Indeed it does, but that's not a valid comparison in my mind. Those smaller snubs serve a different purpose - back-up or concealment-first carry. The N-frame is just too big for that. To me, it logically should be compared to primary carry guns.

Here you say--twice "in my mind," and "to me."  I think because you don't really have an argument here, it's just how you feel about things.  Clint Smith, to give one example, has written a couple of columns about carrying N-frames concealed, specifically in pocket holsters, and that included barrels up to four inches, not just the snubs.  He listed holsters made for this and showed photos of these guns concealed this way.  Clint Smith is a smaller guy than you and I, and has thinned down as he's aged, so it's not like he's Paul Bunyan pulling off a stunt.  This stuff is all do-able, not what I think or what seems to be in "my mind."  

All true, but again, why not carry a flatter, higher capacity 1911 in those conditions? That's where the comparison should lie, not with a J-frame!

Answered above--if you want to carry it as a primary, you can.  But now you only want to compare it to a 5" 1911?   We discusssed that already, but let's look at it from another angle, and get back to real life.  

You know that almost nobody on this forum of very knowledgeable gun guys carries a 5" 1911.  They all compromise.  Mr. 1911-cuz-everythiung-else-has-a-squirtgun-trigger, Allan, chopped his barrel down to 3", but Allan likes big butts, so his pistol compares well with the N-frame snub.  You yourself used to carry a 1911 but you've long since parked that anchor for a SIG .40 that is about 13oz lighter and waaay smaller.  And short-barreled, I might add.  Yet you want me to compare the N-frame to a 5" 1911 because that is the only reasonable comparison?  Ha ha.  I laugh.  

The only guys here (I know of) who carry 5" 1911s are Jerry, on occasion, and me, on occasion.  And Jerry is more likely to pack a mid-size, standard frame Glock, while I'm more likely to carry either the same or a 4" 1911--though a 4.5" full-size Glock .45 has ridden my hip all winter, because I don't have a mental problem with carrying big guns. 

I did compare the N-frame with J-frames because it can also do that duty as well, to a great extent.  I won't repeat that whole bit again, it's in my previous messages. 

Let me ask you something I haven't asked--I'll include everyone.  Have you handled these guns?  Shot them?  I haven't had the opportunity to shoot one, but I've handled several.  I find them very likable.  But I've always liked N-frame snubs.  I've liked them since gunsmith Curt Hardcastle was taking S&W Model 25-2s and 25-5s and cutting the barrels back to 2-3-4"" in the early 1980s, round-butting them, and fitting them with Pachmayr Compac stocks.  Parkerized, one of those was on my dream gun list.  I know, you're thinking, that explains it, why I'd like something so useless.  Ha ha again. 

I'm hopefully older and wiser now, but the concept still intrigues. If it is a "special mission" piece, what the heck.  I think I justified everything I said about them in a factual manner before I mentioned that I'm extra keen on them, so this isn't just something I've always wanted.  About the new ones--nice as the Hardcastle Customs were, the new ones have very appropriate sights, finishes, etc., and in today's dollars are probably less money, even though they are S&W Custom Shop items.

BTW, here are a couple of Hardcastle Customs, FWIW.  Couldn't find any photos of his snubs , just 4" models, so that's a bit of a let-down.   Still, in the 80s you couldn't buy these from S&W.  Both are Model 25-5s, meaning .45ACP.  The Model 25-5 was in .45 Colt: