So Who's a 5" Barrel Fan?

[Harkrader]

DANG! Some of the beauties you guys have could make me change my mind, but I have no preference either way for 5". I've always found the 4" to be a fine duty length and the 6" to ALSO be a fine duty length when attire allowed.
Without trying, I've had a number of S&W revolvers with 5" barrels. Well, I DID have one nipped.
27-8 5"
Performance Center 327 TRR8 (3)
S&W Performance Center 327 M&P R8
Performance Center 627-5
686+ -6 Pro Series
29-5 DX Classic, barrel cut to 5"

I clipped the 29-5 simply because I had no use for an 8"+ barrel, and having it trimmed was waaay cheaper than buying another, and about par for trade.
A couple pix attached.

There's a story behind the 327 TRR 8, of which I've had three. Got the first one and Son Number 1 stole it. He's professional military, so I could hardly say "no".
Got a second one. Son Number 3 stole it. He's a cop, sooo . . ..
Got a THIRD one and was proudly showing to son number three, who noted the barrel would wiggle in the frame! Back to S&W, replacement sent.
Got the M&P R8 and son Number 2 stole it! He's a jujitsu expert, former World Cup competitor, sooo . . ..
Out of guilt, I'm sure, son Number One occasionally brings his home for me to shoot. When he's not deployed to some place I DON'T wanna know about.

 

[akjaeger]

The 5" N frames are terrible! They are a sickness and I've got it bad!
I bought a 5" 29-2 at the local hardware store for $650 and then I was hooked.
It was joined by a pre-27, then a 26-1 Georgia State Patrol commemorative, then a 27-2 was sent off to Bowen Classic Arms to be converted to 44 Special, then of of course I needed a 27-8. And another very distressed 26-1 GSP had to be sent of to Andy Horvath to be resurrected.
Once I finally got the 27-2 back from Bowen I liked shooting it so much I knew it would soon be worn out! So of course I found a 27-5 for Bowen to build another 44 special on.
And then I finally found a 5" Model of 1926 44 special shooter.
I need help! Maybe a 41 magnum and a 10mm built on 27's would do it…
A bad picture of some good guns
Clockwise; 29-2, 27-8, 26-1, 26-1, Pre 27, 27-2 converted to 44 special.
Model of 1926 44 Special

 

[Elliot45]

686+Pro seven shot

I really like the 5" slab barrel on this revolver. Not too nose heavy but I still get the benefit of a longer sight radius. I decided I didn't like the Hogue rubber grips so I replaced them with Rosewood grips. This is a very accurate revolver and I highly recommend it. You also get 7 shots. Regards, Elliot45

 

[Boogsawaste]

Well it's got "some" finish issues but it's my only 5" and it shoots great. M&p from February 1947.

 

[rc229]

Wow those are some great looking pieces.

RC

 

[rc229]

Terry do the X frame grips move your middle finger lower on the grip to avoid the whack when you fire regular (not cowboy spcl) loads?

RC


"The top one is a 629-6 Classic with X frame grips."

 

[TDC]

Terry do the X frame grips move your middle finger lower on the grip to avoid the whack when you fire regular (not cowboy spcl) loads?

RC


"The top one is a 629-6 Classic with X frame grips."

RC....

I hear ya about the "whack" with regular loads.

The X frame grips have eliminated that issue for me. Many other people who use them report the same result. I use them on all my field N frames. The added cushioning material at the rear of the grip actually makes warm and hot mag loads a joy to shoot for many people.

Grips should always be tried before purchase because of the many different hand sizes and finger lengths we have. All-in-all I would say X frame grips are an excellent utility choice for the 5" big bore calibers especially... I don't believe I've heard a single regret from anyone using them.

 

[Ia.redneck]

I'm a fan of the 5'' guns too.
686 Talo
629 Classic
625-4
Oh, and most of my 1911's are 5in too,I think JMB liked 5in guns also

 

[rc229]

Thanks Terry

RC

 

[helmsp]

Does this count?

S&W 627-0 by Patrick Helms, on Flickr

 

[sstaley74]

1946 M&P

I'll play. Here my factory nickle 5 inch early post war M&P. picked it up about 15 years ago for 115$.

 

[iskra]

A many year 'accumulator', in Smith "N" Frames, the 5" a definite sweet spot for me in these large guns.
Below a couple of mine. Coming to you from 1954, a 'pre' Model 27, .357 Mag, SN S998xx.
Next FROM 1956, a 'pre' Model 21, 44 Special "Hand Ejector", SN S1494xx.
Hard to beat the 5 inchers!
My take

Note: Boxes are correct. The "Model 1926" box had a small glued on white postage stamp size elongated label which said to the effect "Model of 1950"; now long lost.

 

[GrantA]

I just won this 624 yesterday, can't wait to get my mitts on it!

 

[joe44va]

How about a 5' J-frame. A 60-18. Sweet little hiking weapon.

 

[rbrbrb6]

Only 5" Smith left in the safe and Mr. Bowen had to put it together. 45 Colt on a model 58 frame. Combat 45 of the larger variety!

 

[BLUEDOT37]

.
Only 5" Smith left in the safe and Mr. Bowen had to put it together. 45 Colt on a model 58 frame. Combat 45 of the larger variety!
.

.

Nice gun! Which sights are those?

.

 

[Nedroe]

I'll Throw In.........

a 5" pre-war Heavy Duty

a 5" 28, 45acp, by Hamilton Bowen

a 5" 25-9, 45LC

here they are, hangin' together.

a 5" pre-29 I used to have

a 5" Reg Mag with a humpback EVPD 1939

a 27-2, 5" Pinto, or Paint? I get 'em confused anymore.

AND, just so the K frames don't feel left out, a 1905, 5" target, with a humpback

I've had a lot of others over the years. Never hesitate to buy another one.

Enjoy.


Ned

 

[cm289]

I bought this 25-7 slightly used back in 1990 at a pawn shop for $250. Unfortunately I lost the box sometime between then and now.

 

[eTripper]

I only have one 5" specimen currently in the stable, a 625 Model of 1989. She's very accurate, and one of my favorite pieces.

 

[girvin02]

5" N-Frames are the bees knees.