S&W .357 Pre-Mod 27 Revolvers

[Johnny Guest]

Need help on Model 27 prices:

Friend tells me there are TWO of 'em just came in to a local shop
Both 3-1/2 inch, both older guns--Pre model number, S- prefix, four screw sideplates--He says. This guy is very knowledgeable about Rilfes and Lugers but not much on revolvers. SAYS IN VERY NICE SHAPE BUT SOME WEAR SHOWING.

One is nickel finish. (Not interested if any Ni flaking off.)

Other is blue.

Gonna go look at 'em after 5 p.m.

Let's presume each is a 75 to 85% gun, in very good working condition.

Idea of values?

I've owned a lot of revolvers but haven't had an M27 in 20 years. thanks, but I know the "check out a used revolver" drill. Just need to know
1. Decent price
2. Fair market value
3. Really good buy.
4. Indictable theft offense.

Just kidding--Don't have the spare money for anything but a pretty good bargain.

Sure appreciate your help


Obliged--
Johnny

 

[Mike Irwin]

Geez, Johnny.

Check your IMs!

Remember what I said... If you don't get the blued one, I want the shop number...

 

[Johnny Guest]

Mike - - -

I mentioned I was gonna put it on the board as well--Just noticed you were on line and hoped you'd see the pop-up.

I'll certainly send you information if I don't get it myownself. I have no idea how these guys handle interstate transfers, or how much fee they charge. They're pretty staunch on their pricing, though, and I doubt they'll come off the marked price, so we'll see.

thanks also to SaxonPig.
Johnny

 

[Gordon]

Nickle in nice shape $400-$450, Blued 90% $350-$400.New in box add $100. I'd buy all I could find . I have a blued one I paid $250 in 74!

 

[Johnny Guest]

Well, hey - - -

My pal who tipped me to these revolvers was in error on the price range--I think he got 'em confused with an (apparently) NIB Model 37 for $299.95.

And, the store operator knew exactly what he had in hand, with the blue one. A FIVE screw, with S/N indicating mfg in about 1956. No box, but the blue one is in well over 90% condition-- A rub on barrel at muzzle and couple of little scratches on frame just below barrel. Mild drag mark on cylinder, but doesn't look as if it's ever been in a holster. Flash marks on front of cylinder show it HAS been fired, too.

I looked at the stocks under a glass, and I don't think there's a single diamond with flattened point! And, of course, the s/n is stamped inside one panel.

This piece is just almost too nice to shoot, and I do NOT need another safe queen. I have a couple of NIB guns I can't bring myself to shoot, and I am not a collector--I'm a shooter and hunter.

In short, yeah, $350 is too much, probably. But I'll likely never have a chance at another such pre-M27. I imagine there are some NIB examples out there, but they should remain pristine. And THIS one IS just barely shootable.

So, I plunked down $100, and should be able to have it paid out in a month or so,

Sorry, Mike Irwin. I just couldn't help myself. I do appreciate all your help in the PMs.

The more I looked at the nickel piece, the more I became certain it was a factory refinish job. Beautiful, yes, but I would know . . . . If the operator had come off the price substantially, I would probably have bought it and had no qualms about shooting it. I'd have put stag stocks on it and made it a barbecue gun! So, now I'm going to spend even MORE money on the Supica & N???? book and SHOW him why I think he's trying to get $400 out of a re-finished piece.

So there it is, friends. Maybe one day I'll have another five-inch M27, which is what I really wanted. But, for now, I can look forward to shooting my nice five screw, short barrel piece. I'll try to post photos and a shooting test when I pick it up.

Best to all--
Johnny

 

[P95Carry]

Some may have seen my thread a coupla weeks back ..... when I secured a 5" M27, in box. The gun was i'd say a 95% and the box helped too .. so I laid out $400 ...... not cheap.

However there is another side . why does anything sell?? Cos someone else WANTS it! I was the ''someone else'' and wanted it .. bad. having had one before and regretting it's loss ever since. So I didn't haggle. Oh and .. it was also a M27-2 .... bought in early 77 . so much newer than my first one.

If mine had had no box and was maybe the 85% - 90% I'd have said $300 or slightly more woulda been about right. To me, this 5" is gradually becoming a rarity .. relatively .. and in time could be as unlikely to find as rocking horse crap!

I am still pleased and just have to find time and weather to go excercise it.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Oh Johnny?

