OK, I appreciate the comments so far but, has anyone actually handled one of these Classics?
Ok. I have LOOKED at one. Only one. To tell you the truth, it wasn't a bad looking gun. It did have some "engraving" (Laser etching I would imagine) that I didn't care for, but I don't care for the fanciest hand engraving job ever done, to tell you the truth. The grips looked to be made out of the same stuff the Rhino's grips are made from. I don't know if it is or not, but that's what it reminded me of. Overall, not really "bad", just not as nice as the 1978, Model 27-2, in the presentation case I was looking at and ended up buying. And the new gun was tagged at $1275.00. The 27-2 went out the door for $750.00. Absolutly a "no brainer."
I do own a Model 21-4, "Thunder Ranch" in 44 Special that I suppose is comparable to the new 27's. It's MIM, got a frame mounted firing pin, round butt grip, a non pinned barrel and the lock. It is a beautiful, good shooting gun. I admit I haven't shot it a lot, but then I don't tend to shoot any of my guns a lot. I paid about the same for it that I did for the 27-2. Yes, I'd rather have a true "classic" Model 21, but I've never even seen one, and this one is a long way from being "bad."
I think if I didn't already have two old 27's, I'd look at the new "classic" line differently, just like I did the 21. At first I said I didn't want it. But the longer it sat around the dealers rack the better it got to looking. Actually the more I was wiling to look at it with a more open mind and see that it was a very nice gun (I know, some will say lower my standards). But I've got a 44 Special Smith & Wesson I probably wouldn't have otherwise.