Never Seen One of These Before...

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CajunBass

CajunBass

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I saw a Smith & Wesson Model 27-2 with a "short barrel" in the "If you have to ask, you can't afford it" cabinet at my LGS one day last week. I didn't have a Model 27 of any kind, but I figured it would be nice to have one with a 3.5" barrel. I was in a bit of a hurry, so I had them put it on hold, came back a few days later, put some money down to transfer it to layaway, then came back a few days later, and got it out.

I took it home and cleaned it, when the scales fell off my eyes, and I realized that it wasn't a 3.5" barrel, but a 4" one. I don't think I've ever seen a 27-2 with a 4" barrel before. I knew they made them in the "new" 27's-8, -9 and such.

If it's been fired it hasn't been very often. Target hammer, target trigger, and stocks, with presentation case, and tools, but no papers.

I thought at first the stocks were a mis-matched set, but the color blends from light to dark on the left side.

Model27-2_zpscp9gbcsr.jpg

Model27-2a_zpsv5fsxwqy.jpg
 
CajunBass

Fantastic find! I have always been enamored with a 5" Model 27 but there's something so nicely proportioned about that 4" barrel on an N frame that I just might have to go looking for one those as well!

And I have set of factory N frame grips that are exactly like yours: light on one side, darker on the other. I think they came off a Model 57 I use to own.
 
I have a 5" and it is one of my favorites! These are exceptionally well built and a dream to shoot.
 
CajunBass

I thought at first the stocks were a mis-matched set, but the color blends from light to dark on the left side.
Click to expand...

These are the grips I mentioned earlier in response to your post about mismatched grips. Pretty sure these came off a Model 57 I had, probably sometime in the mid to late '70s. Same color as your grips and the color difference is on the same side. I did cut them down a bit on the bottom and sanded them to fit my smaller size hand better.

ExBUFp4.jpg
 
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I've got a set of light/dark stocks on my favorite M19. Sure as heck they're numbered to the gun and you can juuust see the transition on one side near the bottom and the grain pattern all lines up.

The Target stocks don't particularly fit me well, but they look so good on the 4" I keep them on.

I've got variations of "Combat" stocks on the rest.
 
gotboostvr

I've got a set of light/dark stocks on my favorite M19. Sure as heck they're numbered to the gun and you can juuust see the transition on one side near the bottom and the grain pattern all lines up.
Click to expand...

Same with the pair I have; the colors don't match but the grain patterns do on the bottom of the grips. I actually modified the N frame grips to go on my L frame Model 686. I cut two pieces of 12 gauge wire to fit in the front curvature of the grips. It was the only thing I could think of that was both solid and flexible and would fit inside the grip without too much difficulty. Worked great and I liked repurposing those grips.
 
bannockburn said:
gotboostvr



Same with the pair I have; the colors don't match but the grain patterns do on the bottom of the grips. I actually modified the N frame grips to go on my L frame Model 686. I cut two pieces of 12 gauge wire to fit in the front curvature of the grips. It was the only thing I could think of that was both solid and flexible and would fit inside the grip without too much difficulty. Worked great and I liked repurposing those grips.
Click to expand...

The N frame targets fit me a bit better.

Now to find pristine two-tone N frame targets at a reasonable price!
 
I believe the 4" Model 27's were being manufactured right before S&W discontinued the entire Model 27 line up back in the day. My buddy and I had orders into a distributor that were never filled. Both of us really wanted one of those 4" Model 27's. I have never seen one in the flesh, but I recall seeing a pair on the cover of one of the gun mags when they were announced (one blue and one nickel). I do have a well used old Model 28 with the 4" barrel that I picked up at a gun show years ago for $250 in the box. I guess it will have to do.
 
As I understand it, S&W only made the 4", 27's in the -2 for a couple of years. I'm not sure if they made anymore until much later. I have owned a 4" 27-9 for a while and have seen several others in the -8, and -9 configuration. I forgot why I sold it, but I'm sure it was for something I couldn't live without. :) Even though the 3.5" was more popular, the 4" is not as commonly seen.

Not a thing wrong with a Model 28.
 
Beautiful gun! I have a Highway Patrolman with a 4" barrel, and I agree that 4" N frames have a rather "short" look to them. Congratulations on acquiring such a great revolver!
 
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