Question on a "perfect" gun - Model 27 in 3 1/2 inch

[ditrina]

Senior;

I recall NIB 3.5" ones sitting in gun stores for long periods when they were new; different situation now, due to shifting personal tastes.

Snubbie Pythons were the same way.. .

.357 in a short barrel? Could not give them away..

 

[6GUNSONLY]

An old friend of mine, now deceased, commented that a 3 1/2" 27 looked like "the hind wheels of destruction backin' out of a ditch." Ha.

 

[ben_g1]

So THAT'S where they all went!!

 

[tom turner]

IMHO, the 3 1/2" looks best, and is perfect for fast, double-action shooting. By the late '70s this barrel length had started being fitted with the big target stocks. IMHO, the earlier ones with magnas like they put on my 1970 specimen are absolutely PERFECT!

Then again, everyone has their own opinion.

The only thing wrong with this one is . . . it is too purdy . . .

 

[TexasRider]

^^^^^

I want one like that one !!!

 

[DRYHEAT]

I forgot to add that this barrel length & caliber was "perfect" for Gen George S. Patton too.

 

[DR505]

Just saw a nice 5" 27-2 at my LGS. It has presentation case, tools, and papers, but they want $956.00 for it. That seems a bit high, but it sure is pretty.

 

[phatmax]

So THAT'S where they all went!!

Do you or anyone have the story on the matte finish in the bottom left? Was that a refinish or some oddball?

 

[SmithNut]

phatmax,
The factory letter for that gun just indicates blue finish, so it was likely refinished somewhere in it's life before I got it 12 years ago.

Good job, no obvious refinish problems, neat look but probably not factory original.

 

[230grfmj]

There are certainly some beautiful 3.5" 357 Magnums, (Model 27s, and pre 27s including that beautiful pre war 357 of SmithNut's) being shown in this link.

At one time I owned all of these; however for a variety of reasons I have let a good portion of them go onto new homes to be enjoyed by other collectors too.

These are all pre 27's with the exception of one model 27.

 

[ladder13]

The only 27 I currently own.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Well, I got to the bottom!

Mr yoda.. you have started down a LOOONG slippery slope.. were all waitin' on ya at the bottom

HOLY SMOKES THAT WAS A FUN RIDE!!!!!!!!

So many pretty guns. Someone please explain the best method to post photos, no, wait, the easiest method, and I'll try it later on.

For the record, I've never been without at least one S&W wheelgun since 1980 but I've never had as many as I do now. Except for my Model 10s I don't have any "repeats" but that will come, in time. I do think the 2" Model 10s are exceedingly wonderful looking but I won't gainsay those 3.5" Model 27s. One will probably join my collection someday.

My 4" Model 27 Classic is a gorgeous weapon; I can't say that I favor the 3.5" more now that I've seen the pictures but I do understand the excitement and joy y'all are exhibiting. Had the M27 Classic been offered in 3.5" and 4" I probably would have selected the 3.5" even without knowing the history of that barrel length just because I do like short barrels so much. But the M27 Classic is a joy to shoot and behold so I'm happy to have it.

For you warriors out there, past and present, don't forget to keep an eye on the annual deals that S&W extends to military personnel. My Model 27 came to me at S&W's cost the year they made that offer - and they've never done it again.

$6XX.00 (I forget, exactly, I just know it was well under $700.00)

Jus' sayin'....

***GRJ***

 

[semperfi71]

My 3 1/2 inch M27-2 almost always ends up on the top of the "pile".

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

This may seem odd but my pre 27 3 1/2" is the most accurate gun I own.It beats out my 4" Python and even my 8 3/8" 29-2,Weird.

 

[semperfi71]

This may seem odd but my pre 27 3 1/2" is the most accurate gun I own.It beats out my 4" Python and even my 8 3/8" 29-2,Weird.

It's been my experience that barrel length and make or model has less effect on accuracy than does the proper loads.

I have a very nice M66-1 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel that just would not shoot several bullets and ten or twelve powders well at all. Then I loaded a Meister 158 grain SWC with VVN105 and it will group into 2 1/2 inches at 25 yards for five shots.

 

[Silver Dollar]

I'm glad I saw this thread and saw all these great M27s. Coincidentally, yesterday I went and bought a new (was in the gun store for a few years) 2010 nickel finish 27-9 with a 6.5" barrel because I wanted something with a bigger caliber than my 15-3. I got a nice new leather holster for it and carried it for the first time today even though I haven't taken it to the range yet. I was wearing an open 511 tactical shirt over it and it felt to me like I was trying to smuggle a washing machine out of Sears. I'm only 5'6" so I must be compensating for something. I don't like little guns. They just don't make my day.

 

[rags]

"One" is the loneliest number that you'll ever do....

"Two" can be as bad as one. It's the loneliest number since the ... Sorry! Haven't got that one yet!

 

[RKmesa]

Resurrected...

I was looking through some old threads. Somehow I missed this great one. Love the photos (IMO some of the best on the forum) of one of the most photogenic guns S&W ever produced.

Bumping it to the top with a 3.5" RM and a few comments.






Bill: I love your guns in both their "Before"...

...and "After" state. I especially love the stocks on that UHP 357.

SmithNut - this one is outstanding - and I very much agree with your thoughts, below:

Now, to finish the question about the "perfect" gun, I'll just amend my opinion to the following:

The 3 1/2" M27 and pre-27's are all nearly perfect, no doubt, but for perfection you need one of these:

A bit older, oddly shaped hammer, different front sight, same barrel length, same manufacturer Perfection

 

[rags]

I forgot about this Thread.... I got the othern!

 

[mojave30cal]

Here are my two pre-27's, one in factory nickel with a 3 1/2"
bbl. that shipped in June of 1950, and the other one has the
factory special order 4 " bbl. that shipped in April of 1957.
That's all I got.