5 inch N frames Old & New

[reccpd101]

I am attaching a photo of my two 5 inch N frames. The blue one is a 38-44 Heavy Duty shipped in 1930 that I recently purchased. The stainless is a current production 627 8 shot. I also own a Model 28 4 inch, a 625 & 629 Mountain Guns also 4 inchers. It amazes me how much better one inch of barrel makes the 5 inchers balance over the 4 inchers.

I have shot all of them. The 38-44 shows much higher grade workmanship and that is reflected in the shooting performance. The 38-44 long action trigger is much smoother and even with the fixed sights makes for a better shooting experience.

To those of you that shoot both, is my experience typical? Should I have foregone the newer models and searched for the long actions in 5 inch before?

 

[andy52]

Very old 5 inch TL and a much newer 25-7 .45 colt.
The older guns are a little more refined in workmanship but for me the long action takes some getting use to. I prefer adjustable sights so I can sight to my reloads without having to adjust my aim.

 

[JP@AK]

To those of you that shoot both, is my experience typical?

Absolutely. Many of us find that both the N & K frame 5" revolvers balance better in the hand.

Should I have foregone the newer models and searched for the long actions in 5 inch before?

That is, of course, a matter of personal preference. But for me, YES.

One of these days, I suppose I should drag all of my 5"ers out of the safe for a group photo. Right now, I honestly do not know how many of them there are.

 

[The Gila Bender]

What we got here is a pre-war 5" HD with humpback hammer and matching magnas shipped to the Bozeman, MT police department in 1940 and a 5" Model 625 in .45 Colt shipped in 1993. I like the craftsmanship and smooth long action of the early N-frames, but prefer the sights on the modern S&W's. And, the narrow profile barrels of the early N-frames are substantially lighter than post-1950 models with ribbed barrels and ejector shrouds. A perfect example is this pre-war 5" .44 HE 2nd Model. It's lighter than a Mountain Gun!

 

[Art Doc]

Love the 5".

 

[Jack Flash]

... I have shot all of them. The 38-44 shows much higher grade workmanship and that is reflected in the shooting performance. The 38-44 long action trigger is much smoother and even with the fixed sights makes for a better shooting experience. ...

Most of us would agree with that. We're supposed to tone it down, though. (Read the Rules).

... To those of you that shoot both, is my experience typical? Should I have foregone the newer models and searched for the long actions in 5 inch before?

If you like 5" N-Frames, I hope you get a chance to shoot an M1917. Yes, the barrel is 5.5" but very close to the same balance, quality, and craftsmanship, chambered for a cartridge that starts with 4. Decent shooters turn up now and again for considerably less than a grand.

 

[reccpd101]

Thanks to all. I'll look for a unmodified 1917. I have a 625 in 45 ACP and really like the moon clip reload. I owned a 1917 years ago that had a barrel
shortened to around 4 inches. I carried it while I was a uniformed officer but to me the balance was off. I could see that a 5.5 would work since there is no ejector rod shroud.

 

[reccpd101]

Is the 1937 Brazilian's action the same as the 1917 action?

 

[hkcavalier]

1965 27-2

1992 629-3

2003 627-5 (yeah the grips got switched)

 

[STCM(SW)]

5" 357

My favorite 357 Magnum!

 

[Muley Gil]

Is the 1937 Brazilian's action the same as the 1917 action?

Basically, yes. S&W had updated the internal safety somewhat, but they both have the long action.

 

[SAFireman]

Three Kings

Here are two pre-war and one post-war. Two are 38-44's and one is a 44 Special.

I have shot the pre-war HD extensively, and it is more accurate than I. The pre-war Outdoorsman remains unfired by me....it is just too darn pretty. The OD shipped to the Topeka PD. The post-wa 44 Special is a fairly rare Model of 1950 Military, of which, there were only 1100 or so produced. I am working on getting it sighted in for me, when I received it, the sights were all the way to the left.

All three were treated to King's adjustable rear sight, and front reflector sight. They really are neat. They also seem to have had King's touch on the lockwork, as they are all really smooth

I have a 5" 625 model of 1988, but I shoot it, but have never shot it (in a photographic sense)

 

[StrawHat]

I am attaching a photo of my two 5 inch N frames. The blue one is a 38-44 Heavy Duty shipped in 1930 that I recently purchased. The stainless is a current production 627 8 shot. I also own a Model 28, 4 inch, a 625 & 629 Mountain Guns also 4 inchers. It amazes me how much better one inch of barrel makes the 5 inchers balance over the 4 inchers.

The 5", 36 caliber N frame does feel good in the hand. I have a 1950 HD, short action that is very nice. But, the 45 ACP, N frame with a 4" barrel gives me the same feel.

I have shot all of them. The 38-44 shows much higher grade workmanship and that is reflected in the shooting performance. The 38-44 long action trigger is much smoother and even with the fixed sights makes for a better shooting experience.

I have Hand Ejectors from 1918 through 20?? I like them all but the newest ones, post 1990 have given the best accuray
L

To those of you that shoot both, is my experience typical? Should I have foregone the newer models and searched for the long actions in 5 inch before?

Try a short action N frame in 38 Special. In the 36 calibre, they are nice.

Kevin

 

[biku324]

Just picked up a 544 in 44-40 with a 5" barrel. Had one several years ago and should not have sold it.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Just picked up a 544 in 44-40 with a 5" barrel. Had one several years ago and should not have sold it.

I gave my M 544 44-40 to my son-in-law about 8 months ago....
One less 5" for me...

 

[mrcvs]

Here's two 5" N frame revolvers I own. A blued Triple Lock revolver I recently acquired as well as a nickel Triple Lock revolver with a 5" barrel, depicted between two other nickel Triple Lock revolvers, one with a 6 1/2" barrel and the other with a 4" barrel.

 

[Nedroe]

5 incher's are GREAT......

I bought a 29-4 & mounted a new, never installed, 5 inch barrel

A 25-7

A Pre-27

A 27-2

A 27-2 Pinto

A Pre-Wart 38/44HD

A Bowen conversion 28 /45acp

A Reg Mag

And, just for fun, I stuck one on a K frame

Enjoy

Ned

 

[CH4]

Here's some 5 inchers - one's 5.5

629-3
625-2
627-0
27-2
610 ND

 

[DARE]

I have a pair of pre-war 5" N frames.
A .44 HE 2nd Model from 1926 and a .357 Magnum from 1935.

 

[wbraswell]

So sweet is the siren's song of the pre-war N-frames.