Posted: 10/9/2008 8:11:56 PM EDT
| So I'm looking at getting a wheel gun and I have my heart set on a Smith and Wesson and have narrowed it down to either the 27 or 19. It will be for range use and I will carry it while walking the woods. My big thing is that it has to handle hot loads, I don't shoot alot of then some some ever so often for fun. |
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I vote the N-frame. The first 357Mag was built on the N-frame and the Model 27 is a direct decendant. Get a 27-2 or older for the pinned & recessed features to have something comparable to the very first guns. Love the finish and checkering on the top strap as well. |
| Look for an older, 'pre-lock' M28 'Highway Patrolman'. Same gun almost as the M27 but much less expensive and quite a few still available out there at prices well below what S&W is asking now for the new N frames with the rediculous lock. Such a gun will go UP in value rather than down as will a new model. |
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Model 19 (or 66) – Absolutely delightful revolver to carry and shoot; beautifully balanced and fairly light; but can’t handle a steady diet of .357 Magnum loads. Model 27 (or 28) – Large, heavy, rugged revolver that can handle .357 Magnum rounds all day. However, its N frame was originally intended for 44 caliber rounds and IMHO is unnecessarily large for a .357 Magnum. If you’re looking for something that size, I’d suggest going with a 40+ caliber round (unless ammo availability or cost is an issue). Granted, I have an older Model 27, but I have it more for the quality and nostalgia of the model - not the caliber. If you want a rugged S&W .357 Magnum, I’d suggest an L frame Model 686. It’s the perfect balance for that cartridge. |
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You talking a lot of hot loads you're talking about the Model 27 (or 28). I like the M-19, but I've shot two loose. I have a 27 and 28 with tons of hot loads out of them with no problems what so ever. The Model 28 was my service revolver that my dept let me keep when I retired. That puppy has seen some pretty heavy use, with heavy loads, No problems what so ever. How ever, if I was talking about a pistol for hiking and land crusing, I'd go with the ligher Model 19. Do all my practing with mild loads and carry the heavy loads in case I needed them. Having said all that, Although I have several pistols, all kinds and sizes. The only one I carry just to carry is my little Smith 642. There isnt much around here thats gonna eat me. In today society, the dangerous critters you are gonna run across are the two legged kind. When I set up camp or tend horses or other chores, my 642 is still in my pocket. A heavy pistol would be laid aside with the pack or tac. I do a lot of shooting with my 642, about 200 rounds of week practicing. I'm convinced it will (and has) suited me fine for filling the pot, Plenty good enough for popping the odd cotton tail. When I travel, even on horseback, I like to go light. If I'm hunting, and near critters that tend to eat people I carry a rifle. But thats just my opinion. |
Then the 19 will do just fine. The N frames are great guns but they are a load to carry. Way overbuilt for a 357. |
I was thinking the same thing, one of the local shop here has two for sale one is a Highway Patrolman for 380$ |
That's a good price for it, if it's in good shape. I paid 400 for my six inch 28 and 450 for my 4 inch. Anybody who knows me knows I vote for the N frame. I have little use for a gun that S&W said one should "shoot .38s and carry .357s." Even my .38 loads are hot loads, and I shoot .357-level loads more often than not. The 4 inch 28 with target grips feels nice in the hand, the 5 inch 27 feels about perfect. The 6 inch 28 is a bit front-heavy. I will tote any of them all day long, but I prefer the 5 inch 27 because it points so naturally. And, since I like posting pics 
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I vote the 27 because when you want to get other N-frames, AND YOU WILL EVENTUALLY, they will all feel like 2nd nature in your hand. The family as it sits now, 38/44, 28-2, 27-2 on left side, 29-3, 25-2, 25-3 on right side. It's quite nice to have a 38, 357, 45ACP, 45LC, and 44Mag all on the same frame and all having the same muscle memory attuned. One of these days I'd like to have the actions on the guns matched as much as possible with the target triggers all narrowed to a combat trigger width to match my 38/44 and 28-2(I like narrower combat triggers since they share a width in common with the AR15 and 1911s). 
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My big thing is that it has to handle hot loads This alone rules out the model 19 to me. You should be looking for an N frame (27 or 28) or an L frame (586 or 686). I am very partial to stainless revolvers, but I do have a few blue guns, Two of these are model 28's, which have no stainless counterpart. These are my best shooting and favorite 357 revolvers. The model 28 is a matte finished "no frills" version of the Model 27 and made with 4 and 6 inch barrels. Back to your question ... A model 27 will cost between 150% and 200% of an equivalent model 19. That will tell you the desirability of each of these. The model 27 is the original 357 magnum and traces it's heritage back to the 1935 Smith & Wesson "registered magnum". I like the 2 1/2 inch and 4 inch Model 19/66, but do not understand why they even made these with 6 inch barrels. For a six inch gun get the model 27 or 28 for sure. Some others to consider. 66 - stainless version of the 19 13/65 - fixed sights versions of the 19 & 66 586/686 - blue/stainless L frame 357s 581/681 - fixed sight L frame, uncommon but they are out there |
| If you're looking for a .357, I gotta vote for the 686. Just a bit smaller than an N frame, just a bit bigger than a K frame. Handles hot loads and is lighter than a huge N frame. I have a bunch of L frames and I love them. N frames rock, don't get me wrong, but for woods carry and such, run with the Ls. They're easier to find, too. |
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| Kind of depends on what kind of woods walkin' your going to be doing. The N frames are great for exposed carries on short jaunts around the property, or stalking through the deer woods. For a multi-mile trek over hill and dale, It would get old fast. I've shot K frames all my life, and used to think they were great; until I got a 27. My first reaction was laughter. shooting that bug gun with full power loads was like shooting the k frame with .38's. .38 loads kick less in the 27 than my ruger bull barrel mkII (no shit). The best way I can describe shooting the 27 is it's like cheating. All the little quivers of hand and concentration it takes to shoot the k frame just aren't there. Did I mention the action is like BUTTER!! |
The problem withg the 686 is the %*#@ full barrel lug. It throws off the balance and makes it front heavy. The 66 & 19 have great balance with 4 in barrels and shoot very well. The 27, 28 has the best balance with the 6in barrel, but they are alot heavier. All things considered all that matters is how much you want to shoot the high velocity magnums and if you want stainless steel since the N frames 627 have crummy lines and are not as classic. |
