Five-inch S&W Model 27 Questions

[TheFrontRange]

Once upon a time I (very) briefly owned a blue, 5-inch tubed Smith and Wesson Model 27 .357 Magnum. Bought it used in 1991 for a mere $225. Gadzooks, how I'd love to have that one back! I've recently had a great 4-inch Model 19 come back into my life, and it's kind of gotten me to thinking of trying to secure another N-Frame beauty...such a 27 is the one gun I can think of that I'd be willing to trade / sell / barter my 1911 for!!!

All that said, does anyone out there have a general feel for the current availability of blue (not nickel) five-inch 27s? Are prices reasonable (preferably in the $500 so range or less) these days?

Another thought I've had is that if I could find a longer-barreled version, could anyone recommend a good 'smith who could slice the barrel back to the five-inch mark?

Thanks for any and all input...and if you attach pictures of your current Model 27 I just might steal them to use as wallpaper hahaha...

 

[Kurac]

5" and 6" model 27's are the most common. The 8 3/8" is the least popular and the 3.5" the most popular. The rarest would be the 4".

Depending on where you live, you should be able to find a nice 27 for less than $500. Here in CA they run a bit higher but so does everything else. Here is a misidentified 5" 27 on an auction site.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=45085953

this should give you a good indication of market value, although this one may go for a bit higher than normal due to the diamond target grips.

 

[TheFrontRange]

Hey, thank you very much...there are some very interesting pieces out on that gunbroker.com site...maybe I need to be more open-minded about the 4" variety in both Models 27 and 28...nice, nice, nice!!!

 

[Standing Wolf]

Another thought I've had is that if I could find a longer-barreled version, could anyone recommend a good 'smith who could slice the barrel back to the five-inch mark?

I believe it would take a Hamilton Bowen to do that job. The front sight base is integral with the barrel. The barrel forward of the breech is curved. You can find an occasional model 27 barrel and have a gunsmith install it on your frame, but shortening a barrel wouldn't be an awful lot easier than lengthening it.

 

[PinnedAndRecessed]

Keep looking. A was wandering around the Sacramento gun show a few years ago and was thinking, "What a waste of time."

Then, boom! I saw it. A 98% five inch m27-2 for $425. I almost knocked the table over I moved so fast.

I've learned that, with guns, if you're patient, you'll see it sooner or later.

 

[Checkman]

In my area I've found more 5" Model 27's for sale then 4" Model 28's. I bought a 5" M27 back in December of 2003. Great shooter and what a beautiful finish. They seem to run around $500.00 up here in the greater Boise area.

 

[thatguy]

I think the 5" 27 is one of the greatest guns ever made.




Are you sure you want to dismiss the same gun in nickel?



I would forget about cutting a longer barrel. Would cost too much and the results might not be be what you want. The markings on the barrel will be way off center, etc.

A nice 5" 27 will generally run $450-$600 based on recent observations. The price goes up if it has the presentation case, tools, etc.

 

[cigardad]

How about a 5 inch Pre27 and a 5 inch 1950 Target...

 

[TheFrontRange]

Egad! Thanks for the info...and the pictures!!!!

I have no real beef with a nickel finish, I just prefer the blue. I'm gonna monitor gunbroker.com and maybe do some gunshop loitering and see what turns up...thanks again VERY much for the input and advice!

 

[GodblessAmerica]

I lucked into a 98-99% 5" pinned and recessed nickel Model 27 (with presentation case, tools, paperwork etc.) a little over a year ago. Here in rural TN, most guns seem a little pricey, I guess because we are always afraid "The Man" is going to come and take them all away eventually, so we better have 'em while we can... As a relative novice then, I really did luck into the collectability of this one, paid $539 for it and all the above factory stuff. I do not think for a second that I could repeat this feat here now unless it was from a recent widow etc., however. I have watched the value increase in just this short time but I am convinced that you could find a blued 27 in pretty good condition for about the same price elsewhere. Or, as an alternative, the Model 28, available with either a 4" or 6" inch bbl. is a viable option. Same mechanicals as a Model 27, just not the same deep finish, from what I've seen and read. However, these seem to have a cult following as well and are not really that much cheaper than the 27s. Best of luck, of all my handguns I have only two favorites and the 27 is my favorite revolver by far. (Own a NIB Python too and the 27 is still my favorite )

 

[P95Carry]

I also am in the camp that finds the 5" M-27 almost the ultimate N frame.. I had one as almost my first decent larger revo back in 80"s - but thx to a privelage-revoking UK Gov back in '97 that gun went (with tears!).

Three or four years ago - I had a Citori Hunter on consignment - needed some $$$'s (never should have sold it - yeah right - usual regrets!) - but when I went to collect a check after it sold - what was under the counter on consignment? yep - in a box - a 5" M27-2 - for $400!!!!

Did I buy it? Indeed I did and once more had my all time fave revo back in collection. Left with a smaller check but hey - well worth it. What a joy to own and shoot.

I'd not happily want to achieve a 5" thru shortening of a longer tube - no way.

 

[TheFrontRange]

Thanks all for the continued input and pictures! P95Carry, I think I remember exchanging posts with you about your beautiful 27 some time back.

I was at the Alabama Gun Collectors' Association-sponsored gun show in B'ham yesterday...only saw a very small handful of 27s and only one 28. There was a five-inch 27-2 for sale for a whopping $775. The gun came with all original papers and packaging and was being sold by a S&W collector. I toyed with the notion of selling away my 1911 and coughing up some extra cash...I held off, though, because the asking price was just too darn high (plus I really like my 1911, too!)

Alternately, there was a six-inch 28 for sale the next row over. According to the seller, the gun had been reblued (was not the usual M-28 "dull" finish) and had had some polishing done to the action (she did exhibit a mighty smooth DA trigger pull), all for a mere $300. I passed as it was early in the show and I'd hoped to find more...and, of course, when I returned this 28 was a goner! Ah, well...I didn't really want a six-incher anywho...

I'm going to just stay tuned and keep looking...

 

[Col Kurtz]

I picked up 2, 3.5" model 27, 5 screws with in the last two years for under $600.00 each. They are both mint in there original boxed and yes I was very lucky to get them. I was just in the right place at the right time with the right wallet. There are still some great deals to be had on these. Get the feelers out to the local gun shops and visit frequently. If they know they have a potential sale they may keep you in mind. In my opinion these are smoother that the Pythons and alot more durable, but I still love my Pythons.
One of the most beautiful guns to come out of Smith & Wesson.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks for the great pics... I was thinking how good-looking my Model 28 was last night. That high-polish blue of the 27 sure makes a difference. I still like my 28, though.

 

[Gunrunner]

I'm a fan of the 5" Model 27 too..

 

[Coronach]

I'll agree as well...the 5" N-frame is just plain right. The 4" looks wrong to me with that underlug, and the 6", while not looking bad, just seems not quite perfect. The 5" is perfection.

Mike