Several years ago I had two Model 28's (4" and 6") and one Model 27 (5"). Like a dumbass, I sold them off when some other siren sang it's song. Was dropping off a rifle for some work today at the LGS and spied a well worn 4" Model 28 ($500) and a pristine 5" Model 27-2 ($1250). Now am thinking I will head back tomorrow after work and see if I can cut some sort of deal on the 27-2.

As far as 357's go, there are better ones out there. The 27 is big, heavy, and has too short of a cylinder to handle long keith SWC's. That being said, they shoot great, have a lot of class and they aren't making anymore of them.....And I want to shoot some jack rabbits and take a few pictures of them posed with the gun on a fence post or sage brush or something.....

I've owned a few 3.5" and 5" S&W 27s. I still have 1 of each, but haven't shot either of them for several years. When I want to shoot .357s, I reach for my S&W 620. I mostly shoot 158 grain SWCs at 1,100 fps to match my 240 grain .44 Special load.

I've had a 28 and a couple 27s. I liked them both, in fact, I liked the Highway Patrolman better than the 5" 27 I had. It was my first Smith, though, so that's probably the reason.

To be honest, I liked the 4" CS-1 686 roundbutt gun I had better than those. It was "handier" and handled recoil better. I dunno that I shot it better, but the N-frame is just a fuzz too big for my hand.

Regardless, a good Smith is a joy and that will never change.

The only thing that keeps the 27 and 28 from being the best 357's ever are the 686 and 586.

Got a 27-2, nice gun. Always wanted a 28, not enough to actually go after one, but if one came my way...

Along those lines, I've always thought a .38-44 Heavy Duty would be a great thing to have.

While I am a big fan of the L Frame S&W revolvers (586-686), I would not want to part with my 5" Model 27.

I like 'em too.
Bob

If you just want another 357Mag to shoot, get a 686. If you want to be stylin' the 27 sure fits into that category and the 5" is super cool. Some times I buy guns that I wanted or had years back and just want to relive that time. Nothing wrong with that.

EE I seriously like that knife. What is it?

Have had both in various lengths....only have a near perfect 28-2 right now.....class, pure class

Here's my 27 with aged ivory next to my 29

I have a 5" 5-screw "pre-27" from the early 50's. It has some finish wear but is otherwise excellent. Ties in nicely with my theme of 5" N frames

I was told by the dealer that it was a former Colorado Highway Patrol issue gun, but it's not marked accordingly, and I've never been able to confirm if they issued them. Guess I could send for an S&W letter on it.

And I really should order a set of custom grips for it

I'm a big N-frame fan. Clockwise from bottom left.....M27-2, M28-2 that was nickeled, and M28-2.

Or the Pre-Trooper Colt 357...

I apologize for not having looked back at this thread for a few.

That's an Ontario Knife Co. USMC Raider Bowie. Ontario, New York...made in the USA. IMO, they are a steal at less than $100.

http://ontarioknife.com/fixed-blades/sp10-marine-raider-bowie-detail

The Colt .357 or Trooper Mk I or II are good guns and also cool ones IMO. I don't consider them to be as good as Smith's though, just as a Python isn't. If I were going into some "real" situation in fact, I think I'd want the more modern MkIII on up, action in a .357.

I've had all the barrel lengths except the 6.5"...they are great shooters. The 5" just has such nice balance. If you can due without shooting Keith bullets {or seat them deep as Elmer used to do} nothing wrong with a short cylinder. One nice thing about the N-frame .357s is lack of recoil. Personally I have never bonded with the L-frames...just don't like the full underlug. K-frames with full loads are not fun and will cause a lot of wear on the gun. And...this will be an investment that will do nothing but gather money unless neglected and abused.

I just have one left at this point...it is a 6". I happened to make a comment over on the S&W forums on a thread about a newly purchased 27-2 5" that I would like one like that but one made in the early 1950s...but didn't state the year as I was looking for a 1952, the year I was born.

Another poster sent a PM that he had a 6" made in 1952 and was I interested. "Good" but not great condition. I was about to turn it down when he wrote that he had lettered the gun and came back to being shipped May XX, 1952 to the George Lawrence Leather Company...my birthday. My next questions was just "how much is the postage".....









Bob

Put some target grips on it. The 27s were not offered with Targets until I believe 1954. These came off a 1950 vintage pre-24.

The M-27 was S&W's flag ship model. The only model that the top strap was checkered.

The only "27" I had wasn't marked as a 27, it was pre model number "registered" gun. It had an 8-3/4, not 8-3/8, inch barrel. I don't own it now but someday I may again.

