Here is my 5" S&W 357 Magnum I just picked up
It may need a bit of TLC but I think I can make it look new or mostly so. No engraving or any of that, just some normal refurbishing of a gun that needs a little work. It took a little work to get it from the little old lady but she will get over it as soon as the bruise clears up. I think those were not her real teeth anyway. But here is my new 5" model 27 S&W.
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How old you think it is?
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I really don't know. I don't have a serial number
book to check it out.
what a great candidate for a 356 GNR conversion
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Guessing from a distance, I'd say Mid-late 1970's
They had a pretty good run of Nickel M27 5" about then, I don't think they ever officially cataloged a 5". Maybe I'm wrong. But they stopped pinning barrels around 1981 or so as it was an unneeded extra.
The M27 is really neat as it has that topstrap checkering no other normal models sported. There is something just right about that 5". I think lore has it Skeeter really liked it. That adds some mystique. It would be a great .356 but if he wanted something to just plink .38's, it's good too. Lots of fun shooting 38 wadcutters out of a M27.
Have you noticed, those tricky Colt people
Have of late offered the "new" Python in a 5"?!! I've had a 2.5", 8" and a couple 6". The latter is the "perfect" Python length to date. But they got me. I'd line up and pay $5 to coon finger a 5" factory Colt Python of any flavor. Just because it sounds so crazy and I cannot imagine how it would feel. If they had the gall to legitimize the .41 Special in it, I think they would sell a bunch. I know at least one.
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Also there is a sleeper 5" gun in the S&W N-frame line. I have always looked at them. No one really desires them and if I could find one without the box or had been shot just a little I think it could be had for a deal. Anything under four digits would be not bad. The S&W model 544 commemorative in .44/40. I'd just like to mic the chamber thoats and bore! I bet it's a .429 tube. It would be a fun shooter for a 5". They were made only in 1986 I believe. I'd not mind the .44-40 as I load for it. The price and availability of factory ammo will keep these guns in good shape for ages with the common man. If you wanted one they can be found. I'd shoot the crap out of it!
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Five inch J and L frame S&W`s- both are
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357...... model`s 686 and 60....
By the book the 5" model 27 was dropped in 1977.
This one is in the 92 thousand serial number range.
#s
from a S&W forum
N Series N Frames:
N1 – N60,000………….......1970-72
N60,001 – N 190,000…...1972-74
N190,001 – N430,000…...1975 – 77
N430.001 – N 550,000…..1978
N550,001 – N580,000….. 1979
N580,001 – N790,000…...1980
N790,001 – N932,999...…1980-83
Just by those numbers, it’s plausible
For around 1981. I’ve read so many sources that say 1982 was the first “no barrel pins” year. The 5” was always a special whimsical run of guns, no matter the year.
By those numbers . . .
. . . it would be 1972-1974. 
I was off a digit! Yes, a big difference and more likley
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Digits and decimal points . . .
. . . will get'cha every time! 
5” Model 27
Here is my mid-70’s 27-2 nickel.
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