What is it about the 3.5" Model 27?
- Thread starter RobC2
- Start date
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
If one likes revolvers then one should be enamored with the 27. It is the top of the S&W line and is descended from the "Registered Magnum," the first 357 Magnum produced. It has all the elements we appreciate in inanimate objects; history, aesthetics, and usefulness. The 27 is where form precisely meets function.
As for the popularity of the 3.5" barrel version, this is likely due to its visual appeal. It does look aggressive and businesslike in that barrel length. The longer barrel models are more practical as they balance better and achieve better performance from the Magnum cartridge. But the 3.5" remains the most popular. What we desire most is not always what is most practical.
I bought my first 3.5" 27 in the early 1980s. It was made around 1975 but came to me in unfired condition in the wooden box. It was stolen with all my other guns in 1985. Within 6 months I had replaced it with another.
For nearly 15 years this was my only short 27. I acquired a couple of 5" 27s (to me the most desirable) during this time but felt no great urge to obtain another short one. Then in 1999 I stopped by a tiny gunshop in Carbon County, Utah. In the case were rows of pistol racks holding about 40 Model 19s he had purchased as surplus from the local sheriff's office. All were blue with 4" barrels and all were tagged at $275. In the back row was one gun sticking up higher than the others. Turned out to be a 3.5" 357 from 1957. Showed a lot of holster wear but it had the smoothest trigger pull I have ever felt on any revolver. Price? The same $275 he was asking for the Combat Magnums. I bagged it. Should have bought a couple of the 19s, too...
Now living in Arkansas, I dropped by a local show maybe 4-5 years ago. One dealer had a nickel 3.5" 357 that would later letter from September of 1950. I had brought a Colt auto to sell or trade, and he threw in a set of stags to go with the original numbered Magnas and we swapped. After selling the stags I figure I have about $400 in the gun. Condition is not perfect by a long shot but still a good gun.
On a personal note, when you do find your 27, please don't put fake ivory stocks on it. They always look cheesy and the gun deserves better. So do you.
As for the popularity of the 3.5" barrel version, this is likely due to its visual appeal. It does look aggressive and businesslike in that barrel length. The longer barrel models are more practical as they balance better and achieve better performance from the Magnum cartridge. But the 3.5" remains the most popular. What we desire most is not always what is most practical.
I bought my first 3.5" 27 in the early 1980s. It was made around 1975 but came to me in unfired condition in the wooden box. It was stolen with all my other guns in 1985. Within 6 months I had replaced it with another.
For nearly 15 years this was my only short 27. I acquired a couple of 5" 27s (to me the most desirable) during this time but felt no great urge to obtain another short one. Then in 1999 I stopped by a tiny gunshop in Carbon County, Utah. In the case were rows of pistol racks holding about 40 Model 19s he had purchased as surplus from the local sheriff's office. All were blue with 4" barrels and all were tagged at $275. In the back row was one gun sticking up higher than the others. Turned out to be a 3.5" 357 from 1957. Showed a lot of holster wear but it had the smoothest trigger pull I have ever felt on any revolver. Price? The same $275 he was asking for the Combat Magnums. I bagged it. Should have bought a couple of the 19s, too...
Now living in Arkansas, I dropped by a local show maybe 4-5 years ago. One dealer had a nickel 3.5" 357 that would later letter from September of 1950. I had brought a Colt auto to sell or trade, and he threw in a set of stags to go with the original numbered Magnas and we swapped. After selling the stags I figure I have about $400 in the gun. Condition is not perfect by a long shot but still a good gun.
On a personal note, when you do find your 27, please don't put fake ivory stocks on it. They always look cheesy and the gun deserves better. So do you.
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keith44spl
Member
Since I've came out of retirement to serve as a Detective for the District Attorney's Office,
I often times carry one or both of these...
If it's where I can't carry a rifle, I jest slide the other 3 1/2 incher in my waistband under my suit coat, alls good.
Had Keith Brown build a pair of fancy stocks in a target configuration, except about a 1/4" thinner. They fit my big ol paw jest right.
Su Amigo,
Dave
I often times carry one or both of these...
If it's where I can't carry a rifle, I jest slide the other 3 1/2 incher in my waistband under my suit coat, alls good.
Had Keith Brown build a pair of fancy stocks in a target configuration, except about a 1/4" thinner. They fit my big ol paw jest right.
Su Amigo,
Dave
Sounds like you are
describing my old pre-27. Except mine does not have the initials on it and the grips are not faux.
You can solve the capacity issue with one of the newer Registered Magnums. These are 8 shot carbon steel model 27s that were produced n blue or nickel.
I totally disagree. OK, you are not going to get the top speeds that you would from a 8 3/8" barrel, but even in a short tube the 357 Magnum out shines most all other cartridges when used in similar firearms. FYI, the 158 grain Hornady Custom XTP-HP leaves a 3 1/2" model 27 at 1220 FPS. The same cartridge generates 1380 FPS from an 8" Colt Python and it takes a 20" 1892 lever gun to achieve 1745 FPS. I can live with that.
You think that there is no "COOL Factor" in the 3 1/2"......much of this Forum will disagree with you on that. The bottom revolver is the 8 shot while the upper revolver is a 6 shot.
This is the 3 1/2" that was used for the chronograph session
Here is the Python that was used.
And here is the lever gun
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Engine49guy
Member
Love this picture for some reason.
Man walks into a gunstore in 1955 and asks the clerk for a short barreled .38 special S&W revolver for concealed carry.
