My new 27-3

[4D5]

Well I went Friday and looked it over again (it’s been calling my name) and checked out all the stuff. Has original blue cardboard box and cleaning stuff still in the original bag. Has a 4” barrel, target hammer, target trigger.

It’s only been test fired at S&W. There’s no brass marking on the recoil shield and no sign of shooting on the cylinder face.

I talked to Will and said it’s about a $700 gun (checked the Blue Book, gun sales boards and message boards) and $700 is more in the ball park, Will said yep you’re right; it’s about a $700 gun and gave me a nod.

So I asked if there’s any room for negotiation. Gun store owner had Will call and check, no answer from the owner so I said I’d call back later to check. Called about 3:00, still no word so Will took my number and said he’d call if he hears from the owner. Well about 4:15 Will calls, good news, owner will sell for $700 but… I can’t get to the store before closing and they are closed for Nevada Day on Saturday I asked if Monday 11:30 would be OK and he sad yes So today at lunch I picked it up.

It’s now home cleaned and checked out, excellent condition.

Now my big dilemma is do I shoot it or should it be a safe queen ? I only have one safe queen now, Kimber Anniversary edition (pre-series II). It does have one tiny ding on the top strap you can only see in good light and the bolt drag marks are minimal.

The pics do not do it justice, maybe better pics this weekend in natural light.

[Ricky T]

Be still my heart. That's beautiful. Congratulations.

[CactusCapt]

N-frame goodness! Enjoy it, but be careful. They are addictive.

[peppilepew]

I just purchased a 29 with the same grained wood as your 27. I love your revolver. If it was perfect I would delegate it safe queen level. Tiny mark wouldn't bother me. I would still call it a safe queen. There are plenty of revolvers out there for less that deserve range time.

[Kamerer]

That's a very sharp looking one. $700 with the box and papers in that condition is a good deal. You need to shoot it soon!

FYI - photos. I just made a post about how to make a $2 "light box" for nice indoor shots when the weather isn't friendly (cardboard box, box cutter, crepe paper). It's posted at this link below. But your photos are not bad at all.:

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=249039

They are great guns. I have a 3.5" but contacted a seller just yesterday about buying a 4" or maybe a 5". A sweet N-frame is just about as perfect as a good 1911.

[den888]

Wow, drool...

[nframe]

Very nice! Shoot it, that's what it was made for. If it was older P&R I might say just put it in the safe but that's a shooter, enjoy. I've had many N frame 357's and all were amazing shooters, i think you'll be very happy with it.

[tacticalyoga]

Shoot it!

[SW1911 ES]

That's a beautiful work of art ! Yes .... I would shoot it, but with the utmost care ......

[18DAI]

Beautiful revolver! Congrats!!

I'd shoot it. It is too nice a sixgun not to. Enjoy! Regards 18DAI.

[BillD]

Originally Posted by Ricky T

Be still my heart. That's beautiful. Congratulations.

Very beautiful.

Did you buy it to shoot? Some folks buy guns just to put in the safe. I don't understand than but that's their thing.

I won't buy a gun I won't shoot. Getting them out of the safe and fondling them doesn't do it for me. I can't afford to run a musuem. I can barely afford to shoot like I do.

[Cooperdisciple]

Good job. These are better than any Python.

Let the flaming begin!

[Pure Kustom®]

Nice!!!! I have been looking for one latley.

[BrianMajors]

Beautiful! I have a late 80's mountain gun and that has made me want an older collectible N frame myself.

I say go shoot it, just be nice to it, don't punish it.

[KyJim]

It's really easy to tell someone else to shoot an unfired gun. I've done it several times. You have to ask yourself why you bought it. Was it simply as an investment? If so, maybe you shouldn't fire it. Personally, I would shoot it. So long as you don't abuse it, you can put a fair amount of rounds through it and still keep it in excellent or better condition, especially if you don't holster it. I've had mine since the 1980s. I shot it just about every weekend for a couple of years and then only infrequently after that.

[CactusCapt]

You see, this is the dilemma that will lead you to own two M-27s. One to fondle, one to shoot. That's how the madness begins...

[Amos Iron Wolf]

It already has a drag mark so shoot it. Unless you never handle it, only take it out, wipe it down, and put it back, will it stay the same as it is. If you take it out and play with is some, and how can you not, then it will still get some wear. The beauty of an older Smith is in the handling and shooting as much as it is in the looking.

If you shoot it some, but take care of it (but don't clean it to death) then you can enjoy it for years. If you don't intend to sell it for several years then you will probably be able to get your money's worth then even after having enjoyed it some. Nothing says it has to go anywhere but the range and back. You don't have to drag it afield. Unless you want to that is.

[4D5]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I’ve pondered long enough, it’s going to get shot. The temptation is too strong not to shoot a piece of American History. I don’t know when I’ll get to go out for a range trip since we may have rain bad weather here this weekend.

I’ll post range results after I go…

[thecoops]

This is unreal, the reason I ended up being on this forum and pledging my sole to the 1911 gods was that I had the same dilemma. A 27-3 in 6" in perfect condition, I chose to shoot it but the drag mark was starting to make me cry, so along came a 1911 and I just want to shoot the thing. I still shoot the big "N" but the 1911 is the weapon of choice.
My advice is shoot it as there is something special about the model 27 that an auto just does'nt quiet fill but go easy on her so she will look stunning for a long time to come.
Enjoy.

Coop.

[Gov't Mule]

Get a model 28 to shoot, and leave the 27 in the safe.

[BillD]

And do what with it, leave it to the kids?

Who, unless they are real gun folks, will either shoot it or sell it.

What's the point of owning it if you are just going to leave it in the safe?

[Hawkeye Returns]

4D5, my opinion is that you should shoot it. You did good on the price, and it's a beautiful Smith, but it's not IMO something highly sought after by collectors, at least not at this point. Now, if it was a pre-dash-3, then I'd lean more on the side of safe queen. As is, shoot is lightly, little if any holster carry, and you'll be fine. Congratulations.

PS My personal rule is that all Smiths post-1982 are for shooting and enjoying, even when in mint condition. They are quality pieces, beatiful, yet not yet a hot collector's item, and you might be a very old man indeed before they become what a pre-war, for example, would be worth today in real dollars, so I say who are you saving it for? Your grandchildren? They get their hands on it, they'll sell it for half what it's worth to buy something stupid. Shoot it. Enjoy it.

[Hawkeye Returns]

Originally Posted by Gov't Mule

Get a model 28 to shoot, and leave the 27 in the safe.

There you go. Same gun, just not as nice to look at. But I'd still shoot that 27. Just not carry it much.

[Christian James]

Congratulations! That's one of the guns on my list, I have to admit I'm more than a little jealous.

[DR505]

I've got a 4" Model 27 I bought in 1986 or so to go through the academy with. STill in great shape with box and papers...and it gets range time! I'm with BillD with regard to shooting weapons...safe queens are a waste of good steel.