Hate to tell you this, but for a factory nickle refinish pre-model 27 in very good condition?

$400's not a terrible price.

To quote from Supica & Nahaus, first edition:

"Any refinishing will generally diminish the value of a gun as compared to one with comparable original finish. However, among S&W collectors, a gun that has been refinished at the factory will bring a price somewhere between original finish and a non-factory refinish."

A very good to excellent condition blued pre-model 27 is probably solidly priced between $450 and $600, wiht a small premium for nickle.

Extrapolating for a refinish $400 to $500 wouldn't be out of line.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, Johnny. Sounds to me like you've got a very, very nice revolver there.

Best.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Mike Irwin has sold another book - - -

Okay, Mike - - -
this exchange has finally convinced me that I need a copy of the Supica & Nahas book of my very own.

I went searching and not only found the book on Amazon.com, but also your review.

My order has been placed. Didn't see a spot to indicate "Referred by," so I don't know how you'll collect your commission.

All they listed was the Second Edition, but I'm more interested in the basic information than in a collector book, and the price seemed okay. Hard to find a decent reference work for under $50 nowadays, and this was under thirty, including shipping.

Thanks, everyone.
Johnny

 

[Johnny Guest]

Getting eager - - -

Friday was payday, so I went to the shop Saturday and put another hundred against "MY" .357. Reviewing my load data notebooks, and watching the .357 load threads. All my loading for the past ten or 15 years has been for S&W K-frames and an old Colt .357 (pre-Trooper.) I'm about to have a big, heavy piece which can handle full power loads again, and I'm getting fired up for it.

No, I'm not going to set any hot load records, but I recall shooting the old Remington 158 JSP High Speed loads in my Highway Patrolman back in about 1966. Later, I shot their 158 JHP in a five inch M27 in the early 80s. . . .

In my opinion, a .357, even with full house loads, is NOT the best fighting handgun ever, and, really, only a marginal medium game piece, but it is a really good all around revolver, and a true piece of the gunmakers' art.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Mike Irwin]

"In my opinion, a .357, even with full house loads, is NOT the best fighting handgun ever..."

So sad to see that Johnny's so demented...

 

[Kahr carrier]

Congrats on your new N-frame,the waiting sucks doesnt it.

 

[P95Carry]

Just to keep the saliva running ........... seems like a good excuse to post the pic again of the M27 I picked up three weeks ago ...... still suffering severe pleasure at it's presence!!!

Oh and .... well, .357 ain't the best defence handgun .... I tend to agree .. but, hey .... it's gotta be one of the most enjoyable!!!

Hope the wait on this one is ''bearable'' ...... good luck.

 

[Johnny Guest]

I can handle it. I think.

P95Carry- - - That IS a beautiful revo!

Kahr carrier - -Yeah, but, hey, anticipation is one of the sweet
things of life.

Mike - - - Demented on some things, perhaps. Isn't it nice we can each exercise our own idea of what IS the best. The .357 (Of any type) can be very, VERY, good for the purpose. As can the 1911 .45, the Browning High Power, and maybe a couple of others.

For pure hunting and outdoor use, I'd choose a revolver, and could probably defend myself with it. For pure dispute resolution, I believe a large auto pistol is superior.

I'm just waiting for the state of the art to advance to something VERY powerful and accurate, while being VERY compact and lightweight. Barring some kind of portable dimensional warp, though, any handgun chosen will entail some compromise.

Best,
Johnny

 

[trapshooter]

Can't help on prices, but the pre-357's with the old style internals are phenomenally smooth.

 

[Mike Irwin]

It's OK, Johnny.

I'll keep your sordid little secret...

You're a sprayer and prayer...

Hail Mary Full of Grace, help one of these 15 bullets find his face...

 

[Johnny Guest]

"You're a sprayer and prayer... "

Them's fightin' words, Pilgrim.

I've NEVER been able to comprehend the concept of supressive fire with a handgun.

BTW--Having a great time with my new copy of Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. It arrived yesterday, two days before the promise date.

Dang it! Here I am, off on a S&W kick again. My goal NOW is a 1926 3rd Model Hand Ejector. Just blue, four-inch, please. I'd take it in either .44 Special or .45 Colt.

Of course, a Model 65 or 13, 3" round butt would make a better carry piece, but it still doesn't have the "charm" of the older, large frame resolvers. [/wistful]

Best,
Johnny