3" N-Frames

[Nightcrawler]

Okay, there's just something special about 3" barreled S&W N-Frame revolvers. I'm very strongly considering getting a 3" M629 "Trail Boss" in .44 Magnum to compliment my 5" 629 Classic.

What I don't like about it is the unfluted cylinder. Without the full underlug, the unfluted cylinder looks funny. They used to make a version with a fluted cylinder, but that version is ported, and I don't want that either.

They do make a version that's got a fluted cylinder and lacks porting, but I don't think you can get it unless you buy the whole Emergency Kit Thing.

Anyway, if I do pick up that Trail Boss, one chang is going to be made. I don't like the Hogue monogrip. It's going to go, replaced probably with Pachmayr Compac grips or possibly Eagle Secret Service. I think the Secret Service grips won't be comfortable on a .44 Magnum, though.

Anyway, who else loves 3" N-Frames? Let's see your pictures!

 

[DMZ]

I have an old (1983) 3" M29 with a fluted cylinder. I put some Pachmayr neoprene grips on it and hated them, so I went back to the Ahrends wooden grips it came with. I like those grips as they are hand filling and grooved just right. I took the lacquer off and finished them with paste wax. That helps me maintain a much better grip and I dislike shiney lacquer finishes on guns.

I really like the look and feel of a M 29, 3 incher and it is my carry gun when I am camping/hiking in bear country.

Mine is quite accurate (had a trigger job done on it) and I shoot .44 Spl's in it 75% of the time because I take it to the range quite a bit. Shooting fullhouse .44 mags in it a lot is not only tiring, but it well wear it out sooner and I want to pass it along to my son.

 

[steveracer]

never understood why the 3.5....

wasn't available on the 29s. 27s only. I don't get it. That is a better balance than 4", and a little less blast than 3"
I just picked up an 8and3/8" 29-2 and will be chopping it soon. I'll have pics for everyone. I'm cutting it to 3.25"
Steve

 

[SnWnMe]

45LC and 44 Spl.

 

[Majic]

I have a few (but no pics). A M24, M29, M625, M657, and the slightly longer M27.

 

[surfinUSA]

The Trail Boss is available with a fluted cylinder. Check with RSR. I believe they were the distributer and may still have some in stock.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I've checked; all of the fluted Trail Bosses were ported, save the one that comes in the Emergency Kit.

In any case, I found my gun today and placed a down payment on it. I found a nice Model 29-10 "Bounty Hunter". Three-inch barrel, matte blue, full underlug, fluted cylinder, no porting.

Awesome.

LINK Here's what it looks like.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

This one fall .5" short of the topic as it's a 2.5 "...I kinda like it and consider it one of my keepers. 300 of these with fixed sights were made in the year 2000 for Camfour Dist. Co. I think there is a newer version like it available now, but the newer one has the lock

2.5" 629-5 #013 of *300 (*so I've been told)

 

[SnWnMe]

I would love to try that with my 44 mag loads. 24.5 grains of H110 under 240grains of Pb.

 

[Gator]

They are cool




This ones a .44 Spl though.

 

[tecrsq]

I think many of us have an affliction for these small tube N frames.

Here's mine.

 

[Zen21Tao]

What's wrong with unfluted Smiths?

4" S&W 610 10mm and 3" S&W M629 44 Mag.

 

[fiVe]

Wow! There are some VERY nice pics in this thread. Thanks for posting!