N frame question

[DarryH]

I have been lusting after a 4" N frame, 5" barrel not out of the question, caliber open, leaning towards .357 Model 27.
N frames have always been a bit too large for my hand, with the standard wooden grips they use these days.
are there better grips, preferably NOT rubber, that will fit a smaller hand??
Suggestions??
Thank you.

 

[Oldsalt66]

Take a look at the Altamont Grips website.

 

[StrawHat]

I have come to prefer the Magna stock paired with a grip adapter, as seen on this Model 1950 Army, 45 ACP.

But, you mentioned the 4" barrel. So, here are some of mine.

You also mentioned the 357 S&W Magnum cartridge. I prefer the 45 ACP because it removes more metal from the barrel and cylinder resulting in the lightest revolver in the N frame size. I also prefer the tapered barrel but, this custom Model 25-2 is a treat to shoot.

Kevin

 

[Beju]

The VZ Grips boot grips look pretty compact.

 

[Gunhohulk]

I'll make a second vote for the magna style grips with an adapter. It lines up perfectly in my hand and takes the slop of just a magna grip out of the equation. But as previously mentioned I also have a set of vz n square grips that have a good purchase that's smaller than n targets as well.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I have been lusting after a 4" N frame, 5" barrel not out of the question, caliber open, leaning towards .357 Model 27.
N frames have always been a bit too large for my hand, with the standard wooden grips they use these days.
are there better grips, preferably NOT rubber, that will fit a smaller hand??
Suggestions??
Thank you.

You can go aftermarket, or if the S&W you're looking at has Target stocks you can find people here or at gun shows or on eBay with magna stocks, if you want to stay authentic. The Altamont stocks mentioned above are pretty nice and generally have a thinner profile than target S&W stocks, plus many have finger reliefs. I have several sets of Altamont stocks for both K and N frames that I use when I go to the range. One of my N frames didn't have factory stocks when I bought it and I put a set of Altamonts on it and it feels great. It's .41 Magnum and my hands are on the medium-small size. A couple of my N frames that had targets I switched to magnas. A M27 looks okay with magna stocks and is comfortable with them. My M28-2 came with magnas.

 

[mikerjf]

I really like the K Pachmayrs I adapted my N to fit (ala Effector) but if you want wood, a practical solution would be to get an inexpensive set of aftermarkets and take them to a belt sander until size and hand fit is what you want.

 

[Nightowl]

I have medium to small hands, so normal gloves that fit in width have fingers that are 1/2 inch longer than my fingers. I find that the Cadet Medium golf glove is just perfect. (that is designed for teen agers)

So, I stumbled into Hogue stocks around 50 years ago and have been using them ever since. For shooting, I use the rubber one piece ones and for show, I have some wood. For full house .44 Magnum, they are a little thin at the top of the grip strap. I have read comments that the Altamonts are thin there also, but do not have any of them to try. The fit at the top must be perfect, or the .44 Magnum recoil will really talk to hour hand!!

 

[DR505]

I like the 4" Model 27, but the 3.5" 27 looks SO much better!

 

[StillStanding]

Have you fired an N frame ? I inherited one and I must say that it is a large gun, too large for me, I take it to the range 3-4 times a year.
Try before you buy would be my advice.

 

[Babysitr]

4" M-28 with magnas and a grip adapter

 

[gwpercle]

StrawHat (Post #3 ) has your Best Answer .

The model 58 in my avatar came with the stock small (magna) service grips and a Tyler T grip adapter ... Perfect for smaller hands .
I put them away for safe keeping ... they are now worth $$$...
and installed some Ahrend's Retro Combat ... they fit my hand and look awesome to boot .
Gary

 

[Hawg Rider]

There are quite a few S&W N-frames with 4" barrels, so you'll need to decide which caliber you'd like to shoot. .357s are very manageable in the N-frames (Model 27, 28, 627), but so are .44 Special (Model 1950, Model 24, etc.), and .45 ACP/.45 Colt (Model 25, 625). .41 Magnums (Model 57, 58) are fun without too much recoil; .44 Magnums are pretty stout in a 4" (Model 29, 629, etc.) but OK with practice. I agree with you, I have large mitts but the target stocks are blocky and square- not very comfortable to shoot. And magnas are a little small for me. I guess I'm kind of like Goldilocks...these are too large, these are too small, these are just right! I really like the "Coke Bottle" stocks and they fit me perfectly, and there are aftermarket and custom makers for those. I have also put a set of Badger combat stocks on one of my Model 28-2s and they're very comfortable, and so are the one-piece Hogues that I have on a Python. Lots of choices...good luck!

