Smith and Wesson Model 27 .44 mag

[DocWagon]

Alright, here's the story. I was innocently minding my own business when I realized I was low on 12 gauge and .22 ammo, and I'm in the thick of squirrel season. So, I dropped into the local gun shop for said items and a pound of powder, and wouldn't you know it, my salesman buddy was there, and during our hour or so chat, I just had to browse around so it wouldn't look like he was wasting time. Keeping in mind I wasn't REALLY in the market for a new firearm at the moment...But I've been "sorta kinda" looking around for a few odds and ends, one of which is a .44 mag revolver, which I don't yet own a specimen of.

I found a Smith & Wesson Model 27 .44 magnum. It's used, but appears to be well taken care of. No rust, but the blueing on the barrel is well worn. Grips look good, everything functions fine. Asking price is $349. Maybe I'm smokin' dope, but that seems like a really good price to me. I'm thinkin' I maybe ought to swing back by on Saturday and give that lonely little wheelgun a loving home...

Is this as good a price as it seems? I'm giving it pretty serious consideration, but I wasn't REALLY looking (or at least that's my story...)

[punchie]

Doc if it was a 44 mag mod "27" it was a deal. The mod 27 was a 357. Now for a Model 29 need a little more info. 29-?, pinned and recessed?, Target hammer/Trigger?, Bbl length, etc. Is the lock-up good and tight when cocked? In the condition you describe I would try for $300 but you wouldn't get hurt at $349.

[DocWagon]

Ok, I called the shop and got some more information. It's a 29-3, which unforunately is the model where they stopped using the pinned barrel. The barrel length on these is 6" which is slightly shorter than the earlier models.

[Old Judge Creek]

Be aware that the current S&W ownership no longer supports blued revolvers. I wanted to send one back to them for work, but "no go". That said, I strongly recommend you look at a 629. A couple years back I bought a Trail Boss (629, magna ported 3" bbl). It's probably the most all around useful revolver I've ever owned - and I've owned well over a 100 in my 60 years. Also, the later 629s are slightly beefed up to better witstand 44 mags - the old 29s were made to shoot 44 Specials and OCCASIONALLY a 44 mag. Years ago, I shot a nice 29 to pieces in IHMSA matches using only warmish (definitely not hot) loads.

http://home.earthlink.net/~oldjudgecreek/_uimages/rev009.jpg

[SCOOPER]

nice trail boss!

[SaxonPig]

There is nothing "wrong" with the 29-3, but it is not as sought after by more conservative shooters as is the 29-2. The price quoted would be a fair retail price.

[Bullet Bob]

O J C;

What kind of work wouldn't S&W do on your blued revolver? I just had a model 14 reblued by them this fall, with no hassles at all.

[Old Judge Creek]

Bob,
You've no idea how glad I am to hear you say that. My experience with them was about 18 months ago. I wanted to put a shorter barrel on my 8" blue M29-2 (pinned barrel - recessed cylinder). I was told by TWO different people that "we no longer support any blued guns. We're strictly stainless" which I know is BS because of their Schofields and Heritage line. Anyway what REALLY offended my sensibilities was their offer to put a stainless on my blued frame :confused: