I just realized I've never even held a N frame.....

[dr. mordo]

IMO the N frame is the ultimate S&W revolver platform. I've been shooting for 30 years, and finally just got a M29 a couple of years back.

My only regret is not getting one sooner.

I've since bought three more N frames, and I will certainly buy more. I'm actually starting to consider selling off my K and L frames to finance more Ns.

 

[Rio Laxas]

Let me save you some time (but not money). It took me longer than it should have to come to this conclusion, but the N frame is at its very best in .44 Special. I collected N frames for almost 10 years before I finally saw the light.

 

[steelslaver]

Plus, the N frames are the land of the big bores. A 44 special, a 45 acp or a factory 45 colt in a N frame doesn't recoil much more than a 158 gr 357 in a K frame. Maybe a "heavier" recoil, but not as "sharp" as a 357 in a lighter gun. A 357 is painful in my J frame magnum and a ***** cat in my N frames. A 41 or 44 mag or warmed up 45 colt in a short barreled N frame can be snappy. But, like all guns, revolvers, shotguns and rifles a bunch of it is about the stock type and fit. My light 325 snub was painful with wood combats and 455acp +p. With the right rubber grips not painful at all.

 

[hkcavalier]

Here's a pic of my 10 year old daughter shooting my 629 with Ahrends round-to-square combats. Sure, she shoots my Kit Gun much better, but she was hitting what she was aiming at. Mild .44 Specials, I'm not trying to hurt anyone.

Grip size seems to be more of an issue with those with large hands trying to make do with J frames and the like.

 

[Iggy]

Don't listen to these people, they are sucking you into an addiction you don't need.

Besides, we don't need another guy grabbing all the good ones before we can snatch them up.

 

[D Brown]

Model 28

You might as well get a Model 28. We all end up there eventually. They're really fantastic guns!

My "pretty" Model 28-2.

My "homely" Model 28-2.

 

[The Gila Bender]

Another vote for the Model 28 or 29/629. Head to the next gun show and pick up a Model 28 HP. Make sure it's tight and mechanically sound, then go have fun. I have "normal" hands and wear Mechanix Fast-Fit medium-size gloves when shooting handguns and rifles. Never had a problem handling N frames with factory wood and Ahrends retro-target stocks, and Hogue rubber. My 629-2 Mountain Revolver round-butt wears Hogue X-frame rubber.

 

[buzz754]

My first handgun was a 6" model 19 bought new in 1976. I didn't know much about shooting or guns then, only that i wanted one. As I learned more about shooting and firearms, I began to think that I missed out on acquiring a "real gun" by not buying a model 27. That became moot after I shot so much factory .357 ammo through that thing that as you might guess, I shot that thing to hell, cracked the cone, it became loose as a goose. Nobody told me they weren't up to it. I lost confidence in revolvers and dumped it for a colt 1911. Over the years I became interested in revolvers again, bought a new colt ds in the early 90's then a new model 10 in the early 2000's. Love them both, and more careful with them. About 5 years ago I came across a sweet 6" model 28-2 at a gun show, bought it, when I got it out to the range and shot it, it finally hit me, this is too damn big and heavy, no wonder they came up with the model 19. I find it hard to imagine back in the day an leo carrying an n frame.

 

[daddio202]

Yep sure sounds like the OP needs a 28 or 2. I do not have particularly big hands and do prefer the feel of K frames but... you got to have some N frames to go with!! Both the magnas and the target grips feel just fine in my dainty hands.

 

[dr. mordo]

I find it hard to imagine back in the day an leo carrying an n frame.

This makes me smile as my primary CCW is a 4" M29. I carry it everyday.

 

[Ribwizzard]

I bought a 629 6", and just loved how it feels and points and shooting full house magnums is no big deal.
But, decided to add a 3" to my collection, and attached pic shows results

 

[Bosquebass]

I bought a 629 6", and just loved how it feels and points and shooting full house magnums is no big deal.
But, decided to add a 3" to my collection, and attached pic shows results

A 629-6 Deluxe no doubt. I have one and I can vouch that firing enough heavy loads with it can cause bloodshed. The shooter's blood that is. Those factory Altamont grips are some real thumb rippers.
But take heart, after enough loose flesh is chewed off a callus develops and then it ain't so bad.

