Smith 27-2 3.5"?

[g27racing]

I am still pretty ignorant with regards to Smith revolvers. Did Smith do the 27-2 in 3.5" or is the gun I am looking at a 4"? Seller has it listed as a 3.5".
Basically I am looking at gun locally (online) so I am going off the description the seller has posted.
Its blued with Smith Target grips. There are 4 pics posted of the gun and it looks terrific. I know very little about this gun. For some reason I can't lift the images to post here so could anybody tell me a range of value for the gun? No box or papers, just the gun.

Seller just dropped his asking price to $800. I don't own any N frame guns at this time but nobody wants to overspend.

I know its tough to do without pics.

After looking around a bit it appears I could have just looked down the forum threads a little and found my answer.

 

[Flygas]

If it's a nice gun, that's a good price. Buy it!

Shane Robinson
Joplin, MO

 

[g27racing]

I just finally arranged a meeting for tomorrow morning to look in person. This guy has been a bit tough to get a meet planned. I guess it may work in my favor since he originally was asking $900 and just dropped the price.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Measure from the front of the cylinder......some measure from the front of the frame which "shortens" the barrel by about 1/2 inch

3 1/2" guns the front of the ejector shroud is almost flush with the muzzle..... a 4" gun barrel extends beyond the ejector shroud about ......... you guessed it ....... 1/2 inch.

I'm not a big N'frame guy.... but IIRC there are a lot more 3 1/2 inch 27s than 4 inch guns.... most 27s are 6, 3 1/2 and 5 inch......

More 4" 28s ..... which are matt blue ( not polished).....


Edit: glenncal1's pictures below show the difference

 

[glenncal1]

Here is a 4" 27 (a 27-3)



Here is a 3 1/2"



The 4" are a little more rare in the -2 series as I understand it. Either one is a great gun. In today's market that price isn't bad IF the gun is in good shape.

 

[Art Doc]

The 3.5" barrel was a standard length for the 27-2 from 1962 until 1979 when the 4" replaced it. The 4" is less common as it was made for a shorter time (until 1981) but the 3.5" remains most popular. If the gun is in decent shape it's worth more than $800 regardless of which barrel length it is.

 

[g27racing]

I just rechecked the pics the guy has posted and based on the reference shots above its definitely a 3.5" barrel. I meet the guy in 2 hours. He has a lot of guns for sale in this particular private forum. He told me he has a blued King Cobra (that was never listed) he wants to sell as well. We shall see what happens a little later this morning.

 

[deyomatic]

Depending on condition, it sounds like you are getting a 27 for the price of a 28, or a Lincoln for the price if a Ford. Pics please when you can.

 

[g27racing]

I looked at the gun and decided I didn't like the condition enough. It was probably priced about right but I like to own stuff in better condtion. There was 3 "dings" in the steel that showed bare steel and some other cosmetic condition issues. Nothing too disastrous but all added up I just didn't want to own it despite the final price drop he offered me which was down to $725.

I did get this gun a little later though from my favorite LGS. Its a 66-2. Came with both sets of stocks although the Smith stocks are for a square butt while this is a round. $600 OTD. I thought that was more than fair.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Without pics....... I'm guessing I have gone for the 27

 

[bpayne]

I agree with BAM BAM. The 27 was worth 725 is anything better than 80-85% condition depending on your neck of the woods. It's hard to touch 3.5" 27s for less than 1k these days... on the other hand, the 66 is a much more carryable gun, and the 2.5" is one sweet looking Smith. These are my two favorite Smith revolver configurations.

 

[fyimo]

I'd have opted for the Model 27-2 also because the price was low on it even in the condition you mentioned. But I like the revolver you purchased and it's a good one.

 

[Stirling]

Pity there aren't any pics of the Model 27. I'd be inclined to go for the N-frame. I prefer 3" K-frames.