 

[Beju]

I have medium to small hands, so normal gloves that fit in width have fingers that are 1/2 inch longer than my fingers. I find that the Cadet Medium golf glove is just perfect. (that is designed for teen agers)

So, I stumbled into Hogue stocks around 50 years ago and have been using them ever since. For shooting, I use the rubber one piece ones and for show, I have some wood. For full house .44 Magnum, they are a little thin at the top of the grip strap. I have read comments that the Altamonts are thin there also, but do not have any of them to try. The fit at the top must be perfect, or the .44 Magnum recoil will really talk to hour hand!!

That's about where I'm at. I'm generally a small-to-medium when it comes to gloves.

I like the finger grooveless rubber Hogue for shooting my 625, which I'd have recommended if the OP said that they didn't want rubber.

 

[bobsguns]

There's a huge, huge problem with N-frames.

That problem is, you can't own just one.

I have a 25-5, 29 Classic & 28-2. All have their pluses, IMO.

The 25 is the softest shooting, using .45LC. But it's married to that caliber, i.e. no swapping it out.

The 28 allows using .38 Specials, obviously. When .38 wadcutters are used, it feels like shooting a .22LR.

Model 29 also allows .44spl ammo to be used. The Classic has a lugged bbl, which makes it look better & lessens recoil over the standard 29.

I agree with firing one first, before buying. See if you might be able to find some slim grips, or just ones that will fit you.

My .o2

 

[cporfe]

I bought a shooter grade Md 544 a few years back. The target grips are a little big for my hands but with a square butt that's to be expected. Regardless I have been shooting it. I've been looking at Altamonts and I may be pulling the trigger on a pair of Bateleur finger style when the produce the next batch.

 

[DarryH]

already owned and own some N frames. Have a pre-model 27 in nickel that is fun to shoot. Just need to find better stocks. I have to remember to take them to the gun shows along with some screwdrivers. I forget too often.

 

[StrawHat]

… need to find better stocks. I have to remember to take them to the gun shows along with some screwdrivers. I forget too often.

Any N frame stocks will work. The question is, will you like them? If you were closer, you could try several of mine. Each is subtly different.

Kevin

 

[DR505]

I can palm a basketball so have largeish hands. I like these 4" N Frames. Top to bottom Model 28-2, Model 58, Model 629-4, Model 25-9, and Model 27-3:

One of my favorites is this 625-7 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt.

Though I do have the stock grips for all of these tucked away, I find that Kim Ahrends stocks fit my hand perfectly. I wish he was still in business.

 

[DR505]

Another good stock that I find fills the bill are these Pachmayr stocks on my 3" 625-3 .45 ACP:

 

[BDC5109]

Hi to you all!

I stumbled over this topic, so just a short reply, if more info is wanted just let me know.
I have medeate hand size, enough to handle a k-frame round butt comfortable.
I have a mod 29 which I actually could only manage with 2 hands.
After 20+ years I was fed up and took a round but k-frame grip. Mounted it to the 29, went along the bandsander, mounted a round but Hogue which I sanded down to k-frame outline with a dremel.
Now it fits better than my 66 rb.
Bottom line: the frames only differ in heigt starting at the bottom of the sideplates. And for some reason Hogue and S&W think they have to attach a bigger tree.

Edit: I just realised, too focussed on my 29 sb. If your N-frame is already a rb the message reduses to: you can sand down a N-frame grip to the size/outline of a K-frame grip

BTW: get a good trigger stop in your N-frame otherwise your triggerpinion will break. Just a matter of time. Don't rely on that little rod in the rebound slide.
Get one that is located behind your finger. Drilled in trigger or frame.

Best regards, HP

 

[Daimler1989]

if you can get one , try an Ahrends Retro Target

otherwise, a Hogue Fancy Hardwood smooth and without cap might work as well

regards from Germany
Ulrich

I have been lusting after a 4" N frame, 5" barrel not out of the question, caliber open, leaning towards .357 Model 27.
N frames have always been a bit too large for my hand, with the standard wooden grips they use these days.
are there better grips, preferably NOT rubber, that will fit a smaller hand??
Suggestions??
Thank you.

