Wheelgun Wednesday: Smith & Wesson Model 27 vs Model 29

Welcome back to another edition of Wheelgun Wednesday. Last week, we talked about the Bitcoin Revolver from Korth. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I really want to look at cool pieces of history when it comes to Smith & Wesson revolvers: the Model 27-2, a hard-use, durable revolver, and the Model 29-2, its big brother chambered in 44 Magnum. Let’s take a closer look at the Model 27 vs Model 29

Similar But Different 

When these models were alive and thriving in the market, Smith & Wesson was creating a name in the revolver community for having one of the most robust designs on the market. Part of the reason they developed that name in reliability is with the Model 27. When the Magnums started hitting the market, the original frame for the magnum cartridges was the N frame, with the Model 27 being known as a heavy-duty, hard-use revolver over other options like the Model 19. By the late 70s and early 80s, the company was prototyping the medium-weight L frame to beef up the older style K frame. By 1980, the 586 and 686 models were available in the L frame. Despite all that, the N frame was still being produced in 357 Magnum with the Model 27-2.

Everything is nearly identical in the Model 27-2 and the Model 29-2. The Model 29-2 is chambered in 44 Magnum, making it the big brother to the Model 27, but everything was nearly identical between the two, other than cylinder size and barrel width. The Model 29-2 had the much heavier hitting 44 Magnum over the smaller 357 Magnum, but both hold 6 rounds. The biggest difference between the two was the overall longevity of the Model 27, even with full-power 357 Magnum loads. It was so overbuilt that a shooter could shoot for decades with no worries of wearing out the firearm. This wasn't always the case with the Model 29-2 and even though they were known for their reliability, over time with enough rounds, the Model 29-2 does start to become tired and worn out whereas the Model 27s tend to just keep going.

Why Use A Larger Frame?

Having a larger beefy frame chambered in 357 Magnum creates a revolver capable of a longer usable life with more durability. On top of the added durability, the extra weight from the bigger N frame allows for less felt recoil, which makes the Model 27 turn into a very soft-shooting revolver compared to the more violent recoil in the K or L frame. The only downside to the Model 27 would be the extra weight from the larger N frame while only being chambered in 357 Magnum. Out of everything, I personally believe the Model 27 is one of the softest shooting magnum revolvers, where firing 38 special truly feels like a cap gun with virtually no recoil.

If I were a state trooper or police officer carrying a revolver back in the day, I would be hard pressed to find an easier revolver to shoot with magnum cartridges than the Model 27. When it comes to the big brother Model 29, it absolutely needed the beefier frame in order to withstand the more powerful 44 Magnum. Even with the 44 Magnum, the N frame made recoil manageable, although you still had to hold on and ride the lightning when firing each round. Even though the Model 27 and Model 29 are built on the same frame and look similar, they are drastically different when it comes to the overall experience of firing them.

Overall Thoughts 

People have asked me in the past if I could only pick one option, would I pick the Model 27-2 or the Model 29-2 as my only N-frame revolver? Both are fantastic revolvers, but if I only had to pick one, I would have to choose the Model 27-2 due to its insane reliability and longevity. Don't get me wrong, the Model 29-2 is probably the better experience to shoot, but If I only had one to keep and use for the rest of my life, I would have to pick the Model 27 for the fact I wouldn’t ever have to worry about it wearing out the frame or cylinder.