Posted: 7/10/2010 12:27:51 PM EDT
| I got a chance to get my hands on a 686 the other day at a local shop. Out of curiousity does the standard model 629 .44 mag have a larger or longer grip than the 686? They look the same. |
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Measuring the L and N frame square targets in the picture below, I see the N frame at about .1 larger OAL at both the butt and throat front to rear. Distance from the forward face of the internal cutout to the back strap surface is about the same .1 difference. Heck, just picking them up side by side the N feels much larger in your hand.
I think that the grip makers stock different part numbers for K/L and N for a reason... 
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Quoted:
Measuring the L and N frame square targets in the picture below, I see the N frame at about .1 larger OAL at both the butt and throat front to rear. Distance from the forward face of the internal cutout to the back strap surface is about the same .1 difference. Heck, just picking them up side by side the N feels much larger in your hand. I think that the grip makers stock different part numbers for K/L and N for a reason... http://home.comcast.net/~imashooter2/pictures/L-N-600.jpg Yes, before the change, the N-frame was larger than the K/L frame. Now, S&W does not even manufacture a square butt revolver, and every K, L, N and X-frame utilize the K-frame size grip. So, you can install huge target grips that would normally be used on an N-frame on a K-frame snub, or put tiny concealment grips normally used on a K-frame snub on a S&W .500 if that floats your boat. S&W did this to stramline their manufacturing process. On an older square butt, like the ones you have pictured, a K-frame grip can be installed on an N-frame, but the top of the grip will not line up with the frame of the revolver. |
K/L frame Hogues on N frame (625-8):
N frame Hogues on L frame (686-6): 
These are both lock guns less than 10 years old. I'm going to stick with "different." I've seen pictures of guns on Enos that are using the X frame grips on N frames and they appear to fit well. I'm willing to go with K/L same and N/X same, but I don't see L and N as interchangeable. |