Model 27 S&W

M

McBrewski

Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2024
Messages
3
Hello,

I’m a new member. I’d like some input on the Model 27. I have my heart set on one and have always wanted one. I’m on the fence about what to do. I really prefer the 5” 27-2 but I’m also considering the 6.5”. Problem being the 5” will have to be used and the 6.5 would be new. I have a Colt Python 4.25” but I don’t care much for the 4” Model 27. Just doesn’t appeal as much to me. Chime in and let me know your thoughts. BTW I don’t mind the lock too much on new S&W but I’m definitely not in favor of it.

Thanks!,
Paul
 
Funny you should ask...

Meet Emily, my 1980 Model 27-2 with a 4" barrel, nickel finish, target hammer and trigger. We just returned from a range visit and I wiped her down after punching tiny groups with .38 Specials. With my arthritis I have nothing to prove shooting heavy loads.

IMG_3326.jpeg

I like the 4" barrel but it's your money and your taste and your choice. Get something that excites you...don't settle.

What, you don't name your guns?
 
I don’t have much advice on the 27. I would love to own one but it will have to wait. I actually want the 4”, but that doesn’t matter now. I just wanted to say that I have a model 25-15 that I bought in 2021. It is an N frame with a 6.5” barrel and it has the lock. It’s not the only one I have with the internal lock.
I have never had a problem with them. If you choose the new 6.5” model I think you’ll be very happy with it.
IMG_6861.jpeg
 
J-Bar said:
Funny you should ask...

Meet Emily, my 1980 Model 27-2 with a 4" barrel, nickel finish, target hammer and trigger. We just returned from a range visit and I wiped her down after punching tiny groups with .38 Specials. With my arthritis I have nothing to prove shooting heavy loads.

View attachment 1196765

I like the 4" barrel but it's your money and your taste and your choice. Get something that excites you...don't settle.

What, you don't name your guns?
Click to expand...
That nickel finish looks great. Maybe 4” is on the table haha.

Haven’t named any yet but I’ll consider. Thanks
 
McBrewski said:
I really prefer the 5” 27-2
Click to expand...
Yep...as Skeeter Skelton once said, it's about the perfect length for a working handgun. As he was an LEO with Border Patrol and county Sheriff experience over the years. his unvarnished views might not appeal to a more urban user....But Skelton was a raconteur of some renown back when Shooting Times was the zoot capri of handgunning mags, and his writing style blended long experience with the friendly chat of a beloved older brother.

My own take is that the M-27...especially the 5" bbl'd one, is ideal for an OWB, where concealment isn't the biggest issue. Carried that way, it's one of the very best for an outdoorsman or rural LEO. That 5" tube gives it the bbl. length for superb accuracy out to 50-60 yds with full magnum loads, and the heavier N frame, the weight to mitigate the old time heroic recoil generated by the early .357 loads. Too, in DA fire, the heavy cylinder, according to both Keith and Skelton, gave it a smoothness that's difficult to achieve with a K or L frame. While some would criticize the cylinder's shorter length than the K or L .357's, which forces a handloader to crimp above the scraping band with some LSWCs, I'd point out that I've never found it to adversely affect accuracy.


.38 Special said:
As for the OP, I think a 5" 27-2 is one of the few perfect things on this earth.
Click to expand...
As usual, .38 Special, you've read my mind....the 5" M-27 is one hellofa revolver...and one that'd I'd take first before any other if looking for a .357. Here's mine below...one of the Anniversay models with the 5" bbl, that I got for about 1/2 what the non-Anniversary types were going for. Those are Altamont grips on her...good for target use up to say 1000 fps, but, with real .357 loads better protection for that 2nd knuckle is a good idea....dare I say it...Pachmayr Signatures are a good bet.

Wish I could carry it more as it's a joy to fire but the weight on my sciatic prone hips and right leg limit the time I get it afield. Best Regards, Rod

​
 
Rodfac said:
Wish I could carry it more as it's a joy to fire but the weight on my sciatic prone hips and right leg limit the time I get it afield. Best Regards, Rod
Click to expand...
I have lower back and hip issues. They are getting better, but a couple of months back I bought a holster patterned after the 1943 Tanker or Aviator holster for my model 10. What a godsend for me. I am thinking about getting one for my GP100 and for my model 25.
I actually bought a canvas model for my Glock 48.
The weight is on my lower back or hips. I really like it.
 
Rodfac said:
As usual, .38 Special, you've read my mind....the 5" M-27 is one hellofa revolver...and one that'd I'd take first before any other if looking for a .357. Here's mine below...one of the Anniversay models with the 5" bbl, that I got for about 1/2 what the non-Anniversary types were going for. Those are Altamont grips on her...good for target use up to say 1000 fps, but, with real .357 loads better protection for that 2nd knuckle is a good idea....dare I say it...Pachmayr Signatures are a good bet.

Wish I could carry it more as it's a joy to fire but the weight on my sciatic prone hips and right leg limit the time I get it afield. Best Regards, Rod

​
Click to expand...
I guess that's number one or close to it on my list of "If you could only have one gun". But I sure hear you on carrying it. A few decades ago I could put one IWB and sneer at people who moaned about it. Now I guess I prefer my 340PD, at least as long as I don't have to shoot it or anything.

But there still are some days and some occasions where a 5" N frame just demands to be carried OWB in a tooled leather holster, sciatica be damned. Or, as my wife once put it, "Why are you doing this to yourself?" and my reply: "Well just look at the damn thing. You wear high heels; I carry a good gun." ;)
 
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@shoebox1.1 thank you and back at you! In support of reflections on carrying these mighty Magnums, here are a few gunleather shots.

I’m a fan of Barranti Leather and their IWB Summer Classics for beasts like these. Though well-versed in the ways of IWB for guns like 1911s, I was skeptical of “Doc” Barranti’s slogan of “Comfortable Peace of Mind” until I tried my first Summer Classic - now I’m a believer, and regularly give these holsters carry-time. I also have a couple of DeSantis Speed Scabbard pancake-style OWBs for the 3-1/2” gun (though the holsters are sized for a 4-incher)…currently pondering either Kramer Belt Scabbard horsehide OWBs and / or Barranti Hank Sloan holsters for both.

1709096763661.jpeg
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1709096871336.jpeg

Barranti has, among other nifty things, some cool “handgunner” caps like this one bearing the image of the late Skeeter Skelton himself. This is often a must-wear for me if conditions otherwise allow when carrying the 5” gun.

1709097004458.jpeg


FWIW, my ammo carriers are speed-strip holders from Milt Sparks and 2x2x2 pouches from Barranti.
 
IMHO- the 6.5" barrel is a better choice= the slightly longer barrel length balances nicely with the N frame, longer sight radius, etc. Also feel anything over about 7" becomes more cumbersome to handle. M-27 is a great choice !!
 
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