The "Cadillac" of Revolvers
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AStone
Member
Thanks to Oro and Stainz for the two pieces of info below,
copied here for my future easy reference. Very helpful.
Before this, the 27/627 weren't on my radar screen.
Now, a 627 (8-shot) is a contender, a competitor for a 686.
Just wish they made both in either 3" or 5.5" or both.
copied here for my future easy reference. Very helpful.
Before this, the 27/627 weren't on my radar screen.
Now, a 627 (8-shot) is a contender, a competitor for a 686.
Just wish they made both in either 3" or 5.5" or both.
Oro said:
Stainz said:
Handyguy
Member
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the bluing of the Dan Wesson revolvers.
OLD208X3A
Member
Breathtaking!
That is a magnificent piece! I don't think they get much prettier than that. Bad thing is - now I want one. Just when the beautiful-revolver bug dies down, I see something like this. The only thing I'd add to this whole story is to carry and shoot these beautiful guns - not in an abusive fashion of course. Just a thought from when my father died; it's a good thing to put some wear and tear on it yourself. I think it'd be a shame to pass away and have your heirs remember it as the gun from the back of grandpa's safe. It should be the gun grandpa loved and carried and used often. You and the gun both deserve it. Very nice indeed.
That is a magnificent piece! I don't think they get much prettier than that. Bad thing is - now I want one. Just when the beautiful-revolver bug dies down, I see something like this. The only thing I'd add to this whole story is to carry and shoot these beautiful guns - not in an abusive fashion of course. Just a thought from when my father died; it's a good thing to put some wear and tear on it yourself. I think it'd be a shame to pass away and have your heirs remember it as the gun from the back of grandpa's safe. It should be the gun grandpa loved and carried and used often. You and the gun both deserve it. Very nice indeed.
Olympus
Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2008
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- 4,212
Personally I'm a Python man myself, 4" Royal Blue and 4" E-Nickel, but I'll give your 27 a nod. My father in law just both a 3 1/2 blued and the frame is much beefier than my Pythons. The bluing doesn't hold a candle, but I have to admit that the trigger on the 27 was noticeably lighter, smoother, and more crisp than my factory adjusted Pythons. I'm a full lug man and the 3 1/2" 27 would be the only one I'd want to keep. Nice looking gun you've got. That's a keeper!
Buddhabelly
Member
I have a 6" Python, 5" model 27 50th anniversary, and a 4" model 19. Love them all. The 19 is most elegant, Python is most beautiful, and 27 is just all around perfect. Python has the best SA and is most accurate in SA. 19 has best DA action, and 27 is the one I'll feed full load high velociy .357 ammo all day.
Yes, I do shoot them all regularly.
Yes, I do shoot them all regularly.
Nematocyst said:
Last year Lew Horton distributing had some limited run of N-frame "Classics" - square butt guns with Magna wood grips, 3" barrels and in both blue and nickel. There are probably a few to be found; the runs were small - I think 300 of each model. They now have most of the "classics" as a regular items in 4" or 6."
surfinUSA
Member
Not to rain on anybody's parade but I had a very similar nickel model 27-2, 3 1/2 inch. The gun was beautiful, accurate and a perfect BBQ gun.
However, it was the one gun I had no use for. If I was going to carry a 357 it was usually my stainless model 65 3 inch or my 4 inch model 66.
If I was goining to carry an N frame it was my 3 inch stainless 629-6.
The model 27-2 or any model 27 is a great gun and I believe the best of the breed as opposed to the Colt Python. But in 357 and N frame guns I believe there are better more usable examples of S&W as those described above.
I sold mine to finance a great shooting trap gun. As far as being a great historical 357 magnum the model 27 is truely the best of the best.
However, it was the one gun I had no use for. If I was going to carry a 357 it was usually my stainless model 65 3 inch or my 4 inch model 66.
If I was goining to carry an N frame it was my 3 inch stainless 629-6.
The model 27-2 or any model 27 is a great gun and I believe the best of the breed as opposed to the Colt Python. But in 357 and N frame guns I believe there are better more usable examples of S&W as those described above.
I sold mine to finance a great shooting trap gun. As far as being a great historical 357 magnum the model 27 is truely the best of the best.
