I recently purchased a pre-27 with 3 1/2" barrel. Its my favorite shooter by far! Now I'm looking for another N frame to purchase. At first, I was thinking about a 5" model 27 to complement the 3 1/2" gun. Then I got to thinking about a model 24 or 29. I've never shot a .44 before. I'd like to hear shooter's opinions and preferences.
N frame suggestions
- Thread starter petehm
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Sailfish 40
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I'm not the most experienced as i've never shot a 44 either. I really like my 4 inch model 57. recoil is similar to that of my 4 inch k frame 357's and easy to control. It seems like the ideal caliber for an n frame. One thing i like about the .41 Mag, there is never any argument about it being powerful enough!
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The 44 Special is a cream puff in an N frame. The 44 Magnum is something I rarely shoot because I find it too punishing for fun. I have a 29 because I feel like I should have one, not because I enjoy shooting it. You may not share my opinion as recoil is a matter of personal taste. I have a good friend who thinks nothing of putting 500 rounds through his 44 Magnum in one afternoon.
A 4" .44 Special Model 24 is a joy to shoot ! A 4" full-house .44 Magnum is painful after a few rounds ! 
Jerry
Jerry
I've spent a LOT of time with magnums of all flavors. I happen to love both my .44's. Recoil can be an issue, you probably won't be doing alot of tactical double-taps with! As far as other N-frames go, you can't go wrong regardless of what you pick. I am a fan of the .45 colts, and a 25-5 would make a fine addition to anyones gunsafe.
Shooting4life
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A 25-5 would be a nice next choice as long as you reload. You can go from cream puff to 44mag performance. I dont shoot mine much, usually save the range duty for stainless guns. Here is my 25-5 above my 27-2
Petehm,
The only way you are ever going to get a suitable answer to your questions and needs is to shoot them all.
S&W, thankfully, makes so many calibers, frames, barrel lengths and variations to choose from. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes and that's why you'll hear so many varied opinions.
All the pro and con arguments are usually valid and well supported by their posters and many times it becomes endless without any final resolution.
My favorite all time S&W handgun is a 27-2 5". My favorite caliber is .41Mag. My favorite CC is a 2 1/2" Mod 66-1. I have three favorites I currently hunt big game with. A .41 Mod 57 6", a .44mag Mod 29-2 8 3/8" and a Mod 500 6 1/2". It all depends on the application.
Handle them all.... Shoot them all... Hear all the arguments. You'll discover there isn't anyone out there who'll know more about your wants and needs than you do..
Then buy them all!!
JMHO
If you want a 44 magnum they are excellent revolvers and you can shoot 44 special rounds in them to. When I was in my 30's and 40's I shot a lot of full house 44 magnum loads and they didn't bother me but in my 60's I started to like them less and less. I do reload and shoot 44 special rounds in my 6 inch 29-2 and I just make sure I clean the cylinder chambers really well when I get home so I won't get build up in them making shooting the longer 44 magnum rounds a problem in the future.
I also have a 25-2 with 6.5 inch barrel in 45 ACP and it's a blast to shoot and very accurate.
I also have a 25-2 with 6.5 inch barrel in 45 ACP and it's a blast to shoot and very accurate.
CrossRifles2008
Member
Gotta love N Frames
S&W_aussie
Member
Being an N frame lover as well I agree - any choice will be a good one
I have a 27-2, a 28-2 and a M1917 .45 Auto cal and love them all.
Dont question it just get one of each.......then one of each barrel length.....then a nickel and a blue of each....then a factory engraved example of each....then you need to get original boxes with papers and tools, etc....then get them all "lettered"....then start on K frames and repeat the process. By the end of it you will lose your house and most other assets, but you will have your Smiths!
There should be some sort of N frame "AA" for this adiction......but pfffft...I would never go to the meetings!
Mike
I have a 27-2, a 28-2 and a M1917 .45 Auto cal and love them all.
Dont question it just get one of each.......then one of each barrel length.....then a nickel and a blue of each....then a factory engraved example of each....then you need to get original boxes with papers and tools, etc....then get them all "lettered"....then start on K frames and repeat the process. By the end of it you will lose your house and most other assets, but you will have your Smiths!
