N-frames with 3" barrels

[RichardH]

Hi guys. First post. I came here to ask a question. I want an N-frame in .44 mag or special, preferably blued, with a 3" barrel. On Gunbroker and Gunsamerica I've found a number and they're all selling for well over $800 and most are listed at over $1k. Several of the listings made reference to Lew Horton, and after consulting the oracle at Google it looks like he's a gunsmith that had a line of N-frames released to his specifications? If anyone wants to explain that, feel free.

I already own a couple of older J-frames and a model 657 .41 mag with a 6" barrel and love it. I don't really like the lock but it doesn't bother me all that much either. I specifically want .44 caliber, and I don't really care whether it's a mag or special because I don't plan on shooting full mag loads out of it.

The question is, in the history of the model 24 and 29, have there been regular production 3-inchers, or are they all limited-run? If not, what other years were they made? Are they all post-lock, and are there any that are pinned/recessed? I don't put too much stock in all that stuff, but I would like to know. And do I just need to resign myself to paying upwards of $1000 to get one? It seems ridiculous, but if that's the going rate for what I want...well, then I might have to reevaluate what I want. A couple of my wisened elders think I'm nuts for wanting oddball stuff like a '41 mag and revolvers with odd barrel lengths that are hard to find, but that's the yen I've got, so here I am.

 

[BUFF]

Lew Horton is a distributor/wholesaler. They contract with manufacturers like S&W to build model variations to their specifications. Sometimes, they become fairly popular and S&W makes the same variant for others.

The first 3 inch N frame was the Model 24-3 .44 Special. It was also the first round butt N frame gun. There were about 5,000 of them made in 1984-1985. They had followed the standard Model 24-3, with 4 and 6-1/2 inch barrels and square butts, that were made in 1983-1984. There were 7,500 of them. It was the first production .44 Special that S&W had made since 1966.

The success of the Model 24-3 led to the introduction of the same gun in stainless steel, the Model 624. Lew Horton also had them made with 3 inch barrels and round butts.

Since then, S&W has also made N frames with 3 inch barrels, both round and square butt, in .44 Mag, .41 Mag, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, 10MM Auto and others.

The Model 24-3 was introduced in the era after the pinned barrels and recessed cylinders had been discontinued, so all the subsequent 3 inchers are unpinned, non-recessed as well. Most were made in relatively small batches of several hundred to several thousand for numerous distributors, stocking dealers and catalog items.

The current suggested retail price for an N frame S&W is over $1,000, so it shouldn't be a surprise to find that older guns, made in small batches, with both shooter and collector demand, would cost that much.

If you look diligently, you can probably find a shooter grade 3 inch Model 24-3, 624, 29 or 629 for $700 or so, but that is a good price and if someone offers one at that, you need to pounce as it won't remain for sale long.

 

[crsides]

You might want to look at the 696. It is a 44 spl made on the L frame which is smaller than the N and is more proportional to the 3" bbl. Owners love them, including me. The smaller frame size requires a 5 shot cylinder. It's a really nice size package for the 44 spl.


Charlie

 

[S&W forever]

love my 696

 

[Win52C]

The 696 would be a viable alternative for him..however the price will still be in the 700-900 dollar range....so no real help there....price wise.

 

[GDubya]

love my 696

 

[crsides]

I paid $800 for my 696, but they have been had - on this forum - for less. last one I saw was $650. way under $1000.

 

[rollin_hot]

I wish I was able to get these cheaper, but they were'nt coming down in price and I felt like I could not wait any longer.

If you don't mind the lock and/or MIM parts you can find some nice revos in 44 that me be in you price range. The pre lock and pre MIM parts carry a premium for sure.

There are still deals to be had, but thanks to the internet they are few and far between unless you find a local sale that is not listed.

Good luck!

 

[4thUSMC]

Okay, am getting one too.

 

[rollin_hot]

More pics

629 Jovino 3"


629 in 3"


625 in 3"


629 3" Mountain Backpacker

 

[S&W forever]

629-3 Performance Center 77 of 300

 

[RichardH]

Just wanted to bring this thread back to life and say thanks for the replies, and especially for the 3" N-frame porn. Now I'm even worse off than I was before.

This might warrant a new thread, but I hear much made of the MIM parts and the desirability of older Smiths. My old man, who isn't really a handgun guy but only likes revolvers, will only entertain the thought of older Smiths. My 629 in 6.5" is new with that ugly lock and shoots like a champ with the hands-down best factory trigger I've ever felt on a revolver, and I've been comparing it to other new N-frames and L-frames in stores. Functionally, do these cost-cutting changes really amount to anything?

