Greetings F. Vaccaro + All Other Fellow Pistoleros,
The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in the 1930’s by Smith & Wesson.
I recall reading somewhere that it was originally intended for the USA Law Enforcement community.
Evidently a number of Local, State and Federal Officers / Agents during that time, were complaining of their handgun bullets failing to penetrate criminal’s automobiles and the various types of body armor some Gangsters were wearing back in those days.
S&W built these first .357 revolvers, later named “Model 27”, on the same large, strong “N Frame” as their iconic Model 29 in .44 Magnum.
Due to the weight of these large M-27 revolvers, recoil from the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge is easy-breezy to control.
Anyway, if I had to choose only one handgun to own for the rest of my life, it would be a vintage S&W Model 27 with 6.5 inch barrel.
Hollywood has created a staggering amount of Colt Revolver worship.
However, having owned and used both, the older - vintage S&W Model 27 revolvers are in my opinion, the very best of the best revolvers ever made.
Vintage Colt Revolvers (approximately 1970’s and earlier) are generally speaking, good revolvers and I do like some of them …. somewhat.
And, I have owned more than one or two, including a 1960’s vintage Python with 6” barrel.
It “shot loose” after firing a relatively few boxes of Federal 125 grain .357 Magnum cartridges.
In other words it would often skip a chamber or chambers, when firing rapid successive shots.
That is but one reason Colt revolvers have not held my interest as much as the earlier made S&W Model 27’s have.
That said, indeed I would enjoy owning another vintage Colt Single Action in .38 Special, with 5.5” barrel and Mexican grips (“Eagle & Serpent” motif).
I sold the one I once had to help pay off a Safari debt.
However, for what those cost, (even with just plain grips) I can buy two S&W M-27’s and have money left over.
The phrase, “One man’s bread is another man’s poison” applies here.
Anyway my particular Model 27 is a good old good one, made somewhere between 1961 and the early 1970’s.
I strongly suspect early 70’s but haven’t bothered to research the serial number.
Suffice it to say that my revolver is extremely well made, as was typical back then.
It is also quite accurate, even with 158 grain, full pressure, factory loaded ammunition.
I am so very fond of this particular revolver that I have attached below, not one but two photos of it.
Also on this specific caliber topic, last but not least and pictured below are my Model 1873 short rifle as well as my S&W Model 19 with 2.5” barrel.
The rifle is marked “Winchester” but I suspect it was actually made by Miroku or Uberti or Pedersoli or whomever.
Winchester simply roll marks their name onto the barrels and assembles these in one of their facilities.
Whatever the case may be, this is a very good quality rifle, made with super tough modern steel, and a lot of fun to shoot.
I should have bought a warehouse full of them because now only about 7 years after I bought mine, they already cost twice what I paid.
My little Model 19 is of similar vintage as my Model 27 is.
Due to it’s smaller frame (“K Frame”) and therefore lighter weight, (especially light at the muzzle), recoil with full pressure ammunition is “sporting” to say the least.
However, on the few somewhat warm days we now and then experience here in Coastal Alaska, I can easily conceal this little hand cannon under a light summer weight shirt, no problem.
I suppose that’s about all the news that’s fit to print around here.
And so, Cheers for now,
Velo Dog.