Man walks into a gunstore in 1955 and asks the clerk for a short barreled .38 special S&W revolver for concealed carry.
keith44spl
Member
Man walks into a gunstore in 1955 and asks the clerk for a short barreled .38 special S&W revolver for concealed carry.
And the clerk sez, "The one on the left here...Ya can shoot .38s or .357 Magnum cartridges in it!"
Su Amigo,
Dave
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sigp220.45
US Veteran
Can I play?
I don't know what it is about them. They're just cool.
I don't know what it is about them. They're just cool.
Sportsterguy
Member
They are just plain bad to the bone, plus beautiful in the looks department. I prefer a K frame for packing and shooting but the N frame 27 handles magnums with ease and like most of the short barreled Smiths are very accurate. The older models blow away the IL models in the looks department IMO.
They are the finest looking S&W's ever to leave the factory IMO. Some real beauties posted here. Mines shooter grade and will easily shoot a 2" group all day at 25 yards if I lay off the coffee
!
They are the finest looking S&W's ever to leave the factory IMO. Some real beauties posted here. Mines shooter grade and will easily shoot a 2" group all day at 25 yards if I lay off the coffee
!squidsix
Member
Love this picture for some reason.
Man walks into a gunstore in 1955 and asks the clerk for a short barreled .38 special S&W revolver for concealed carry.
Any time you get the dog poopin and two beautiful revolvers in the same picture is a good one haha!
1 old 0311
Member
ibewbull
US Veteran
I do not have a 3 1/2 inch 27 
My first center fire was a 4 inch 28 back in 1974
I waited a long time to acquire a 2 1/2 inch K frame 66
The money is the only thing holding me back.
I see some beautiful iron here , real American Art in steel and wood.
My first center fire was a 4 inch 28 back in 1974
I waited a long time to acquire a 2 1/2 inch K frame 66
The money is the only thing holding me back.
I see some beautiful iron here , real American Art in steel and wood.
diamonback68
US Veteran
Don't get me wrong, I love the 27s, all of them, I'm just not caught up in 3.5" mania.
Kinda reminds me of the 29 "Dirty Harry" mania quite a few years back and dealers couldn't get them in fast enough and how after owners fired one cylinder full of full house .44 Magnums in them they all of the sudden showed up on the market for sale. Not saying 27 have excessive recoil, they don't, just talking about the "gotta have" syndrome.
Kinda reminds me of the 29 "Dirty Harry" mania quite a few years back and dealers couldn't get them in fast enough and how after owners fired one cylinder full of full house .44 Magnums in them they all of the sudden showed up on the market for sale.
Not saying 27 have excessive recoil, they don't, just talking about the "gotta have" syndrome.
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Old 27 dash 1....carried by a Texas Lawman in a Berns-Martin floral rig.
Sportsterguy
Member
Old 27 dash 1....carried by a Texas Lawman in a Berns-Martin floral rig.
Thats what I'm talking about! A revolver used for its intended purpose. SQ's are pretty and I do enjoy looking at the beautiful specimens on this thread, but I'd rather be shooting my revolvers. Wish that officers 27 could tell it's life story. Had a shot on a S.A.P.D. 27 a few years back but lost out at the last few seconds on my bid. Should have bumped it up $50.00 and still regret it
With that 27 and a good pump loaded with 00 he was very well armed! Still would be to this day, though I'd take the 870 if I could get to it in time. WAY more accuracy and take down power. We just had a shooting in town. 1 guy with an SKS and 3 LEO's with their Glock 31's. BG took ONE hit to the thigh, dropped his rifle, ran and the K-9's had him in minutes. Did I metion 38 shots fired from 5-20 yards. If one officer had his 870 or AR out it would have had a different ending IMO, but their long guns were all in their trunks.
Here is my 27-2 wearing presentations off of E-Bay for $30.00 shipped as the magnas didn't give me enough of a good grip. It's a great shooter and I got it for a bit over $400.00 delivered and out the door from G-Broker to my sweaty palms bout 3 or 4 years ago. Has some honest wear as I have packed it and some blue loss on the cylinder from being stored in a holster. Would not hesitate to take a 50 yard shot on a deer with it if conditions were right but the barrels too short for hunting. It's a tack driver extrodinaire, especially with 180 grain Buffalo Bores. One of my better deals.
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OK, so I got sucked into another one today. What can I tell you?
Haven't even had time to wipe off the finger prints and smudges from the gunshow.
Hope SP approves. This'n ain't got targets on it, although it came with a pair of them and the "bones"
from Executioner.
Haven't even had time to wipe off the finger prints and smudges from the gunshow.
Hope SP approves. This'n ain't got targets on it, although it came with a pair of them and the "bones"
from Executioner.
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keith44spl
Member
Wells thar Iggy,
Looks like ya gettin ready for the next to the last BBQ & PD shootin, eh
That's a nice looking 'n to go with it's blued brother.
Su Amigo,
Dave
Looks like ya gettin ready for the next to the last BBQ & PD shootin, eh
That's a nice looking 'n to go with it's blued brother.
Su Amigo,
Dave
Nice guns and data, but I think you are missing some of my point. What I meant was that nothing on the 3.5" stands out too much to explain its desirability, yet it is still undeniable. It doesn't have a particularly short barrel (what I meant by snubby cool, also ensures packability), nor does it have a long barrel (better ballistics and arguably balance), but somehow the gun is more than the sum of its parts. The entire point of the post was to praise the gun, and to explain how cool it has become to me, even though it shines in no particular area. I think a lot of it is looks, mystique, and history as some have mentioned. Plus, Patton called his Registered Magnum of that length his "killing gun", what better endorsement can you have than that? The newer 8 shot sounds intriguing, does it have an internal lock?
