What Older N Frame Do You Recommend?

[JK-linux]

Another vote for the venerable Model 28 Highway Patrolman. Something about it, I don't know... to me it just has character, and public service heritage, and heft, and pointability that some more modern heavy .357's seem to lack. No offense, I love me some 686 goodness, but the 28 has a place in my heart even above the Model 27. Shooting as full house of a 158gr Magnum as you prefer out of them is a real pleasure.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Now that I've got all those wannahave handguns(rifles is another thing)I'm ready for a 5'' model 27.But to answer your question(this ain't my post afterall!)my answer for a totaround gun would be a 4''model 28.They come by for a small amount of $$$(compared to Mod 27)and will do more than their job.I know;I got one.
Qc

 

[scrufff]

For an older gun,you should look for a S&W Model 610 10mm or 40 S&W.I recently acquired a 6.5 inch stainless steel and it melts my hear when I shoot it.Great gun in 3 inch and 5 inch barrels all truly worth the money.

 

[SLT223]

You are about venture down a very expensive path because once you realize how well they handle and experience the old school double action trigger pull, you will want examples of all variations. I had to buy another 60" safe because of this. Don't worry, we'll help motivate you when you are on the fence about a purchase

P.S.
Every gun safe really ought to have a 6" 28 Highway. Just start there. The earlier the production the better.

 

[sodacan]

Go 45. My favorite "N" frame shooters are my model 1917, model 1950 (pre-26) and model 1955 (pre-25). I have a real affinity for for 45acp revolvers. The 1917 is a real piece of history. I know they don't fit your criteria, but it's a mere suggestion. Any 27 or 28 with a pin in the barrel and recessed cylinder will do nicely. Good luck.

 

[muddocktor]

If you want to stick with 357 Mag, then a 27 or 28 are 2 great choices to look at. But if you decide to go with a -2 variant or earlier, you will be spending a significant amount of money for a good one, especially the 27's. If you go with a -3 to -5 model you will save a few hundred bucks or more and still end up with a very good revolver. I have a 6 1/2" 27-5 among my collection of 4 27's and it's just as fine as shooter as my 27-2's. And it still has the traditional checking on the top strap and not that new "so-called" checkering they are doing nowadays.

And I know you are thinking of an older model, but don't turn your nose up at a 627 in 4 or 5" barrel either. I bought a new 627 Pro in April and it has a trigger that is as nice as my older 27's. And it is 8 shot to boot. The flat sided barrel does detract from the traditional looks in my opinion, but it shoots well. And being a stainless gun, it's easier to keep clean.

 

[Texas Star]

The 3.5" Model 27-2 in 357/38

For a range gun? I think a six-inch barrel is better suited, and serves well for all-round .357 use that doesn't include concealed carry. No N-frame gun is ideal for that.


Having owned five-inch and six and 6.5-inch barreled .357's, I'd choose a six-inch barrel. It seems to me to be easier to shoot well. The five-inch is a bit easier to carry, but not much. You'll never notice the difference in the right holster, except that the longer barrel may make it harder to achieve comfort during long hours in a car on patrol. But the OP isn't in that position. And tall people don't have the holster toe pressing on the seat, anyway.


IMO, the 3.5-inch barrel is always a mistake over getting a four-inch barrel. Elmer Keith and holster maker Chic Gaylord agreed. The short barreled M-27 has emotional appeal because of its brutal, stumpy appearance. But that's ALL that it offers.

 

[jtcarm]

Get a Model 24.

It's it's a range gun, punching big ole holes is sure satisfying!

 

[BigBill]

I been hooked on the n frames with the 6" & 6 1/2" barrels. But the 4" m58 in 41 mag handles really well. The m27-2 and m28's are good choices. There also a good starting point. These can become addicting.

 

[steamloco76]

The chorus singing the praises of the 27-2 and 28-2 are correct if the .357 Magnum is your must have caliber. My 27-2 used to be a favorite range gun until I discovered the joys of the .45 ACP caliber N frame! The model 25 or 625 in any dash form with a 4, 5 or 6 inch barrel is an absolute blast to shoot. Big bore fun with reasonable ammo cost even if you don't handload.

 

[texagun]

The Model 28 is a great choice for a range gun. They can be found at very reasonable prices and they don't command as much as a Model 27 that had a nicer bluing job and were more expensive. This is a 28-2 manufactured in 1978 and was a Texas Department of Public Safety gun. You can shoot milder .38 Special loads in them for range work.

 

[jtcarm]

The Model 28 is a great choice for a range gun. They can be found at very reasonable prices and they don't command as much as a Model 27 that had a nicer bluing job and were more expensive. This is a 28-2 manufactured in 1978 and was a Texas Department of Public Safety gun. You can shoot milder .38 Special loads in them for range work.

Ah man, I'd so love a DPS gun (Texan here).

I didn't notice the OPs requirement of .357. That definitely limits the choices to the 27 & 28, unless he wants to look for a 520.

Another option would be a pre-lock 627, they're kinda pricey, though, and may not be easy to find locally.

 

[Casbah77]

I'm relatively new to this, But I also agree regarding the 28.
I have a 27-2 in Stainless that's fun too, but the "pawn shop find" where I picked up a 6" Highway Patrolman is by far the most fun to shoot.
Good Luck!

 

[texagun]

...
I have a 27-2 in Stainless that's fun too....

If my memory serves me correctly the Model 27 only came in blued or nickel. No stainless steel variant was ever produced. In 1989 the stainless steel Model 627 was introduced as the "Model of 1989". It featured a 5 1⁄2-inch barrel, a 6-shot unfluted cylinder, and had a round butt with S&W Combat stocks.

 

[saemetric]

Here you go:

 

[DocB]

As most have said, I'd get a 28-2. The M27 is just too fancy and hard to find in a 4 inch. The 28 is just as good. Plus, it's a tough and durable gun that can take a beating almost like SS. I like the way it looks like a snub with that large frame and short 4 inch barrel.

 

[les.b]

Well, here's my 27-2 with the 3 1/2" bbl:



But for less money...how about my 28-2 with the 4" bbl?:



They are both great shooters... Like them so much that I just picked up a 4" 28 no dash yesterday:



This is a "before" picture...I brought it home, put a couple cylinders of 357 through it to make sure it functioned OK, and will spend some time cleaning it up. these are marvelous shooters, and their weight ensures that even full magnum loads are relatively light recoiling.

Best Regards, Les

 

[muddocktor]

Just to make your decision harder, here are a few of my 27's and my 627 Pro for you to gander at.

First, my safe queen . It's a 27-2 4". Still unshot except for the proof shots S&W fires. Above it is my first pistol, a 5" 27-2. It's had 10's of thousands of rounds through it:


Next is a 27-5 with a 6 1/2" barrel I bought off GB 3 years ago. Got it for around $700. It's had a few thousand rounds through it since I bought it:


Finally, just to make it harder for you to choose, here is my 627 Pro I bought new in April. With the Ahrends round to square butt conversion grips I have right about $900 in that revolver. And it's had a few thousand rounds put through it since I got it in April: