After looking at all those beautiful short barrel N-Frames I must confess that the 4" heavy barrel N-frame is, to me, the best configuration when it comes to feel, natural pointing and esthetics, whether with factory targets or Ahrens. Although my 3" .44 special is really growing on me. It just needs the right set of grips. The nickel is a 57 and the blue is a 29-2.

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What, no love for 4" tapered barrel N-frames?







The top two are 45 Long Colt while the lower two are 41 Magnums

The one below is an 8 shot 357 Magnum followed by a 6 shot 357 magnum

I really enjoy my 4" 686 plus and still think it might be the most versatile of revolvers. Then I bought a 4" 629. I can't decide if it's the gun or the cartridge but I just love shooting that thing. As a reloader I've gone from mild to wild with loads and had a hard time finding a bad one. It's not as versatile as the 686 as far as carrying goes. God knows the .357mag will stop anything in the State I live in. The 44 mag just stops the other one standing behind the first. Recently I traded for a 21-4 and wasn't sure about the 44 special cartridge. Now that I shot it some I really like it too! I think I'm becoming a N frame junky. I guess there's worse things.

My sentimental favorite will always be this old .41 Magnum M&P.

It rode on my hip for 13 years and we got into some really serious social encounters. We're both a
little worse for wear and tear, but we're both still here.

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Eccentric old coot

Without a doubt, the 4" N frame is the finest revolver ever designed for serious work, that is to say self defense. The balance is exceptional, the weight acceptable given the power of the cartridges it was designed to shoot, and the triggers in both SA and DA were routinely superb. I started carrying handguns in the late 1970's, specifically 4" Model 29s firing very stout loads - if I remember right 10 grains of Win 231 under a 240 grain lead SWC. No doubt these were a bit over redline since they were always hard to extract from the cylinder. Since those early days I've gone on to own many, many 4" N frames in almost every conceivable caliber including 38-40, 41 Mag, 44 Mag, 44-40, 45 Colt and 45 Schofield. After much experimentation and use I arrive at the conclusion that the 41 Magnum, using my handloads, was the finest cartridge I would ever come across and a perfect match for the weight and balance of the 4" N frame.

A few years ago I had Hamilton Bowen make for me a set of what I thought S&W should have made, but unfortunately did not. Here is an example from that set built on a S&W Model 520 in 45 S&W I believe.



And here is one built on a Model 58 in it original 41 Magnum, but with a full ejector rod shroud.



I believe I improved upon the original.

Keith

I only have 1 4" N frame. I enjoy it very much. It is a 625JM. My other N's are of the 6" variety. Have no shorties! Bob

Does this qualify ?

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John

I wonder posters where all the original grips/stocks went.

Their value is rising faster than a Pillsbury biscuit.

You need to STOP posting those pics ( ).... Makes me want to trade everything I have away and call Bowen.... Wow, if I haven't said it before, those two are magnificent.

The factory did some nice things, but as you mention, the ones above are something they should have made. I've had an early "N" serial number M58 sitting here for about 9-10 years now, finished challenged, and some day will send it to Bowen for a conversion to 45 Colt, but am re-thinking that now as the fully shrouded barrel above is just cool.......

So, now I'm thinking RB the frame, shrouded barrel, 45 Colt, etc., would be a great field gun and overall carry piece.....

Please ignore my above, post those pics as many times as you want, those two are just fantastic.



BTW - topping them off with Spegels was masterful

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.............SmithNut

my S&W model 28-2....well balanced, enjoyable to shoot and a favorite.....

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There's nowt so queer as folk

Possibly my favorite Gun on the Forum Iggy!

Here are a couple of my N Frames.

629-1 Wearing Kuracs



629 No Dash (pinned and recessed) Wearing Keith Browns. Rare gun, very special stocks.

I'm a blue steel guy but if that 629 ND came my way I would not resist. Excellent, especially with the KB's.

Had a heavy. Got rid of it. Love a tapered barrel. That's just perfect in a 4."

I like 'em. The 4" 629 is my favorite "do all" revolver.

My m58 / 4" / 41mag handles awesome it really impressed me on how good the power to the weight ratio is. I'm a 6' / 6 1/2" / 7 1/2" barrel guy for most of my life in the larger Magnum frames. The 4" barrels have my interest now.

My favorite handgun is my Transition 1926 3rd model .44 Special with a 4 inch barrel. It is a perfectly balanced fighting gun for quick point shooting. The action is as smooth as a babies butt with trigger that breaks like glass.

It is doesn't surprise me that a handful of deadly shootist from the past, like Jelly Bryce picked a similar revolver to bet their lives on.



My shinny 4 inch 1950 Military Police .44 Spl.

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Bill Bates

I agree with Keith's renditions as done by Hamilton. Here is a model 58 he did for me with his combat sights and the second is a 58 we stretched to 5" with a model 25 barrel and it is 45 Colt with the same sights.

I agree that the 4" "N" frame is the ultimate revolver. I prefer mine to have the tapered barrel. Here is a photo of two variations on the theme, both 45 ACP. One is a converted M28-2 the other is a M22-4. The 28 has been my companion for nearly 4 decades, the 22 is trying to displace it.

