Anybody Switch from N Frame to L Frame?

[Ribwizzard]

You got to get your mind right.
A 8 oz. Hammer doesn't feel right in the hand when looking to bust up a cinder block
A 20 oz hammer doesn't feel right in the hand when looking at driving a tack
Same with guns, it's how it feels when your shooting it, not sitting around playing with it.

 

[wnc wheelgun]

L first then 2 Ns

Found a nice sample 581 first and stumbled upon a 28-2 and a 24-3. The L frame 581 with fixed sights was perfect for a crimson trace grip and balanced just right for me and my older eyes. My N frames are a joy to shot at targets with, but will back up the L frame.

 

[ctxcummins]

As much as I love the L-frame, and I do love mine, I'm pretty much one and done with them and am focusing on K-frames.

I don't see my 686-4 going anywhere, but it will definitely be sharing safe shelf space with some of it's smaller, older brothers!

As far as N frames go...I'm a big fan of the .44 Magnum, and have a couple of those sitting around as well. I don't really have a need for a 357 N frame.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Only "L" frame I have now is a M 696 no lock.
I can shoot my "N" frame .44's better from the 1923 to the M 24-5.
I had a M 686 4" , just was not my cup of tea.....

 

[Czechvar]

Just paid off my 629PC Snubbie Layaway at Buds, and my next Layaway will be a 627PC Snubbie. I had a 686+PC on Layaway, but cancelled it for the upcoming 627. The meager weight differential favored the 8 shot 627. Just my choice though...I'd like an L Frame, but my options are limited.

 

[Mr.Harry]

My opinion is that the N frame is best suited for 44 cal. I prefer L frame for .357 mag. But, in a duty weapon, open carried on a heavy duty belt, with really no consideration as to weight or concealment or efficiency of profile, I DO understand .357 mag in an N frame because it makes it ridiculously easy to manage and shoot rapidly and get rounds on target accurately. Hence the Highway Patrolman.

 

[HamHands]

Only "L" frame I have now is a M 696 no lock.
I can shoot my "N" frame .44's better from the 1923 to the M 24-5.
I had a M 686 4" , just was not my cup of tea.....

Same here. I like the .357 cartridge just fine... But the .357 Magnum and even the.357 Sig are the only common handgun caliber(s) that I absolutely cannot shoot well; and never have in my 25 years of shooting. So I have accepted it and have foregone the caliber.

Thankfully, I shoot everything from .22lr to .44Magnum's well, very well actually. So my "N" frames are a 3" barreled M29 & a 3" barreled M629 with the lock deleted. They balance so well in the hand and while shooting that I've relegated my beloved 1911 commander to nightstand duty. A 3" barreled N frame carries well too, even better than the 4" barreled 1911 ever did.

I need a 2-3" barreled "L" frame though to try/compare between the N and L though!

 

[Narragansett]

I thought so. I know that J Edgar Hoover requested S&W make a stronger round for his agents that were shooting mostly .38 with I guess some .45 ACP. He wanted something that could penetrate the solid car doors of depression era gangsters and supposedly would crack an engin block on their getaway cars. I seem to recall the very first registered magnum with serial number 00001 was presented to him. It has never been recovered. Wonder where that gem is? Would be worth a fortune.

I have a signed letter from J Edgar to someone

 

[BAM-BAM]

IIRC...........................


N-frame early 20th century
.38/44 about 1932/33?
.357 magnum 1935
.44 magnum 1954/55 ?
L-frame 1980

IMHO the L-frame a 4" 686/681 is the best utility/duty .357 going..... grip frame and trigger reach of a k-frame and the strength of an N-frame

 

[Mrnurse]

I carry a 32 auto...I holster a N frame. Ive found the N frame is perfect for me... Not that the others are bad...I just shoot the 28 better then any handgun I own.

 

[Narragansett]

I was 18 when I got my first pistol. 1968 to be exact. It was a 28-2 6"bbl. Traded it for a Browning Hi Power. Still have that. Love N frames. Have 2-28's, a 29classic DX, a 629, and 2 -57's coming. That being said, I have a small hand and like N frames for slow or long distance shooting. I have several K frames, and IMO, my all around best gun ever was a model 65-1 with target grips. That felt like an extension of my hand. I own one J frame, M60, not sure why, but it is going to go on the WTS soon. 2" guns are fine, but in a K frame

 

[shocker]

Just bought my first 357, a new production K-frame. With the light bullet limitations gone I went for the compact six shooter that still has enough mass to tame the recoil of full house magnum loads.
I downsized my 44 magnum from N to L.

 

[Walkingwolf]

Are you sure you got that right about the N frame being designed for the .44 Magnum. Wasn't the N frame introduced with the .357 Magnum years before they ever dreamed of the .44? I'm pretty sure the N frame was chosen for the .44 because it was robust enough but was originally for the .357.

The N frame was actually designed for .40+ standard pressure cartridges. The registered magnum came along after the the outdoorsman revolver in 38-44. The N frame was picked because it was stronger than military and police frame.

 

[muddocktor]

It's all a matter of what feels right for the individual person. For me, the N frame just feels better than a K or L frame gun. I have a good buddy that has a 686 no- and it is a fine weapon, but my model 27's just feel better in hand for me. I started off with a 5" 27-2 as my first pistol purchase back when I turned 18, so the N frame just "fits" me better. But now if a nice 686 came up at an absurdly low price I would snatch it up in a heartbeat.

 

[Chukar60]

Everybody has preferences. If we all liked the same thing we would not have all these wonderful Smiths to talk about.
For me an N frame is a great platform for any cartridge that starts with a 4.
I have a 696, but if I am not on a trail somewhere or at the ranch, I prefer my 629 for 44 spcl and 44 mag. But the 696 has its place and sees plenty of carry time in the field.
I have owned 4 N frame 357's. A pre 27, 3 1/2", a 27-2 5" that I never shot a 4" 27-2 and 1954 Highway Patrolman in 4".
Mechanically, these were wonderful guns. I just found the bulk of the guns out of proportion the 357 cartridge.
My slippery slope with Smiths started with a 66-1 snub. Then a 19-4. These two guns defined what a 357 was for me before I ever shot an N frame 357.
Perhaps if I had started my 357 shooting with an N, my opinion would be different.

 

[Bakebfr480]

Nope.......N frame all the way!

 

[Tom_R]

N Frames are great.

But my 4" 586-1 just feel and shoots like perfection for me.

 

[johngalt]

I have an N, L, K, and J frame. I prefer the N frame grip the best. I know the L and K frame are supposed to have the same size grip frame, but the L feels a little bigger to me. They don't have the same grips, so that is probably the difference.

I don't consider the caliber to relevant - caliber shouldn't have any influence on ergonomics. I would get an N frame .22 if it existed.

 

[CajunBass]

I've never had to choose. I just buy another gun.

I don't care much for L or J frames though. The full length barrel underlug has more to do with that than anything. I just think that's ugly. I've got a Model 69, but that's the only L frame..

J's are just too small.

 

[Old Corp]

Glad we're all different in likes and dislikes, or it'd be a boring place.
For me, don't have and never intend to jump on the 'big snubbie' bandwagon. Have never seen a use for those that appealed to me.
Large (N) frames seem at their best in the 4" and above range.

If I desire a snub for carrying, it'll be a J or K frame something, not a grapefruit sized revolver with a short barrel.
To fill the niche of smallish .45, I will carry an Officer's Model LW M1911 3". Flat, compact, easy to carry.

So, my eschewing these big shorty's leaves all the more for you guys that love'em!