Pre 27,, What would you do?? (w/Pic)

[drumron]

ok so before i go and do anything i need some input...

About a year ago i bought a beautiful pre 27. it has on it a 5"bbl... at the time i got it the owner gave me the original 3 1/2" bbl that was originally on the gun... in the late 50's he had the 5" put on and put the 3 away.... i dont think the gun as a whole was shot much anyway.... so heres my delemma.. which bbl do i put on it.... whats the pro's and con's... overall condition of the bluing is about 99%... slight turnline, no edge wear or holster wear..no original box etc.... so give me some ideas..... and if i do decide to put the 3 1/2 back on what do i do with the 5"... what would the n5"bbl be worth on its own?????


heres a quick picture.....

 

[drumron]

ok so before i go and do anything i need some input...

About a year ago i bought a beautiful pre 27. it has on it a 5"bbl... at the time i got it the owner gave me the original 3 1/2" bbl that was originally on the gun... in the late 50's he had the 5" put on and put the 3 away.... i dont think the gun as a whole was shot much anyway.... so heres my delemma.. which bbl do i put on it.... whats the pro's and con's... overall condition of the bluing is about 99%... slight turnline, no edge wear or holster wear.. no original box etc.... so give me some ideas..... and if i do decide to put the 3 1/2 back on what do i do with the 5"... what would the n5"bbl be worth on its own?????


heres a quick picture.....

 

[szuppo]

I would have the 3.5" barrel installed again. I'd wait until after I got it lettered to make sure it did indeed come with the 3.5" though..
Is the box for a 3.5"?

Are the numbers stamped in the ejector shroud on the 3.5" barrel or on the 5" barrel?

Nice find!

How much do you want for it?

 

[drumron]

the serial number is stamped on the inside shroud of the 3 1/2" also the diamond magnas are numbered to the gun as well.... it has a grip adapter on it too...

 

[szuppo]

Personally, I would have the barrels swapped by someone that knows how to do it and do it correctly.

I am sure you could offset the price by selling the 5" barrel.

 

[JSW]

I'm with szuppo on this, return the gun to the original configuration (as lettered) and you have increased the gun's value substantially…

 

[s&wchad]

+2

I'd have S&W put the original barrel back on. They charged me $75 to fit a barrel on a 27, yours may be less because it was already fitted. Sell the 5" for $150-$200 or keep it with the gun (it is fitted).

 

[Ranger325]

I agree with all the above!! Then, post pics!!

Regards,

 

[handejector]

Proceed as follows:
Put the 3.5 barrel back on- perhaps someone will do it if allowed to keep the 5".
Get a letter.
Throw the damn grip adapter away before it marks the orig grips anymore.
Send me the gun.

 

[palser64]

You really need to post pics before teasing everyone on the forum. We all want to see what you got. I also agree with everyone else, put the short barrel back on it if it letters that way.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I agree with all the above, except...

Keep the 5" barrel!

You may find another 27 down the road that the 5" would be just right for.

 

[drumron]

Originally posted by drumron:
ok so before i go and do anything i need some input...

About a year ago i bought a beautiful pre 27. it has on it a 5"bbl... at the time i got it the owner gave me the original 3 1/2" bbl that was originally on the gun... in the late 50's he had the 5" put on and put the 3 away.... i dont think the gun as a whole was shot much anyway.... so heres my delemma.. which bbl do i put on it.... whats the pro's and con's... overall condition of the bluing is about 99%... slight turnline, no edge wear or holster wear..no original box etc.... so give me some ideas..... and if i do decide to put the 3 1/2 back on what do i do with the 5"... what would the n5"bbl be worth on its own?????


heres a quick picture.....

 

[PZ93C]

What do you want?

A 5" or a 3.5"?

 

[drumron]

i could go either way... so thats what im trying to decide

 

[H Richard]

I'd put it back the way it came from the factory. From a shoting standpoint, my 3 1/2" Pre-27 will shoot as well as my 19, or 686.

 

[Jack Flash]

Originally posted by PZ93C:
What do you want?

A 5" or a 3.5"?

As PZ93C implies, the best decision depends on what you want from it -- maximum value/resale value OR improved performance.

I would keep the 5" barrel on it and shoot it. That way, no further expense is required. More importantly, I think the 5" barrel is preferable (performance-wise) for .357 Magnums and besides, it just looks so great. Store the 3.5" barrel in a safe place and you can always make the switch if you someday develop a strong desire to do so.

A collector would want the original barrel back on it, and that would certainly enhance its collector value.

If you do decide to make the switch, contact me as I would love to buy the 5" barrel.

 

[drumron]

Ok so today the gun is at my smithy for the barrel sawp back to the original 3 1/2", which means the 5" will be of no use to me anymore... the gunsmith offered to do the bbl swap and give me 100.00 for the bbl but i declined to sell it as i think someonehere would want it and would be pissed if i sold it without asking... so jumpin jack gets first dibs....

 

[Lenshappy]

drumron - you sir, are a man of character!

 

[drumron]

drumron - you sir, are a man of character!

ahh Thankya Good Sir

 

[rimfired]

drumron,
IMHO, you made the best choices all-around!
Don't forget to show photo's of the results.