 

[Muley Gil]

Hi to you all!

I stumbled over this topic, so just a short reply, if more info is wanted just let me know.
I have medeate hand size, enough to handle a k-frame round butt comfortable.
I have a mod 29 which I actually could only manage with 2 hands.
After 20+ years I was fed up and took a round but k-frame grip. Mounted it to the 29, went along the bandsander, mounted a round but Hogue which I sanded down to k-frame outline with a dremel.
Now it fits better than my 66 rb.
Bottom line: the frames only differ in heigt starting at the bottom of the sideplates. And for some reason Hogue and S&W think they have to attach a bigger tree.

Edit: I just realised, too focussed on my 29 sb. If your N-frame is already a rb the message reduses to: you can sand down a N-frame grip to the size/outline of a K-frame grip

BTW: get a good trigger stop in your N-frame otherwise your triggerpinion will break. Just a matter of time. Don't rely on that little rod in the rebound slide.
Get one that is located behind your finger. Drilled in trigger or frame.

Best regards, HP

What makes you say that? I have owned many N frames over the years, both pre-WW II and post-war and have never had a trigger pin break.

 

[BDC5109]

Hi Muley,


Me and my 1988 29 Classic Hunter liked it hot in our younger years

It broke within a few years.

A well respected gunshop owner had seen it more often: "no problem, w"ll fix it and put in a triggerstop, than you're good for life". (....and we still are)

My 625, formerly owned by a top level IPSC shooter, had it wobling loose.

The 27 at the club has a broken pinion repair that also didn't last forever.

.......and fixing it is a helluva job which needs real machinery and experience to use those, and after that you need a refinish.(...and we all love our original blue)

Drilling a setscrew behind your finger takes a small average/common power tool and about 30minutes.

If you have a "beater" or a "shooter" don't hesitate.

Besides that, it gives more acuracy.

On a scale of 240 points, it saved me 4 or 5, just enough to be within the medals.


Best regards, 

Hans Peter

 

[Nightowl]

My first gun I bought to shoot PPC with, was a "pre model 27". As you know, an N frame square butt. At that time Guy Hogue visited the PPC National Matches in Jackson, MS selling his stocks. I found them the best fit for my hands, at that time they were two piece stocks. They fit my hand the best of any stocks I have found since and I eventually went to the rubber ones as I shoot better with them than any other stocks. While I like the looks of wood, the rubber are just better for shooting! The one piece Hogue wood are larger than the rubber and do not fit me as well. I use the square butt style on round butt guns as I do not like the round butt feel, even with my smaller hands. I learned long ago that I have to somewhat rotate my hand on the stocks to reach the trigger, and it is somewhat of a disadvantage, but less is needed with the Hogue stocks/grips.

It bugs me that Hogue does not make the square stocks without the flap on the right side. They do not have it on the round to squares, though! Ugh! Short fingers do not need the extra on the right side.

While I have K frames and L frames that probably fit my hands better, I still perfer and shoot N frames almost exclusively.

 

[bananaman]

I personally don't ever use my revolvers with magna grips. Factory target stocks are a little large. I prefer Herrett Target Stocks as they are slightly smaller. Just works out well for me! Bob

 

[TAROMAN]

Worked for me, too:

 

[CH4]

Another recommendation for Altamont. They are much thinner, front to rear, than factor grips. Many styles to choose from.

 

[gerhard1]

I was going to suggest the Magnas possibly with a grip adapter, but I see that it has been mentioned already.

 

[DHernandez]

There's a huge, huge problem with N-frames.

That problem is, you can't own just one.

I have a 25-5, 29 Classic & 28-2. All have their pluses, IMO.

The 25 is the softest shooting, using .45LC. But it's married to that caliber, i.e. no swapping it out.

The 28 allows using .38 Specials, obviously. When .38 wadcutters are used, it feels like shooting a .22LR.

Model 29 also allows .44spl ammo to be used. The Classic has a lugged bbl, which makes it look better & lessens recoil over the standard 29.

I agree with firing one first, before buying. See if you might be able to find some slim grips, or just ones that will fit you.

My .o2

45 Colt cowboy loads are like 38 or 44 special respectively