Moondog & others, The questions above about why S&W made 7 1/2 in. barrels for the N frames ( and longer for some models ) relate to a type of shooting match entered into by the "Long Shooters" wherein targets were over 300 yards , and farther, downrange. S&W magazine ads in the 20s & early 30s mention these matches and reference Capt. A. H. Hardy, and other famous shooters of that time, who were know as " Long Shooters " and participated in those matches with S&W long barreled target revolvers. Ed.