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

I guess I'm the fly in the ointment. I have several 4" N frame revolvers (I have 5 of them now that I think about it) but I would hardly call such a gun perfect or the ultimate anything. A 4" N frame will be big and heavy. In 41 or 44 Magnum recoil is serious...few people can handle one in rapid fire with full loads. I know I can't. In 44 Special or 45 caliber (Colt or ACP) recoil is generally manageable assuming the shooter's hands are big enough to get a proper grip. With full power 357 loads it's borderline for many shooters.

In a belt holster an N frame is a lot of weight to carry. I know some guys do it but it's a heavy gun and a K frame is much more comfortable. Concealed carry is certainly NOT where an N frame shines.

With Magnum calibers the 4" barrel will not provide top performance. For ease of carry one surrenders some muzzle velocity.

But as with anything else, other people's opinions are meaningless. If a man favors a 4" N frame that's his choice. Like I said, I have 5 of them so I must like them...for something.

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No life story has happy end.

I have to agree with Saxon here, though my issue with them, primarily, is aesthetic in nature. To me a short barrel on a big revolver just doesn't look right. But, as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So, for all of you that like them, be my guest. I'll never compete with you to acquire one.

Regards,
Andy

Personally I'd agree with SP regards to me carrying the 4" N frame. I do own a couple, beautiful revolvers. But as my middle has grown the ability to carry something big and heavy on the belt has diminished.

Still they are things of beauty, and a man packing one is a serious "gunner".





24-3 and a 27-2

Bill Bates, that black holster looks like something that I need. Could you tell us more about it?

Ken

The holster is an old Safariland #29 LG/FR thumb break. It fits the old .44s great holding the old revolver snuggly even when not snapped. Many of the factory holsters I've tried made for 4 inch N frames are a little loose allowing my .44 specials to wiggle and rattle around a bit. They work well with the heavier barreled magnums but not so much with the lighter contoured framed and barreled .44 Specials.

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Bill Bates

Thanks for your info. My need was for a 624 4". Wish those were still available.

Ken

Keep a watch on EBay. The #29 large frames show up fairly often.

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Bill Bates

I have come to the conclusion that the only barrel length I like on a revolver is four inches. The only exception to that is a 642 that's my carry gun.

No way I'm going to carry something as big and heavy as an "N"-Frame."

But I still like them.

The only one I have now is a 58 I bore everyone to death with the pictures of. So rather than post one in it's fancy grips, I'll post one of it in it's work clothes.



Even if "work" is just a trip to the range.

I'm thinking about getting a new 27 before too long. If i do it will have a four inch barrel.

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John 3:16 .

The only 4" N frame I ever owned was a Model 58. Everything else has been mainly 6" or 6.5", along with some 3", 3.5" and 8-3/8". Aside from a Triple Lock Target and Registered Magnum, the most accurate N frame I owned was a 3.5" Model 27. Shoulda kept it.

K frames are different. Most of the ones I have are 4".

OK seriously, how is it that every time I talk myself out of thinking I need a model 58, there are new pictures of one on here somewhere?

Beautiful guns everyone!

Tapered-barrel N-frames do it for me!

Besides 4", the 6 1/2 with post or gold bead and the 3 1/2 27 with same sights.


Never saw a tapered .41 before. We need a .45 ACP and 10mm.

I can't go smaller than 4" barrels. Elmer Keith made that 260yds shot with a 4" m29. Hickok45 on YouTube made the same shot same gun.
Sometimes I like the added range with my ccw carry we never know when it's needed. Out to 100yds nothing is safe. My practice ranges are between 25yds to 100yds. At 25yds and under its child's play.

I thought it was 600?

My only 4" N frame is an early model 58. And I still haven't gotten it to the range.

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Get off my lawn!

Though I am not ready to throw all of mine out in the front yard just yet, I am done shooting magnum ammunition in them. I can still enjoy shooting them with target loads. Kind of a shame to me, since I think the guns are more accurate with the magnums, IMO anyway.

They're pretty - particularly the nickel guns. Maybe flashy is a better word? I do agree with the OP that they point nicely.

As long as the loads are 900 FPS or so, maybe 1000, I am fine with them.

I like the 3 1/2 and 4 inch Nframes. My favorites are the Highway Patrolmen. I like my 57s though, too........

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Even older, even crankier....

You can do a lot worse than to go into harms way with an N frame 4" handgun to protect yourself with.

My opinion is they are fantastic. Of course I'm biased .

































































657 Mountain revolver 45 Colt/ 45 A.C.P.















I also have a pair of 625 Mountain guns in 45 A.C.P. and a 629 Mountain gun I do not have photographs of.


I guess I an a fan of the 4 inch N frame.


AlleN-Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

OK, well, just post your address when you are ready and give me a few hours notice

When was the .45 ACP mountain gun produced? I may have just discovered a new grail gun.

Allen-frame

You ain't biased my good man, you's addicted.

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Eccentric old coot

I goofed when I said I had 5 N frames in 4" length. I forgot my 38/44.

57...




HD...




HP...




25...




29...




58...




Well, ****, make it 7. I forgot my RM...

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No life story has happy end.

Here are a few of mine:
27-2s:


57s:


520:


58:


And don't forget the Mountain Guns! :


Finally no collection would be complete without a 4" Highway Patrolman (this one is 28-2):

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Brad

My absolute favorite Smith.

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Those wouldn't be a set of Bear Hug, or Blue Magnum, Skeeter Skelton grips... Would they?

Model 27-3


Model 625-7

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No good deed goes unpunished.

Yes they are! The Blu Magnum version.