 

[Trooper224]

This makes me smile as my primary CCW is a 4" M29. I carry it everyday.

Ever do it with thirty or forty pounds of additional gear strapped to your person during a ten or twelve hour shift? Didn't think so. I did during the first two years of my career with a four inch 27.

 

[Tex1001]

I find it hard to imagine back in the day an leo carrying an n frame.

If "Back in the day" means the dark ages up to the mid 70s, Dallas PD allowed us to carry any N frame that you could qualify with. I remember a lot of N frames and 1911s.

 

[buzz754]

If "Back in the day" means the dark ages up to the mid 70s, Dallas PD allowed us to carry any N frame that you could qualify with. I remember a lot of N frames and 1911s.

I'm not saying that I don't believe that the n frame was carried, I am saying the model 19's becoming the standard for leo duty carry is easy to understand.

 

[Mblhopo]

The only problem I seem to have with my N frames is when I pick one of them up I find it very hard to lay it back down. It just won't leave my hand.{what causes this}...LOL...…………………………………………..M*

 

[keith44spl]

I started this life with a Colt SAA 44 Special, went to a S&W model 27 357.

Later converted the 357 to 44 Spl. Next came the S&W model 66 357.
Followed be a gaggle of model 19s in various barrel lengths.

Now I'm back, full circle to the N frame in 44s & 45s.

The size and lit'l extra weight (read that as balance) comforts me.

I once built myself a 3 1/2" 45 LC / 45 ACP that carried and shot like a house on fire.......

Looking for pic now,

Found it....

This'n was a handy lit'l three inch 44 Spl.

.

 

[glowe]

. . . I hear people talk about them (N frames) not fitting their hands and now I really want to find out for myself. I have medium sized hands.

. . . I do find my model 19 to be a very good dimension.

I only care cuz I've got an expensive rifle up for sale and I said I'd consider partial trades. But the only thing I'm interested in are Smith and Wesson Revolvers. And I got to thinking about what I would like. And of course an M1917 comes to mind or a 38/44. . .

If you are looking at the early N frames like the 1917, size difference is somewhat of a non-issue when dealing with standard service stocks for K frame and the N frame. While the N frame stocks are larger, they are not significantly different that the K frame. Maybe 1/8" bigger all the way around.

As for your first N frame, best dollar buys are 455s converted to 45 ACP or 45 Colt, plus is it hard to beat any of the 44 Special models out there. As they say in the Nike slogan - just do it!

Last image is of a K frame stock sitting on top of an N frame stock.

 

[mm93]

I've never found the N frame to be significantly larger feeling over a K frame. My Model 19 has target grips, and it really doesn't feel much different than my N frames. A good difference in weight, just not in the grip to me.
I have fairly large hands, so maybe that makes a difference. But I do love the sheer heft of a N frame S&W revolver. Just feels good too have that mass, regardless of the caliber. Doesn't matter if it's my .38 Spl. Outdoorsman, or my .45 Colt Model 25.

 

[oink]

Ever do it with thirty or forty pounds of additional gear strapped to your person during a ten or twelve hour shift? Didn't think so. I did during the first two years of my career with a four inch 27.

Yep, most of my career I had a 6" 629 hanging on my belt along with all of the other required stuff. I did just fine. The big noticeable weight change to me was when we went from leather to nylon gear. The leather gear sure did look a lot better.
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To the OP. I say go for a 629 or 29. There isn't much that's as enjoyable as lobbing light loaded 44s down the range at paper or metal targets. Light loaded the 44s have no appreciable recoil in an N frame. Pure pleasure. Of course had loading helps and if you have a 620 or 29 it's a good excuse to start dabbling in the reloading hobby. Or you can buy store bought but I don't know of anyone that commercially makes those light 44 lobbers in magnum brass but they should. Yeah, you can shoot specials but I think they actually cost more.
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Other than from a collectors perspective I personally don't see the point in a .357 N frame. I find my L frame .357s plenty mild enough even with hot loads.