Best balanced N frame ????????

garandman

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Which barrel length N frame has the "BEST' in your hand balance for you ?Over the years I have shot every barrel length N frame that Smith has made and the 4 inch barrel model has the best natural "in your hand balance" for me. The 5" is a close second. Which barrel length N frame balances the best for you ?
 
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In the N frame it would be a pencil or tapered barrel like this 1917 that is 5 1/2" or this .44 special 5". Now I really like my 24-3 4" as it is a little more portable. While I have them, a heavy barrel 29 or 25 dont get it as well as the pencil barrels. Guns shown are 1917, made up .44 special, 24-3 and last is 5" 29-2.
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I'd agree with the OP's conclusion: the 4" is near perfect on an N Frame-- and a 5" nearly the same.
 
This is very subjective. IMO, it depends on the stocks. With large, target style grips, I believe a longer barrel feels better, the 'N' frame 6 1/2 being my favorite (yes, I can 'feel' the difference from a 6 inch). With shorter barrels, relatively smaller grips, combat or magnas feel better. The 5" is the only barrel length that feels proper with any size or style grip (mine being a 27-2). As a result, the 'N' frame 5" is my favorite 'feeling' revolver. Actually, I can say the same for other weapons. I greatly prefer the 5" government 1911 Colt over the combat or officer's models. JMO
 
gun 4 fun, If I am not mistaken, the barrels S&W are making now for current model 24-6 are cut to fit magnum cylinders. This would make a custom 29 with tapered barrel more affordable to achieve. I am not shure they are rated for magnum pressures though. But I would bet they aren't changing their manufacturing process between the 24-6 barrels and the barrels of 29-8 mountain guns that came out a while back. Heck if you could live with the lock, you could just get a current production 24-6 and and get a 29 cylinder fitted to it.
 
For me it's a Model 29 with 6.5 inch barrel followed by a Model 27 with a 5 inch barrel.
 
Model 27 - 5 inch bbl. Herrett's groved
target stocks.
Don't get no better for me.
teesur.
 
feralmerril,

You might want to check the front screw (the one on the strap) on the rear sight of your 5" 27-2. It looks like it might be loose. Also possibly your 5" 29-2.

Nice guns!

520
 
Balance

The 4" balances great until you put a 1/4lb of ammo in it, and then it feels like a rock. The 5" is a little better and I have owned and shot one for years, but IMHO the 6.5" is the best balanced in both appearance and feel.

I will say my new truck gun is a 4" 29, which replaced a 4" 28 I sold.

I also think the short barreled 357 N-frames dont feel quite right due to the big cylinder with the tiny holes.
 
ALL of THEM!:D Pete

The 8-3/8" 29 balances FINE as long as I have TWO hands!!

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I have one of the new M-24 classics with the 6 1/2 inch tapered barrel. It feels really good to me. I think its a toss up with my four inch 29-3 though!
 
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