Need help with S&W 27

[jake11]

I came across a guy who wants to get rid of a S&W model 27 with 8 3/8" barrell.  He wants $500.00.  The gun is in good condition but I don't know if the price is right.  Serial number 608XXX.  Can someone tell me how old this revolver is and what it is worth.
Thanks

[jake11]

Any help on this one would be appreciated.

[Graybeard]

In the final analysis everything guns included are worth whatever someone is willing to pay for them. I personally would NOT pay that much for that gun even tho it is a nice gun but it's way more gun than needed for the .357 Magnum. It's the N-frame and the original .357 mag from the days when they were loaded to the max. These days the factory ammo is but a ghost of its former power and S&W is making J-frame .357s which while not as nice to shoot are a lot nicer to carry.

My favorite .357 is the K-frame, my first was a 6" Model 19 with which I won the first trophy in a shooting match of a long competition career. I now use a SS version of that same gun a Model 66 with 6" barrel. They haven't been made in a long time and are hard to come by. I paid $450 used in near new condition for the one I have which I thought was WAY too much but I really wanted it.

So the real question is "how badly do you want it"? If it were me I'd get a K or L framed one not an N frame gun for a .357 Mag.

[Lloyd Smale]

I just scored a real nice one for 375 for a buddy. Id say the price is a little high but then ive seen them sell for that. The 27s have been pretty desireable lately. Personaly i agree with bill. I not much on a 357 in anything. To me its just a noisy 38 special and an N frame while being probably my favorite smith just doesnt go with the 357 to me. But there sure were alot of old law enforcement officers that would argue with me.

[lotus]

I'm putting a nice 28-2 together for my fathers 70th birthday this summer.  I like the N frames, yeah they are definitely overbuilt for todays factory ammo, but they definitely are sweet shooters.  Personally I think that might be a little high depending on condition and I think much more than 6 inches in a N frame will be nose heavy, but if its what you want, then go for it.  They wont be making any more of them.  You might check over at the Smith and Wesson forum.  There are a bunch of nice folks there that know tons about them.  I personally like the K frames the best and have a bunch of them.  I bought this one and sourced the grips, holster, and case bringing the total up to about 380.

[Mikey]

jake - 5 bills is too much for an N-Frame 357, period.  The 8 3/8s" bbl is way too long for me.  A 4" or 6" barrel is my preference.  You should be able to pick up a M27 for around $325 if you negotiate right (down from $350).  Also, you didn't say if it was a 27-2, 3, 4 or 5.  JMHO.  Mikey.