frame size by letter designation?

Winston Bode

August 10, 2014 20:05

What is the letter designation, such as K,N etc., for a smith and wesson model 10? Just curious as I never had reason to know this information.
Until now.

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  charliemeyer007

  August 10, 2014 20:14

  k can be found in both square and round butt.

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  Winston Bode

  August 10, 2014 20:19

  Thanks, I've always heard the letter designations but never knew one from the other.

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  11b6r

  August 11, 2014 05:03

  http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u269/tdcorp/Smith and Wesson/zTheFiveSWFramesRTiltup.jpg
  
  Those are stainless guns, but sorta show the differences. There WERE smaller frames, now obsolete.

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  navc130

  August 11, 2014 05:03

  K - medium frams, N - large frame, X - super large (.500 mag), S - small frame (snub nose) I think, not positive.
  L - beefed up K frame to handle .357 mag pressure better.

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  Hawk Carse

  August 11, 2014 05:43

  Sorry, navc130, Smith & Wesson small guns are on the J frame.
  There used to be an I frame for .32s and .38 S&W but that was rolled up into the J frame series.
  
  I don't know if I would call the L frame a "beefed up K frame," it is larger in all dimensions except the grip.
  I gather the new production Model 66 is "beefed up" over prior K frame magnums.

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  Txs

  August 11, 2014 06:41

  Basically...
  
  I = Really small
  J = Small
  K = Medium
  L = Medium+
  N = Large
  x = Really large

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  beantownshootah

  August 25, 2014 13:25

  quote:Originally posted by Txs
  Basically...
  
  I = Really small
  J = Small
  K = Medium
  L = Medium+
  N = Large
  x = Really large
  
  
  This is correct. (And nice to see GB.COM ATE back on line after a few days down time!).
  
  As addendum, Smith isn't making "i" frame guns any more, and hasn't in many years.
  
  The snubnose .38s are J frames.
  
  Edit, responding to below . You're right, I should have said the current manufacture small pocket snubnose .38s are J-frames! Smith has put out any number of K-frame snubnose guns over the years, including models 10, 66, etc). Smith doesn't offer any K frame snubnose guns right now, though it does offer a 2.5" snubnose L frame model 686.
  
  M frame is a tiny .22 revolver manufactured at the beginning of the 20th century. These are scarce and effectively collectors guns at this point.
  
  
  With the exception of the model 10 (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong here), Smith isn't making any other K-frames any more either. {Edit, I see Smith has just brought back the model 66 this year, though that one was gone for a while. Smith model 617 in .22LR is also on the K frame). I also see Smith has introduced a new L frame in 44 magnum called the model 69 this year.
  
  The "L" frame is called "medium-large"; its a little beefier than the K frame, but retains the same grip shape/profile.
  
  The "X" frame is for the super-magnums, like the .500SW magnum, and although the frame is gigantic, this one also takes the K/L grips.
  
  And here's the image worth 1000 words:
  
  
  

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  62fuelie

  August 27, 2014 10:32

  There were "snub-nose" guns made in the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece, the Model 19/66 Combat Magnum (2 1/2") as well as the 2" Model 10. All "K" frames and all surprisingly accurate, at least the ones I have owned.

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  spas12

  August 27, 2014 11:14

  There's also the Z frame that is used for the Governor.

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  h2ou8n4

  September 02, 2014 09:21

  Don't forget the super small M frame, the original Lady Smith in .22 cal.

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