Recently I broke out my supply of snap-caps and did some dry-fire practice with a pair of N-Frame Smith & Wessons - a five-inch 27-2 (1978 vintage) and a “pre-28” Highway Patrolman that I believe dates to 1954. Kramer Leather also shown - a Thomas Perfectionist IWB for the 27 and a Belt Scabbard with the HP.

My preferences for carry these days are mostly 1911s or a Glock 26 at certain times; these large-frame Smiths are just in their own world. I have actually carried the 27 in the Thomas Perfectionist for a bit - that holster was designed to port larger guns, and it works. I’ll admit - the adage “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should” certainly occurs to me here ha-ha, especially with how even a steel-frame Government Model 1911 carries really well for me IWB.

Regardless, just wanted to share a few images of these wheelguns.

Nice pix, N-frames are great aren't they.

I love my N-Frame, 625 Smith.

Thank you!

I’m still experimenting with grips on these revolvers. The 27 came with what I believe were its original stocks (as well as the presentation case, tools, etc). I bought the speedloader-cut-out stocks online as well as a Hogue Monogrip.

The pre-28 had the Bear Hug grips shown in the next pic. I admit, it was the grips that first caught my attention when I saw this gun. I tried them at the range and, though it may be heresy to wheelgun purists to admit it...they just didn’t work for me! I wound up selling them to another 27-2 owner and went with another Monogrip.

I’ve been looking at some Eagle Grips that may suit this revolver nicely.

Great looking pair of S&W N frames.
I'm a big fan of the Highway Patrolman - especially the 4 inch variety.

Your Highway Patrolman is most definitely a first year of production gun.
The Highway Patrolman's first year of production was from 1954-1955, serial numbers S103500-139999.
The Highway Patrolman was born in April 1954 starting at SN# S103500 with 8427 produced in 1954.

Your gun, SN# S112103 is a 1955, but still a first year of production.

A letter from the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association would confirm the date of birth/production.
http://www.theswca.org/factory_letter.html

An excellent Highway Patrolman resource:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s...rame-ser-ranges.html

tp

Beautiful N Frames!!!
Love my 625-3 45ACP 4"!!! Especially after Sandy Garrett, North Virginia Gun Works, did a trigger job to a super smooth 8 lbs, recontoured the trigger face and removed the front sight serrations and replaced with a bright vertical line. Sorry, still no pics. Incredible fun to dry fire; better to shoot.

When you get tired of the Highway Patrolman, give me a shout. I miss the one I sold!

Thank you for the info and links!

quote:

Originally posted by g4tx:
Great looking pair of S&W N frames.
I'm a big fan of the Highway Patrolman - especially the 4 inch variety.

Your Highway Patrolman is most definitely a first year of production gun.
The Highway Patrolman's first year of production was from 1954-1955, serial numbers S103500-139999.
The Highway Patrolman was born in April 1954 starting at SN# S103500 with 8427 produced in 1954.

Your gun, SN# S112103 is a 1955, but still a first year of production.

A letter from the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association would confirm the date of birth/production.
http://www.theswca.org/factory_letter.html

An excellent Highway Patrolman resource:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s...rame-ser-ranges.html

tp

That sounds like THE 625-3 model that I’ve been on the lookout for, a 4-incher in .45 ACP. Is yours also marked “Model of 1989?”

quote:

Originally posted by madmatt:
Beautiful N Frames!!!
Love my 625-3 45ACP 4"!!! Especially after Sandy Garrett, North Virginia Gun Works, did a trigger job to a super smooth 8 lbs, recontoured the trigger face and removed the front sight serrations and replaced with a bright vertical line. Sorry, still no pics. Incredible fun to dry fire; better to shoot.

Save those fine Smiths with a snap-cap upgrade. Either one of these is spring-loaded, with a brass head. This provides real cushion against the hammer-nose impact. The A-Zooms are great for reload practice, but the little wad of silicon does nothing to ease the blow from the hammer....

Yes, I have bent an old-style hammer-nose from dry practice without using caps

https://www.lymanproducts.com/...pistol-revolver.html

https://www.amazon.com/Tipton-...r-pack/dp/B0048KFEQI

The best snap caps I have found are made by Freedom Arms. Expensive at 4 bucks each but they’re well made and designed.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TheFrontRange:
That sounds like THE 625-3 model that I’ve been on the lookout for, a 4-incher in .45 ACP. Is yours also marked “Model of 1989?”

Yep, "Model of 1989!" Love this 45! Incredible shooter. Greatest satisfaction outshooting Glocks and 1911s, etc...