-3/8". I'm not absolutely sure about that, and there are enough experts here I'm sure I'll be corrected forthwith.

ETA: The serial number starts with AJN, so anyone with a listing of serial numbers can figure out when it was produced. My guess is '85-'86.

Hello Chuck,

The 3.5" was eliminated in 1979 at the end of the -2 series and the 4" was the standard (approx. 2 years) up to and including the -3 series. There have been small runs over the years of 4" and 5" 27s.

The 4" 27-2s aren't rare but they are certainly scarce and desirable. The 3.5"ers are popular because of their eye appeal but the 4" 27-2 are certainly sought after and made in a lot less quantity.

 

[s&wchad]

My understanding is that with the -3 iteration, barrel lengths were standardized at 4", 6", and 8-3/8". I'm not absolutely sure about that, and there are enough experts here I'm sure I'll be corrected forthwith.

What you said is correct for 27-3's, but S&W added the 4" barrel and dropped the 3-1/2" and 5" barrels in 1979 when they were still building 27-2's.

Here's one in Nickel. Pinned, recessed and shiny!

 

[murphydog]

There were a few special order 4" .357 Magnums in the 1950s also, as I recall.

 

[DARE]

27-2 started in 1961. N prefix started in 1969. So 27-2s built between 1961 and 1969 would have S prefix.

 

[snw19_357]

The .357 Magnum, pre-27, was originally a custom order gun, with barrels available from 3 1/2 inches up to 8 3/4 inches in 1/4 inch increments. So, while it was nowhere near the popularity of other lengths, I'm sure S&W produced a few 4"ers.

I think you're thinking of the Registered Magnum which were pre-WWII, not 'pre-27'.

Here's a thread on the 4" .357 Magnum (pre-27).
https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-h...-27s-photo-info-thread.html?highlight=s164755

 

[lihpster]

I think you're thinking of the Registered Magnum which were pre-WWII, not 'pre-27'.

Here's a thread on the 4" .357 Magnum (pre-27).
https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-h...-27s-photo-info-thread.html?highlight=s164755

You're splitting hairs. By pre-27 I just meant before the numbered guns came out. That would include the Registered Magnums.

 

[22hipower]

I rarely see 4 inch 27-2s and when I do, more nickel ones than blue. Here's a legitimate one and a not so legitimate one.

The second one was gun number two in one of those irritating auctions where you've got to buy two to get the one in which you're interested. It turned out to be a 4.5 inch cut barrel and not too professionally cut. I thought finding a 3.5 or 4 inch barrel would be a challenge, and it took awhile, but this 4 inch turned up on eBay. This one can be carried and shot with no worries.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2n8RFiB https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2q6RSvy https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2q6RSp1 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Retired W4]

Here is my 4" 27-2, SN: N709825. It's like a new gun. 3 T's, RR/WO probably from early 1980. It's got pizzazz.

 

[Truckman]

It's got pizzazz.

I tend to agree......Ben

 

[lestert357]

Looking for some info on the 4" Model 27. In the section for the Model 27, the bible says the 4" "came later", when exactly was the 4" introduced? I am assuming it was after the model numbers were introduced and therefor there is no ".357 Magnum" in 4"? Are there any S prefix serial number 4"? A quick look at GB I could only find one 4" Model 27 that was pre lock. All the rest were recent production. Are the 4" guns a rare(r) commodity?

thanks

Your assumption is incorrect. The 4” barrel was a popular Registered Magnum barrel length as can be seen in the below chart prepared by Dr. Jinks…..

The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) liked the 4” barrel length and ordered 250 of them in 1939 like the one pictured below…..

The KCPD also ordered another 223 4” Non-Registered Magnums in 1940.

 

[flundertaker]

Beautiful Rms but I can’t consider a total production of less than 600 to be “common”.

 

[DARE]

Registration numbers 1 through 5422. A few frames were never completed, so total RMs a little less than that. On a few numbers the barrel length is unknown. 584 known 4 inch guns is about 11% of the total.

 

[mikerjf]

I had no idea so many different barrel lengths were actually produced. Is anyone close to a complete set? (LOL…)

 

[22hipower]

Registration numbers 1 through 5422. A few frames were never completed, so total RMs a little less than that. On a few numbers the barrel length is unknown. 584 known 4 inch guns is about 11% of the total.

As a bit of an interesting side note, I have 5422 (SN 60148) which was never stamped with that number, so is technically a NRM but the invoice shows that it was intended to be the very last of those 5422 RMs; shipped December 10, 1939.


Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2q6NJwT https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[22hipower]

I had no idea so many different barrel lengths were actually produced. Is anyone close to a complete set? (LOL…)

That would be a pretty good trick, and once someone has acquired one of each they can try to add one of each configuration. This eight inch, one of 23, is also likely a one of a kind configuration as it has a Baughman ramp front sight (King) and all other known RM Baughman ramps were on shorter barreled revolvers. Might be fun to try to acquire one of each though.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2n22E6d https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[bdGreen]

Enjoy,

bdGreen

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I bought a new 27-2 4" blue in 1979. Blue cardboard box, 3Ts. Regrettably, traded it off a couple of years later.

 

[RKmesa]

You're splitting hairs. By pre-27 I just meant before the numbered guns came out. That would include the Registered Magnums.

Although you're technically correct, "pre-27" typically is used by collectors to refer to post-war pre-model number ".357 Magnums" that were later assigned the Model number 27.

Here is my 4" 5-screw pre-27 (a special order, like the other 4" pre-27s, most of which were shipped to H.H. Harris in Chicago as noted in the thread linked in post 10, above)





... and my cataloged 4" 27-2:

 

[Doug M.]

That would be a pretty good trick, and once someone has acquired one of each they can try to add one of each configuration. This eight inch, one of 23, is also likely a one of a kind configuration as it has a Baughman ramp front sight (King) and all other known RM Baughman ramps were on shorter barreled revolvers. Might be fun to try to acquire one of each though.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
*
I suspect that the amount of money required would make it less than "fun". It is not something that I follow, but some of the .357 Magnum configurations I have seen are pretty expensive on their own. It does not take long before a few of those revolvers at 5 digit prices mean a staggering amount of cash. I am sure that of our real expert collector members could give a more precise estimate if they cared to, but one we get to "a lot", the incremental difference is likely not important.

 

[jack the toad]

Here’s a quick pic of the 3.5 and 4” M27’s, both -2’s.

 

[lestert357]

.357 Magnum Configurations

Even if a single collector owned every Pre-War Registered and Non-Registered Magnum ever manufactured, he or she would still not be close to having every possible combination of barrel length, sight configuration, and finish. The fact is that many possible configuration combinations were never ordered and thus not manufactured.

 

[Yendor 1]

I bought a new/old stock 27-5 from Gun Broker.

I know it’s not really “Collectable”. But it’s a very nice old gun. I got it for a couple hundred less than the new ones.

What characteristics made a -5, a -5? I know no pinned and recessed. But the -4s were also that way….

 

[flundertaker]

That would be a pretty good trick, and once someone has acquired one of each they can try to add one of each configuration. This eight inch, one of 23, is also likely a one of a kind configuration as it has a Baughman ramp front sight (King) and all other known RM Baughman ramps were on shorter barreled revolvers. Might be fun to try to acquire one of each though.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
*
I suspect that the amount of money required would make it less than "fun". It is not something that I follow, but some of the .357 Magnum configurations I have seen are pretty expensive on their own. It does not take long before a few of those revolvers at 5 digit prices mean a staggering amount of cash. I am sure that of our real expert collector members could give a more precise estimate if they cared to, but one we get to "a lot", the incremental difference is likely not important.

The cheley’s (pls forgive my horrible spelling) had the biggest collection of .357 magnums I’ve ever seen. The SWCA magazine recently had an amazing photo spread about their collection. Unreal! I wouldn’t be at all suprised if they owned a RM in each available barrel length.

 

[DR505]

Nice thread!

My first S&W revolver purchase was a 4" Model 27-3 (3 T's) I bought for my first police academy...I think I got it in 1985. Still have box and original stocks for it, and it has a great action. The original stocks are in the box...never felt good in hand.

It is shown here with an older brother, an S-Serial 27-2 with a 3 1/2" barrel. Notice the bluing differences?

 

[Wyatt Burp]

What you said is correct for 27-3's, but S&W added the 4" barrel and dropped the 3-1/2" and 5" barrels in 1979 when they were still building 27-2's.

Here's one in Nickel. Pinned, recessed and shiny!

In the mid 80s I would drive 2 hours to get my son and stop at a little store/gas station in a little farming town that sold a few guns. For a few years I’d drool over a 4” nickel 27-2 just like this one. But $275 was way out of reach. Child support, etc. Then all of a sudden it was $375 then it was gone. I always regretted that one.
EDIT: Also during that time a guy at work had 2 presentation cased N frames in the trunk of his Caddy under golf clubs and other stuff. A 4” blued 29-2 and 6” nickel Model 57-2. They were waaay out of reach at $350 each.