Which model 27 classic?

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Sneakshot92

Sneakshot92

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Hi all.

Just curious of what would be your preferred barrel length would be if you were to order a NEW S&W Model 27 Classic. 4" or 6.5" and why? Might help me decide what barrel length I'll get when I decide to order one in a few months.
For me this will mostly be a range queen with the occasional weekend cased up in the atv's utility box as a "just in case" on trail rides with the guys.
 
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1KPerDay said:
Which one do you like better?



the 4” looks better to my eye.
Click to expand...

For me it's kind of a toss up. They are both beautiful guns that feel nice in the hand and handle well.
This may prove futile and i'll end up with both, but i'm leaning more towards lots of eye candy so probably the longer barrel. Then again the 4" gun has more of a cool factor in it's own right.
I think you can see my conundrum. :confused:

Maybe it'll end up being whichever one I find in a display case first.
 
I prefer the 4" barrel myself. The 5" is great, the 6" seems a bit too much to me. The 3.5" looks best, but we are talking older 27-2 and prior.
 
DR505 said:
I prefer the 4" barrel myself. The 5" is great, the 6" seems a bit too much to me. The 3.5" looks best, but we are talking older 27-2 and prior.
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In my area the honest old model 27's don't turn up very often.
 
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I have looked at these 2 a few times online. I haven’t seen one “in the wild”. Like you I would have a hard time selecting one or the other. My attention seems to dwell a little more on the 4” with the ramped front sight. If both were in front of me and I had the money for one I am pretty sure the 4” would be my choice. But then again...
 
I have revolvers with both 4" and 6"-6-1/2" barrels including some N-frames S&W revolvers, primarily Model 25-5's. I do have a 6" Model 27 though.

The 4" barrels are a bit more handy to carry and operate but the 6"-6-1/2" barrel guns mitigate recoil a bit more and the longer sight radius make it easier to shoot a bit more accurately.

It would depend on what your planned usage will be. You cannot go wrong with either.
 
Pat Riot said:
I have looked at these 2 a few times online. I haven’t seen one “in the wild”. Like you I would have a hard time selecting one or the other. My attention seems to dwell a little more on the 4” with the ramped front sight. If both were in front of me and I had the money for one I am pretty sure the 4” would be my choice. But then again...
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Yup. For me if it was down to holster time the 4" would be hands down with the ramped front sight. The lines of that 6.5 though.. Like a pretty lady with nice legs. (Hope I didn't cross a line there.) :D
 
"The 4" barrels are a bit more handy to carry and operate but the 6"-6-1/2" barrel guns mitigate recoil a bit more and the longer sight radius make it easier to shoot a bit more accurately. It would depend on what your planned usage will be. You cannot go wrong with either."

I was going to say the exact same thing.
 
Tallball said:
"The 4" barrels are a bit more handy to carry and operate but the 6"-6-1/2" barrel guns mitigate recoil a bit more and the longer sight radius make it easier to shoot a bit more accurately. It would depend on what your planned usage will be. You cannot go wrong with either."

I was going to say the exact same thing.
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I stated my main uses. Kinda that BBQ gun role I guess. The occasional 200yd pot shots are not out of the question either.
 
For hunting or a gun to carry while hiking or in the field where you have long range shots the 6" is a little better for the higher velocity and longer site radius. For use as a defensive weapon the 4" would be my choice as it is easier to handle in close quarters, will usually fit into the glove box and top of the night stand or in its drawer.

I have 2 older model 27's. One with the 3.5" barrel and the other with an 8-3/8".
 
I'm a public schoolteacher, so I could only afford a Model 28. It's a 6" and has enough sight radius for longer shots. A 4" would be much more convenient to open carry at a barbecue.
 
I would prefer 4" as well. For various irrational but otherwise valid reasons I have always viewed a blued D.A. revolver as the ultimate "duty" gun, and that means a 4" or 5" barrel.
 
I know @MaxP is more of a big bore revolver guy, but I wonder what his opinion is considering I plan on using shooting the same hot 357 loads as my Blackhawk in it no matter what barrel length I choose.
 
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Howdy

My Model 27 has a 6" barrel. I'm pretty sure it is 6" and not 6 1/2". I could run upstairs and measure it if you'd like.

pnvS3gDSj.jpg




I have a couple of Model 28s with 6" barrels.

po403jWfj.jpg




And one Model 28 with a 4 Inch barrel.

pnUfAIYnj.jpg




For me, the 4" barrel makes for a more compact revolver, if you can ever think of an N frame being compact.

But for general plinking at the range with 38 Specials I prefer the slightly longer sight radius of a 6" barrel.
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
Howdy

My Model 27 has a 6" barrel. I'm pretty sure it is 6" and not 6 1/2". I could run upstairs and measure it if you'd like.

View attachment 923514




I have a couple of Model 28s with 6" barrels.

View attachment 923515




And one Model 28 with a 4 Inch barrel.

View attachment 923516




For me, the 4" barrel makes for a more compact revolver, if you can ever think of an N frame being compact.

But for general plinking at the range with 38 Specials I prefer the slightly longer sight radius of a 6" barrel.
Click to expand...

That model 27 almost makes me drool. She's purdy!! :thumbup:
 
Setting the historic significance and associated collectability aside I don't see much point to a Model 27/28. A 6-shot N-frame should be in a cartridge that starts with a 4 IMHO. The 627/327/R8/929 on their modified N-frames make some sense as you get 8-shots but a 6-shot 357 Mag N-frame seems sort of silly to me. If it matters I do own a 627. JMHO and YMMV.

r7RdpAum.jpg
 
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Sneakshot92 said:
Ehh. The tactical look isn't really my thing. Now an 8 shot STEEL N frame wouldn't be a bad idea.
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I can respect that! I'm normal not going to gravitate towards the TRR8/R8 revolver, but they are kind of cool.
I like the performance center 627 also. Durable stainless with a 8 shot cylinder. To me unless you want a classic look an N frame in 357 should be 8 shot. L frame 7 shot, K frame 6 shot, and J frame 5 shot (38s most of the time). The great thing about S&W is they make lots of revolvers to fill everyone's tastes.

Have fun deciding and safe shooting!
 
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