Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Model 27 or 586?

I went to the LGS the other day...I was set to finally buy a Governor. I asked Dustin if they had one, he said yes. He handed me the gun and I felt the action and said yep I'll take it. Everytime I go to buy one, I end up getting something else...this time was no different. The owner, Naomi, knows my tastes and said...didn't you see the I got a model 10-5, a pre-model 10, and a little i frame in 32 s&w long? So instead of the Governor, I got three very nice vintage guns.

Still no Governor.

And, now I'm looking at more 357's....I have lots already. I don't need anymore 357's but am attracted to the model 27 and 586. (I have a 4 inch 686 and 2.5 inch 686+ both are great). I have some other 357's from ruger and colt too. So, just really looking at these two models right now.

I'm not sure if I'll get a new gun - with the Hillary hole that apparently should be covered with a pantsuit to prevent upskirt shots - or a vintage. I'm not really bothered by it and kind of giggle in my mind as to the vulgarity it represents.

So basically, L frame or N frame 357...what do you guys like? I don't have an N frame 357, I have one in 38 which I like alot.

-John

You can cover lock hole with $30 Tromix safety latch. No point of spending extra hundreds for pre-lock model. Boomers hate lock and MIM parts, avoiding competition from them can save you a lot of cash. The upside of getting newer gun is seven or eight shot .357/.38 cylinder.
Guy at another forum bought Performance Center 627-5 for $850, that was good price for eight-shot .357.

I like M27s, but to be fair, the best .357 I've ever owned was a 4" 686 CS-1, an overrun on a Customs Service contract revolver.

Still, if I were buying another .357 today, it would likely be the M27.

I own Model 19's, a 586 and a 28. I probably carry a 19 the most. But if I were going to shoot a lot and not carry a lot, I'd go with the 586 or 28.

N frame, all day, every day.

N frames mean big bore to me. N frame cartridges start at .41 and go up. K's and L's house the .357 perfectly.

If you can find a 3.5" Model 27 at a reasonable (less than $1500 ) price, that would be the one.

I have Model 27s in 3.5" and 5", sold my 8 & 3/8".

The N-frame six- shot .357 makes zero sense. One can get .44 Magnum six-shot in same package. The newer S&W revolvers in .357 go up to eight shots before reload. That makes for more versatile weapon. For example one could load couple shot cartridges for snakes and still have six chambers left for regular ammo.

Only owned one full lug barreled gun, a 696 it was a club. For .357 I like a 4" M/66, in an N-frame my choice is a 4" M/629, both are pinned & recessed which is just a personal preference.

The M27 was S&W's flagship revolver with top strap checkering. You could reload a M27 as hot as you wanted it would be bank vault strong for the cartridge

I’d think long and hard about a Model 27-2, and it’s worth saving up the extra few hundred for one. I’m especially fond of the 6” version. The Cadillac of the S&W line.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/17601787#Post17601787

I currently have 6 S&Ws in .357 MAG; 19 4", 27 3.5", 27 5". 66 4", 520 4.25", and 620 4.25". While I like the N-frame 27s, I really like the 620 and if I could only keep only 1 to shoot, it would be the 620.

Here is a dandy, and worth the money…

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...nd-w-27-2-6-inch-mfg-1978-ttt-case-xtras

LeakyWaders: I also have WAY more 357's than I could ever use-up or ever need.
Last count at 13 IIRC.
Go with the wonderfully balanced 586 or 686 (pre-lock of course!).
Best of luck whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I would be plenty happy with a Smith model 28 as my only handgun, IIIFFFF I as forced to just one.

The L frame is the "better" gun in some ways. Call me old fashioned, but I would take a 27 every day of the week over the L frame. Every time you pick it up it will put a smile on your face and you'll be proud you bought S&W's best effort.

GF1 I like the way you think. 😎 Beautiful 27-2. Here’s mine with Elk and Culina’s.

Buy both. Campfire wisdom. You won’t regret it.

I am partial to 5" 27's. Skeeter's favorite too.

Never owned a N frame 357. But I would sure like to have one. Hasbeen