View Full Version : M 27's and 28's
My google fu seems to be failing. Are there any good threads on them?
If not, who can spend some time extolling their virtues? I have a few of the newer N frame mid bores, but want an actual 27 or 28 now.
I am kind of fuzzy as to whether I now have a 27, but I do have a 627 and 327. They are two time zones away, but I recall the 627 to be a five inch, Performance Center, eight shot, with a switchable front sight, funny profile barrel, and a great trigger. The 327 is just like it, but Scandium. Both are outstanding shooters.
I enjoy shooting them, especially at longer distance, but have always had the impression that I would rather hit something with a warm .44 special, .45 LC or .44 magnum, for a revolver of the same size.
Every 27 I have handled exuded quality. Great triggers. Modest recoil.
41magfan
07-15-2015, 07:46 PM
The Mod 27 with a 5" barrel is one of the most balanced revolvers I've ever handled. Other than a Registered Magnum, it's one of the few S&W revolvers that I could be persuaded to pay too much for should the right specimen ever came along. I'd just like to have one for deer hunting.
All I really know is the Model 28 was the "plain Jane" version of the Model 27. The model 28 was called the Highway Patrolman. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_28
I agree with GJM, the N-Frames seem better suited to the caliber's that begin with 4, though I'm sure I'd love to have an N-Frame .357 Magnum.
The Mod 27 with a 5" barrel is one of the most balanced revolvers I've ever handled. Other than a Registered Magnum, it's one of the few S&W revolvers that I could be persuaded to pay too much for should the right specimen ever came along. I'd just like to have one for deer hunting.
I put a WTB add in the sale section. I left the 5" barrel out, as it seemed stupid to ask for one. Maybe I should re-write that, just in case...
41magfan
07-15-2015, 08:29 PM
I put a WTB add in the sale section. I left the 5" barrel out, as it seemed stupid to ask for one. Maybe I should re-write that, just in case...
To be honest, while I've wanted one for a long time now other priorities have made that desire just a blip on the fringes of my radar until your post.
Interestingly, I did a quick check and found this one on Gunbroker:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=494709791
Irrespective of it's Commemorative status, it would be a "shooter" if it were to end up in my hands.
41,
Are you sure that's a 5"? I'm not familiar with the agency, so you may have first hand knowledge, but the barrel looks like a 4" to me. Did I miss it in the description?
41magfan
07-15-2015, 08:37 PM
41,
Are you sure that's a 5"? I'm not familiar with the agency, so you may have first hand knowledge, but the barrel looks like a 4" to me. Did I miss it in the description?
Yea, pretty sure. The light barrel profile is deceiving on those big N-Frames. The length of barrel extending beyond the ejector rod shroud is the giveaway.
Here's a 4" for comparison:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/911/jJX7Ns.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pbjJX7Nsj)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/673/LXY19S.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/ipLXY19Sj)
Dagga Boy
07-15-2015, 09:12 PM
One of my favorite subjects. I will get on the big computer tomorrow and do a diatribe.
Wheeler
07-15-2015, 09:15 PM
I have a rescued NYSP marked 4" Model 28-2. It's a horse pistol that will readily handle really hot loads up to and including the Skeeter Skelton loads. I've carried it in the woods hunting a few times and keep telling myself I need a better holster/belt combo to carry comfortably for long periods.
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt86/Wheeler686/S%20and%20W/101_1242.jpg (http://s600.photobucket.com/user/Wheeler686/media/S%20and%20W/101_1242.jpg.html)
Here it is with a set of Safariland grips which I prefer over the target grips.
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt86/Wheeler686/AF2602BF-C52B-4009-8A7B-29FDD39A86D6-6253-00000A0500C85702_zps7e2ba151.jpg (http://s600.photobucket.com/user/Wheeler686/media/AF2602BF-C52B-4009-8A7B-29FDD39A86D6-6253-00000A0500C85702_zps7e2ba151.jpg.html)
Dagga Boy
07-15-2015, 09:21 PM
This will keep you busy for awhile.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/86433-ultimate-highway-patrolman-thread-including-n-frame-ser-ranges.html
I have a rescued NYSP marked 4" Model 28-2. It's a horse pistol that will readily handle really hot loads up to and including the Skeeter Skelton loads. I've carried it in the woods hunting a few times and keep telling myself I need a better holster/belt combo to carry comfortably for long periods.
Or...maybe it just to be moved. To me.
Wheeler
07-15-2015, 10:00 PM
Or...maybe it just to be moved. To me.
I saw your post. Unlike Nyeti I only have a few revolvers, relatively speaking and that's my only N Frame. Unless you have a 4"or 5" model 24, 25, or 29 for trade?
;)
I have a couple of 4" 29's, but I can't trade them. How about an FDE G19;-)
Seriously though, if you're open to trading it, I'm sure we can work something out.
Wheeler
07-15-2015, 10:17 PM
I'll think on it. I mean that in all seriousness, not just as a way to put you off. As far as the FDE G19 goes... No thanks. ;)
Nyeti says I also need a 3.5" 27. Sounds good to me. For that matter, I also need a 3" M13.
So who's got em?
I do have an NYPD 3" M64. Placed High Master in the first S&W BUG gun championship with it. Pure luck, as those SS front sights really suck.
Dagga Boy
07-15-2015, 10:41 PM
Well you know I have a couple of 13's and several 3.5 27's. I will start looking for you.
ACP230
07-15-2015, 10:58 PM
I was going to mention the M27 and M28 threads on the S&W forum.
I have a four-inch M28 that was once a Pueblo, CO duty gun. Very accurate and not
bad to carry in either a Milt Sparks or a El Paso Saddlery "Street Combat" holster.
I put Pachmayr Presentations on it. I think they accentuate the "all business" look of the M28.
The M28 will not take some 175 grain .357 loads that I acquired. They are too long for the cylinder.
Fortunately, my Old Model Ruger Blackhawk .357 does just fine with them.
IMHO the 5" Is the perfect N frame barrel length. I have a 5" pre 27 and recently sold my 4" 28 to PF member Justintime to fund a 5" 27-2. I also have a 90s vintage 627 5" with a full under lug and a brass bead front.
Ive bought and sold two 6" M27"s and a 4". Nice guns but the 5" is just right. I wouldn't mind a 3 1/2" 27 though.
The 44's and 45's are nice but I can afford to shoot a lot more 38/357.
I have a 3" M65 - a 13 would be nice but black sharpie on the sights helps.
Back in the day I commonly saw 3.5 ish and 5 inch 27's, and 4 inch 28's.
Malamute
07-16-2015, 01:32 AM
I've only owned a few N frame 357's and regret selling the 27's in particular. I also think the 5" is the perfect all around size. That would be my first choice if I could afford one.
A guy named Peter Eick (sp?) posts on TheHighRoad and a couple other places. Hes posted a couple pics of some of his guns. One was maybe 3 dozen blued guns, 38-44 heavy duty's, 27's, pre-27's, etc, all lined up in racks side by side. He's in TX, maybe some of you guys know him. I PM'ed him a few weeks ago asking the general outlook on later, affordable shooter grade 27's, he said they can be found in the shops he goes in for reasonable money if you dont get in a hurry.
I'll keep enjoying these threads, and hoping I can get back to being able to buy a gun once in a while. A 27 is close to the top of the list. I tended towards larger calibers in the past, but am appreciating shooting more for fun and with less kick and expense at this point. The 44's can go out when I go where the bears live, but for general shooting and low country carry, the 27 is looking pretty good.
One of Peters posts with 38-44 heavy duty's. The pic I'm remembering was easily 2 or 3x as many guns in it as the ones in this post.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=736472&highlight=38-44+heavy+duty
I've owned a 6" 28, a nickel 6" 27, 6.5" registered magnum, and two 4" 28s over the years. Just have a 28 no dash 4" now. I've gone through a few K frame .357s also and I just detest shooting the magnums through a K frame. For me, the N frame is just great with the full house stuff. All of them were tack drivers. Most of the DA pulls on my .357 N frames have been much heavier than what I have run into on K frames albeit smooth. I assume that's the nature of moving the bigger parts.
