The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Gunsmithing Pistol Frame DesignationGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| Pistol Frame Designation | Login/Join |
| One of Us |
I keep seeing pistol frames being refered to with letter designations in the stuff I read: J,K even X frame. Is there a standard which determins frame size and how does one tell what a particular frame is? (Can't recall seeing writing on pistols to that effect) | ||
|
one of us |
Smith & Wesson and Colt started that years ago (maybe ~100) for their revolvers. The smaller frames were made for smaller cartridges and the common S&W sized frame from smallest to largest were J, K L, N. The J frames was built for the 32 S&W up to about 38 special. The K frame was originally designated for the 38 Special but later 357's were made in that size also. The L frames were later additions and usually for magnum cartridges. The N frames were for the original 357 & 44 magnums. The new 500 S&W I think is in a new frame called the O frame or something. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
|
| one of us |
S&W Frame sizes normally encountered are as follows: I frame---forerunner of the J frame, the smallest modern frame, usually found in 22, 32 and some 38 calibers. J frame---small 5 shot frame...most famous would be either Cheif Special in 38 special, or the Kit Gun in 22. Also some 32 and other 38 calibers offered such as 32 S&W Long, or 38 S&W. K frame--medium frame, 22, 32, 38 and the 357 maganum are common. L frame--sorf of a beefed up K frame, mostly in 357 magnum. N frame--357, 41, 44, 45 calibers. Most famous would be the M29 44 Magnum. X frame--the new 460 and 500 S&W calibers. That is about the easiest explaination for S&W, but by all means nowhere near complete. I am not that much up on Colt, but the O frame is the 1911 series, D frame would be the Detective special, I frame would be the Python. Not sure what the Anaconda was, but much beefier than the Python, or I, frame. Hope this helps. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Thanks guys for clearing up a nagging knowledge gap. | |||
|
one of us |
Well, here's a question for ya.... Where's the added beef on the "L" frame over the "K" frame? On the "N" frame for the model 28 and later the model 27 the top strap was beefed up and overall it was larger, but the only thing I've ever noticed about the "L" frame is that I've never seen one without the full-length barrel shroud......As in the 586 and 686. I own a model 19 and 586, but I'm thinking of grabbing the calipers and doing some measuring..  I just picked up the 586 about 3 weeks ago for $250.00, with 200rnds of ammo....not bad ehh? Williams Machine Works | |||
|
| one of us |
Matt: There were some special runs of 686 without the full length underlug on the barrel...have seen a couple. You might ask this question on smith-wessonforum.com. One of those guys could probably provide a pic. As for the L frame K frame difference, it has been a long timem but as I remember it was beefed up on the frame where the barrel is screwed in and might be a little beefier top strap...but again I am only quoting from memory. | |||
|
| one of us |
I just picked up the 586 about 3 weeks ago for $250.00, with 200rnds of ammo....not bad ehh? Not bad at all. I love those guns. I wish Smith was still making blued guns. Matt, my model 19 w/ the 6 inch barrel is noticeably lighter than my 586 w/ same barrel length. I remember last time I had them out together I thought the weight couldn't be just the underlug. Let us know what you find if you take out those calipers. Thanks, Steve | |||
|
| one of us |
I noticed the same thing because my 586 is a 4" barrel, as well as my 19, but the 19 is in pieces right now and not fully assembled. Basically, it was one of those...."I'm gonna refinish this thing" quotes about 8 years ago.....  I've been too busy to get it out of the box to compare, but maybe this evening. It does seem to feel heavier than the 19 did and the extra lug in front of the ejector housing I suppose couldn't account for that kind of diffference. Williams Machine Works | |||
|
| one of us |
Matt, if you will examine the end of the barrel, you will note that the K-frame gun has a flat on the outside of the forcing cone. The barrel was repositioned on the L, making that flat unnecessary and the forcing cone a bit stronger. The L has a larger diameter cylinder, and the top strap is a bit heavier. The grip is identical to the K, so the same size stocks fit both. Clemson NRA Endowment Member US Army Veteran CWP Holder Gunsmith | |||
|
| one of us |
Well, after examining them both last night.......you're absolutely correct. Learn something new everyday.  My father had quite the quote many yars ago regading S&W's quality....."A used Smith and Wesson is like a used twenty dollar bill." Never forgot that one and it holds true IMO. Of course we were speaking of the double-action revolvers, not the semi-automatics....different story there. Williams Machine Works | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia