SW Model 27 3.5" bbl sighting...

[W Turner]

I was browsing around a local firearms shop yesterday and come upon a SW Model 27 with a 3.5" barrel. The finish is a deep, glossy blue and it does not appear to be a re-finish as all of the rollmarks are clear and bright. The checkering on the barrel and topstrap is flawless and the DA pull is very nice. No rust was noticed, but there is some wear right around the muzzle and the "S" in Smith and Wesson stamped on the barrel is slightly faded. I still beleive this has not been refinished as all of the other rollmarks are flawless.

Price was $549.00 with no box or papers, although the clerk did say that the guy who sold/traded it said that he thought he had the box somewhere and was going to look for it.

BTW-the grips look to be the factory target grips, but they are a lighter color than the Magna grips

From what I understand, this is a good price even without the box and papers, and would be a great deal with the other stuff.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,
W

 

[SnWnMe]

How bad do you want it? That will dictate the fair price.

When I am faced with such a crisis I invoke: "It's only money" or "He who dies with the most toys wins"

 

[opscwo]

BUY IT!!!! That's considerably under the going rate for model 27's. D

 

[Standing Wolf]

...the grips look to be the factory target grips, but they are a lighter color than the Magna grips

Not necessarily: the color of the wood varied considerably.

I'm not sure it's a great price, but it is a fairly uncommon barrel length for the model 27.

 

[Coltdriver]

If you really want a Model 27 then that is not a bad price if the condition is excellent and the lock up is tight. Unless you are a collector who cares about a box?? It just came in a cardboard box that was nothing special. You can get a nice presentation case for under $100 if you want one.

I passed on one a couple of weeks that was probably 80% and needed to be sent back to S&W for re timing as it was loose! They wanted $350. It was just a bit too rough to justify the money required to fix it.

I bought mine which is in about 95% condition for $425. If I ever come upon one in really excellent shape for $475 to $500 I would pick it up on pure speculation. You could easily turn one for $650 if it is in truly excellent condition. If you get a like new, nearly unfired one in the box etc you can sell it for $750 to $800 fairly easily, if you can stand to let it go!

You can shoot honest full house Elmer Keith loads in it and it will not wear you out. At 45 ounces there is plenty of heft for serious .357 ammo.

I think they are about the classiest revolver ever made.

 

[Majic]

For a 3.5 incher that's a very good price. That is a highly sought after barrel lenght these days.

but it is a fairly uncommon barrel length for the model 27.

Actually the 3.5" barrel was one of the standard barrel lengths for a very long time. The other was the 5 inch.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Actually the 3.5" barrel was one of the standard barrel lengths for a very long time. The other was the 5 inch.

Yes, but my understanding is that Smith & Wesson made far fewer 3.5-inch barrels than the others. The five-incher, in my opinion, balances better than the rest.

 

[SnWnMe]

In fact the 3.5" was common (along with the 5") because the FBI issued them. The 4" is pretty scarce though.

The Twelve Revolvers "Outnumbered" M27 had a 7" bbl IIRC. Now there's abbl length you don't see everyday.

Sorry for the hi jack. Just to bring it back on topic, I think your friendly THR neighborhood has spoken: You need to get that beauty home now

 

[P95Carry]

I suffer from ''Smith Passion'' - tho I have way too few of the earlier gems. I'd say that price was on the high side - particularly with no box but that said - this is a very desirable item indeed. I succeeded in getting my 27-2 5" for about $400 coupla years ago - and seems that was really a good price - I find the 5" near perfection of form - seems so ''right''

But - there again, that 3 1'2 is beauty indeed - so much better looking IMO than the later 4" ones. What is it's dash number? - it has to be pre 1979 cos that's when the 4" came in.

So - if you can handle the price then go for it - chances are you won't see another in a long time.

 

[W Turner]

Well, as much as I hate too, I am going to pass on this. I know how rare it is, but I just can't scare up the cash to take it home.

Here is the contact information for anyone who is interested...

JC's Guns and Tackle
256.353.2503

Ask for Bob, there is a young guy (19-21) there that is a jacka$%of the highest order and will probably try to talk you into everything, but what you ask for.


W

 

[thatguy]

I didn't realize the 3.5" was hard to find. The prices are approaching the outrageous, though. I paid $400 for the last one I bought (cringing a bit but it was in nickel and came with the correct "diamond" magnas), and the other two were $350 (cased, unfired, but 20 years ago) and $275 (ex-cop gun with much holster wear) respectively. I see them on the auction sites with $850 bids that don't meet the reserve prices and I nearly faint. Apparently my wife will be rich when she sells my guns.

I think that if you want that you had better buy it because somebody else will if you don't.

Here's the latest 3.5 I bagged: