2 different S&W N frames?

[Constrictor]

I recently bought a set of N frame grips off ebay for my S&W model 29 and was shocked when i recieved these cute little grips that looked like they were made for a toy gun. i emailed the seller to tell him N frame was the largest frame S&W makes and these were not correct, he emailed me back and said they were stamped N frame inside and were off a S&W model 28 highway patrol model. so i looked these up, and it apears they are also N frame, whats up with 2 completley different N frames?

 

[CajunBass]

Are they factory grips? Smith & Wesson shipped guns with basically two types of grips. There was the standard "Magna" grip and a more handfilling "target" grips. (There are others but these are the big two you encounter.)

"N" frame Magna grip.



"N" frame Target grip.



They're the same size frame.

 

[cfullgraf]

What CajunBass says.

As far as I know, and N frame is an N frame. There may be some round butt N frames out there but other than that they all should be the same.

The Model 28 was an economy version of the Model 27, so S&W probably economized on the grips as well. It looks like, from pictures, the grips are about the size of the frame, similar to the standard grips on the K frames.

The higher end revolvers had the larger, target style grips.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

You didn't get an old pair of service grips by any chance, did you? They usually go for big money.



CajunBass is correct. The Model 28 was issued with both oversized target grips, and magna grips. I actually prefer the Magna grips on a Model 28. There is plenty of mass in the gun to take up the extra recoil.



Here is my Model 27 the way it came from the factory.

 

[Constrictor]

the grips were stock square butt checkered wood grips. They came off a .357 magnum and a model 29 is a large frame 44 mag. they arent even close to the same size.

 

[19-3Ben]

the grips were stock square butt checkered wood grips. They came off a .357 magnum and a model 29 is a large frame 44 mag. they arent even close to the same size.

N frame is N frame, whether it's chambered in .357mag, or .44mag. There is only one N frame. Grips from a .357mag chambered N frame, should also fit a .44mag chambered N frame, assuming that one isn't round butt and other other square butt.

 

[USSR]

Constrictor,

You can't go by the outside physical dimensions of the grips. They may be small or they may be large, as long as they are cut on the inside dimensions of the grips for the N size frame, they are N frame grips.

Don

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Yes, the Model 29 is built on the N frame and so are the Models 27 and 28. Both are large frame 357 Magnums. There are also 357 Mags built on K frames and even J frames, but if the guy said they were from a Model 28, then they were from an N frame. As noted, the Model 28 shipped with both Oversized Target grips and Magna grips, which are not as large.

There is another wrinkle. Originally, S&W grips were custom fit to the gun. Before hardening, the grips and the frame would be sanded down together so the grips fit the gun perfectly. Then the frame would be sent to another department to be hardened and blued while the grips were sent to a different department to be varnished. The grips would be reunited with their specific frame at final assembly. Since the grinding process to mate up the grips with the frame was a hand process there could be variation from gun to gun, and grips from one frame may not fit another frame of the same size perfectly. There can be some variation when they are put on another gun. They often do not mate up perfectly line to line with another gun.

This was all pre-MIM parts and pre-locks. I have no idea how Smith is currently fitting grips to their frames, but I'll bet CNC equipment is used.

 

[CraigC]

As has been posted and repeated, an N-frame is an N-frame, regardless of the chambering. Always has been, from the original New Century (Triple-Lock) to the current models. Round and square butt differences excepted. I think what they others are alluding to and I agree, is that you may have received some Magna stocks but were expecting oversized target stocks.

 

[rishooter]

N Frame Grips

I have a pre-28 Highway Patrolman with the the target grips and a 4"barrel;a 27(no dash) with the Magna grips,6.5" barrel;and a Model 28 6" barrel with Herrett grips which were available as an option back in the day.
That 28 also has sights that aren't listed in the Standard S&W Catalogue.Custom shop?Who knows?
The Magna grips seem a little unbalanced on the big N frames,but they shoot okay.

