Was there an N-Frame .357 with fixed sights?

[Borderboss]

I was looking at a current thread about the Model 58, which was an N-Frame .41 Magnum with a four inch fixed sight barrel. I thought it looked cool enough, with the heavy barrel, that it made me want to have something similar, but in .357 because I don't need another caliber. I figured I could do some extensive internet research, or bother all my friends here and get the answer in two minutes.

Was there ever an N-Frame four inch fixed sight .357?

 

[Fessor]

Model 520 for NYSP.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The Model 520, manufactured in 1979 for the New York State Police. Only 3,000 or so made.

 

[Venom6]

Additionally, many "Heavy Duties" (pre-Model 20's and Model 20's) were punched out to .357 and are still out there, apparently little the worse for wear. I'm in no way advising anyone to do that, or to shoot it if they come across one. Having said that, mine is just fine.

 

[rct269]

Yes, for everything except the fixed sight (As far as I know---which isn't all that far), which fair boggles the mind; but you're you and I'm me--------and I choose to not understand why anybody would bother with fixed sight guns---except for "pocket pistols"---and I also choose to not understand why anybody would bother with those---except perhaps as a "Back Up Gun".

All that said, I'm thinking there's a 4" 357 (+/-) K frame with fixed sights----maybe an L frame---but being a sight junkie, that's not anything I would have even noticed----never mind my "carry gun" is a Colt Government Model----with fixed sights (God forbid!).

Ralph Tremaine

And as an aside (as respects a 38/44 reamed out to accept 357 rounds) that's the gun used (EXTENSIVELY) by S&W during the development of the 357 Magnum round------and that development saw pressures WAY beyond those of the final product.

As another aside, ALL the cylinders of the 38/44 (circa early 1930's) were heat treated to provide elastic limits of 130,000 lbs. which is WAY beyond what's needed for a .357.------------so sayeth D.B. Wesson, Vice President, S&W.

 

[Borderboss]

Thanks guys. I know there are K-Frame and L-Frame versions. I'm just digging the look of a heavy barrel fixed sight N-Frame. I want a shooter.

I'll be on the lookout for a late manufacture .38/44, Model 20 if I recall correctly. That metallurgy should be fine for reaming out.

 

[WR Moore]

There are fixed replacement sights for N frames with adjustables. Think D&L Sports and others make them. You might take a look at them before starting the unicorn hunt.

 

[Muley Gil]

Thanks guys. I know there are K-Frame and L-Frame versions. I'm just digging the look of a heavy barrel fixed sight N-Frame. I want a shooter.

I'll be on the lookout for a late manufacture .38/44, Model 20 if I recall correctly. That metallurgy should be fine for reaming out.

.38/44s and M520s both have slender, tapered barrels.

 

[S-W4EVER]

The only heavy barrel .357 I know of is the K Frame Model 13, in effect a scaled down Model 58.

 

[Protocall_Design]

There is also the M65, a stainless M13, both K frame. There is also the 581 and 681, fixed sight versions of 586 and 686, all L frames.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Was there ever an N-Frame four inch fixed sight .357?

Thanks guys. I know there are K-Frame and L-Frame versions. I'm just digging the look of a heavy barrel fixed sight N-Frame. I want a shooter.

I'll be on the lookout for a late manufacture .38/44, Model 20 if I recall correctly. That metallurgy should be fine for reaming out.

As mentioned the M520 is a fixed-sight N frame .357 Magnum, and is the only N frame fixed sight .357M. It was never a catalogued model, being originally a special order for the NYSP, who were looking to replace their K frame .357's (most likely M13's). They cancelled the order after production had begun, opting for the 4" M28-2, which was immediately available. Those are the ones you see for sale stamped NYSP.

The M520 is modeled somewhat after the M20, .38-44 Heavy Duty, with addition of a barrel rib and a slightly different front sight. Unlike most LE-directed fixed sight magnums like the M13, M65, and M58, the M520 has a shrouded extractor rod. It also comes with PC magnas like the M58 has. It is also a tapered barrel like the M27 and M28.

If you find one, it will most likely be new in the box, only 3000 were manufactured in mid-1979. They were marketed to the public in 1980, and being a non-catalogued limited production are pretty collectible; nobody wants to shoot them, it seems.

I'll never shoot mine, it was my Grail Gun for several years until I found this one at a local gun show last year. It turns out the guy I bought it from only lives about 5 miles from me. He was second owner, and the gun came with a Factory Letter sent to the original owner back when he bought it in 1980.

 

[Hair Trigger]

A few more pictures, of the top strap and rib. Note the grip frame is not fluted, but smooth (front and back strap). It only has one configuration, service hammer and trigger, 4" barrel.

 

[Hair Trigger]

You may note in these pictures the stocks are standard magnas. When I bought the gun, the guy had stored all his stocks in a box (he had several guns for sale), and put the wrong ones on the M520, swapping them with another gun. Unfortunately, the other gun got sold with the PC magnas belonging to this 520. I bought the PC's I now have from a member here. The M520's PC's were not numbered to the gun, so I didn't lose that, the ones I have are the correct PC's for this model.

 

[mikerjf]

So you wouldn't convert to an 8-shot…?

 

[jughed440]

The only heavy barrel .357 I know of is the K Frame Model 13, in effect a scaled down Model 58.

There are also heavy barrel Model 10s in .357. Scarce pieces, but one has been available at a dealer for at least the past 6 months

 

[Model19man]

The only heavy barrel .357 I know of is the K Frame Model 13, in effect a scaled down Model 58.

Pretty sure the Model 13 is a Model 19 with fixed sights to make it cheaper for police departments to buy.

 

[DWalt]

Given all of the old .38/44 HDs that were later converted by their owners to chamber and fire .357, I have always wondered why S&W didn't offer a .357 HD. I have one of the converted .38/44 HDs, but I don't fire much .357 in it. For that matter, I don't fire much .357 in any of my .357 revolvers.

 

[80sgyrene]

Pretty sure the Model 13 is a Model 19 with fixed sights to make it cheaper for police departments to buy.

Lacks the ejector shroud

L frame 581


I would consider that a heavy barrel

 

[Borderboss]

Thanks for the intel on the M520. It sounds like the right animal but I wouldn't want to shoot something that's that collectible even if it will be mostly eating .38spl.

 

[Borderboss]

There are fixed replacement sights for N frames with adjustables. Think D&L Sports and others make them. You might take a look at them before starting the unicorn hunt.

Interesting alternative. Thanks for the info.