I wanted one thing, ended up with another... S&W 27

[forindooruseonly]

So, I've been looking for a model 27-2 with target grips and the 8 and 3/8 barrel for a long time now, with the idea of shooting steel at long distances and hot-rodding some handloads. Nothing competitive, just a little fun on my range with a good shooter grade, long barreled, pinned and recessed model 27-2 from the late 70s.

This is what I ended up with. A 4 screw, 3 and 1/2 inch Model 27 from 1961 in great cosmetic shape - no holster wear and just a slight turn line - wearing Magnas. Pretty much not what I started out to acquire at all.

It's broken too. Yep. The double action pull is binding every couple of pulls and, despite the best efforts of a few of the members here, I'm not savvy enough to fix it. So now, not only do I have the wrong gun but it has to take a trip to the doctor to get fixed.

Why did I buy a broken gun that is exactly not what I wanted? I dunno. But take a look at it...








How could I turn that down? So does anyone have a shooter grade, long barreled 27-2 with target stocks for sale? I guess I'm still looking…

 

[jmace57]

Sometimes looks ARE everything! That is truly pretty.

 

[SaxonPig]

First rule in trouble-shooting is a thorough cleaning. I have bought guns that were locked up or malfunctioning and the only problem was they were dirty inside or had congealed grease in the action. See if the cylinder is touching the frame or barrel at some point. Also check for a bent ejector rod.

The 27 is one of best revolvers made. I think the 5" is my favorite but the 3.5" is clearly the most popular.

 

[huntershooter]

That is a beauty.

Well done.

 

[rikman]

Wow! Just beautiful!

 

[BBQLS1]

That's a pretty gun, even if it is broke.

 

[BYJO4]

It may be broke but it sure is pretty.

 

[pendennis]

I don't care if it is broken, that is a beautiful Model 27. Whatever it takes to repair it, will be worth the shekels. Great catch!!

 

[CraigC]

Gorgeous! Few firearms are better looking than a nice tapered barrel N-frame.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Thanks guys, it sure is purty, even if it doesn't shoot! It's on the way to the smith right now and I'm already anxious to get it back and put a few through it.

SaxonPig - I popped the sideplate and gave it a good cleaning and fresh oil, and the ejector rod and cylinder seems to be fine. There's something going on with the innards and got a lot of good advice on a different thread, but I'm not comfortable messing around with the mechanism yet and I don't want to teach myself on this one! Maybe one of my beater Model 10s needs to be a test subject.

 

[44magmike]

Dont underestimate that 3.5 inch barrel for long distance shooting.. Still good for 2-300 yard shots. That gun is a beauty,hang on to it. Those model 27s with the pinned barrel are getting harder to find. Your gun probably just needs a new cylinder hand.

 

[Hotshot10]

Why did I buy a broken gun that is exactly not what I wanted? I dunno. But take a look at it...

I think you answered your own question there. Nice find.

 

[Iggy]

If I din't already have two of them 3 1/2" critters, I'd almost see if ya wanted to trade.


That's a beauty you got there for sure.

 

[bluethunder1962]

Man did you screw up. PM me and I;ll send you my add and do you a favor and take it off your hands. That is the kind of fellow I am. Always willing to help.

 

[critter]

Iggy, I have a twin to the one you pictured. AND I had the same thought about trading-almost! LOVE these old P&R S&W's.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

wheel of misfortune

It's broken too. Yep. The double action pull is binding every couple of pulls...

Nice 27 you acquired!

Same issue with this one pictured below. A trip to the gun smith fixed it. Also had the same issue with S&W model 28.

I hear folks say the six cartridge N-frame cylinders chambered for .357 cause some issues as they are heavier than the .44/.45 ones. Don't know that for certain...just hear folk saying it some.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Outstanding example, I hope the fix is easy and you are shooting it soon. That is a beautifully kept finish and grips for something in use since 1961.

There seems to be a lot of love for the three and one half inch 27.
I also purchased one a 27-2, 1962, 3 1/2", 3 screw locally, last week. A little holster wear at the muzzle tip and front sight but otherwise in fine condition.

Shoots great, much smoother than my 28-2, 1976, 4". I'm sure when yours get back from the gunsmith it will be the same.

No pics yet, picked it up Tues.(N.C. to S.C. FFL transfer) and have been on a shooting vacation (mostly Milsurps) since.
My 12 year old niece is comming tonight... Archery, BB guns, Pellet guns and now .22s.
I hope one day she works up to shooting the S&W 27-2 also, one of S&W's finest.

Congrats on the outstanding find, your 27s finish rivals my Pythons.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Very beautiful! Well worth the price to have it fixed.

 

[Hanshi]

All pics are beautiful revolvers. As for that pristine 1961 model, S&W will smack it a few times with their lead hammers and send it back to you good as new. If it's a part that actually needs replacing, that will be easily done. You have a treasure, there.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Thanks guys!

Dont underestimate that 3.5 inch barrel for long distance shooting.. Still good for 2-300 yard shots. That gun is a beauty,hang on to it.

With my skill and bad eyes - I need all the advantage of a long barrel I can get! Thanks, I plan to put this in the "keeper" pile.

Same issue with this one pictured below. A trip to the gun smith fixed it. Also had the same issue with S&W model 28.

Did they say what the problem was? That's a great looking 27 you have - I love the look of the T-grip on it. I think I need one. Do those mar the finish at all? I've always wondered if they wore into the finish on the grip.

Hello friends and neighbors // Outstanding example, I hope the fix is easy and you are shooting it soon. That is a beautifully kept finish and grips for something in use since 1961.

Thanks content - when we gonna see yours? You also picked up a long barrel one recently too, didn't you? I'm thinking family pic...

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Did they say what the problem was? That's a great looking 27 you have - I love the look of the T-grip on it. I think I need one. Do those mar the finish at all? I've always wondered if they wore into the finish on the grip.

Yes I once knew what the issue was but have long since forgotten. It was relatively inexpensive to fix as I remember.

Yes again...T-grips do ever so slightly mar the finish on the wood grips with a very slight indentation. Takes place over time but nothing significant.

 

[content]

Ha, family photo opportunity was lost. I listed the 8 3/8" in another thread as my worst purchase to date.

The 8 3/8" shot well but upon removing the grips I found someone had taken a chisel to the rear side plate screw and the other screws were frozen.
Expensive way to learn to remove the grips before purchase.

I decided to make an even worse purchase, with my eyes open, and traded it back to the same gunshop for a Winchester 1910 in .401cal.

When I find another 8 3/8" that checks out I'll certainly post a family photo.
Till then I'll enjoy the... search!

 

[Flint Ridge]

Well... that is a beauty. What vintage??? If it were the right year I might be interested... might...

Seems I have a couple long tube 27-2's laying around. Don't know how this one shoots though, nobody but the factory has pulled the trigger.

 

[bikemutt]

The 8 3/8" shot well but upon removing the grips I found someone had taken a chisel to the rear side plate screw and the other screws were frozen.
Expensive way to learn to remove the grips before purchase.

Oh yeah, I have one of those. I still cannot believe I overlooked it. At least you pretty much seem certain a chisel was used, I'm still trying to ascertain what on earth 'ole bubbasmith used when trying break and enter my gun.

I get pretty riled up over this, I need to just deal with it and move on :banghead:

 

[content]

I hate to hear it, Saxon Pig had/ or has a 27-2 ( i believe -2)with the same problem.
He spent the money to have it fixed.

I did not want to explain anything to a new buyer so I traded it back to where I purchased it.
When I come across one of these I am thinking fire survivor (I could easily be wrong) and am concerned about the things I can't see/detect.