Vintage Smith & Wesson N frames .357's

Harry Callahan

Harry Callahan

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Recently got these N frames .357's from the good ol' days and wanted to share with all the S&W's aficionados just like myself. The top one is a Pre-Model 27 5 screw 6" barrel shipped in early '54 with it's stunning high polish blued finish, would make a mid 50's Python blush. Sadly, the original owner didn't keep the numbered diamond centered checkered Magna stocks it came with from factory but fitted the post 1968 factory Goncalo Alves target stocks. Below is a Model 27-2 shipped in late '77 with the 5" tube, original Goncalo Alves checkered target stocks and .500" wide checkered hammer & serrated target trigger. Both are in near new condition with very few rounds fired. Enjoy the photos!

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^^^LOL

I know, I know, never say never but I doubt that I'll let 'em go in the near future. If I ever change my mind, keep an eye on the EE!
 
Nothing better than an old school carbon steel N frame S&W .357! You can keep the Python, I'll take a 3.5" Model 27 any day.
 
tobin said:
Nothing better than an old school carbon steel N frame S&W .357! You can keep the Python, I'll take a 3.5" Model 27 any day.
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Indeed! Lost count but probably had over two dozen Colt (Pythons, King Cobras and other .357's Colt models) in the 20ish years owning firearms and although I love the sleek look of the Python, there's no way I would or could pick one over S&W (N or L frames). Don't get me wrong, the Python is beautifully finished and looks amazing but the ergonomics of the Smith's and the ease of tuning, DA can be as smooth as the Colt, with very little time and money invested and the better single action of the stock Smith made me choose my side.
 
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Harry Callahan said:
Indeed! Lost count but probably had over two dozen Colt (Pythons, King Cobras and other .357's Colt models) in the 20ish years owning firearms and although I love the sleek look of the Python, there's no way I would or could pick one over S&W (N or L frames). Don't get me wrong, the Python is beautifully finished and looks amazing but the ergonomics of the Smith's and the ease of tuning, DA can be as smooth as the Colt, with very little time and money invested and the better single action of the stock Smith made me choose my side.
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Well, I would have trouble picking between the two as well, though from a strictly ergonomics/shooting point I'd have to say the K frames fit me best (the K22 and K38 are my favorite)....I do love my Colts, and also the Smiths. Luckily, we don't have to 'chose wisely', between them, but can have a bunch of each, right!? Those are sure some nice N frames you posted up, I have a few older Ns as well and they do have some amazing bluing on them.
 
You are totally right TC, I also love both brands but for very different reasons. For shooting purposes, overall accuracy, trigger, ergonomics the S&W wins hands down, as an investment it's the other way around. I remember paying $1200 for a minty early 80's BSS Python in box with all docs that was 10-12 yrs ago, the majority of Pythons I bought were in the $600-$1000 range back then, probably bought a dozen or so as they were affordable, very close to the price of a nice vintage model 27. So yes, as an investment they are the cat's meow with well over 300% price increase in today's market, no way the vintage N frames comes close to that, well maybe in another 10 yrs who knows?
 
Lovely!....I am jealous of that 5". I have a 6" 27-2 that I love the look of.. Although, I'm like TC and feel my K-38 and K-22 fit my hand better than the N.
 
sailor723 said:
Lovely!....I am jealous of that 5". I have a 6" 27-2 that I love the look of.. Although, I'm like TC and feel my K-38 and K-22 fit my hand better than the N.
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The only way I can shoot an N frame comfortably is with a nice set of finger grooves on it, like my 27-2 5" has Ehrends, and then my 629 Hunter has the rubber Hogues which I like with the .44. Stock target, goncola alves is sure pretty, but I'd have better luck clubbing the target than shooting it seems like. Just no fit.
 
I agree that the newer rubber grips from Hogue and Pach, fingergrooved stocks from Ahrends and VZ for example are way thinner and make the N frame revolver fits like a glove but back in the day they didn't have all the science and tech we have today. People's hands weren't different from now but still they learned to shoot those big framed revolvers with massive target stocks and they did pretty good.

I have some G10 VZ's with fingergroove for the N frame that fit awesome, you would think that you're holding a K frame with Hogue rubber grips, that is before you put your finger on the DA trigger of course as the reach is a little longer.
 
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