The way I'm reasoning this out...(its Nickel not blued...).../ but even it were a Blued model 27 - the new pin would still be visible in the bluing if S&W repairs it ( ballpark probably $ 500 ).
So the point is - if I let S&W do the repair the new pin in the left side of the frame will now be visible ( kind of like the pins are on today's scandium frames)...so it will be worthless as a collectable 27-2 ( to folks that really know these old revolvers ) ...and looking at the new pin every time I pick it up, would drive me nuts...( while that's my problem / its just the reality, that its no longer a 27-2 in terms of appearance). I never treated it as a safe queen / I took care of it - but I shot it most every month, in and out of a holster hundreds of times, while its not a primary gun, in the last 15 yrs it had at least 25,000 rds thru it - but it was still in 98% condition.
So in round numbers - I probably paid $ 750 for it 15 yrs ago / virtually new in box 27-2 pinned and recessed ( very fair price at that time ) / if it were in good mechanical and appearance shape, as a collectable today, its a
$ 1,000 - $ 1,250 gun...as is, not functioning, its a parts gun / if I let S&W fix it for $500 I'll have $1,250 in it .../ and since it will no longer be a collectable...as a shooter its value is probably $600...
So to me, that's why it makes no sense to let S&W repair this gun...
So, like I said - my reasoning is for my buddy and I to try and drill out pin - turn it into a "shooter" ....give it to one of my adult kids "as a shooter" - / keeping it - as a shooter - with visible pin on left side will drive me nuts, so I don't want to keep it --- unless it could be repaired and keep its original appearance. ( and I know I'm being a prima donna about the appearance, but that's how I look at these old guns ...they need to be in great shape - as well as perform --- and if its not up to its appearance because of this new pin ...I won't like it ).
...so I'll move on and buy a 627 ...
I will shop for another model 27-2 4" Nickel ... but I'm a little leery about risking $ 1,250 - $ 1,500 for another, what I think is, an excellent model 27-2 ...because while they demand a high price in today's market ....I will shoot it - and if I were to break another frame pin --- it would just sit there and say "I told you So" forever... / so things break... high end electronics, high end bicycles, motorcycles, cars ....and I'll move on from this too - reluctantly ---
and I have a model 19-1 4" Nickel, a model 29-2 8 3/8" Nickel, a model 27-3 Blued 6"....and several model 66's, a 686 and some 629's.../ as well as a beautiful Freedom Arms large frame I had built in .357 Mag...so it isn't like I don't have some classic revolvers to enjoy / and maybe I can learn to enjoy the new versions of the model 627's...probably in a 4" or 5"....maybe...
I looked at a model 627 2 1/2" N frame perf shop gun today ...its a round butt, with a really short frame ...so the pinkie on my strong hand, is not on the gun...so that gun is not going to work in my hands ..( and I have a model 66-2 in 2 1/2" anyway )...
....so I'm just working thru the process .../ but I'm not sending this 27-2 Nickel 4" to S&W to be repaired.