I'm a sucker for 3"-3 1/2" S&W revolvers. My favorite ones of that length are a sweet shootin' Model 65-3 3" . . . and my favorite revolver of all times . . . a chopped barrel Model 25-2 .45ACP revolver with a 3 1/4" or 3 3/8" barrel.
They are both well-used "shootin' irons" and I've won a lot of matches with both through the years.
That being said . . . this "new" to me 27-2 is the first revolver I've ever bought that I'm not wild about shooting. It's "sadly" just a little too perfect . . . and a little too beautiful. I once had a new 27-2 nickle (6") and didn't know not to clean it with Hoppes #9 . . . and ended up clouding the finish a little and having the nickle flake at the front edge of the cylinder.
So, I want to baby this one . . . even though I imagine I'll run a few rounds down the barrel. However, I already know how sweet the N frames shoot!
It will probably be the nearly look-alike "twin" to my custom 25-2, but in bright, perfect nickle plate. OTOH, my 25-2 is a pure "shooter" and a daily carry companion to my "always" M37 J-frame in a pocket holster. I'll have to take their pictures (M27-2 & M25-2) together very soon and post 'em.
Until then, here are the other two 3" Smiths, the wonderful K-framed M65 and the incredible shooting M25-2 . . . both with thousands of rounds out their barrels and still tight and going strong!
Thanks for all the kind comments folks!
They are both well-used "shootin' irons" and I've won a lot of matches with both through the years.
That being said . . . this "new" to me 27-2 is the first revolver I've ever bought that I'm not wild about shooting. It's "sadly" just a little too perfect . . . and a little too beautiful. I once had a new 27-2 nickle (6") and didn't know not to clean it with Hoppes #9 . . . and ended up clouding the finish a little and having the nickle flake at the front edge of the cylinder.
So, I want to baby this one . . . even though I imagine I'll run a few rounds down the barrel. However, I already know how sweet the N frames shoot!It will probably be the nearly look-alike "twin" to my custom 25-2, but in bright, perfect nickle plate. OTOH, my 25-2 is a pure "shooter" and a daily carry companion to my "always" M37 J-frame in a pocket holster. I'll have to take their pictures (M27-2 & M25-2) together very soon and post 'em.
Until then, here are the other two 3" Smiths, the wonderful K-framed M65 and the incredible shooting M25-2 . . . both with thousands of rounds out their barrels and still tight and going strong!
Thanks for all the kind comments folks!
richkratz
Member
i own a 5" 27-2 and love it. Best of the best.
Here is a 6 inch 27-2 that I found in my local "Toy Store". It had sat in the case for about 8 or 9 months and at first I did not pay it any attention as I was just getting into S&W revolvers and did not know much about the various models and such. One day I asked to take a look at it and I became extremely excited. I did not show it so I could be able to negotiate on the price. By it's serial number, this 27-2 was made in about 1977-1978. It was unfired, with no flaws except a ding on the trigger guard. Has a very very light turn ring on the cylinder. No tools but I have acquired a set later after I took these pictures. Got it for $750 OTD and am extremely happy with it. Definitely the finest .357Mag made by S&W.
richkratz
Member
Beautiful..
My "grail gun" when it comes to the Model 27 is the 5". I consider that barrel length the best balanced of all the N-frames. The ultimate for me is this:
This is a pre-M27 made in late 1954. The cylinder and barrel are stamped with the serial number as is the frame. The Magna stocks are numbered to the gun as well.
Dave
PS: I like the 3.5" as well, just think the 5" is a little better. (smile)
This is a pre-M27 made in late 1954. The cylinder and barrel are stamped with the serial number as is the frame. The Magna stocks are numbered to the gun as well.
Dave
PS: I like the 3.5" as well, just think the 5" is a little better. (smile)
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
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- 5,716
I had a 6" P&R M-27 for a while, but I really wanted a 5" P&R M-27. Found one about three years ago and sold the 6". It's not perfect, bit of holster wear, but it is beautiful to me.
I seldom carry it, because I have N-frames in .41 and .45LC, both in 4".