 

[jcelect]

3" Porn!

Hey RichardH, Here is a link to a past post about 3" guns which has a lot of pics of 3" N frame guns! http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/149061-3-inch-barrel-madness.html

Sorry to say, your observation on the pricing of these guns is 100% correct. To add to this insult is the pricing of rare items like the 3" 610($1300+), 3" 625 45 Long Colt($1300+). and 625 45 ACP($1000+) with many more! There have been many variations of the 3" 629 made so they can be found for less money.
jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[Dave T]

Going to play the contrarian on this one. I've never liked 3" barrels on the N-frame S&Ws. They just look un-balanced to me. Ever since I first saw one (a Model 27) I've thought the 3.5" is more balanced and the shortest barrel acceptable.

I was lucky enough to get this 3.5" 44 Special (624) recently.

It almost immediately became one of my favorites...and yes, the butt has been rounded.

Dave

 

[RichardH]

I would certainly take that model 624 with the 3.5" barrel, but from what I can see it seems like 3.5"s are even rarer than 3"s. I like the looks of both. I got to hold one Smith, an older model 27, with a 3.5" barrel and fell in love with the balance, but I've never seen another one.

It looks like the only new option (for those that can stomach it) is the Talo exclusive model 629 with 3" barrel.

This is a bit off-topic, but has anyone had a problem with carbon deposits or scoring that can't be removed from the cylinder walls when firing .44 special from a .44 mag (or .38 from a .357)?

 

[ol timer]

Crappy photos, but HTH.

 

[Mack]

Going to play the contrarian on this one. I've never liked 3" barrels on the N-frame S&Ws. They just look un-balanced to me. Ever since I first saw one (a Model 27) I've thought the 3.5" is more balanced and the shortest barrel acceptable. Dave

+1

IMO 3" is perfect for K and L frames but too short for N's, for me this has less to do with balance but ejector rod length. A full length ejector rod is important in a fighting handgun. Also once I stuck a 3" 24-3 in my belt and when I bent over it popped out, barrel is too dang short, that short, fat stubby really needs a holster to ride in!!! Having said all that, 3" is what is available, close to $700 seems to be a fair price today.

Be aware if you plan on shooting .44 Spec a lot it is better if you reload, factory ammo is somewhat hard to find and pricey.

m.

 

[Iowahunter]

I enjoy the 3in N Frames I have a Model 25, (2) 625's all in 45ACP a 610 in 10MM and a 696 in 44SPL (L Frame) Up to 25yds I don't see a whole lot of difference. JMHO

 

[kennyb]

I would certainly take that model 624 with the 3.5" barrel, but from what I can see it seems like 3.5"s are even rarer than 3"s. I like the looks of both. I got to hold one Smith, an older model 27, with a 3.5" barrel and fell in love with the balance, but I've never seen another one.

It looks like the only new option (for those that can stomach it) is the Talo exclusive model 629 with 3" barrel.

This is a bit off-topic, but has anyone had a problem with carbon deposits or scoring that can't be removed from the cylinder walls when firing .44 special from a .44 mag (or .38 from a .357)?

get a chamber brush in the appropriate caliber...it's a bit larger then the bore brush that you are probably using...it will remove the deposits...just this year i have found a M29 and a 657 both 3"for far less then $1000...they are both fun to shoot...the 657 is my current carry gun....

 

[Sportsterguy]

I love the balance of the 3" S&W's in any frame size. They point well, look darn handsome and shoot very accurately for me. Another plus is they are a delight to carry with their short barrels. They are on the expensive side but are a wortwhile investment IMO.

For hunting I like a 6" barrel for the extra velocity and longer sight radius. Heck I like all of the barrel lengths with the 3"'rs being my favorites, but don't own a 8" hog leg.

Your friends who hack you for wanting an odd ball .41 magnum must have no experience with the round. It's a hard hitter, or a softie depending on the load. It will do everything a .44 mag will do with the right load and bullet. Ammo is available and reloading really brings this round to life. My old 6" 57 has taken 38 deer over the years and was my last ditch bear protector in Alaska. I owned 3 .44 mags at one time and am now up to 4 .41's and zero .44's.

3" 657

Three 3" S&W's. K, L and N frames

My four .41's. Also my favorites