S&W Model 27 Registered Magnum Review (updated with pictures)

cREbralFIX

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My previous thread regarding the failure to fire problems on my first range trip:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/5941010392

***

I recently acquired a Smith & Wesson Model 27 Registered Magnum distributed by Lew Horton. This is the new version, complete with heretical lock. This revolver includes modern innovations for revolvers and has been modified by S&W's Performance Center. I chose this particular gun because it just looks great. I love the three and a half inch barrel and sculpted lug.

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S&W Registered Magnum

This gun has a really nice list of features. It has everything I'd want on a revolver except a gold bead front and rear sights.

01010085.jpg

Eight chambers for two extra rounds of fun

The gun is chambered for 357 Magnum. It holds eight rounds and the cylinder is cut for moonclips. The charge holes have been chamfered and beveled for quick reloads. Both the front and backstraps are lined. It has a square butt and comes with magna grips. The wood is very nice on mine.

I did notice that the magna stocks allow the gun to twist when firing full magnum loads. Even the vertical serrations in the frame did not stop this. I plan to replace the stocks with some Eagle boot grips for square butt N-Frames.

01010087.jpg

Checkered top strap

The top of the gun is checkered. The checkering is not as good as I would like. Several lines across the top from right to left, are not deep enough or are completely missing. Several of these errors cross three lines, resulting in a long rectangle.

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Ball detent

There is another lock-up point on the front of the crane. Also notice that the hammer is leaf shaped. The checkering on the hammer is very good and is not sharp like on my Ruger SP101.

01010089.jpg

Trigger stop

The Performance Center did some action work on the gun. Both the double and single actions are smooth and light. They added a trigger stop. The trigger face is smooth.

01010083.jpg


I fired a total of 75 rounds. I used Remington UMC 125 grain semi-jacketed hollow points, Remington UMC 130 grain FMJ 38 Special, and CCI Blazer 125 grain TMJ 38 Special +P ammunition. Initially, the gun shot low, so I gradually adjusted it until it was centered on the target.

01010084.jpg

S&W Model 27 Registered Magnum with CCI Blazer 38 Special +P ammunition

The gun shot very well; I'm not a very good revolver shooter. The Remington UMC 38 Special rounds felt like 22 LR coming out of the heavy N-Frame's barrel. They were so easy to shoot that I'm going to use this round for training new shooters. The CCI Blazer rounds were a bit more snappy, but felt like 9mm. The Remington UMC 357 Magnum rounds were powerful and had lots of flash. However, they were controllable.

Overall, the fit and finish of the gun is good. There are a few errors, most notably the stupid lock and missed checking on the top of the gun. The classic magna grips are a bit small at the top and allow the gun to twist under heavier recoil. It shoots very well and the Performance Center action work made it easy to shoot. I really like this gun and plan to shoot it frequently.
 
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My previous thread regarding the failure to fire problems on my first range trip:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/5941010392

***

I recently acquired a Smith & Wesson Model 27 Registered Magnum distributed by Lew Horton. This is the new version, complete with heretical lock. This revolver includes modern innovations for revolvers and has been modified by S&W's Performance Center. I chose this particular gun because it just looks great. I love the three and a half inch barrel and sculpted lug.

01010086.jpg

S&W Registered Magnum

This gun has a really nice list of features. It has everything I'd want on a revolver except a gold bead front and rear sights.

01010085.jpg

Eight chambers for two extra rounds of fun

The gun is chambered for 357 Magnum. It holds eight rounds and the cylinder is cut for moonclips. The charge holes have been chamfered and beveled for quick reloads. Both the front and backstraps are lined. It has a square butt and comes with magna grips. The wood is very nice on mine.

I did notice that the magna stocks allow the gun to twist when firing full magnum loads. Even the vertical serrations in the frame did not stop this. I plan to replace the stocks with some Eagle boot grips for square butt N-Frames.

01010087.jpg

Checkered top strap

The top of the gun is checkered. The checkering is not as good as I would like. Several lines across the top from right to left, are not deep enough or are completely missing. Several of these errors cross three lines, resulting in a long rectangle.

01010090.jpg

Ball detent

There is another lock-up point on the front of the crane. Also notice that the hammer is leaf shaped. The checkering on the hammer is very good and is not sharp like on my Ruger SP101.

01010089.jpg

Trigger stop

The Performance Center did some action work on the gun. Both the double and single actions are smooth and light. They added a trigger stop. The trigger face is smooth.

01010083.jpg


I fired a total of 75 rounds. I used Remington UMC 125 grain semi-jacketed hollow points, Remington UMC 130 grain FMJ 38 Special, and CCI Blazer 125 grain TMJ 38 Special +P ammunition. Initially, the gun shot low, so I gradually adjusted it until it was centered on the target.

01010084.jpg

S&W Model 27 Registered Magnum with CCI Blazer 38 Special +P ammunition

The gun shot very well; I'm not a very good revolver shooter. The Remington UMC 38 Special rounds felt like 22 LR coming out of the heavy N-Frame's barrel. They were so easy to shoot that I'm going to use this round for training new shooters. The CCI Blazer rounds were a bit more snappy, but felt like 9mm. The Remington UMC 357 Magnum rounds were powerful and had lots of flash. However, they were controllable.

