If an N frame was all you had ...
- Thread starter GF
- Start date
bronco45
Member
Without a doubt my 44 Mtn Gun. 44 Spl GDs for home defense and 44 Mag Keiths for hunting or woods walking.
Plentiful brass, great bullet designs and with the right holster, easy to pack.
I use a Mernickle Performance Series for my N frames. All my N frames are 4 inch except for a 1950 Target 44. The 1950 is a 6.5" with Retro targets from Ahrends. The 1950 Target gets respect as it only leaves the house to go to the Range in a Range bag.
Plentiful brass, great bullet designs and with the right holster, easy to pack.
I use a Mernickle Performance Series for my N frames. All my N frames are 4 inch except for a 1950 Target 44. The 1950 is a 6.5" with Retro targets from Ahrends. The 1950 Target gets respect as it only leaves the house to go to the Range in a Range bag.
I remember the time in my life when, for more than a few years, a Model 29 WAS all I had - and I got along just fine. But I'll admit my next S&W purchase was a Model 36.
I've acquired a lot of other handguns over the years, and had a lot of fun with them, but the truth be told, there is a lot of wisdom in that old saying, "Beware of the man with one gun - he probably knows how to use it."
For the looongest time my only N-Frame was a used 4" bbl pre M28 which served me quite well, first as a duty gun when I was a LEO at one time with a department that required 4" .357 Magnum revolvers, then as a "utility" gun for all sorts of things.
Next came a M29-2 and I had 2 N-Frames for a long time until a few years ago... just about the time I joined this forum
and came down with a serious case of "Smithitis Acquireum", that quick progressed to "stage 2" when K-Frames started showing up, "stage 3" with 3rd gen pistols, and now I'm in the next to the final stage, "stage 4" with J-Frames starting to appear.
My wife says she'll pull the plug and donate my organs if an X-Frame ever shows up, as she'll know that I'm in the final stage of "Smithitis Acquireum" infection if one of those monsters ever follows me home.
I need to updated this with my recent N-Frames additions, but it's my N-Frame family tree when a M16-4 snuck in, signaling the progression to "stage 2" of this no known cure affliction.
From top to bottom: M-57 no dash, M29-2, M16-4, M25-5, M544 and my trusty pre M28:
Next came a M29-2 and I had 2 N-Frames for a long time until a few years ago... just about the time I joined this forum
My wife says she'll pull the plug and donate my organs if an X-Frame ever shows up, as she'll know that I'm in the final stage of "Smithitis Acquireum" infection if one of those monsters ever follows me home.
I need to updated this with my recent N-Frames additions, but it's my N-Frame family tree when a M16-4 snuck in, signaling the progression to "stage 2" of this no known cure affliction.
From top to bottom: M-57 no dash, M29-2, M16-4, M25-5, M544 and my trusty pre M28:
Doug M.
Member
I need to get some photos of my customized M58 and post them. Purists will howl, but it is set up for me. It was my first duty weapon, and I would still carry it with ample confidence. I really like the 5" N frames and their looks, but considering holsters etc, the 4" generally are going to be more practical. I still have a Safariland 070 for my 4" N. I am happy with the 41 Magnum, and have a vague recollection that at least for a while, one could get a level action (1894?) in that caliber. I guess I need to take up handloading.
If I had the money, I would snag some more N frames and do some custom 5" guns; standard profile barrels, XS standard dot front night sight, bigger notch in the rear factory sight (about .165"-.170", I think). Although I think the 44 Special will do all I ever need, the flexibility of a 44 Magnum chambering is just enough to get me to go that way, and a 5" would be really cool. I suspect it might be the first of the guns I would make up. My guess is that one of the early 629s would be the way to go.
I have a 625-6 5"; heck of a good shooter and I have had it around as a house gun before. I like having most of my guns shoot a few calibers, and 45ACP is my duty round.
If I had the money, I would snag some more N frames and do some custom 5" guns; standard profile barrels, XS standard dot front night sight, bigger notch in the rear factory sight (about .165"-.170", I think). Although I think the 44 Special will do all I ever need, the flexibility of a 44 Magnum chambering is just enough to get me to go that way, and a 5" would be really cool. I suspect it might be the first of the guns I would make up. My guess is that one of the early 629s would be the way to go.
I have a 625-6 5"; heck of a good shooter and I have had it around as a house gun before. I like having most of my guns shoot a few calibers, and 45ACP is my duty round.
foolproofoak
Member
I love those grips on that first one, could you tell me where to get a set for my mod.28Originally posted by deanodog:
I would feel protected by either of these. 22-4 and 21-4
CelticSire
US Veteran
Well, if it has to be an N-frame...
Doug M.
Member
Pardon the poor quality photos. I used my cell phone under poor lighting conditions. The work was done by EGW. The rear sight trough was opened a bit, the front sight blade replaced with a red fiber optic rod (you can't see it worth a damn due to my poor pics) in a mount which has more than the usual number of cross pieces (4), so it is much less likely to break as they sometimes do. The finish is hard chrome.
Stophel
Member
I wouldn't mind carrying one of my N-frames (now I'm up to three!) all day. Granted, they wouldn't be concealed.
22-4, 624, 27-2
22-4, 624, 27-2
29aholic
Member
I have carried this M29 on and off for 26 years, and have never felt undergunned.
Sorry its a camera pic.
Wyatt Earp
Member
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If all I could have is one N frame, I'd be just fine with this.
Evil One
Member
The grips on that 22-4 are the S&W factory Thunder Ranch grips.
Jim
Jim
Win712
Member
I just have one N-frame, but it would definately do the home defense or truck gun job. It is also very similar to GF's who originated this thread. Model 25-2 circa 1970, .45 acp. By the way nice revolvers everybody! Greg
doublesharp
Member
This pre 27 5" is my favorite.
Vanilla Gorilla
Member
Yeah, I could do alright with an N frame.
Well, no photos, but I own maybe 7 or 8 N frames in .45 Colt, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 ACP. Funny, no .44 Special.
But if I had to go to just one, it's be my 4" 327PD. Eight rounds of .357 in a package light enough (OK, it's kinda bulky!) to carry all day is better firepower than a 1911... a better stopper and more reliable too boot.
Yeah, that'd be it.
But if I had to go to just one, it's be my 4" 327PD. Eight rounds of .357 in a package light enough (OK, it's kinda bulky!) to carry all day is better firepower than a 1911... a better stopper and more reliable too boot.
Yeah, that'd be it.
JoeS
Member
I could think of many worse things than just an N frame.
For me I would be thinking a 4" 629. If I was inclined to get fancy find a 6" 629 and have it cut to a 5" barrel.
For me I would be thinking a 4" 629. If I was inclined to get fancy find a 6" 629 and have it cut to a 5" barrel.
