Discontinuing N Frame Revolvers???

[BigBill]

I'm seeing a colt and ruger trend with S&W N Frame Revolvers starting to happen. First there were no new S&W model 24's being offered in 44 special. Now I see the model 58 in 41mag not listed for sale anymore to. Is there more discontinuing of the S&W N Frame revolvers to follow? Is the N Frame in the big calibers dead?
Stop the looming trends. Are the sales of the auto pistols hurting our revolvers that much?? I just got on the S&W bus to get some S&W N Frame magnum revolvers because there the only one who is offering them out of the big three manufacturers. Seeing this happening to S&W N Frames is very upsetting. They were my last hope to own these world famous original hand cannons.

I been hoping that with some states restricting the magazine capacity on the pistols to 10 rounds the heyday of the pistol would calm down and the original 6 shot revolvers would make a comeback.

Since I couldn't buy the ruger redhawks in 357mag and in 41mag I chose s&w revolvers to fill that void. I guess the Times are changing faster than I can keep up with them.

As Tony Soprano would say I am what I am and it is what it is.
Meaning I love s&w n frames and there being discontinued.

Funny there is a 44 special cult following starting to happen and the 44 special is dead. Even the 41mag is gaining in popularity too.I love my m58.

I don't want no stinking auto.

 

[shouldazagged]

I don't own any N-frames, can't buy guns anymore on my reduced income, and can no longer shoot magnums due to arthritis, but I devoutly hope what you are foreseeing doesn't come to pass. It would be a terrible loss to revolver shooters.

 

[RGMoore]

Maybe Henry Ford is running S&W. "You can have any revolver you want as long as it is a 6 inch stainless 357 L frame."

 

[BigBill]

You pull out an auto pistol it's just a pistol but you pull out a S&W N Frame
Revolver and they say that's a big freaking revolver.

 

[BigBill]

Maybe Henry Ford is running S&W. "You can have any revolver you want as long as it is a 6 inch stainless 357 L frame."

In the color black too. All the model t's were in black only.

This is why I prefer my new n frames in nickel finish too. While colt
discontinued there nickel finish I figured that s&w would be next to
follow the trend.

 

[ladder13]

If Smith made some 3 or 4 inch 24's, 29's and 58's, without the #*#*, I'd run to my dealer for a few. If only.........

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Chicken Little Syndrone...........And no the sky is not fallng.

 

[BigBill]

Is the loc hurting sales on the new n frames?

 

[ladder13]

Is the loc hurting sales on the new n frames?

My guess would be yes, unfortunately. They would sell a ton more if they returned to the "classic" profile of yesteryear. I could be wrong, been that many times.

 

[ladder13]

They have a bunch listed on their website, no M58 though, but do have the 57. 29's, 25's, 27's, others, are listed as well.

 

[BigBill]

Chicken Little Syndrone...........And no the sky is not fallng.

I think it's the end of an era that's starting to happen. First it was colt, then ruger and now it's starting with s&w too. The n frame revolvers are going the way of the do-do bird extinct.

We either have no money when it's available or have the money and it's not available anymore.

 

[Nframecollector]

I don't like any new S&W revolvers as they aren't P n' R anymore. I doubt they'll stop making the N frame but who knows. The new X frame would certainly handle all the N frame calibers though they'd be a bit heavier.

 

[Dump1567]

I think you're just seeing what S&W always does. They discontinue a model for whatever reason, and than a few years later, it's back.

That's why I try to buy the model I want when it's available. I know there's always a good S&W chance it will be discontiued.

Most of the S&W's I own are no longer in production (at least this week).

58
386 NG
21-4
22-4
28-2
29 4"

 

[BigBill]

They have a bunch listed on their website, no M58 though, but do have the 57. 29's, 25's, 27's, others, are listed as well.

There are no model 24's too. It was the 8 3/8" barrels first. Next it will be the model 25 & model 57. Colt has no DA revolvers.

With us old timers the model 24 in 44 special is probably the last gun we can handle as the arthritis gets worse. I am starting to have a hard time pulling back the slides on my 1911's. I'm sure not alone. So with us baby boomers all starting to get arthritis at
the sametime who will sell us the revolvers?