Overall, the fit and finish of the gun is good. There are a few errors, most notably the stupid lock and missed checking on the top of the gun. The classic magna grips are a bit small at the top and allow the gun to twist under heavier recoil. It shoots very well and the Performance Center action work made it easy to shoot. I really like this gun and plan to shoot it frequently.
 
That is pretty awesome looking gun there. I like the 8 shots, I will have to get one one of these days, but no 8 shot had appealed to me until now.
 
What a sweet wheelgun. Hopefully the lock keeps it affordable and available until I rebuild my toy-buying fund.

I have no trouble controlling a K frame with the Remington 125s, so an N frame with the right stocks will be sweet!
 
Originally posted by flop-shank:
That gun begs to be carried.
Oh yes it does.

When I get mine the next things that will be ordered are a CTAC and a Cochise Defender.
 
Originally posted by RonJ:
Can they re-cut the top strap checkering and reblue?

I have no idea. I'm not really going to mess with it other than to change the stocks and put gold bead sights on it.

***

I will carry it a bit. I'm contemplating a month of revolver carry, but need to find good moonclips and build a holder or two.
 
Originally posted by cREbralFIX:
I will carry it a bit. I'm contemplating a month of revolver carry, but need to find good moonclips and build a holder or two.
Heck, forget the moonclips and pack a BUG on the other side of your body. It will help counterbalance that beast.
icon_biggrin.gif
 
Originally posted by flop-shank:
Originally posted by cREbralFIX:
I will carry it a bit. I'm contemplating a month of revolver carry, but need to find good moonclips and build a holder or two.
Heck, forget the moonclips and pack a BUG on the other side of your body. It will help counterbalance that beast.
icon_biggrin.gif
Or just wear two 27s.......
icon_smile.gif
 
By the way, the Remington UMC 130 grain 38 Special rounds were really, really mild out of this gun. I'm not even sure the gun moved when fired. Granted, that's not much of an endorsement of the ammo as a self-defense round, but it sure made it fun to shoot. It was like shooting large diameter 22 LR rounds.
 
Mine arrived at the shop, and the top strap "checkering" is similar to your description and pics. Couldn't find any moonclips either, but will look again... Not what I expected for a special remake of what was the flagship of S&W.......

But the rest of the gun looks real, real good. I can't wait to bring it home, put some Fitz or Herrets on it and go shooting. Should be real nice and make a good carry piece.

When it comes home, I'll phone S&W.....
 
Originally posted by Poohgyrr:
Mine arrived at the shop, and the top strap "checkering" is similar to your description and pics. Couldn't find any moonclips either, but will look again... Not what I expected for a special remake of what was the flagship of S&W.......

But the rest of the gun looks real, real good. I can't wait to bring it home, put some Fitz or Herrets on it and go shooting. Should be real nice and make a good carry piece.

When it comes home, I'll phone S&W.....

I can certainly see how people would want good checkering and excellent fit and finish on a $1000 gun.

I just decided that since it's a shooter and not destined for a collection, I don't care all that much. The fact that it has it AND reduces glare is good enough.

I am certainly interested in hearing S&W's response to your query.
 
I shot the new classic 27 4" at a writers' symposium last month and was impressed with the fit, finish and the smooth action. The topstrap checkering, like you mentioned, could be better, though. Still a nice gun- got one coming in (I like the return of the 6 shot feature on the new classics).
Bob
 
I like this one so much I'm contemplating getting either the 4" or 6.5" gun. However, I noticed it doesn't have a trigger stop...does the Performance Center work on them?
 
You know, S&W really is The Revolver Manufacturer. Not only is Lew Horton selling the new Registered Magnums (PC guns & 8 shooters); but S&W is also making the standard M27s (6 shooters) as part of the Classic Series.

I think Hortons are still on sale and should be available for quite a bit below list.

All of these N frame .357 S&W Magnums look really, really good.

http://www.lewhorton.com/regmag.html

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/C...1&top_category=15701

One of the M40 J frames would be a perfect backup to a M27....
 
I'm trying to talk the factory into fitting a left-over 5" barrel from the Lew Horton run onto one of the new 6 shot classics...they didn't say yes, but didn't say no. I'll keep you posted.
Bob
 
That's one bad mutha....

Nice photo composition with the leather jacket.
 
I just read a posting with the old style thumb latch on a Classic Series revolver.

And for an update, I finally got one of these blued 3 1/2"ers. Sweet, handy, and more accurate than I am. Rides in either of two holsters I already had, a Mernickle PS6DA or a Sparks VM-2. Real nice and it has almost made my K frames become safe queens.
 
Candy!

Crebral's thread and pics hooked me on this .357. I don't understand why these didn't sell faster, well except for the price (worth every penny) and lock (hmm, won't go there). But this thing is a shooter! Also handy and a looker. I haven't gotten the gold bead front sight yet, but that simply has to happen. And right now this 3 1/2"er is dressed for rain, wearing a $10 set of Pachy Presentations (small) - it is a carry gun. Should have some target pics next week - nope, rain arrived changed our plans. :(

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