Colt Trooper frame size?

[Prof]

I have a Colt Trooper Mk III, .357 magnum 4". It is, I believe, the Cole "J" frame (?). With a wood Hogue monogrip, it is about the limit for what my smallish hands can securely grip and reach the trigger. My question is, what S&W frame size does the Trooper equate to: the K, L or N? I have been considering buying a S&W N-frame revolver but don't have an example to actually hold and was afraid the frame size might be too big. I thought the Trooper (my biggest revolver) might be a good frame of reference. ???

 

[dfariswheel]

The Trooper Mark III is the Colt "J" frame.

The closest match is the S&W "L" frame.

However, although the "L" frame is bigger than the S&W "K" frame, it uses the same size grip as the S&W "K" frame.

The Trooper Mark III has a slightly larger grip area than either of the S&W's.

The S&W "N" frame is bigger than the Trooper, so you may have problems.

One thing to consider: A few years ago, S&W started making ALL their revolvers, including the "N" frame with ROUND butts.

What they do for longer barreled revolvers is fit a conversion grip to the frame that converts the round butt to a square butt.

So, although the gun LOOKS like the older square butt revolver, under the grip is a small round butt.

These newer revolvers with the round butt can be fitted with smaller grips, which MAY allow you to handle a "N" framed gun.

 

[jc2]

I have a King Cobra and a Model 27 (N-frame). The N-frame feels (subjectively, as you know) much larger than the Colt. The Colt is far more comfortable--for my money, it's the perfect .357 size.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I originally disliked the Smith & Wesson round butt N frame revolvers, but presently discovered they deliver greater flexibility than the square butt models.

Someone really ought to make shorter grip triggers for N frame revolvers, much as short, medium, and long reach triggers are available for model 1911 pistols.

 

[Prof]

Thank you, all, for your replies. Dfariswheel, I have a S&W 686 L-frame revolver, too, and with the smaller-circumference Hogue rubber grip it is more comfortable than the Trooper even though, as you point out, it is relatively the same size. So you may be right that replacing grips on an N-frame might help some. But, as you said, it is still a bigger frame. Standing Wolf's suggestion of different sized trigger is well-taken. With a smaller-sized grip and shorter trigger, the larger frame revolvers could probably be made comfortable for people like me with smaller hands.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Standing Wolf's suggestion of different sized trigger is well-taken.

Unfortunately, I've never seen replacement revolver triggers of varying lengths. I have seen a couple modified triggers reshaped and cut down to shorten the pull, as well, of course, as triggers with shoes to widen the front surface and increase the pull. I'd guess there's probably not a very promising market, or someone would have offered them by now.