New Classic Model 27

[BaldEagle1313]

I think I'll be happy with this old shooter. The serial number is N920xx. Anyone know the approximate age of this neat old gun?

Pictures will follow tomorrow.

Thanks for your input guys. I'll probably still buy a 27 to drool over but I think my next acquisition will have to be a 28-2 with a 4 inch barrel.

Regards,

R/S

Jim

Jim, one of the "sticky" threads you MUST read and bookmark is the "Ultimate Highway Patrolman" thread in the 1961 to 1980 sub-forum. It has a year of production list by serial number. You will find a vast amount of information, and enough pictures to make you drool.

If your 28-2 has only 5 digits after the "N", then I would guesstimate production at about 1972.

Hope this helps.

 

[arizonarotors]

Thanks for the advice and help. I think I will be happy with this old girl.

I'm very pleased with how it cleaned up. I almost walked because it was so filthy. At some point I noticed that there was almost no turn ring, no sign of gas cutting, no marks on the recoil shield and no nicks, etc in the crown.

 

[goldenbb]

Just FYI, I think a lot of those auctions are scams and that the people listing the guns are shill bidding and doing other devious things like deciding they can't let the gun go for $460 so a miraculous last-minute bid by the guy's wife solves that problem.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Basing this post entirely on your original post, I believe you made a wise choice. Now you have a gun you can shoot anytime and as much as you want without the worry of "ruining it". Be cautious though, you seem to have been bitten by THE bug as you are already hinting at buying another. Have fun with that 28 !

I don't understand how you can RUIN a Smith by shooting it. If you're not going to shoot it you might as well have picture of it on the wall and sell the gun.
I must color outside the lines as a stack of unfired Smiths is not the best way to build a fortune for your wife when you're gone.

 

[stantheman86]

The "value" of our guns is often over estimated, and letting a gun sit for 30-40 years without using it isn't doing anyone any favors. Your family will probably just sell them for 50% of their value after your gone anyway I'm joking of course, hopefully they will keep them and cherish them, but too many times I've seen widows at my local gun shop, with the owner picking through what was once her husband's prized gun collection of weapons that have never been used or fired.........only to be sold to someone else who most likely used and fired them

My advice, for those with 27's and 28's that are very nice but have already been fired, is to just shoot primarily .38's through it and maybe a few .357's for fun once in a while, and you won't hurt that gun a bit. I do have a 4" 28-2 that was loosened up pretty good from the last owner pounding a LOT of .357 through it, so it can and will happen........I had to correct endshake, yoke shake, and replace the extractor rod locking lug. Other than that, the timing is still dead on and it shoots like a champ.

Life is short, get out and shoot those things..........

 

[ikor]

Fellas, life is too short to not shoot a Model 27-2 weekly. That's what they were made for. I vote for the 27-2.
Period.
End of story.
Move along.

And I agree...

 

[BigBill]

Trying to find a used S&W N frame revolver is rare like hens teeth. Even the new S&W seem to sell quickly too.

After purchasing my very first S&W N Frames in model 57 & model 58 in 41mag i been chomping on the bit for an N frame in 357mag too. I been eyeing the S&W model 27 w/6 1/2'' barrel. Since both my 41's are in nickel finish i figured i want a nickel finish on my S&W m27 too. The model 29 in 44mag is next on my list. I have three rugers in 44mag but i still want an N frame in 44mag. There is something special about the N frame smiths. Bill

BTW; My new S&W model 58 in 41mag w/4'' barrel which i just shot for the first time is awesome, its my new ccw gun too. But i still like the 357mag too. I did open the side cover and lube the inners with a moly paste now both triggers on my two new smiths are equal in pull and smooth.

 

[stantheman86]

There's nothing wrong with the new S&W's, but I agree, for the money I see no reason to spend more for a new Classic over finding a solid used, older one. I do like the new Classic 58's and the 4" 27's. I would think a hard-core S&W fan would want the new "Classics" to go with a collection of older guns, just for "contrast". I have a few older heavy barrel and taper barrel 10's and M&P's,as well as a 64-3 but I still bought a 10-14 and a 64-7, just to have examples of the new stuff and I am very happy with them.

If the Classic series guns were priced more at say, $500 or so, then we'd be cooking. For example, the 10-14 went up in price once it became a "Classic series" and is now more expensive than a 64-8........the first time I've seen a blued gun priced more than it's stainless equivalent.

