First Handgun

[Joe ex PNG]

OOOOOOOh-Pretttttyyyyy...

If I was gun shopping right now, I would buy that.

As for dimensions and all that... I don't know. But I would still buy it.

[Combat Controller]

From a caliber standpoint, a first gun should be a .357 no mater what. I feel it is one of those "only one gun" guns. Powerful enough for hunting, concealable enough for defense and deep cover.

[esa5444]

I bought a Smith and Wesson Model 28 just about a month ago now. It's very similar to the Model 27 you want, but cheaper. The Model 28 was just the utilitarian version of the Model 27. I think the only differences are that the top of the frame and barrel is not ribbed, and the finish is not as nice (ie just regular bluing). In the right hands, a Model 28 will hit bowling balls at 100 yards, and shoot and reload faster than an automatic. I can't do that, but Jim S can and has with his M28 ( I have seen it).


Be warned though, the M28 (and M27) are big guns. My other pistol is a 1911 Commander, made entirely from forged and machined 5100 series steel. It's a relatively heavy gun. The M28 (and M27) make my 1911 seem light in comparison.

[cu74]

I definitely want a pinned and recessed model, but what is the significance of a 4 screw example?

Also, another question, in looking at all the 27s on gunbroker, i've noticed that they seem to have one of two styles of grip. One type looks i bit larger than the other. Here are links to two guns to show what i mean:

Large
Small

I prefer the look of the smaller grips, though I imagine the larger grips provide a better hold on the gun. Will both style grips mount to the same frame? If i found a 27 locally with the larger grips, would i be able to purchase the smaller type grips and put them on myself?

eocoolj - you have me wearing out my copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (SCSW) digging up answers for your questions

SCREWS: " From about 1905 to 1955 most ..... had five screws - four sideplate screws and a screw in front of the trigger guard. About 1955, the top sideplate screw was eliminated on most models, and these are referred to as four-screw guns About 1961, the trigger guard screw was eliminated, and all subsequent production is known as three screw." The Model 27-0 and 27-1 are four-screw; 27-3 and forward are three-screw. For reference, my edition of the SCSW lists prices for As-New-in-the Box four screws at $1,000 and for three-screws at $750 (these are old prices).

GRIPS: I'm not very knowledgeable on grips, but the "small" picture looks to me like the S&W Diamond grips that were original on the 27-0, 27-1, and early 27-2. The "large" picture looks like the Goncalo Alves grips that replaced the Diamond grips in 1975 on the later 27-2 guns. They are interchangeable.

For better answers to your questions, you might go to the Smith & Wesson Forum (HERE). There are some real experts there who just LIVE to show how much they know.

[Mud_Dog]

Oooh, case-hardening colours! That is a handsome revolver! I might just change my mind about single-actions...

You ain't seen nothin' yet...

http://www.turnbullrestoration.com/store.asp?pid=20523

For class, there's nothing like a Single Action Army.

[Lokidude]

I don't think you can go wrong with a good ol S&W wheelie. 27s and 28s are fine guns indeed.

[FelixEstrella]

Yup. The US Firearms SAAs sure are purty guns.

[randy]

From a caliber standpoint, a first gun should be a .357 no mater what. I feel it is one of those "only one gun" guns. Powerful enough for hunting, concealable enough for defense and deep cover.

You left out (implicit in your post however) is the wide variety of ammo you can use. From light .38SPL for paper plinking and introductory training up through .38SPL+P, light .357Mag to full house .357Magnum loads for hunting and defense.

In a SHTF situation you should be able to scrounge something that will fire safely in it.

[eocoolj]

In a SHTF situation you should be able to scrounge something that will fire safely in it.

A good point. Does "something that will safely fire in it" just encompass .38 special and .357 magnum, or are the various autoloader cartridges of ~.38 included in that too? Would 9mm, .380 ACP, 9x18, maybe even .38 super fire without damage to the gun or user? Wouldn't there be an issue with the cartridge just sliding to the front of chamber, out of reach of the firing pin, since there is no rim to hold it in place?

[Mud_Dog]

In a SHTF situation you should be able to scrounge something that will fire safely in it.

A good point. Does "something that will safely fire in it" just encompass .38 special and .357 magnum, or are the various autoloader cartridges of ~.38 included in that too? Would 9mm, .380 ACP, 9x18, maybe even .38 super fire without damage to the gun or user? Wouldn't there be an issue with the cartridge just sliding to the front of chamber, out of reach of the firing pin, since there is no rim to hold it in place?

.38 Special and .357 Magnum are the only cartridges that can fire out of a .357 Magnum chamber.

There was only one fiream that did almost everything you describe(I still don't know how, I'd love to look at that chamber and/or make a chamber casting) and it's called the Medusa Multicaliber Revolver.

It has a Popular Mechanics link, but I arrived here 5 years later so it no longer works..