But that 28 is all I have for .357 magnum nowadays and that will probably due me. With the right choice of ammunition that caliber can really cover a huge spectrum of tasks.
I recently got a FIST #1K straight drop clip holster for the 4" N frame to possibly make due concealed carrying of my 629 in AK if that was all I took. None of that happened but in my spool up I gave the combo a whirl and if I didn't have all these G19s available, I could make that work AIWB. Then again my first concealed carry gun ('81) was a 6" Model 57 so I have a high tolerance for such stuff.
Lyonsgrid
07-16-2015, 07:37 AM
This is my grail 28
3623
Link to GB auction...no affiliation with seller.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=495253494
Wheeler
07-16-2015, 02:57 PM
This is my grail 28
3623
Link to GB auction...no affiliation with seller.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=495253494
Does that guy write copy for WWE announcers?
This is my grail 28
3623
Link to GB auction...no affiliation with seller.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=495253494
That front sight must be a half inch wide. :)
TCinVA
07-17-2015, 06:52 PM
Interesting timing on this thread...
3627
Made in 1966, apparently.
The newer guns just don't do it for me like the old S&W revolvers do. I never actually fired my nickel plated 6" model 27 because it was too pretty...and I really didn't want to deal with cleaning it. This one I intend to shoot.
Interesting timing on this thread...
3627
Made in 1966, apparently.
The newer guns just don't do it for me like the old S&W revolvers do. I never actually fired my nickel plated 6" model 27 because it was too pretty...and I really didn't want to deal with cleaning it. This one I intend to shoot.
Send it to me now and the hair remains untouched...:-)
TCinVA
07-17-2015, 08:31 PM
http://youtu.be/Khyzj5toqwA
Never seen that before... Tell you what buddy, you just keep it...I'll be on the other side of the street. :-)
Interesting timing on this thread...
3627
Made in 1966, apparently.
The newer guns just don't do it for me like the old S&W revolvers do. I never actually fired my nickel plated 6" model 27 because it was too pretty...and I really didn't want to deal with cleaning it. This one I intend to shoot.
Same here. 2 years ago I traded a G21 and Surefire 60 round AR mag for a cherry 6" nickel 27. But I couldn't and it was big. Sold it for a profit and got the 28 no dash 4". Better for me.
Malamute
07-18-2015, 11:28 AM
I sent a note to Peter Eick on ThehighRoad forum asking about his N frame Smiths. He's not a member here, but said he'd post some more pics of his guns I could link. He mostly has 38-44's and a few 357's.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=784386
Dagga Boy
07-18-2015, 11:38 AM
That is impressive....
41magfan
07-18-2015, 12:40 PM
Now that's a man after my own heart ..... he's got great stuff and he ain't afraid to shoot 'em!
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr324/hcm3156/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_90951.jpg
My 5" 27-2 at the range. It's currently at Ten Ring Precision having the wide, grooved target trigger swapped out for narrow polished Ron Power Custom replacement trigger better suited for DA shooting. I have a set of Herretts waiting for it when it's done.
TCinVA
07-18-2015, 12:58 PM
Damn. I just had a vision of a room with walls covered in old N frame Smiths. It was beautiful.
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr324/hcm3156/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_97021.jpg
5" Model 627 no lock. I've since swapped these Houges for the same model without the finger grooves.
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr324/hcm3156/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_15261.jpg
5" Pre-27. My understanding is this was 1940s post war production, factory refinished in 1956.
