My new (to me) S&W 27-2

[RonJon]

I bought this from private party @ gunshow Saturday.

It's a S&W Model 27-2, 5" barrel (.357 Magnum in an "N" frame), pinned & recessed. Came with two sets of S&W grips: The original Target grips and the Finger Groove - N Square Rosewood Combat Grips (shown), also a quality case and speedloader. It has the Target trigger and target hammer. Feels like it had an expert trigger job along the way (~ 1/2 Lb pull weight in SA mode).

Pretty close to mint condition!

Took her out for a range test yesterday and it did not disappoint! Functioned flawlessly and as accurate as I can shoot any handgun. The sights were set right - first shot was a dead-on bullseye!

I looked up the S/N in Supica's S&W book, which shows 1980 date of manufacture.

Ron

 

[Ala Dan]

Great find, in a RARE barrel length~! Enjoy

 

[BluesBear]

Beautiful.

My favorite barrel length. I only with all original N-frames had been made in 5" instead of just the .357.

My 5" .44-40 is the best balancing gun I have.

 

[f4t9r]

Very Nice

 

[Gixerman1000]

Looks awesome!!

 

[Standing Wolf]

Mighty pretty!

 

[wundudnee]

That's a beautiful revolver. You're right, the 27s just shoot "right". I seem to be able to hit better with my 27-2 than any of my other revolvers, even other N frames.

 

[Mr.None]

i dont like that tipe of guns but it look good

 

[Majic]

Great find, in a RARE barrel length

The 5 inchers were one of the most common barrel lengths for the M27.

 

[BluesBear]

4" is actually the most uncommon model 27 barrel length.

 

[Moonclip]

But 3 1/2" seems to be the one everyone wants these days. I have a early 1970's 27-2 in about 90% with the 6" myself.

 

[P95Carry]

I personally find the 5" the most well balanced N frame - I like 4" and 3 1/2" but the five somehow for me is the ultimate proportion. Just looks - ''right"

Mine was a 1977 and in fact I had thought the 5's finished before 1980 but still - that is one beautiful revo - I love all the old N frames and wish I could find/afford a nice M29-2 as well.

 

[thatguy]

The 6" was far and away the most common 27 barrel length. Maybe a close race between 5" and 3.5", then 8" and lastly the 4" because it was a special order option until 1979 then was offered for only 3 years. The short ones do seem to be the most popular at the moment but I find the 5" the most beautiful.

BTW P95Carry- I believe the 5" was discontinued in 1975. You might want to check that date of manufacture again.

 

[P95Carry]

thatguy, haha - made me go look!! - did check and the 3 1/2" and 5" were dropped in 1979 ... then a small change to grips 1980. M27-3 started 1982.

Mine has actual purchase paperwork for IIRC Jan 1977 - tho it was quite likely a 1976 produced gun.

This was from the 2nd Edition of Std catalog of S&W

 

[RonJon]

Well, Guys, My model 27-2 has a serial No. of N6277xx (last 2 digits are x'd out) and the 2nd Edition of Standard Cat. of S&W says it was made in 1980.

I also saw the note in the Standard Cat. of S&W Model 27-2 production changes about the 3 1/2" and the 5" barrel being discontinued in 1979.

So --- WHAZZUP? Could this be an error in the book?
Or did they build a 'few' in 1980? Go figure!

All I know is that the one I have (posted in the picture at the top of this thread) measures exactly 5" from the muzzle to the front of the cylinder and shows no sign of any finish mismatch (which would be expected from a barrel swap) nor does it have any sign of refinishing.

It wouldn't be the first time in the history of the world that a gun reference book had an error or two!


Ron

 

[P95Carry]

Ron - the likes of Jim Keenan, Fuff, et al - may be able to answer this. I recall it being mentioned that there were always possible ''oddities'' - that could appear and seem out of sync with the published info.

Old frame kept back, spare 5" bbl that needed a frame - who knows. I doubt the gun is other than totally kosha S&W's best anyways.

 

[RonJon]

P95carry, Thatguy:

Anyway, thanks for pointing out this mystery.

I had looked up the build date in my Supica book, but the 1979 change didn't catch my attention.

Maybe I've acquired a rare one afterall!

Ron

PS: That 1977 27-2 you have is another beauty! And great photography also!

Is that a factory red ramp or paint added by you on the front sight?

My original target grips that I got with the revolver look just like yours and are mint!

 

[BluesBear]

N6277xx would be very early 1980 production. More than likely in January.

The 5" barrel was discontinued in late 1979 when S&W standardized all N-Frame barrel lengths.

Whenever S&W discontinues a certain model they usually put a certain quantity in reserve for warranty work. The rest get assembled into guns.


A prime example is the Model 29. After it was discontinued S&W went back and used up all of their remaining barrels by assembling new guns. Since they has already used up all of their blued cylinders they made them with stainless 629 cylinders.

Say what you will about S&W. Beinging wastefull is not one of their faults.

 

[RonJon]

P95carry wrote:

"I love all the old N frames and wish I could find/afford a nice M29-2 as well."

You mean something like this one?

("Dirty Harry M29-2 - Bought about a year ago for $450 for my son, who still owes me for it!)

Ron

 

[P95Carry]

Ron - hey come on! You're just wantin' to see a grown man weep ain'tcha!!!

 

[RonJon]

P95carry -

Who me?

Nahhh!

X;N;L;K;J

 

[P95Carry]

Ok - you win!!!

But I'll raise ya my BFR - only way to get backatcha!





Maybe too - throw in my venerable dash nothing 686 - complete with its 15 ounce barrel weight (used for PPC).




`

 

[RonJon]

Looks like yer a winnah too!

I don't have the 15 oz barrel weight on my 6" 686 (not shown in above Pic), but it do have the Power Port feature to do that there job.

Ron