Posted on 05/24/2005 11:09:16 AM PDT by Jack Black
Among the many excellent handguns available perhaps none is so beloved by so many as the classic Smith & Wesson N-Frame.
The N-Frame is the biggest traditional frame size available in a Smith & Wesson handgun. It dates back to early in the last century when it was offered as a military and police pistol in various guises, including the legendary Triple Lock. Originally offered in .38 Special and other old-school calibers it began its rise to flagship and icon with the introduction of the .357 magnum. One can argue, did the calibers make the gun or did the gun make the calibers? Following on the great and popular .357 - THE standard police caliber for much of the 20th Century - the ever popular .44 special was "magumized" and turned into the legendary .44 Mag. Filling the percieved gap between these two the .41 Mag was introduced and quickly became a cult favorite that some feel is the "just right" size for the N-Frame. The older but still popular .45 Colt and .45 ACP have continued to be chambered in the N-Frame as well.
Aside from being chambered in a variety of the most popular and very powerful handgun rounds generally available the N-Frames have achieved their popularity in part because of the wide variety of configurations they have been offered in. Major variations include he square and round-butt frames, blued and stainless finishes and barrel lengths of staggering variety. These include 2.5", 3", 3.5", 4", 5", 6", 6.5", 7.5", 8.3" and 10", with the four and six inchers being the most popular.
Recent years have seen some innovations and deletions in the product line. All N's are now round butt, but square butt grip styles are still available. Blued guns have mostly disapeared, although the occassional special edition will still feature Smith's beautiful bluing. Rubber ergo grips predominate.
Perhaps the most controversial feature is the inclusion of an intergal lock behind the cylinder release. Many old time users dislike the presence of this rather unnecessary feature, somewhat forced on S&W by a combination of bad laws, Clinton-era threats and ever increasing litigation threats from land shark lawyers everywhere.
The N frame has moved from ubiquitous police side arm to being more often owned by civilians. It remains a perennial favorite of hunters as backup, and the choice of a surprising number of individual citizens for both open and concealed carry.
The N-frame lost it's position as the biggest and baddest handgun a while ago. Smith finally bowed to the inevitable and introduced the super-jumbo sized X frame and the awesome .500 magnum.
But the N-frame remains what it has been since it's introduction. A supurb, large but not bulky, handgun, built to excellent standards of fit and finish and chambering a variety of useful and powerful cartridges. As long as a need for such a gun exists the big N-frame will no doubt continue to find favor.
The standard of standards: 6" N-Frame .44 Mag model 629.
Yea, I got an idea. I want something in .50 BMG! That would just about complete the Holy Trinity of Clan Lurkers rifle collection. A couple ARs, one wicked accurate Springield M1A (TRW parts BTW, very low SN under 25XXX), and then something bolt action and mag fed in .50 for really 'reaching out and touching' something.
I do hear really good things about that 6.5 though, but I want something that really makes libs wet their pants.
Have you seen Hi-Tech Ammo? He's got some great prices on military bullet pulls. It ain't Sierra or CCI, but everything I've bought from him has been just as advertised and his service is very good.
500 of the green tip SS109s are like 20 bucks or something, and they're the genuine article. For that price I can load 'em cheaper than I can buy 'em new and that's not easy for the 5.56. He's got some other cool stuff at times, too. I picked up some 7.62 bandoliers complete with strippers, loading tool, and the carboard boxes for like 10 bucks a piece.
It's pretty cool to drop those on the bench out at the range.
L
I picked up a Tom Threepersons holster for my 1926. Perfect for the period.
I love my K-frame. It's an old duty .357 magnum that was kept by loving hands and all I had to do to it was get it a decent set of grips. Don't own an N-frame yet.
So I NEED one, right?
Is that thing on there to just keep the flame cutting down on the scandium ?
My grandfathers two S.D. Meyers rigs were made in the 30's for my grandfathers old 44 special and the smaller "snub"......ones in fair shape but the "border patrol" is perfect....lined with Elk from Colorado supplied by Grandfather to S.D.
Kewl History !
You're just trying to make me jealous, and you're succeeding.
Cool......I have the barrett 82A1 but "need" (honest) a 375 H&H for reasons I won't go into here....and a good Texas Deer rifle with low recoil, lightweight, etc . I have a few but just like the 6.5x55.
Thanks for the link........I'll go check it out.
I bought & shoot it just for the magnum effect. The weight is needed and when you bring up on a live target, it just come natural. Hell on hogs & coyotes using Knead 210 SWC. If just for coyotes, then 200 gr JHP. Out for just jackrabbits? Use 180 gr JHP and it field dresses them for you.
A long time ago, changed out to a gold bead blade and a V notch and started hitting more live targets @75 yrds. The gold bead helped in practice on coleman cans @400 yrds.
I didn't know what I had till I was telling an old gomer at the range about it. He asked if the elk hide had been rolled out over the lip and such and such done etc etc ....My Aunt is the one that told me when and where Grampa got it. Research and locals are the ones that led me to S.D Meyers as the maker.
Tom Threepersons's name kept popping up when I was searching for data....One from Texas and one from Canookistan.
Awesome rigs......
Just can't justify the .50, but might be able to convince myself I need a .338 Lupau.
That's my Smith 629, except mine is a 4" bbl.
Love that gun!
Get the 460 weatherby mag and just squint yer eyes before ya touch it off and think 50BMG !
Dakota's 76 Longbow is a cool tool in 338 Lapua Mag....I'll want pics !
Tom Threepersons from Texas and Canookistan are one and the same individual. Worked for the RCMP, El Paso SO or PD, and a couple of other groups. Made a big name for himself along the border, friends with Capt.Hughes (The Border Boss)great shooter and designed the Threepersons Holster for S.D. Myers.
Damn !
My Grandfather was down in El Paso in late 20's and early thirties (where me dear ole mum was downloaded)......Wonder when and where the S.D. Shop was exactly ?
By the way, I've been looking at the Thunder Ranch .44 Spc. they are getting $800 on them here in Dallas. I'm still commiserating on it.
I've seen that.....great rig. I was hoping S&W would build a 696 from scandium, 3 inch, fixed sights, round butt. Kinda like a 44 spc version of the old FiBi Model 13 per se.........
Yea, maybe it won't blow up.
S.D. Myers is now El Paso Saddlery, still make the old patterns, gun belts, money belts etc.
Ya just don't try and make it a magnum.........
Or if ya do cock it , throw it like a frag grenade......:o)
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Ruger fan but there's nothing wrong with the large frame Smithies.
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