My N-Frames

[Japle]

I like N-Frame Smiths.
I keep thinking about getting an L-Frame .357, but when I have the 8 shot N-Frame, why should I?
People seem to like J-Frame .38s, but I don’t see the point. I carry a P3AT in my front left pocket. It’s flatter than a J-Frame and holds more ammo.

From top to bottom, we have:

A 625JM in .45ACP. It’s cut for moon clips, of course. I did the action job and it’s really nice if I do say so.
Without the extended firing pin, there’s no way it would be reliable with a trigger pull that light.

An M-29. This gun started as a standard, blued “Dirty Harry Special” with a 6 ½” barrel. I sent it to S&W for a 4” barrel with a pinned front sight, a smooth, narrow trigger and an action job. When I got it back, I did a little more action work, including Jerry Miculek’s spring set and sent it to Accurate Plating & Weaponry for hard chrome.
I shot a hog with it a few months ago at very close range using CorBon’s .44 Spl ammo. Two quick double-action shots put the hog right down.

A 327 Performance Center 8 shot .357. I won this gun in a drawing at the 2009 S&W Steel Challenge Nationals. It had been my dream gun for quite a while, but I couldn’t afford it on my retired military pay. Man, was I a happy guy! I installed Jerry’s springs, an extended firing pin and slicked up the action. I’ll be shooting it in this year’s Nationals next month.

As you can see, I like Jerry’s grips and high visibility front sights.

 

[1KPerDay]

Nice! *droool*

 

[Dave T]

All my Smiths are N-frames too, but none of them have that extra hole above the cylinder release. Like me my S&Ws are old and kind of beat up. Truth though is that they all still work, while sometimes I don't. (LOL)

Dave

 

[rayman]

I'm discovering I like stainless N frames in .357 more and more these days. Easy to clean and shoot with heavy loads with.

 

[cpirtle]

Love that Performance Center you have there!

I pretty fond of the big ones myself but generally lean toward more concealable sizes. Planning to add a couple with longer barrel's for Steel Challenge matches though.

The 327 pc is my main carry gun with other ones filtering in from time to time..

Okay, so there's an L frame in there too for good measure

PS: Just picked up the pre-28 last week, man what a great shooter!

 

[jad0110]

I keep thinking about getting an L-Frame .357, but when I have the 8 shot N-Frame, why should I?

'Cuz it's a nice gun, and you might as well.

And though I do CCW a N Frame sometimes, there are other days when I don't want to deal with an N Frame's substantial girth. That's where a bit slimmer gun like a K or L Frame, or Ruger Six Series comes into play.

As for J Frames, to each his own. Some love 'em, some don't. I'm in the opposite camp from you, as the tiny .380s are impossible for my large hands to get a hold of. J Frames, OTH, have just enough stock for my hands to get an adequate purchase on. Consequently, I shoot J frames much better than tiny semi autos.

I do love both my N Frames. I shoot them better than any other handgun platform I've tried yet.

S&W Model 28-2:







S&W Model 29-2:

 

[Armybrat]

Sad to say, I have only one N-frame Model 29...

 

[Stainz]

Please be careful! I was once an N-frame only guy. Oh, I have the obligatory 10-shot K-frame 617 .22 - and the 642 J-frame as a pocket gun, as well. But... the last two purchases here are definitely keepers:



I had to eat grow to get these guys... it was worth it - there is life below an N-frame in size!

Stainz

 

[SaxonPig]

N frames from the 1920s and 1930s:




From the 1940s:




1950s:




1960s:




1970s:




1980s:




And I even have one with the hole in the side that seems to bother so many guys:

 

[birdshooter]

Japle

Approximately what did it cost to to have the barrel shortened on your 29? I have a 629 classic with 6 1/2" barrel and am considering getting this done.

 

[627PCFan]

Ill jump in. Im a long gun guy but if I was gonna get one I was gonna go nice.

 

[motorcycle-charlie]

My 28-2 Highway Patrolman

according to Radagast, born between 1969-1972 (thanks again Radagast)
my first N frame and pretty excited about it.

 

[Japle]

Posted by Birdshooter:
Approximately what did it cost to to have the barrel shortened on your 29? I have a 629 classic with 6 1/2" barrel and am considering getting this done.

I don't remember. It's been several years and they might have totally different prices now.

Give them a call. They're happy to discuss it with you.

NOTE: They won't shorten your barrel. They replace it with a new one, then send your old barrel back to you.

 

[wundudnee]

I like N's.

 

[Walkalong]

A well loved 25-5 with Siles grips.

 

[USSR]

My 25-5, like Walkalong's. You can see I was more concerned with the walnut grips that I customized for my hand.

Don

 

[dgvc63]

Only have one... but it's a beaut! model 57-1

 

[HoosierQ]

Just picked it up Saturday. 627-5, 8-shot .357, Pro Model, all steel.

 

[Stainz]

Yeah, my 627 Pro will be three in May. It refused to be seen sporting Goodyears - borrowed some Ahrends square conversions with fg's upon arrival home that first day - then some retro targets without fg's - both in cocobolo. Borrowed my 625JM's HiViz front sight - then it's JM grips. Finally, I ordered it's very own grips and sight - below - it's happy. So is it's soon (April) to be one year old little brother - it likes the replacement grips it sports, too. Happiness is a contented revolver. Be prepared.



I gotta watch talking to these things. The N-frames are the absolute worst - "Buy me! No, buy me! No, you need me!" - all I ever hear at the pusher's lair as I walk past the S&W new case. Yeah, the little J-frames just looked so sad. The Night Guards all looked too 'tacticool' for me - as do those things that feed from the bottom. Of course, when the mental health facility is too busy - or closed - there is always the gunstore...

N frames do rule. That .250" high Classic/DX style spring mounted front sight is available from Brownell's and S&W Accessories - as are an assortment of decent wood grips - enjoy your 627 Pro!

Stainz

 

[cpirtle]

Stainz, where's you get those machined aluminum speed loaders & block?

Edit: Never mind, I found them. Cool stuff

 

[Stainz]

The Al speedloader & block come as a 'bedside kit' from '5starfirearms.com' - very reasonable - but quite well made.

Stainz

 

[Hanshi]

S&W N frames have always been favorites of mine. Last count I had six of them, all pinned barrel and a few decades old. Many have passed through my hands and I recently have divested myself of a favorite 4" .41