But every time I do an inventory and "thin the herd", the M-27 manages to make the cut. It is the perfect meeting of form and function. I cannot bear the thought of selling it. I recently (yet again) made a list of all my handguns (approximately 20 in all) and put numbers next to them (if I could only keep one, it is numbered 1; if I could keep one more, it is numbrered 2...the bottom of the list gets put up for sale) The M-27 is number five, which means I would have to sell fifteen others before it is in danger.
To continue the analogy, the M-27 is not a Cadillac, and it's not a Porsche. It may be a Corvette; appreciated beyond all reason, long in history, a bit high priced, but to those of us who appreciate it, nothing else can replace it.
I seldom carry it, because I have N-frames in .41 and .45LC, both in 4".
But every time I do an inventory and "thin the herd", the M-27 manages to make the cut. It is the perfect meeting of form and function. I cannot bear the thought of selling it. I recently (yet again) made a list of all my handguns (approximately 20 in all) and put numbers next to them (if I could only keep one, it is numbered 1; if I could keep one more, it is numbrered 2...the bottom of the list gets put up for sale) The M-27 is number five, which means I would have to sell fifteen others before it is in danger.
To continue the analogy, the M-27 is not a Cadillac, and it's not a Porsche. It may be a Corvette; appreciated beyond all reason, long in history, a bit high priced, but to those of us who appreciate it, nothing else can replace it.
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SSN Vet
Member
Wow! Simply wow!
What a beautiful revolver
What a beautiful revolver
messerist
Member
I'm not sure how you would classify my Model 27. I just got her a few years back. It is from the S&W Classics line. I sure do like her though. I plan to get old with this one. The leather is from El Paso Saddlery.
Confederate
Member
Beautiful gun, but I had a Model 29 that was almost perfect...very much like this gun. It was nickel plated and didn't have one blemish on it. I got smooth wood grips for it (which S&W sent me FREE when I complained about the cheese grater grips that came with it). I kept them when I subsequently bought a 629.
I managed to mar the surface of my 29 by using Hoppes gun cleaner, which is not supposed to be used on nickel guns. If any of the cleaner isn't wiped away immediately, it makes a permanent mark on the gun. In time it also will remove the nickel, which I didn't know at the time.
I would love a 27 like that, but I wouldn't carry it or even shoot it.
Today's Smiths are ugly brutes without any real personality. They're still very good guns, but they lack the attention to detail they once had. The stainless models look like they've been sandpapered by apes.
This 629 also is a beauty and, alas, they don't make guns like this
anymore. Counterbored chambers, pinned barrel, stamped sideplate.
I'm sorry I got rid of my nickel 29. It was one of the most beautiful
guns I've ever owned.
I managed to mar the surface of my 29 by using Hoppes gun cleaner, which is not supposed to be used on nickel guns. If any of the cleaner isn't wiped away immediately, it makes a permanent mark on the gun. In time it also will remove the nickel, which I didn't know at the time.
I would love a 27 like that, but I wouldn't carry it or even shoot it.
Today's Smiths are ugly brutes without any real personality. They're still very good guns, but they lack the attention to detail they once had. The stainless models look like they've been sandpapered by apes.
This 629 also is a beauty and, alas, they don't make guns like this
anymore. Counterbored chambers, pinned barrel, stamped sideplate.
I'm sorry I got rid of my nickel 29. It was one of the most beautiful
guns I've ever owned.
22-rimfire
Member
Great pictures and comments. I always referred to the Colt Python as the "Cadillac" of revolvers. I have owned a few. I sold my "cadillacs" as I guess I'm mostly a Ford man.
Peter M. Eick
Member
Might as well add some Registered pictures.
Here is mine with a Registered Box.
The Registration number for those that don't own one.
I shoot mine. Here is 50 shots per target, offhand 15 yrds, Stout load of 2400 with a 158 SWC shot single action.
I shoot mine. Here is 50 shots per target, offhand 15 yrds, Stout load of 2400 with a 158 SWC shot double action.
Here is mine with a Registered Box.
The Registration number for those that don't own one.
I shoot mine. Here is 50 shots per target, offhand 15 yrds, Stout load of 2400 with a 158 SWC shot single action.
I shoot mine. Here is 50 shots per target, offhand 15 yrds, Stout load of 2400 with a 158 SWC shot double action.
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