S&W 27-2 5" blue found, worth it?

[bikemutt]

Got a heads up text from a LGS employee that a very nice 5" 27-2 just came in the door. I went in this morning and inspected the gun. Cosmetically it's about as close to flawless as a person can find these days. A tiny chip in the wood by the grip screw. It has been shot as observed by the carbon on the cylinder face and top strap. The action is tight and feels good. The barrel bore is like new. No box or papers.

At first I thought they measured wrong as I didn't realize Smith made them in that barrel length but it turns out they did. The LGS believes these are selling for closer to $1100-$1200 online with box and papers, they are not going to budge even $1 on the price. He whispered to me they paid the poor seller $500 for the gun outright

So here it is: $899 plus tax to take this one home, worth the price?

Thanks.

 

[critter]

NICE gun! IMHO, it is'nt a 'steal', just an ok price considering the barrel length. BE SURE it is all original and run it through the 'checkout' procedures if you want it.

 

[sidheshooter]

It would be worth it to me. There's a similar one at my LGS stickered at 1025, FWIW.

But I'm a sucker for old Smiths like that; others with less of a fetish for the old gals may differ.

 

[RUT]

>>$899 plus tax to take this one home<<

So, did you??

 

[bikemutt]

>>$899 plus tax to take this one home<<

So, did you??

Not yet, they let me put a 24 hour hold on it.

 

[Iggy]

That's not a great deal, but it ain't a real bad one either.
How bad do you want it, and how long do you think it will be until you find another?
I have one and think it is the best pointing revolver I own.

I have only seen one in my life and I bought it and a 3 1/2" 27 the same day to make sure they didn't get away.


You take the hold off of it, and it will be gone in a heart beat.

 

[Bush Pilot]

The gun looks to be in great condition. I agree about the price being just a little high. If it's a gun you've always wanted then the price may not be too high. Remember, they aren't making them these days.

 

[Florida Guy]

Not a great deal imo.
You can find a 3.5" or 4" for around that $$$. Perhaps not quite as pristine, but nice.

 

[huntershooter]

Perspective:
You'd pay that + for a new S&W "N" frame with MIM and lock.......

 

[B33fC8k]

I would jump on it. I love those Smiths in any barrel length but I have never seen one since the first time I got to hold one.

 

[pittspilot]

I have a 27-1 in that length in that condition except rubber grips. I paid less, but that was a while ago, and with current prices, that ain't bad.

I will tell you that it is by far my favorite revolver to shoot. 27's are just superb. The price has long faded while the joy of ownership still remains.

 

[PabloJ]

Yes, for some strange reason revolver guys go for odd length barrels. Looked over same model with 3.5" barrel in similar condition and the price was exactly the same.

 

[Ky Larry]

If you wait on another one to come along, do you think it will be cheaper? I paid $800 for my Python a few years ago and look at Snake prices now. If you want it, get it. I doubt you will loose money on it if you decide to sell it.

 

[788Ham]

Don't wait on it ! Someone else might get it, but they might not take care of it like you will, GO GET IT ! Its a dandy !!

 

[bannockburn]

bikemutt

Yes I would pay $899 plus tax for a 5" barrel Model 27. Not a screaming deal but in that condition and with that particular barrel length, I would definitely get it.

 

[BSA1]

The Magna Grips are not correct as Model 27's came with larger magnum grips as shown in Post #6. i don't follow prices very closely but I suspect you are looking at $150.00 =/- for correct grips.

 

[bigtubby]

Do the grips # to the gun? seems a little high to me but you don't see them every day.

 

[Radagast]

I'd pay that much for a 5 inch, but that's because its the only Model 27 that I crave like a zombie craves brains. The five inch has perfect balance for me. Now I just have to find one.

 

[Iggy]

The grips very likely are correct. The Target grips did not become standard issue until maybe the early 80's.

They were always an option. Pre 70's guns came with magnas numbered to the gun.

 

[bikemutt]

I'll check the grips later today as well as go over the gun one more time. Personally I prefer the Magna grips on the shorter barrel N-frames, aesthetically and to shoot with.

I should have made note of the serial # in order to date it. Any broad guidelines like N7-N8 = 1970's?

 

[CraigC]

Yes!

S&W's later wood grips are almost universally horrible so I wouldn't obsess about that much. Send Herrett's a check along with a tracing of your hand and in a couple months they'll send you a pair of Roper stocks that are infinitely more comfortable than anything S&W ever produced.

 

[Iggy]

N serial numbers:

N Series N Frames:

N1 – N60,000………….......1970-72
N60,001 – N 190,000…...1972-74
N190,001 – N430,000…...1975 – 77
N430.001 – N 550,000…..1978
N550,001 – N580,000….. 1979
N580,001 – N790,000…...1980
N790,001 – N932,999...…1980-83

Dash number years of production:
N-Frame Model Blue
------------------

Model 20,21,22,23,24,25 (except 25-5) 26,27,28,29
-1 1960 Change to LH thread
-2 1961 Cylinder stop changed, hole in front of trigger
guard eliminated
-3 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore (magnums only)
-4 2004 Thunder Ranch 44 Special, fixed sight
Model 57 1964 Introduced
-1 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 629 1980 Introduced
-1 1982 Eliminate cylinder counterbore
Model 25-5 1978 -5 means 45 Colt caliber
125'th anniversary model, -3 (standard) -4 (delux)
both of these used a shorter than standard cylinder.
-7 1985 45 Colt, 5" barrel, unfluted cylinder
K-Frame Stainless Models

 

[bikemutt]

Well, she's a nice one but will not be mine.

First, the serial # is N102271 so it's '72-'74 gun according to Iggy's chart.

Close examination indicates the grips are not numbered to the gun.

Closer examination reveals a badly boogered yoke sideplate screw, I can live with that.

Very close examination shows the side plate may have been pried off at some point.

Extremely close examination says the gun has been re-barreled, or at least someone saw fit to use the improper tools to beat the barrel pin out. The topstrap on the left side of the pin is marred down to the metal. A too-large punch was used on the other side.

Timing is very good, lockup is so-so, there is a fair amount of end play (left-right).

As they say on Shark Tank, "I'm out".

 

[pendennis]

Sorry this one didn't work out for you. A couple of months ago, I picked up this one at a LGS for just over $500, out the door. He had it on consignment, and at the price, I didn't bother trying to dicker with the consignor. It's one of the best-balanced revolvers I've ever owned.

 

[bikemutt]

The LGS is in good shape on this one, they already have multiple backup offers.

This is the first time I inspected a gun this deeply, with an illuminated magnifier even. Maybe it's because I allowed myself to be burned on an L-frame I bought there some time ago. That plus the price knocking on $1000 OTD.

Knowing too the shop paid $500 for the gun started me thinking, I need to figure how I can get in front of the shops