If I was younger I'd buy an x frame.

 

[NYlakesider]

Is the loc hurting sales on the new n frames?

it sure is with me. I will wait till something nice without lock turns up in the used gun case.

 

[qrachel]

Lik'in the Big Inns

I just got a nice 629 Classic, 5" recently and really like it - put Ahrends Retro Combats on it, and now it's totally sweet to shoot. I'd like a nice 44spcl too, maybe on a 686 L frame or an N frame. But as has been pointed out here - no joy! The 44spcl is such a great shooter and will do everything I'm looking for in a big revolver. I do shoot 44mags but the 44spcls are like plinking with my 617 on steroids . . . the 44's can be a 1/2 day experience and the mags are good for 50 rounds and I'm ready to move on.

Don't get me wrong; I love my Sig P220 Equinox and am soon to get an P226 X5 Comp for target shooting in 9mm. I also ordered an Ed Brown Kobra Carry, which I'll get late next month.

All that said, my 686+ and/or my 629 go every time with me to the range, and I don't ever see that changing. I just love the feel of a great revolver in my hands, especially the Ls and the Ns. The 627 PC seems like a great revolver for a larger 357/38 footprint. Wouldn't it be great if you could have a 38spcl on the L frame and the 357/38 in the N frame as well as a 44spcl in the 629 Classic 3", 4", 5" (my favorite) and a 6" . . . that would would be the cat's meow. Got say though, the X frame just doesn't do it for me, looks like it needs a dolly to haul it around.

Sooo, is the sky falling? When wasn't it falling - it's the way things occur and those who cheer or lament this order of things are soon to swap places over something.

Take care,

R

 

[Waveform]

Colt, S&W and Ruger are first and foremost businesses run by businessmen who answer to a board of directors and shareholders. They will ALWAYS make what they believe they can sell the most and with the highest margins possible. That happens to be semi-auto polymer pistols and rifles and not large frame revolvers. With the exception of Colt, these companies are not unaware of the segments that still appreciate the large frame revolver and as long as they can produce some products to meet the market they will. But not at the expense of the best profit centers in the company. These three manufacturers are running at full capacity trying to catch up on backlog orders - Ruger just announced they are adding a new manufacturing facility in North Carolina to help meet increased demand. Revolvers chambered in 44 Special and 41 Magnum are less mainstream and will make hit or miss appearances in the future, if at all. The demand is just not there. And then you have the nuanced preferences - some only want a P&R gun, others won't buy one with a lock or MIM parts, etc. I wouldn't want to be the guy charged with forecasting sales at S&W when it comes to some of these models. And they can't very well devote manpower and materials to stock an inventory that may just sit in the warehouse and slowly dribble out to meet orders.

I'm a revolver guy and I love my N frames, X frame and other big bore handguns. But all you have to do is walk into a gun shop and look at the inventory on display and realize the market is in semi-autos right now. Small personal defense revolvers still enjoy some popularity but big bore revolvers are pretty few and far between. Gun ownership is at an all-time high and this is good. The newcomers just aren't flocking to our segment of the handgun market.

 

[eveled]

I don't like any new S&W revolvers as they aren't P n' R anymore. I doubt they'll stop making the N frame but who knows. The new X frame would certainly handle all the N frame calibers though they'd be a bit heavier.

How many shots would an x frame .357 be? Got to be at least 10, that would be super cool! Ed

 

[shawn mccarver]

How many shots would an x frame .357 be? Got to be at least 10, that would be super cool! Ed

But, what would it be used for?

As to the original question, the N frame is not likely to be discontinued. The modern equivalent of the old Model 24 is the 29 or 629 Mountain Gun as it is the same weight, but fires magnums, making it more versatile. Sadly, the Mountain Gun is not presently in production except the special they are doing or did do for Cabelas.

The 41 Mag has been dropped and returned several times.

The 357 Magnum (27) is available now as are N frames in .45 Colt caliber.

 

[LimaCharlie]

Guess I will have to stick with my 4" and 8 3/8" 29-2 revolvers, my Colt Anaconda, and my Ruger Super Blackhawks for now.