If I was reduced to one gun, this would be it.
entropy
07-22-2015, 11:03 AM
Frequent reader but VERY infrequent poster. I felt compelled this time. Here's my 28-2. Came with mismatched M19 stocks but at a decent price. Id like to put some Magnas and a Tyler on it. That would fit my hand better and be...well...just cool.
http://s9.postimg.org/fa6f7en9b/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
how to print screen on pc (http://postimage.org/app.php)
http://s11.postimg.org/4s47we1n7/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
image sharing (http://postimage.org/)
That was sensory overload!
I sent a note to Peter Eick on ThehighRoad forum asking about his N frame Smiths. He's not a member here, but said he'd post some more pics of his guns I could link. He mostly has 38-44's and a few 357's.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=784386
LittleLebowski
07-22-2015, 01:00 PM
I sent a note to Peter Eick on ThehighRoad forum asking about his N frame Smiths. He's not a member here, but said he'd post some more pics of his guns I could link. He mostly has 38-44's and a few 357's.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=784386
Wow.
Poconnor
07-26-2015, 08:02 PM
I just picked up a S&W 520 today. It is NIB and the action is surprisingly good as is the blue finish. It is gorgeous.http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r618/p-oconnor/image.jpg1_1.jpg (http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/p-oconnor/media/image.jpg1_1.jpg.html)
I had to look that one up. Pretty cool. I can't even guess how much a NIB version would go for. I hope you'll shoot it.
Poconnor
07-26-2015, 09:12 PM
I paid too much for it but for this one is a keeper. It was still cheaper than a comparable 38/44 heavy duty. I had another 520 and I always regretted selling it. My first handgun was a 4" model 28. I feel like I've come full circle. I am going to shoot ithis one a lot.
Dagga Boy
07-26-2015, 11:02 PM
That is a wonderful combination of gun and leather. Excellent stuff. I was lucky getting into a 520 very reasonable because it was Armaloyed. I don't mind,but killed the collector value. I very much intendded to shoot it a lot, but then I fell into a great deal on a 28 that is a wonderful shooter and it has become sort of the pet shooter of the older guns.
NEPAKevin
07-28-2015, 02:15 PM
Impulse buy confession. Saw that the local gun shop just listed a model 27 and said, I'm just going to go and take a look. Walk in the store, find it on the shelf and the bad news, its an 8" and someone put a scope on it. But, I'm there so I ask to take a look and hold it in my grubby mitts and below the top strap, the 27-2 is pretty close to pristine. Then the little voice in my head says "you don't own one, don't over think it, buy it now" and my wife's brother in law works there so it's to support her nieces and nephew. Lastly, if I ever find myself in a post apocalyptic situation where I have go Humungus on a semi truck, I'm all set.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CF8WwefnfAU/VbfUK8ITC2I/AAAAAAAAAgE/ipMp4CkpwMw/w958-h719-no/S%2526W27-2_8.JPG
O
Impulse buy confession. Saw that the local gun shop just listed a model 27 and said, I'm just going to go and take a look. Walk in the store, find it on the shelf and the bad news, its an 8" and someone put a scope on it. But, I'm there so I ask to take a look and hold it in my grubby mitts and below the top strap, the 27-2 is pretty close to pristine. Then the little voice in my head says "you don't own one, don't over think it, buy it now" and my wife's brother in law works there so it's to support her nieces and nephew. Lastly, if I ever find myself in a post apocalyptic situation where I have go Humungus on a semi truck, I'm all set
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CF8WwefnfAU/VbfUK8ITC2I/AAAAAAAAAgE/ipMp4CkpwMw/w958-h719-no/S%2526W27-2_8.JPG
Since the rear site is already off, it might be worth replacing the scope mount with a pic rail and putting and RMR or Aimpoint micro on there.
Try it out with that scope. In '80 I had a 6" Mk III Trooper with a scope on it that shot like a rifle to 100 yds at the Ft Bliss Gun Club which is a superb facility btw.
I can only imagine how 8" of M27 would shoot.
NEPAKevin
07-28-2015, 04:08 PM
Try it out with that scope.
