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/