Hammerless K, L, N frame?

The 296 was an L frame with an enclosed hammer.

I have a Taurus 445 CH which is a .44spl 5 shot (L frame) with a bobbed hammer.

S&W Model 296 in .44 Special and Model 242 in .38 Special. Both L frames.

They made 'em, and were made with a resounding ho-hum from the general shooting public.

I sort of regret not getting one, but the couple I handled were, um, well, a hand full! It was really not as pocket oriented as one might think, at least to me, YMMV.

I think the last MSRP I saw, early '02, for that 296 was $789. I said something a bit different from 'Ho hum!' when I saw that. Of course, during that year, it was canned... and by year's end, it was closeout priced $349 locally. Of course, I said something different then, too... "I'll take THAT one, thank you!". Neat gun... real 'kick' to shoot. Think of a 642 with +P's - on steroids.

No, if they make a hammerless - or shrouded hammer - .500 Magnum, don't count on my patronage... until those closeout prices appear, of course!

Fickle? Frugal!

Stainz

A good solution, per my M28, is a bobbed hammer and trigger job... makes for snag free and, smooth as butter I will admit there is snag potential from rear sight but never had any problem when this was a carry piece.

Sure wasn't gonna live in my pocket!

To compare the 296 to the 642... and their respective ammo, 200gr GDHP (GA Arms) & 158gr +P LHPSWC (Rem):