 

[9mmepiphany]

the grips were stock square butt checkered wood grips. They came off a .357 magnum and a model 29 is a large frame 44 mag. they arent even close to the same size.

Are you saying that the frames aren't the same size or that the grips aren't the same size?

The Frame of the M-28 and the M-29 are certainly the same size...as are the frames of the M27, M20, M21, M24 and M25. The only variation, since model numbers were issued, has been the round and square butts.

As should be obvious from the pictures posted, the Magna and Target grips are different in size, but both will fit the frame.

If your grips don't fit the frame, please post a picture so that we can try to determine the size difference.

BTW: my 8.375" M-27 originally came with the smaller Magna grips as well as the narrow hammer and trigger...and it came in the blue cardbox box with the metal corner reinforcements

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I hope you are lucky enough to have been sent some pre-war service grips. Last set I bought set me back 3 bills for nice ones!

Pictures, we need pictures to be sure.

 

[Jim K]

"... stamped N frame inside.... off a Model 28..."

AFAIK S&W never stamped the frame size inside the grips; they did stamp the serial number of the gun for the reason Driftwood Johnson describes.

Jim

 

[CraigC]

Could be just the "N" serial prefix.

 

[cfullgraf]

"... stamped N frame inside.... off a Model 28..."

AFAIK S&W never stamped the frame size inside the grips; they did stamp the serial number of the gun for the reason Driftwood Johnson describes.

Jim

I just purchased a Classic Model 24 and the wood grips have "N" stamped inside of them.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I just purchased a Classic Model 24 and the wood grips have "N" stamped inside of them.

My remarks regarding the fitting of grips was the way it used to be done. Pre-MIM and Pre-Locks. Maybe even Pre-CNC for all I know. Your Classic Model 24 is a modern gun. I seriously doubt that S&W is going to the expense today of hand fitting grips before polishing and hardening the frame. It was expensive to do it that way. So I doubt if modern grips are specifically fitted to a specific frame. I have no idea how S&W is marking the grips in modern guns.

 

[cfullgraf]

My remarks regarding the fitting of grips was the way it used to be done. Pre-MIM and Pre-Locks. Maybe even Pre-CNC for all I know. Your Classic Model 24 is a modern gun. I seriously doubt that S&W is going to the expense today of hand fitting grips before polishing and hardening the frame.

I totally agree and did not mean that I expected the grips on the Classic Model 24 were hand fitted to the revolver. i was just commenting that S&W has marked grips with the frame size, so, it is possible that the OP's grips could be marked as such. The grips may or may not be original to the revolver he was told they came from.

If memory serves me correctly, my early '80s vintage S&W revolvers did not have the frame size or the serial number stamped in the grips. But, I have slept since I last looked at them.

 

[dprice3844444]

http://www.grips4guns.com/revolver/smithwesson/smithwesson.html

http://ahrendsgripsusa.com/retro.htm

you forgot to specify square or round butt?

 

[joed]

I actually like the Target and Magna grips equally. Some guns look great to me with one and awkward with the other.

The model 28 is usually seen with the Magna though and it's not often seen with the target grips. I did have one model 28 that came from the factory with target grips.

 

[BossHogg]

Will we ever solve the mystery? They either fit or don't, big or small has nothing with if they fit. Now now be nice. Only possible difference is the round or square grip.

My money's on the service size/classic grips.

 

[Constrictor]

here is a photo of the grips i bought. they are tiny.

 

[JRH6856]

Look like N frame Magna grips to me.

 

[CraigC]

Those are Magnas. If they came off a 28, they will fit your 29. However, only you can decide if that's what you want on your .44Mag. Sounds more like an uneducated buyer, than any issue with the seller.

 

[Guillermo]

^^^^^

what CraigC said

 

[BossHogg]

Dang, would of loss that bet. Still not as tiny as the service/classic size. Now, do they fit on the N frame.