Lew Horton Round Butt N-Frames

[spin132]

I only own 2 round butt N-frames. Both are Lew Horton 3" models (624 and 24). I have heard conflicting reports about grip size. The attached sales flier claims that these N-Frames came with K size round butt grips. Others have told me that this is not correct? Anyone have experience with these?

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[RGNewell]

I bought a used one and it had k frame grips and I bought new N frame grips to replace and they were perfect fit.

 

[75Vette]

I own the 3" 624 and 24-3. Both are N frame grips. I always wondered what was up with that statement on the flier.

 

[Shark Bait]

Mine are N frame, like 75Vette's.

 

[CobiaS&W]

S&W K frame round butt combat grips will DEFINITELY NOT FIT your 24 or 624. I own both these guns and tried them.

 

[Pine_Worker]

N frame grips on my 624!

 

[Goblin]

I always assumed the grip frame was a K, based on the ad. Did they make a special N frame combat grip for this special run with the outside dimensions of a K combat?

 

[PatriotX]

Jovino made some short barrel N-frames with K-sized round grips, but am unaware of any such factory offerings.

I have ended up with N-frame combats sold as K-frame more than once, there may have been some confusion by the copy writers.

As an aside, the 24/624 3-inch guns are some of the most attractive to ever come out of S&W. The proportions, the tapered barrel, it all just works.

Thanks for sharing all the pics.

 

[Gunhacker]

I always assumed the grip frame was a K, based on the ad. Did they make a special N frame combat grip for this special run with the outside dimensions of a K combat?

That's what I'm thinking. Those round butt N-Frames were long before S&W did their across the board standardization (J-Frames excluded) of the round butt grip frame to K-Frame proportions.

 

[TheHobbyist]

Ya, they definitely will not work interchangeably.

I always interpreted this as appealing to those who want a smaller grip 'feel' on the N frame. "It's almost like a K Frame in how it feels". That's how I took it anyway.

 

[zzclancy]

629

My 8" howitzer fire breathing dragon.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Here is my Lew Horton 624, equipped with Ahrends N-frame stocks that fit perfectly on the gun.

John

 

[Keith Brown]

The N RB frame is actually a hybrid, before it's appearance I don't believe there ever existed a factory RB hand ejector frame. The frame on the factory mid eightys 24/624 is just the N frame reshaped to general K frame dimensions on the lower front and back strap, the top or knuckle is left as N frame. Attached is a pic of a 624 with an average K panel attached, it's easy to see if that upper area was also reduced it would curl into the action itself. Those reporting on it when it came out simply got that part wrong including the Horton ads.

 

[colt_saa]

I only own 2 round butt N-frames. Both are Lew Horton 3" models (624 and 24). I have heard conflicting reports about grip size. The attached sales flier claims that these N-Frames came with K size round butt grips. Others have told me that this is not correct? Anyone have experience with these?

When these were first ordered by Lew Horton, there was no such thing as a N-frame revolver with a Round Butt

The John Jovino and Austin Behlert conversions of the day did exactly the same thing

One important factor was grips. By using the K-frame profile, all of a sudden hundreds of grip choices became available to the purchasers of those first Round Butt N-frames

Later in that decade when Smith & Wesson saw what a popular thing a Round Butt was, they standardized on a grip profile and called it the Round Butt N-Frame

The difference in K-Frame vs N-Frame Round Butt dimensions can be seen in Keith Brown's post above.

So K-frame grips will always work in a pinch on the N-Frame RB profile, but proper grips look better

YES, I love N-frame snubbies

 

[Krogen]

The N RB frame is actually a hybrid, before it's appearance I don't believe there ever existed a factory RB hand ejector frame. The frame on the factory mid eightys 24/624 is just the N frame reshaped to general K frame dimensions on the lower front and back strap, the top or knuckle is left as N frame. Attached is a pic of a 624 with an average K panel attached, it's easy to see if that upper area was also reduced it would curl into the action itself. Those reporting on it when it came out simply got that part wrong including the Horton ads.

Thanks Keith! That picture is worth a thousand words. I have two 3" round butt revolvers; a 24 and a 29. The combat grips have never felt quite right. I've been reluctant to try replacements since it was never clear if the frame was a true K frame or rounded N frame. I recall the old write-ups saying the grip was a K. Now that I know, I'll consider getting some alternate grips and go shoot these dusty guns again.

 

[viceunit]

24-3

No discussion of N frame round butts would be complete without a photo of my 24-3 with Keith Brown hideout grips.

Sorry the cellphone camera photo does not do them justice.