S&W Model 27 5" repair or not?

[dave5339]

Hi all,

I've got a S&W Model 27 (no dash) in 5" that I picked up from a gun show awhile back.

Condition wise it's been a little beat up. The crane is possibly bent, it's had a touch or two of a small bit of rust, (minor pitting on the cyclinder), the rear sight looks like it's taken the impact of more than a few falls/drops to the pavement and it cylinder seems to be sticking closed when I try and open it.

What I am wondering is if I sent it in for repair/reblue would I destroy any and all collectors value, (other than being a Mod 27 5" I don't think it has any).

I've sent S&W a letter request and recieved the letter back so I know the pistol's early history.

Personally I'd love to get it fixed. It's a wonderful gun to shoot but I also don't want to destroy any possible collectors value.

What do you all think?

Semper Fi

 

[BBBS]

In its present condition, I don't think it has any collector value. I say reblue it and enjoy it.

 

[Kurac]

If it is not a 4 or 5 screw gun then it sounds like pretty much a shooter. For modern S&W revolvers from 1945 forwars I would guess that it is not really super collectible unless it is unfired or at least 98%

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I agree with the others, if you want it to use pay for the repairs and use it. No, it won't be a collectible. However, with those issues it wouldn't be anyway.

I myself would pay for the repairs to have a nice classic gun to carry. I think it's money well spent.

 

[thatguy]

It does sound like the crane is bent. You might try swapping a crane from another gun (I have found S&Ws to be real good about swapping parts) and see if it cures the problem. A used crane might be found on ebay or elsewhere for $20 if it fixes it. At the very least I would contact a gunsmith for an evaluation and an estimate. Refinish will run $180 or so and may or may not be worth it to you. But I would try to make the gun shootable if I could.

The 27 (no dash) was made from 1957 until 1960. I have a 5" 27 like yours in nickel and love it.

 

[Dienekes]

Send it in to the factory. I picked up a very nice M19 at a gun show a while back and two chambers carried up harder than the rest, affecting the DA pulls. I have been at this a while and even so misdiagnosed the problem. Fortunately over the years I have learned when NOT to work on a gun and shipped it off to S&W. Shipping cost as much as the work, but when it was done it was right.

Revolvers are a lot more complex and demanding than people think. Everything is conected to everything else, and unless everything is exactly in spec it will come back and haunt you.

Sounds like a nice gun to own and shoot. Let the people who work on them every day figure it out and fix it once and for all.

 

[dave5339]

I did send my Model 27 in for repair in mid February.

I finally got it back today after having everything that needed fixed taken care of.

I did opt for the hi-polish blue as it was needing reblued anyway.



Now I just have to find the time to get to the range!

Semper Fi

 

[bpisler]

Looks like it turned out very nice'
now take it out and shoot it

 

[only1asterisk]

Enjoy!

David

 

[Standing Wolf]

Mighty pretty!

 

[XavierBreath]

Very nice job Dave! Enjoy it!

 

[SouthpawShootr]

A fine looking revolver. I don't suppose you have any "before" pictures? Looks like S&W did a good job, I'd just like to see how bad it was to begin with. I hope you enjoy your revolver and that it gives you exceptional service.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Man!! Now I have to wipe the drool off of the keyboard. That's a pretty Smith. Does it shoot as good as it looks?

 

[dave5339]

Haven't had the chance to take it to the range yet. If it shoots as good as it did before I'll be more than happy with it.

Was a fantastic shooter, when you could get the cylinder to unlock that is... It's got one of the best triggers in SA mode that I've ever ran across, nice light and oh so crisp.

The before wasn't really to horrible other than some mechanical issues, and according to S&W a very severely eroded throat. The pistol had it's share or wear and tear marks as well as some rust pitting from living a chunk of it's life in a leather holster. I just figured if I was going to get it fixed I may as well do it right and get it re-blued also. I'm really liking their high polish re-blue.

Semper Fi

 

[STAGE 2]

I was considering doing the same thing with my 28. How much did that set you back and how was S&W's customer service.

 

[MiniZ]

That turned out awesome! There is nothing quite like a nicely blued revolver.

 

[dave5339]

I was considering doing the same thing with my 28. How much did that set you back and how was S&W's customer service.

Stage 2,

The hi-polish finish is $160 or so. I had some other work done, trimming and re-threading the barrel to fix the throat issue. Fixing the bent crane and I think they replaced the cylinder as the old one was pitted. All said and done it was $263 and change.

As to their customer service it was pretty darned good. The only minor issue I have is the time it took, (of course I am not known for my patience ). I sent the pistol in mid February and just received it on 4/20 about a 2 month turn around. Per the smith who did the work, they are running pretty busy and the re-finishing group is the busiest.

Would I send another pistol to them to work over? You bet!

Of course now I am looking at a Python in my safe that needs a Colt reblue, (I told Dad not to keep it in the holster but....)

Semper Fi

 

[Mossyrock]

It looks great! Given that it came back with the correct type of cylinder for its age, I would say they repaired/refinished your original cylinder. Now all you need is the correct type of grip for that age of gun and you will be set!

 

[SouthpawShootr]

All said and done it was $263 and change.

Seems like a deal to me, considering all that was done.

 

[ARTiger]

Sweet looking gun. Love the high polish bluing. For the money, I'd say you got a heckuva deal in repair/refinishing. Although I haven't used S&W yet, I have sent guns to Browning for a re-do and they always come back breathtakingly perfect, IMO better than new condition. Looks like S&W's techs have the same pride of workmanship.