N-Frame Revolvers Are Big

[41special]

I forgot just how big these things are to guys with medium to large hands. This model 57-1 is reminding me constantly.


41

 

[StrawHat]

I find them just about perfect. All I need is to add a grip adapter.

Kevin

 

[mikerjf]

Ginormous. I thought my 681 was kinda big, being very used to J frames. But touching off 44s, the weight is nice!

 

[rimfireshooter]

I think they are the perfect size for some accurate shooting

 

[jcs266]

They're big, but believe it or not you get accustomed to it and don't even notice it. I carry my 4 inch 624 every day everywhere I go. It's no problem with the correct holster.

 

[robvious]

they aren't THAT big... lol

 

[stansdds]

They are bigger than the K/L-frame, but I do not find them to be too big to be comfortable with the right stocks and I have medium sized hands.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My 1917 still has the lanyard ring (and I use it). I have a Tyler T-Grip on it with the service stocks, and they are about perfect.

But there is a huge difference in a 5" 45ACP and a 629-10 PC 2 5/8" 44Mag!

Ivan

 

[Hawg Rider]

They are bigger than the K/L-frame, but I do not find them to be too big to be comfortable with the right stocks and I have medium sized hands.

I concur...you need the right stocks with big bores! N-frames are my favorites and I have them in .357, .41, .44, and .45. But I don't enjoy shooting with magnas (too small for my hands), and I don't like the feel of wooden target stocks (too big and not shaped ergonomically). I'm like Goldilocks...they need to be just right! I think that vintage Coke Bottle stocks were an ideal fit for me, and I wish that S&W had continued making them. Modern revolvers with the rubber stocks are much more comfortable to shoot, they're just not aesthetically pleasing to me.

 

[BarryinIN]

I find them a good size for shooting with the proper grips, but not very good for carrying.

I’ve always been bothered by the width of a carry gun more than anything else. For example, a Glock might weigh less than a 1911, but the trimmer 1911 is a lot easier for me to carry.
By the same token, the K frame is about my limit for revolver carry. Maybe an L frame, but a K is a lot better to me.

I’ve carried an N frame and got it done, but it’s one of the few guns that I disliked carrying.
Shooting them is a different story.

 

[colt_saa]

I love them, they are just right

Factory targets fit me very well. Otherwise I usually use Hogues but I have the finger grooves deleted and I add the contrasting butt cap with the white line spacers like on the 657s pictured below

With the more modern N-frames built on round butt framer, I use the Hogue conversion grips like on my 610 pictured below

 

[glenwolde]

Oddly enough, I have found I shoot the only one I have (Model 657) a little better than the K frames. I think it's the size and weight. Does not seem unwieldy to me. I'm over 6' and have "normal" sized hands.

 

[Bruceboy]

I find them just about perfect. If they seem too big, get a 3" or 4". That N frame helps to tame the cranky loads and just looks right.

Al

 

[Dave686]

I have been a Smith & Wesson shooter/collector for over 50 years and just have never been able to like the N Frames. I tried. I tried carrying a 27 and a 28 at different times, but always returned to the K-Frame or L-Frame. I decided to try again and bought a 610 just before covid. I wasn’t reloading then and ammo for it was nearly impossible to find, so I passed it on locally without even firing it.

I turn 70 next month and I think I’m going to give the X-Frame 460 a try.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

I love my big N-frames. I have pretty small hands, but I prefer them with target stocks and can shoot them just fine...single-action.

I don't have any SA-only or DA-only Smiths, but for practical purposes, I tend to think of my Ns as SA-only, K/Ls as DA/SA, and Js as DA-only.

 

[Shoebox1.1]

My N frames are the favorites in the toybox

 

[BAM-BAM]

Tend to shoot my 4" 27 and 28 SA..... for double action shooting I prefer the trigger reach of the K and L frames... which share the same grip frame.

My preferred grips are Spegel Boot Grips on guns 3" or less and his Extended Boot grips on 4 and 6" guns.

 

[75Vette]

N frames are perfect for most...unless you have Burger King hands.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Service, Magna or Pachmayr Presentation (size small) work great for me. Factory targets feel like I am trying to hold a 2x2, and the size large Presentations are just a mess of bulk and increase bore height too much. Hogues and grip adapters need not apply. Interestingly, I also find the factory grips and trigger reach of the Colt New Service to be excellent, so it's not a overall hand size discussion, but more that hand flexibility and specific bone geometries drive preferences.

 

[oink]

I carried an N frame on duty for many years without issue. That was with Pacs and in a high ride duty holster OWB. I'm not wild about Ns for concealed carry. I have carried a 3" round butt N, IWB with Hogue wood Bantam grips. The grips are comfortable as long as you aren't shooting many hot loads (44M). It's certainly doable, but the carry is not as comfortable as something thinner and lighter. In the S. FL heat I don't generally feel comfortable wearing clothes that would properly conceal an N frame OWB.