The "Cadillac" of Revolvers

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The S&W evolution of the "Registered Magnum," "pre-27," "Model 27, and " Model 27-2" are often referred to as the "Cadillac" of Revolvers. No other S&W revolver series was ever as beautiful, with great finishes and finely checkered top straps AND the top of the rear sight even!

This is the big framed model that launched the .357 Magnum cartridge to the world in 1935 . . . and changed revolvers forever. Alas, S&W hasn't made the Model 27 this beautiful for many years now . . . but the vintage ones really get the S&W revolver fans' hearts beating a little faster indeed!

Many think the 3 1/2" barreled Model 27 to be the most beautiful revolver ever made. Others love the 5" version. Still others my prefer the 4" or 6" versions . . . or even longer!



This is my "grail gun," a truly pristine 1970 Model 27-2 with the 3 1/2" barrel that I've wanted for so long. It was worth the wait! The stocks are serial numbered to the gun, of course, and the checkering and the looks are truly gorgeous.

Here's some "eye candy" for those who would like to see how Smith once made their top revolvers . . . pinned barrel, recessed cylinders, premium finishes, gorgeous stocks numbered to the gun, etc. Enjoy!

PS: Hopefully other readers will post their M27s too. Beautiful guns indeed!

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. . . and on a white background . . .

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normaly i don't post unless i have something constructive to say, but in this case, i'll make an exception. i am speachless.
 
Very beautiful Smith you got there.

Only one problem, its definitely to nice to shoot often.
 
I agree C-grunt! I'd hate to shoot it . . . although it HAS been shot just a little, and I'll probably runs a few cylinders of ammo through it eventually . . . then clean it REAL good!

I've got enough guns to enjoy . . . and it is the first one I've owned that I truly cannot say that fills a niche as a "shooter." I've never owned a "safe queen!"
 
It's a beauty, S&Wfan.

I confess, I've never heard of the 27, I think.

I own a 65, and did own a 686.

I expected to go to the Smith Wesson site and not find 27, but it's there, still in production.

So, please help me understand what's not to like about the new ones (aside from no 3", and I agree that 3"ers rule).

And, how do they compare to the 65/66?
 
27 is an N frame like the model 29 44 mag

your 686 was an L frame

L frames are basically a k frame with a little bit beefier upper frame components like top strap and yoke/forcing cone area- fixing the problems with the 65-66

by no means are the 65 66 bad guns- i have many and love them dearly

did we just hijack this thread?
 
So the 27 is an L-frame?
Click to expand...

To put it in perspective, the 27 is a .357 built on the .44 sized frame. The "N" frame was designed to maximize frame size around the .44 special. The K frame would have been the "right" sized frame for the .357, but with the metallurgy of the 1930's, the gun had to be built on the .44 frame to make it durable. The "L" frame is a modern ".357" specific frame - it takes advantage of modern steel and tempering to make the most size-efficient six-shot .357 you can make for long-term durability and comfort. So to compare the S&W Model 27 to today's road-going SUV's - it is the Toyota Land Cruiser of .357 revolvers - in modern terms, very over-built for the ask at hand, but valued because of that.

S&WFan's very proud of this - and well he should be. It's been a goal of mine to track down a nickel 3.5". The 3.5" barrel length was always the least common length from it's introduction in 1935 until that length was discontinued about 1978. And the S&W nickel job on these was unsurpassed. The blue was gorgeous, but the nickel was breath-taking.

In the big N-frame, the 3.5" on the square butt frame gives a balance and quickness altogether missing in most of the other common lengths. It lagged behind in sales except with some law enforcement officers because it wasn't as desirable for hunting and field use. The 3.5" models was reportedly a favorite with FBI agents for a very long time. The very first "Registered Magnum" was given to j. Edgar Hoover in 1935, and I think it was a 3.5". Also, George Patton was an early buyer (RM #95 I believe), and his was also a 3.5". It was the gun on his right hip all during WWII and all those news real videos of him you've seen. A Colt Peacemaker was on his left hip, but he called the 3.5" S&W .357 his "Killing gun."

Here are some pics of my 3.5" - one of my very favorite guns - it gets carried periodically and even on multi-day mountain trips. It's just too nice to leave at home all the time. Don't let the balance and elegance of the gun fool you into thinking it's small and handy - this is a full-sized gun. Even the 3.5" barrel weighs more than a Colt Government Model. It's a serious, full-sized gun even in the short barrel.

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When I think "Cadillac" of Revolvers, what usually comes to mind is a Python.
Click to expand...

I think what you mean is that "when I think Porsche of revolvers" I think of a Python. For excessive engineering and luxury - like the Cadillac - then the 27 is your ticket. The Python runs on a leaner, less elegant frame with a twitchier action - a bit more akin to a Porsche than a Cadillac. I'm not advocating that one is better than the other, but knowing both guns, I agree with S&WFan's title.
 
Nice examples. Of course, S&W didn't stop making great .357 Magnums with the 27 any more than they did the Registered Magnum that started the caliber. I like to think that they started making them. Certainly, the development of the X8 627 family is a step ahead - to me.

IMG_3339.jpg

The '01-'02 5" JM PC627 V-Comp I have has a trigger I use as a standard to judge others by. My '08 4" 627 Pro is close behind it in my collection for it's fine trigger. Sure, it has the production MIM parts and hated IL, separating it forever from some purists' collections. It also has modern touches, like a spring-loaded front sight for tool-less changes; came moonclip ready; has a target barrel and crown, etc, improvements never available on those early 27s, much less the RM.

The greatest attribute is the SS, IMHO. Me and blued guns just don't mix. SS is a user's material. At my point of life - and income - my firearms must be functional. I had lookers... no more. That 627 pair has had the snot shot from them - even before the picture. They clean up easily.

Still - I can appreciate beautiful revolvers - and those early 27's are great examples of such. Thanks for sharing.

Stainz

PS The 627s are also widely available - new - and affordable - almost!!
 
acquisition by Bangor Punta Alegre Sugar Corp., a conglomerate based in Bangor, Maine, with operations in railroads, textiles, foundry equipment, sewage disposal systems, yacht manufacturing, commercial finance, grain elevators, and other areas. Bangor Punta paid about $22.6 million to gain control of Smith & Wesson.
 
I remember these from my early years as a gun nut...and how happy I was to have them (one 27-4 in particular). I also remember though that the pride of my collection was my 6" Python. As good as the Smiths were *then*, the Colt Python stood apart.

The bluing in a Colt in those days was deep...measurable seemingly in inches. The action of the Smiths then was near perfect out of the box, but the Colt hand finished Pythons were glass. I went overseas for a good while and came back to find out that guns were now being made of plastic.

It just ain't been the same since...


Nice stuff ya got there!
 
Very, very nice.

While I'm a big Colt Python fan, the Model 27 is a grail gun for myself. Not too many in my neck of the woods (Canada, eh). The 5" model is highly sought after due our laws regarding minimum barrel length.

Thank you for sharing :D
 
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