N Frame revolvers- too big for small hands?

[R89]

Are N Frame revolvers too big for people with small hands? I have been thinking about buying one for IDPA competition. Thank you.

 

[postban]

My 13yr old son was checking out my M29 last night, seemed to have no problems with it. It has Pachmayr Presentation grips on it. I think you will be ok unless your glove size is below youth Medium.

 

[David Sinko]

No, definitely not. I'm very tall but have very small, dainty hands with skinny fingers. I use everything from the relatively small, thin Miculek grip on my N Frames to the large Jordan style Herrett stocks on my Redhawk. Keep in mind that you want finger pad (NOT crease) control of the trigger for proper DA shooting. Ed McGivern, arguably the greatest DA revolver shooter of all time, had very short fingers and it is probable that his finger tip control of the trigger allowed him to set all those DA speed shooting records with such astounding accuracy. You can read all about proper grip and trigger manipulation in his book Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting, which is now available in softcover. He also includes diagrams and measurements of his hands.

Dave Sinko

 

[piebiter]

I have medium size hands and don't like the feel of the target grips, I find the Hogue monogrips to be the answer for me.

 

[Red Rover]

Originally posted by skeezix:
Just to give you some perspective on the size difference, I laid factory K-frame grips on top of factory N-frame grips and "lined them up" at the back. You can see the difference at the front of the grip.

skeezix, can you show a photo with the K frame Magnas on top of the K frame Targets and same for the N frame grips?

I'm like the OP, don't care for large grips. I find I like the Magnas best and add a Tyler T Grip to J frames.

 

[stevieboy]

I think that grip size and configuration is more important than frame size (K vs. N) when deciding what best fits one's hands. I prefer target style grips on my revolvers because I have extremely large hands. So, my K-frame 66 and my N-frame 27 are each outfitted with square butt targets. The feel of the two guns is about identical to me.

 

[Ron H.]

Originally posted by skeezix:
Just to give you some perspective on the size difference, I laid factory K-frame grips on top of factory N-frame grips and "lined them up" at the back. You can see the difference at the front of the grip.

When mounted on a gun, the N-frame grips are actually larger at the back-strap. These comparison pics are just to show how little difference there is.

Sir, it's not just a matter of grip size. The N-frame also has a longer "reach" from the backstrap to the trigger. It's nearly 1/4-inch longer than on a K-frame. That plus slightly bigger stocks can make the N-frame a stretch for those with short fingers.

For the OP, I'd suggest trying out an N-frame in double-action before buying one.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[skeezix]

Sir, it's not just a matter of grip size.

I stand corrected and deleted my erroneous and misleading posts.

 

[Ron H.]

Originally posted by skeezix:

Sir, it's not just a matter of grip size.

I stand corrected and deleted my erroneous and misleading posts.

Sir, your posts were neither erroneous nor misleading. They were just missing one detail.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Red Rover]

Originally posted by skeezix:

Sir, it's not just a matter of grip size.

I stand corrected and deleted my erroneous and misleading posts.

Skeezix nothing misleading, I just would find more value in comparing Magnas to Targets for the same gun. If you can find the time I think that comparison would be very helpful. I don't have all the grips or I would do it. Thanks.

 

[Red Rover]

Originally posted by DWood:

Originally posted by skeezix:

Sir, it's not just a matter of grip size.

I stand corrected and deleted my erroneous and misleading posts.

Skeezix nothing misleading, I just would find more value in comparing Magnas to Targets for the same gun. To me it make a big difference, both in trigger reach and circumference of the grips.

If you can find the time to post, I think that comparison would be very helpful. I don't have all the grips or I would do it. Thanks.

 

[Red Rover]

Originally posted by DWood:

Originally posted by DWood:

Originally posted by skeezix:

Sir, it's not just a matter of grip size.

I stand corrected and deleted my erroneous and misleading posts.

Skeezix nothing misleading, in fact I thought you were on to something. I just would find more value in comparing Magnas to Targets for the same gun. To me it make a big difference, both in trigger reach and circumference of the grips.

If you can find the time to post, I think that comparison would be very helpful. I don't have all the grips or I would do it. Thanks.

 

[panamajack310]

I have small hands I do not find the N frame grips are un managable. You are going to be like me. You will need to try different brands of grips until you find the right fit. For me, Ahrends finger groove grips feel best for me on N frames. K frames it does not really matter.

 

[Red Rover]

Originally posted by panamajack310:
I have small hands I do not find the N frame grips are un managable. You are going to be like me. You will need to try different brands of grips until you find the right fit. For me, Ahrends finger groove grips feel best for me on N frames. K frames it does not really matter.

This was exactly my point. It's not about N frame or K/L frame grips. It's about Magnas and Targets. Magnas suit me on K/L as well as N frame revolvers. Target grips do not suit me well on either.

 

[jeffrey]

I have very small hands and find that the stocks really matter. With the right stocks, I can grip an N frame just fine. But not any N frame. I find that although I can grip a round butt N frame with the proper (for me) stocks, I have alot more trouble with a square butt N frame.

I recommend that you contact Herritts Stocks and get some custom-made for your particular hands. They are not all that expensive and they do a great job.

 

[Red Rover]

Here is an example of my point using a photo of bdGreen's revolvers. Identical guns but look at the difference in size and position between the Magnas and the Target grips (on the right).

 

[danski]

I've always found N-frames to be "bozo" sized when working double action, which is the way I treat all DA revolvers, whether target or magna grips.
Admittedly, the magnas are easier but still for me, who has a pretty good sized hand and long fingers, the K-frame remains king with the L-frame second but for its muzzle heavy traits.

I've fired thousands of rounds double action in N-frames and still don't care for them. As I said,
it's the "bozo" of frames.

 

[viceunit]

The best N-frame grip fit for me is the old Pachmayr two piece presentation grip. They made an N-frame "small" which is perfect for me. I snap these up whenever I find them at gunshows. I typically wear a size large glove, but do not consider my hands to be large, but those gloves fit, unlike the problem O.J. had! Most clothing items made in third world countries is not sized to the average American. I'd be a fairly big dude in Sri Lanka!

 

[mod34]

I have fairly small hands and its more in the grip configuration/material rather than the frame size. J-frames with wrong, oversized grips can seem big.

 

[max]

I was cleaning N frames tonite and noticed that they all have Hogue rubber grips. I have small hands and find the factory grips to be sized for Paul Bunyan. I really prefer the rubber grips for use. I do agree that the wood looks good for show.