Smith & Wesson Model 27 / 28

Both the Smith & Wesson Model 27 and the Model 28 were born from the original S&W Registered Magnum (introduced in 1935). The Smith & Wesson Model 27 was a finely crafted high gloss blued .357 magnum revolver. Smith & Wesson later released the Model 28, also known as the "Highway Patrolman". These are essentially identical revolvers except the Model 28 was streamlined for lower cost but equal performance. The Model 28 was in production from 1954 through 1986. The Model 28 eliminated the expensive top strap checkering and had a matte blued finish. Other than that it is the identical gun. The high end Model 27 was favored amongst FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies well into the 1960s. The 'economy' Model 28 was favored among state and local law enforcement. The Stainless steel version of this gun is the Smith & Wesson Model 627

Specifications (Model 27)

(1935 - Present)

• Type: Revolver

• Caliber(s): .357 Magnum, .38 Special

• Weight: lbs ( kg)

• Length: in ( cm)

• Barrel length(s): in ( cm)

• Capacity: 6-round Cylinder

• Fire Modes: SA/DA

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The Smith & Wesson Model 27 revolver or Model 28 revolver have been seen in the following films used by the following actors:

Smith & Wesson Model 27 - .357 Magnum. This is one of the new models that S&W started making again a few years ago by popular demand. It can be identified by the high-gloss finish.

Smith & Wesson Model 28 - .357 Magnum. This essentially the same gun as the Model 27, except for a non-checkered top strap and a less high polish blued finish.

Smith & Wesson Model 27 with Patridge Sights - .357 magnum. Note again the high gloss and checkering on the top strap on the frame and barrel.

Smith & Wesson Model 28 'Highway Patrolman' with 4" barrel - .357 Magnum

Smith & Wesson Model 27 with 4" barrel - .357 Magnum

S&W Model 27-2 - .357 magnum with 3.5" barrel.

Film

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
Patton	George C. Scott	General George S. Patton	Early Model 27 'Registered Magnum' variant, custom Ivory grips	1970
The Godfather	Lenny Montana	Luca Brasi	Model 27	1972
The Friends of Eddie Coyle	Steven Keats	Jackie Brown	Model 27	1973
The Seven-Ups	Richard Lynch	Moon	Model 27	1973
Charley Varrick		Bank guard	Model 28	1973
The Friends of Eddie Coyle	Robert Mitchum	Eddie Coyle	Model 27	1973
Mr. Majestyk	Al Lettieri	Frank Renda	Model 27	1974
The Sugarland Express	William Atherton	Clovis Poplin	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	1974
The Killer Elite		California Highway Patrolman	Model 28	1975
The Enforcer	John Mitchum	Inspector Frank DiGiorgio	Model 28	1976
Assault on Precinct 13	Austin Stroker	CHP Lieutenant Ethan Bishop	Model 28	1976
Assault on Precinct 13	Laurie Zimmer	Leigh	Model 28	1976
Black Sunday	Bekim Fehmiu	Mohammed Fasil	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	1977
Rolling Thunder	William Devane	Major Charles Rane	Both Model 27-2 & 28	1977
Every Which Way But Loose		Two Cops	Model 28	1978
The Warriors	David Patrick Kelly	Luther	Model 28	1979
Borderline	Charles Bronson	U.S. Borderpatrolman Jeb Maynard	Model 28	1980
Any Which Way You Can		Highway Patrolmen	Model 28	1980
Tenebre	Giuliano Gemma	Detective Giermani	Model 28	1982
The Border	Jack Nicholson	Charlie Smith	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	1982
The Border	Jack Nicholson	Charlie Smith	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	1982
The Border	Harvey Keitel	Cat	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	1982
Police Academy	David Graf	Eugene Tackleberry	Model 28	1984
Year of the Dragon	John Lone	Joey Tai	Model 27	1985
Witness	Danny Glover	McFee	Model 28	1985
The Quiet Earth	Alison Routledge	Joanne	Model 27	1985
F/X	Bryan Brown	Roland Tyler	Model 28	1986
F/X	Brian Dennehy	Lt. McCarthy	Model 27-2	1986
No Way Out		Pentagon police officers	Model 28	1987
They Live	Roddy Piper	'Nada'	Model 28	1988
South Central	Glenn Plummer	Bobby	Model 28	1992
Bad Boys	Tchéky Karyo	Fouchet	Model 27	1995
Copycat	Harry Connick Jr.	Daryll Lee Cullum	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	1995
Fargo	Frances McDormand	Marge Gunderson	Model 28	1996
Heaven's Burning	Russell Crowe	Collin O'Brien	Model 28	1997
Breakdown	Rex Linn	Sheriff Boyd	Model 28	1997
Once Upon a Time in Mexico	Enrique Iglesias	Lorenzo	Model 28	2003
Dawn of the Dead	Michael Kelly	CJ	Model 27	2004
Desperation	Ron Perlman	Collie Entragian	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	2006
In the Electric Mist	Pruitt Taylor Vince	Lou Girard	Model 28	2008
Jesse Stone: No Remorse		Robbery suspect	Model 28	2010
The Crazies	Timothy Olyphant	Sherrif Dutten	Model 27	2010
The Crazies	Joe Anderson	Deputy Russell Clank	Model 27	2010
The Crazies	Radha Mitchell	Judy Dutten	Model 27	2010
The A-Team		A Henchman	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	2010

Television

Show Title / Episode	Actor	Character	Note	Air Date
Crime Story	Paul Butler	Det. Walter Clemmons	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	1986-1988
The Stand	Rob Lowe	Nick Andros	Model 28 Highway Patrolman	2004
Doctor Who			Model 27	2005-Present
Jericho	Michael Gaston	Gray Anderson	Model 27	2006-2008

Video Game

Game Title	Appears as	Note	Release Date
Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven		Model 27	2002
Vietcong 2		Model 27	2005
Call of Duty: World at War	".357 Magnum"	Model 27	2008
Mafia II	"Magnum"	Model 27	2010
L.A. Noire		Model 27	2011

See Also

• Smith & Wesson - A list of all firearms manufactured by Smith & Wesson.

• Smith & Wesson Model 627 - Stainless Steel version of the N-Frame Smith & Wesson Model 27