It needs some work. The front sight is too short, can't zero with anything heavier than 125s. I think it got smacked on something and was worked over with a file .. poorly. The innards have been over-tuned, then worn through use so it generally skips chambers lining up only on every other one.

If it can be brought back into reliable functioning it'd be a cool old gun to have. If it can't, then it's done. It'll hopefully be years before I find out.

RGK,
What grips are the ones on the top photo of your M-27 in 5"? I have an old one in 6" and love it! Great handgun..!!
Thanks in advance Bob, for your answer.
Brittman

Those are Herrett's Ropers, in fancy walnut. A little thinner than the original Ropers, they were redesigned by Skeeter Skelton for Steve Herrett years ago. I like 'em on a 27. Herrett's will still make you a set.
Bob

I want one (or two)

Here is my 5" M27-2, bought new in 1981. Grips are factory targets that I cut down to fit my hand. I have other .357s, including a 686-3 that's a dandy, but this one has something special.

That's nice.

What a revolver should look like.
Bob

My L-frame was my first S&W .357 I like it fine and it was very accurate. But the full length barrel lug made it just about as heavy as an N-frame. My current main handgun is a Custom shop 627 5". It suites me perfectly (you may not like the safety lock; I don't use it, the key is in the shipping box and I ignore the whole thing.) Back on subject - I wish I had gotten the N-frame religion long ago and I would have been even happier with my Smith's!

I guess this is stupid but you just hit on something I'd never considered...how would an L frame be with a model 27 profile barrel? No lug. I liked the lugs on L frames but they might be even sweeter without one.

As to the Clinton Lock...you might want to consider disabling it. Some just take the parts out and others plug the hole too. The directions are available on the Smith and Wesson forums as is the kit. Lots of stories of them locking up under recoil. You probably know of all this, but in case you don't...I have only one like that, a .44 Mag Mountain Gun which I've also just ignored thus far. I'm torn between doing what I just suggested and just getting rid of it and getting and older 4" barreled no-lock gun. (Or Mountain Gun should one become available.)

So a hard used M28 is now worth $500 Like you I have also owned both 4" and 6" M28s. Sold them both when I needed the cash.

Oh man......

I've had numerous .38-44 Heavy Dutys over the years. Then I realized why pack a gun that weighs the same as a model 29 .44 mag (or a model 27/28 .357), that has FIXED sights (worthless in my opinion), and fires "only" a .38 special?! All of them "went down the road". No regrets. Buy hey, to each his own!

If you have as many handguns as most of us here do, you only need two or three that make any sense.

Ummmmmm. Believe me......desertoakie has PLENTY of N-Frames!

WORD! Here's 4 27s in the nickel N frame "wheel":

...and I just picked up this 5" nickel 27 a month ago, to ADD to my N frames:

Gonna pack this 27-2 3.5-in. Into the deer woods rest of season for a doe gun. Got my Dad's Pre-27 5-in. And a 5-in. 27-2 as well, but no good pic of them. Really want a nickeled 8-3/8th 27 Patridge sighted Death Ray.
[img:left][/img]

I had a 6" 27-5 that I had to sell during financial hard times...SOOOOOO wish I could get it back! Amazing guns...

Well, did you ever get back there?

Geno

I've disabled the Clinton lock on my J frame. It was easy to do so I wouldn't let the lock prevent me from buying any S&W revolver. J frames seem to be where most of the problems with the lock occurred. Your reply has made me rethink the whole matter. Does anyone have knowledge of failure to fire malfunctions on L or N frame guns.

Just today, as a matter of fact....

Nice

Very nice

I have owned this 27-2 since the late '70s. As I recall I bought it new for $135.00.

This four inch 27-2 was purchased about 1990 second hand. I paid considerably more for it.

Last is my Highway Patrolman bought secondhand for $250 about 2000. It gets carried a lot during deer season loaded with the bullet specifically designed for the N frame .357s. The Thompson gas check 357156. The moderate load of 2400 shoots well and matches the trajectory of my .44 Special and .45 Colt loads.

Very nice, glad you were able to get back and pick it up.
Thanks for sharing and making me jealous.

Geno

Geno, have you shot any deer with your 358156 load? I tried but couldn't close the deal on a bull caribou with that bullet in my 38/44 Outdoorsman a couple years back.

Kid,

Sorry, but I'm not the one with that load. Must be another poster? Or maybe I made a mistake quoting someone with that feature? I'm not always good with the computer stuff. Maybe someday, but I'm not set up for casting and honestly, I haven't had the .357 out shooting in a long time.

Good luck with it when you try it again.

Geno