 

[jwk]

It may put me in the minority but I won't buy a S&W that I can't shoot regularly. If the rarity or condition is such that it shouldn't be shot, I'll pass. I shoot my 5" 27 with both factory and handloaded .357. In my mind that is how it was meant to be. If I can shoot it enough to wear it out, I'll have it fixed so my son can take his chance at wearing it out when he gets it too.

I think you made a good deal on the 28. It cleaned up nice. Hope you enjoy it.

Jim

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Don't you just love it when you find a joker in the deck . Based on your original post, you scored a winner. got a great gun to shoot the snot out of and it came "pre-dinged" to boot. I have decided that I will never again own a gun that I am afraid to shoot or ding.
That being said will explain why I am slowly going to all stainless.

 

[arizonarotors]

Don't you just love it when you find a joker in the deck . Based on your original post, you scored a winner. got a great gun to shoot the snot out of and it came "pre-dinged" to boot. I have decided that I will never again own a gun that I am afraid to shoot or ding.
That being said will explain why I am slowly going to all stainless.

Amen. I've pretty much decided I, for the most part, want to own guns that wear scratches and dents like I wear my wrinkles. I earned them.

I want those scratches to mean the gun has character, not damage to worry about.

Thanks for all the best wishes. I'll shoot it tomorrow. I suspect it will be fine.

Jim

 

[Bart123]

No contest, go with the 27-2. The 27-2 is everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't......for $2 less than the knock off. Good luck with your decision. Regards 18DAI

The 27-9 is NOT a knock off. It's a continuation of the original. If you think it's a knock off, then a 27-2 is a knock off of the 27-1. S&W makes it so it's not a knock off. If Taurus made it, then it's a knock off. The Classics are really nice. Who cares about the silly lock. Ignore it.

 

[ScottieG59]

The 27-9 is NOT a knock off. It's a continuation of the original. If you think it's a knock off, then a 27-2 is a knock off of the 27-1. S&W makes it so it's not a knock off. If Taurus made it, then it's a knock off. The Classics are really nice. Who cares about the silly lock. Ignore it.

I agree. Collectors seem to worry their items will lose value when production resumes. I have some old-time originals and have no issues for new versions.

 

[stantheman86]

Truth is, unless it's NIB, no turn line, all the toys and tools, etc. it's not going to be appreciate enough in our lifetimes to be worth socking it away in the safe. No body is going to put the kids through college selling a few used 27's in 10 years, unless maybe you buy 200 of them.

My Dad bought his 2.5" 66 brand new back in 1989, for something like $380 or something. It has maybe 100 rounds through it, I would never sell it but........Inflation adjusted, the gun might bring, what $6-700 or so today? That's not a big profit after over 20 years, not much more than the adjusted new retail price. In 20 more years it might be a $2,000 gun by then, but gas will be $9 a gallon so it's all relative

 

[Nlmadog]

I just ran through this thread that is 8 months old,I have been looking for a 4" 27-2 blue and can not find one for less than $ 1000.00. Two just sold on Gun Broker for over $ 1400.00 each. Looks like a new Classic is on the way to my house, lock and all !!

 

[Jim NNN]

The saying goes something like "Good things come to those who wait" and that's what happened here. I love my old pre-28 (first year issue, 1954). Mine's 4" .I'd like to get a 6" N frame - very cool looking.

Congratulations.

 

[Sebago Son]

I just ran through this thread that is 8 months old,I have been looking for a 4" 27-2 blue and can not find one for less than $ 1000.00. Two just sold on Gun Broker for over $ 1400.00 each. Looks like a new Classic is on the way to my house, lock and all !!

If you think the new 27's are "Classics", then I have a nice "water view" property for you down in the 'skeetah swamp.

 

[Nlmadog]

I was just referring to what S & W calls them on their website I have a 29-2,25-5 my thinking is I want a shooter . If a new one is $ 850 and used is $ 1000.00 got to look at that and ask yourself what is the smarter move

 

[animl]

so, any opinions on a 27-3, blue 90%, 6" with papers and box. yes it's a shooter. a few round through it each year, S# AUB...... year of birth and value?

 

[Sprefix]

Just as I was conjuring up my opinion, I scrolled down and the wind went right out of my sail. Hmm......you're happy, all is good.