My new S&W 27-3

[4D5]

Well I went Friday and looked it over again (it’s been calling my name) and checked out all the stuff. Has original blue cardboard box and cleaning stuff still in the original bag. Has a 4” barrel, target hammer, target trigger.

It’s only been test fired at S&W. There’s no brass marking on the recoil shield and no sign of shooting on the cylinder face.

I talked to Will and said it’s about a $700 gun (checked the Blue Book, gun sales boards and message boards) and $700 is more in the ball park, Will said yep you’re right; it’s about a $700 gun and gave me a nod.

So I asked if there’s any room for negotiation. Gun store owner had Will call and check, no answer from the owner so I said I’d call back later to check. Called about 3:00, still no word so Will took my number and said he’d call if he hears from the owner. Well about 4:15 Will calls, good news, owner will sell for $700 but… I can’t get to the store before closing and they are closed for Nevada Day on Saturday I asked if Monday 11:30 would be OK and he sad yes So today at lunch I picked it up.

It’s now home cleaned and checked out, excellent condition.

Now my big dilemma is do I shoot it or should it be a safe queen ? I only have one safe queen now, Kimber Anniversary edition (pre-series II). It does have one tiny ding on the top strap you can only see in good light and the bolt drag marks are minimal.

The pics do not do it justice.

 

[BCRider]

Superb...... *droool*

How can you NOT shoot it? Maybe not on a regular basis to where you introduce wear and play within a few years. But to not shoot it at all? I know that I could not do that. No how, no way.

You got it for a price that seems like that of a "shooter" so technically you could shoot it quite a bit and sell it for the same money.

And besides, it takes a helluva lot to wear an N frame .357 to where you can feel any sort of difference over what it has now.

 

[madcratebuilder]

That's a great looking 27 you have 4D5. I don't see many 4" models. I would say shoot it. While it's difficult at best to determine if a revolver has been shot from just looking at photos, I would say that yours was been fired, it has a pretty good turn ring on the cylinder. It has been very well cared for.

To be a safe queen it would need to be a original "Registered" Combat Magnum, or at least a P&R'ed M27. That would be a 27, 27-1 or 27-2.

I don't think you got hurt on the price either. Did it come with box and papers?

Congrats on what I think is the best DA .357 you can buy.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Awesome figure in the grips.

 

[Starter52]

Nice. I am hoping to add a 4" to my M27 collection. All I ever see around here are 5" models.

 

[Walkalong]

That's a beauty. I have no safe queens, so I probably would not buy one that nice. Only you can answer whether to shoot it or not.

I have a 6" 28, and it's a great shooter.

 

[jad0110]

Darn it. 2 years ago I saw a 4" Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman in 95% condition for $399.

The OP's pictures remind me that I was a moron for not jumping all over it. Oh well.

Very nice Model 27 by the way. I agree, by the looks of the drag line that gun has barely been fired. Kinda sad actually.

 

[Oro]

Darn it. 2 years ago I saw a 4" Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman in 95% condition for $399.

That's about the going rate again for a 95% S&W 28 right now. Prices are pretty much back to where they were two to three years ago except for some pieces (pre-war N frames, all 38/44's, etc).

Don't despair, just get your cash in hand and go shopping! Now is a good time to be buying guns.

 

[carguy2244]

Load it with 125s, and shoot it till your hand hurts. Keep it clean, and next year compare it with this picture. You'll re-live each and enjoy each shot in your mind all over again, as you see the wear.

 

[jglcolosprgs]

Ummmmm of course you shouldn't shoot it. And to keep you from doing that, I will be glad to keep it in my safe - for you - so it will be perfect.....

You gotta shoot it man!!!

 

[TomADC]

Nicest model S&W ever made, I sold one years ago and I still kick myself, I'd like to find another one but with a 5" barrel. I do have a nice little fired model 19 with the 2 3/4 inch barrel. If our sheriff would let us have CCW it would be my carry gun.

 

[messerist]

I bought the S&W Classic Model 27 two years ago. I carry it everyday and now I feel naked without it. Enjoy your find whatever you decide to do with it(I would shoot it!)

 

[Gunfighter123]

Very nice S&W !!! Now , let me ask you this ------ you have a 1969 Camero that may have been driven --- so , should you drive it now ???? Guns were made to be shot and cars were made to be driven !!!!! ENJOY shooting it !!!!

 

[jad0110]

Quote:
Darn it. 2 years ago I saw a 4" Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman in 95% condition for $399.

That's about the going rate again for a 95% S&W 28 right now. Prices are pretty much back to where they were two to three years ago except for some pieces (pre-war N frames, all 38/44's, etc).

I sure hope you are right. I'd love to add a well worn, all business, mean looking 4" Model 28 to my collection one day. But S&W revolver prices are all over the place in North Carolina. I've seen 4" Model 10-5 through -7s range anywhere from $200 to $675!

If I find a Model 28 for under $500 I'll be all over it.

 

[4D5]

It's going shooting

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I’ve pondered long enough, it’s going to get shot. The temptation is too strong not to shoot a piece of American History. I don’t know when I’ll get to go out for a range trip since we may have rain bad weather here this weekend.

I’ll post range results after I go…

 

[4D5]

Range Report

Well I got to take it out today for the first time. It took a few rounds before I was doing OK with it. This target is just before I finished shooting.

I have to say its one amazing gun
The recoil is really absorbed by the N frame mass.
It’s a real pleasure to shoot

And here’s the target picture…

 

[sarge83]

I passed on a Model 27-2, four inch barrel today. Mechanically it checked out great and the trigger, smooth as silk. But someone had done a nickel job on it and it was not the best in the world, throw in a small nick near the trigger guard about a quarter of the size of a dime, really rough and scratched and I just couldn't pull the trigger. $500 OTD was the asking price.