You know, that's a good idea. Thank you! :D
LSP972
07-28-2015, 05:11 PM
I just picked up a S&W 520 today. It is NIB and the action is surprisingly good as is the blue finish. It is gorgeous.http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r618/p-oconnor/image.jpg1_1.jpg (http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/p-oconnor/media/image.jpg1_1.jpg.html)
You lucky dog.
Great score, man. This is my jealous face…
.
okie john
07-28-2015, 06:47 PM
http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr324/hcm3156/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_15261.jpg
5" Pre-27. My understanding is this was 1940s post war production, factory refinished in 1956.
If I was reduced to one gun, this would be it.
My Dad had that revolver's exact twin when I was growing up, except that the T-Grip on his was polished aluminum. (Melvin Tyler's shop was a couple of miles from the house where I grew up, and I'd ride my bike over there sometimes in the summer to press my nose up against the showcases.) I put tons of wadcutters down range through that revolver.
About ten years ago, he sent it back to Smith and to have it refinished and have a 4" barrel installed, which still makes me sad.
Okie John
okie john
07-28-2015, 06:58 PM
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CF8WwefnfAU/VbfUK8ITC2I/AAAAAAAAAgE/ipMp4CkpwMw/w958-h719-no/S%2526W27-2_8.JPG
I had a blued 8 3/8" Model 27 with iron sights for a while back in the early 80s. Even without a scope, it shot like a rifle, which makes sense because it had almost as much sight radius as a 94 Winchester. I remember wading around in the South Canadian River south of Norman, OK, with it one August afternoon. It had been hotter than usual so the water was really low, and I stumbled onto a bunch of carp stuck in a little pool that was so shallow their dorsal fins were sticking out of the water. A few cylinders of hot 125-grain handloads turned them into chum. The coons and the turtles ate well that night.
Okie John
Poconnor
07-28-2015, 08:59 PM
I admit that I am really happy with my 520. How often do you get to correct past mistakes? Before he died; my uncle gave me his 8 3/8 inch model 27 complete with a shoulder holster. I'm glad I never sold that one.
rathos
07-29-2015, 01:14 AM
I recently picked up a Pre Model 27 cut to 3.5". I haven't got to shoot it yet, but the trigger feels amazing and the gun is amazingly balanced. My buddy is my FFL and I had him shoot it at his range before I picked it up and he said it was pretty dead nuts accurate. I just need to find a good holster. I got a decent el paso saddlery holster given to me, but not sure I like it. Also does anyone know if they make a safari land speed loader for it? The only N frame ones I can find are for .44s. The HKS loaders are the only ones I can find and I am not a huge fan of those.
Here is the crappy iPhone pic as I don't have a real camera:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/rathos/pre%20model%2027.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/rathos/media/pre%20model%2027.jpg.html)
Yes I've got a couple M27 HKS speed loaders from way back. They made them once.
Trooper224
07-29-2015, 02:37 AM
Safariland used to make them, they were my prefered choice when I carried an M27 as a duty weapon.
Chuck Haggard
07-29-2015, 05:34 AM
You guys are making me wish I had kept this one
3682
Shot my 627 yesterday. Very nice shooter (PC action job on it), but the 8 rds are counfounding me. At first, shooting my plate rack, I thought 8 was a pain, since you have to reload every run and then manage the 2 extra rds. Then I missed a plate a run or two and thought the 8 rds were nice to have!
coldcase1984
07-29-2015, 08:34 AM
To Do List:
1. Search the homestead for Dad's Magna grips for his Pre-27 he carried in Korea.
2. Tyler T-grips.
3. Take pics of the twins to post here.
You guys are making me wish I had kept this one
You sold a Model 28? Isn't that a misdemeanor or something--particularly in Kansas?
Shot my 627 yesterday. Very nice shooter (PC action job on it), but the 8 rds are counfounding me. At first, shooting my plate rack, I thought 8 was a pain, since you have to reload every run and then manage the 2 extra rds. Then I missed a plate a run or two and thought the 8 rds were nice to have!
8 shot revolver USPSA is the most fun I've had shooting action pistol in a long time.
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