New Model 27 Cylinder Diameter

[hinton03]

I am looking at a used El Paso Saddlery Pancake Holster on eBay and the owner says it is for 2 1/2" N frame smiths including the 627.

Does anyone know if the diameter of the new eight shot cylinder is larger than the original model 27? I am concerned that the holster will not be a fit for my 327 NG.

Thanks

 

[Oro]

The cylinder can't be any appreciably larger - otherwise it wouldn't fit in a the standard "N"frame. The holster should fit your gun. Also, it is likely made for your gun - there were no 2 1/2" N frames (that I know of) until the new ones.

 

[BCRider]

An 8 shot cylinder has to be larger. The 6 shot in my own N frame 28doesn't have all that much room between the holes to fit in two more.

 

[Oro]

appreciably larger

I didn't say it wasn't larger, I said it wasn't "appreciably larger" enough to make a difference about holster application. There is only room to add about 1/16" to the standard N frame cylinder to keep it within the frame.

Keep in mind the N frame was designed as a six-shot .44 special cylinder - plenty of room to put in seven shots of .357 w/o making any tricks (and better metallurgy than c. 1908 allowed).

One trick S&W did was move the centerline of the bores closer to the cylinder edge - getting more room that way, too. Here's a pic that I borrowed to illustrate it:



(Credit where credit is due: the photo is from colt_saa of the S&W forum, not me)

 

[hinton03]

Thanks for the help. I will buy the holster and if iot doesn't fit I guess I will have to build a gun around it.
;-)

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Is the holster closely molded around the cylinder flutes, or just fit to the diameter of the cylinder? The flutes will be in different locations on an eight-shot vs. a six-shot.

 

[hinton03]

Not sure if the holster is molded enough to make a difference.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

El Paso Saddlery Street Combat. I had one of those. Good holster.

Even if the cylinder is a little fatter, you can wet the holster by patting it with a cloth soaked in hot water to stretch it, wrap the gun in wax paper or plastic wrap, stuff it in and leave it that way until the leather dries (just let it air dry).

 

[hinton03]

Cool, thanks for the tip.

 

[ClemY]

The diameter of the cylinder of my Model 27-2 is 1.700"
The diameter of the cylinder of my Model 627-5PC is 1.713"

 

[hinton03]

Thanks Clem