help with s&w revolvers

heavenIsAlie

heavenIsAlie

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i shot a s&w k frame revolver this summer in idpa, loved it compared to other revolvers ive fired and now i want to keep out on the look out for one to pop up at a good deal. problem is i cant for the life of me figure out the s&w revolver names. i could use some help with people telling me what codes to look for. .38 special or .357 doesnt matter as all ill feed it are .38 special
 
I'm with you on the name confusion. Ever since I shot some .38Spl's through a model 19 I've been in love. But in looking around at the various options I've come to the conclusion that S&W's main goal in life is to confuse their customers with a myriad plethora of model numbers so they can just sit and laugh at us in our confusion.

It's so bad that when I go on google and type my first "s" all that comes up in the list of recent searches is S&W references. And I don't see that getting any better any time soon.

In your case I'd suggest a Model 10 or a model 15 or a Model 19 from my own searches. The first two are .38Spl only and the Model 19 is rated for .357 but is light enough that your wrist will thank you for only shooting those occasionally for giggles. But in the meantime a Model 19 is light enough to really shine when shooting .38Spl's.

Like you I found that the .38Spl rounds are a nice balance between the kick that livens up the shooting and the accuracy that produces nice tight groups that make us smile. But I'd suggest that unless your wrists are not up to the hit that you don't forego the fun and flame that a few Big Bang .357 rounds can provide occasionally. And for that you need a Model 19.

Some will suggest the current 686 but to my eyes the full lug barrels just do not have the grace and balance of the old short lugged barrels. And of the short lugs the ones that are tapered are the finest of all. And of course Blue is Best.

And there's a couple of .38Spl's in the EE at the moment. Check 'em out!
 
turns out i forgot about making power factor, so that means i need to shoot the +p loads out of it. fairly sure that narrows down my choices a bit
 
S&W revolvers come in 4 basic frame sizes (5 if you include the big .500/.460 X frame guns):

J frame: small frame 5 shot .38's and 6 shot .22's (Model 36, 60, etc.) mostly 2-3" barrel prohibs.

K frame: medium frame .38 Spl. / .357 Mag. and .22's (Model 19, 66, 10, 17, etc.)

L frame: heavier version of K frame, .357 Mag (Model 586/686)

N frame: large frame .44 Mag, .41 Mag, .357 Mag. (Model 28/27, 29, 629, 57etc.)

Fairly simple, but lots of variants among the various sizes and calibers ;).
 
heavenIsAlie said:
turns out i forgot about making power factor, so that means i need to shoot the +p loads out of it. fairly sure that narrows down my choices a bit
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Not really, K frames were made in .357 too. K Frames will have a somewhat shorter life with full power loads, but they won't blow up if you use them.
 
heavenIsAlie said:
turns out i forgot about making power factor, so that means i need to shoot the +p loads out of it. fairly sure that narrows down my choices a bit
Click to expand...


Yes it does. To a Model 19 again. Or to one of the other .357 options out there. Not that this is a BAD thing by any means.... :D

The .38Spl doesn't meet minor PF for IPSC?

EDIT- Never mind. I did the calcs and yeah, it's way under minor. No wonder it's such a smooth shooting round. So it's +P and a 6inch barrel or go with custom reloads of .357 brass to meet whatever PF you want.
 
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Real easy, Type into whatever search engine you use: Smith & Wesson K or J frame 38 special revolver. It will explode! There are so many S&W revolvers that I don't think your computer will be able to handle it, unless the volume button goes to eleven... Sarcasm aside I think Reliable Gun had a Model 19 up for sale, you may want to check it out.
 
BCRider said:
Yes it does. To a Model 19 again. Or to one of the other .357 options out there. Not that this is a BAD thing by any means.... :D

The .38Spl doesn't meet minor PF for IPSC?
Click to expand...

not sure, but i shoot IDPA and reg .38 special loads dont meet the power factor, but +p ones will
 
See my edit in my last post.

I'd be up for shooting revolver in IPSC or IDPA as well if someone else shows with one. Hey, I'm out for fun and when I take myself TOO seriously it ain't fun anymore.
 
Wendell said:
IPSC minor is 125. All you need is a 158gr projectile at 791fps. Easily done.
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If you're reloading, yes. Most factory ammo won't make PF except for +P (and not all +P loads)

As for K-Frame .38 Spl/.357 Mag most common models:

10 - .38 Spl - Blued - Fixed Sights
13 - .357 Mag - Blued - Fixed Sights
15 - .38 Spl - Blued - Adj Sights
19 - .357 Mag - Blued - Adj Sights
64 - .38 Spl - SS - Fixed Sights
65 - .357 Mag - SS - Fixed Sights
66 - .357 Mag - SS - Adj Sights

Brennan, since you're not 12.6, I'd recommend getting a Model 66 and get the barrel cut down to 4.2" by Barry at Bits of Pieces in Delta, BC. IIRC he charges about $125.00.
 
Dragoon said:
If you're reloading, yes. Most factory ammo won't make PF except for +P (and not all +P loads)
Click to expand...

Just to add to that, if you're not yet reloading, 38/357 is an excellent calibre to start on, very easy to reload and very forgiving of OAL and seating issues. Also if your local range hosts armoured car company qualification shoots, look for a ton of free brass kicking around. Even if you have to buy brass, 38 brass is dirt cheap as are 38/357 bullets.
 
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