There should be some sort of N frame "AA" for this adiction......but pfffft...I would never go to the meetings!
Mike
As others have already said you can't go wrong with any N frame and for a first one you might want to consider a 28-2 357 Magnum. The 28-2 is exactly the same revolver as the 27-2 but without the high luster blue and the checkered steel top strap. They can usually be purchased for close to $200-$300 less the other N frames mentioned here and they are wonderful shooters just like the rest of the N frames. The 28-2 is also not quite as pretty so you are more likely to shoot the **** out of it then you would one of its shiny sisters.
28-2 with 4 inch barrel
Model 27-2 with 5 inch barrel
28-2 with 4 inch barrel
Model 27-2 with 5 inch barrel
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I've just gotten my first N frames, so I'm far from an expert or anything. I knew I had seen a Model 28 with a 4" barrel years ago, and had always wanted one. It just looks "right" to me for some reason.
Skeeter Skelton used to speak highly of the 5" Model 27, I remember. This one is a Pre 27, but I guess it would pass muster.
I'm a big fan of the 38/357. Mostly I suppose because the first handgun I ever bought was a .357 (Model 19) and the first cartridge I ever reloaded was 38 special. With lead bullets I can reload 38's dirt cheap, and in guns like these, well, there just is no recoil (not much in any 38/357 revolver).
Skeeter Skelton used to speak highly of the 5" Model 27, I remember. This one is a Pre 27, but I guess it would pass muster.
I'm a big fan of the 38/357. Mostly I suppose because the first handgun I ever bought was a .357 (Model 19) and the first cartridge I ever reloaded was 38 special. With lead bullets I can reload 38's dirt cheap, and in guns like these, well, there just is no recoil (not much in any 38/357 revolver).
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Some fine looking short barreled N frames are represented on this thread. I'd like to own them all!!
You may want to consider some longer barreled options, too... Some of my favorites.. Heck.... I think all frames, finishes and barrel lengths are my favorites.....
You may want to consider some longer barreled options, too... Some of my favorites.. Heck.... I think all frames, finishes and barrel lengths are my favorites.....
senecaap
Member
The 5" 27 is a great gun, the 5" vies with the 4" for my favorite in N frames. I love the 29 but I rarely put more than 6 full mags through it in a shooting session, the bulk of my shooting was done with specials, specials in a 4" 29 are soft soft soft. So are .38s through a 27/28.
I would also put in a vote for the 21, if you like fixed sight. I do and picked up the new thunder ranch 21, and love to carry and shoot my modern .44 Military.
I would also put in a vote for the 21, if you like fixed sight. I do and picked up the new thunder ranch 21, and love to carry and shoot my modern .44 Military.
I don't think that you can go wrong with either a M24 or M29. I don't have too much of a problem with .44 Magnum loads. The first few rounds kind of get your attention then I seem to get used to it. Maybe it's because my hand get's numb. 
If you get a M29 you can shoot both .44 Special or .44 Magnum loads. A 4" M29 weighs only about 1 1/2 ozs. more than a 4" M24. Some folks like the look of the M24 with the tapered barrel. If you just want to shoot light loads, get the M24. You will end up paying about the same for either one. The shorter barrels usually go for a premium.
If you don't handload you'll be paying a lot for ammo for the .44 Special or .44 Magnum. If ammo price is a a consideration, the M25-2 in .45ACP might be a good choice.
Just don't think you'll stop after the next one...
If you get a M29 you can shoot both .44 Special or .44 Magnum loads. A 4" M29 weighs only about 1 1/2 ozs. more than a 4" M24. Some folks like the look of the M24 with the tapered barrel. If you just want to shoot light loads, get the M24. You will end up paying about the same for either one. The shorter barrels usually go for a premium.
If you don't handload you'll be paying a lot for ammo for the .44 Special or .44 Magnum. If ammo price is a a consideration, the M25-2 in .45ACP might be a good choice.
Just don't think you'll stop after the next one...
stevieboy
Member
Don't leave .45ACP out of the equation. I have a 625JM and it's tremendous fun. In a gun that size the recoil of the .45ACP round is modest, about like shooting a .38 special with a K-frame. The ammunition is much less expensive than .44 Special or Magnum and that could be a major factor if you don't reload.
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