Removing recoil shields

[Pomona Pete]

I am sure that this is a silly question for those that are familiar with the Remington revolver.  When a factory cartridge coversion was done on a NMN revolver the recoil shield portion of the frame was machined off so that the frame was flat on both sides.  Why was this done?  I am sure there is a logical reason but it looks to me like the conversion ring could be used with the recoil shields as they were originally.  I just got my first Remington and was looking in McDowell's book and noticed the frame modification.

[Hoof Hearted]

I'm not sure that there is a documented reason (I have read most everything I can about these conversions). So what we have left is speculation

Weight?
Easier to "port" by removing the shield?

I believe that all of the NMN's were converted after the NMA's (if I am wrong here steo in, please) so maybe they were trying to speed up the process..............

Obviously the 38 cartridge in use was not so powerful that this removal caused problems.

Interesting question though!