Gift for Dad - S&W 27?

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SGW42

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Need some advice, and I know everyone on THR likes suggesting guns. :)

Long story short, my dad is recently retired and is calling me to get out to the range with him more often (which has me ellated). Previously only acquainted with long guns, he became quite enamoured with my model 19-3 (which I had S&W refinish in a deep polish blue). I was out to see my mom today for her birthday when she asked what I thought about getting Dad a handgun for Christmas (we think ahead, she probably has everyone's stuff wrapped already). I told her it was a terrific idea and she asked me to find one for him.

So I am already thinking a blued S&W. When he first saw my 19, I could kind of tell he was impressed that it was a .357 Mag, however all I want to shoot out of it is slow .38s. I think he would like to give .357s a try. What do you think about a model 27?

My main concern is I have never held an N frame, so I don't know how much bigger it is than my K frame (which he said "was a really good size"). As I said he is retired and I want something that will be easy to shoot (not cause a lot of fatigue holding it up at the range). I have thought maybe an L frame - 586 perhaps? The gun will see at most 200 rounds a year, all at the range.

What do you guys think?
 
i think you should take him to the gun store and have him "try out" the different types of handguns. the most important first step with a new shooter is the weapon has to fit right. if he likes the fit of the gun, he will shoot better.

murf
 
He likes yours, he's your dad, give it to him and buy another for yourself. If he knows how much you like it that makes it all the more special to him.
My dad and I have gifted each other some of our personal favorites on more than a few occasions and now I do it with my own kids.
 
I would say give him your Model 19 if he really likes it that much. Either that or try looking aorund for Model 586.
 
You dad should be fine with either the L-frame or N-frame guns.

I feel some snap from my K-frames when shooting .357 but nothing painful, just something that needs a bit more of my attention. L and N frames soak up enough of it for me I really hardly notice .357.

From a balance standpoint, I find I prefer L-frame guns with 6" barrels and N-frames with 4". I've owned a few of the N-frames in 6" and 8+" and found them to be sufficiently front heavy to be less than joyful to shoot.
 
Bikemutt's post is spot on.

I would add that N-frames are awfully heavy and I would lean towards the L for pops.

Merry Christmas
 
If Pops likes your Model-19, give it to him. It will probably stay in the family so it'll come back to you. Evert time Pops goes to the range, he'll be reminded of you. Model-19's are around so you can always get another, if you want. In any case, I'd ask him what he wants. He may decide he wants a Python or another Smith model.
 
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My dad gave me a Registered Magnum about 25 yrs ago, I haven't put over a couple boxes through it, one of the reasons I bought my first safe. I can't think of a gun I own I wouldn't give to him.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone!

I would like to give him my 19, but the arrangement is that this will be a gift from my mother, and she wants this to be a surprise. Plus...it's hard to explain...I'm the son, he's the father...would like to find something even nicer than my 19.

Going over to Collector's in a bit to hold the different frames in my hand to get a feel for them.
 
SGW42 - can I adopt you? ;)

A Model 27 is a finely crafted gun.
I know if my kids ever got me one, I'd be one happy/proud old cuss.
 
A Model 27 is a finely crafted gun.
I know if my kids ever got me one, I'd be one happy/proud old cuss.
Click to expand...

That about sums it up. It's hard to beat a Model 27. The N frame is bigger than the K, but it's not huge. At least I don't think so. I like the 3.5 inch barrels, and the 5".

100_0399.gif

The 27 is a lot nicer than any K or L frame Smith & Wesson ever made. It wasn't the flagship of the line just because they said it was.
 
I love a S&W 4" full underlug N frame.

In this case, though, an L frame might be just the thing. Not as heavy as an N, but sturdy enough to soak up lots of .357s, if Pop decides that's what he enjoys. 4-5" would be my vote.

John
 
I think I am in agreement with everyone about the 4" barrels. The shop yesterday had nearly a dozen 27s, but all had 6" barrels. That said, wow. Those are very nice, and not as heavy as I thought (I love the topstrap). The guy there said he doesn't see many 4" models come in, and when they do they charge higher prices for them.

So I am going to be on the lookout for a 586 to compare to. I've never actually even seen one in all my time here.
 
So I am going to be on the lookout for a 586 to compare to. I've never actually even seen one in all my time here.
Click to expand...

I just picked this one up maybe a couple weeks ago, it's a very fine shooting gun and is on my list of ones never to sell. Anyway, this one is a no-dash early 80's specimen.
 

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I have both K/L frame and N frame Smiths. While I love all of them, the K/L frames fit my hand better and I shoot them a little better as a result. If the smaller frame is better for him, look at the 586 or 686.
 
Revolver for dad.

Please keep in mind that the Smith and Wesson N frame is a massive handgun. Probably 30% larger than your K frame. They feel even larger in your hand. Also Smith and Wesson have not produced the M-27 in years. The M-27 has developed an almost mythical cult following since they went out of production and command prices that meet the hype. So am M-27 may not be the best option for a gift for your dad. You may want to look for an M-19 if it will only be used for occasional shooting. If dad is going to be shooting a lot of .357 Magnum ammo then I would suggest a used L frame M-586, or a new M-686.

Now before someone feels the need to come to the defense of the M-27, you need to know a own three of them I love to shoot and would not sell or trade for the world. I also believe that the pre and post war Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum revolvers are the finest handgun produced in the 20th century. No offense intended to any Colt fans.
 
I also believe that the pre and post war Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum revolvers are the finest handgun produced in the 20th century. No offense intended to any Colt fans.
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The only Colt that has made me feel different is the King Cobra and it's great uncle, the Anaconda. I sold both of those and regret it more than any Smiths I've sold. I know there's a lot of hype with the snake guns but those two are truly something else.
 
I've got my own 19 as well as a 28 Highway Patrolman both with the same barrel length of 6 inches.

While the N frame is certainly larger and heavier it's not by a whole lot when you see them side by side. And the weight difference is only 5 oz at 39oz for the 19 vs 44 oz for the 27 or 28 for the 6 inch barrel versions that I've got. Unless your dad has some issues with arm power I would say that he's not going to notice a thing with the extra weight. And if he does OK with your guns over the course of an afternoon then I would say he's just fine with an N frame.

Size wise the grips are sized to fit the hands the same. But differences in the frame details do require that the grips for one don't fit the other.

So all in all unless you or your dad pick up one and then right away pick up the other you are not really going to notice the extra weight.... at least not until you shoot full power Magnums. At that point the slightly higher weight and slightly higher bore axis of the N frame gun will suck up the recoil energy to a greater enough degree that it makes shooting full power magnums from the N frame like child's play. Only those with some hand or wrist issues would have a problem shooting even the wildest flame ball rounds from a 27 or 28.

If you should happen across a very nice condition 28 I would not turn up my nose and move along. The 28 is not as shiney as the 27 but it's still a darn nice looking gun done back when quality at S&W was taken VERY seriously. You would not be selling the value of your dad short if a fine looking 28 saw the light of the Christmas tree lights instead of a 27.

Having said that you're more likely to find a nice 27. Those were the fancy target shooting version where the 28 was intended to see daily use by police or other security personel that carried them around on their hips as part of their uniform. So the nice shiney 27's got pampered with padded display boxes and cozy safes to sleep in while the 28's were out in all manner of lousy weather.

Of course if you come across a nice 586 or even a nice looking 19 I would not turn away either. All three are great shooting guns. It's just that the lighter 19 is at it's best for many of us shooting up to and including slightly toned down .357Mag loads. For me the full house loads hit the hand pretty hard when shot from my 19. And that's with nice grips. If the grips don't fit perfectly I'm sure there would be pain as well.

But it only takes loading them down by a small amount to make them fun even in the lighter 19. For example my Lyman book shows a range of 11.3 to 14.9 gns of 2400 with 158gn JHP bullets. That load was just a little hot for my tastes out of my 19. But my 28 with them simply made me smile. But toning the load down by just a little to 14 gns was enough to make the 19 with the 14gn loads feel just like the 28 with the full meal deal loads. THAT is how little it takes to make the guns feel alike.

And you realize that this is just the start. After Christmas it'll be time to find him a nice 1911 for his birthday..... Or maybe a nice single action revolver in .44Mag or .45Colt.... :D
 
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