I'm pretty sure it's an L frame, but is it a square or round butt? Getting ready to order from Hogue and just want to make the right choice.
Thanks
686 is definitely an L frame. If you have a 6 inch barrel, then it's a square butt. I believe that the 2.5 or 3 inch barrelled ones are round butt but you can't get those anymore due to prohib status.
All modern made smiths are round butt. You will not find a square butt unless its a older model. Not sure when they switched but im sure Harry Callahan or Rfo1 would know.
Some of the new ones are still square butt frames. At least my 586 is, and I bought it new last fall.All modern made smiths are round butt. You will not find a square butt unless its a older model. Not sure when they switched but im sure Harry Callahan or Rfo1 would know.
Some of the new ones are still square butt frames. At least my 586 is, and I bought it new last fall.
Kristian
If they are re-issues of vintage pieces they may be square butt. Like the 29-10 for example. I could be wrong. But I have owned a few now and all were round butt.
That could very well be, it's the only new one I have. I wonder why the switch to round butts for new models?
Kristian
Ive read it was a cost cutting measure as well as it was easer for those folks that wanted to ccw a revolver.
The new Classic models are still square butt. I beleive they went to the round butt design to give them more flexibility with grip design then the square butt model offers.
Graydog
How sure are you of that? Have you seen one with your own eyes? Everything I have read says that from 1996 or 1997 they transitioned to round butt for all their revolvers except for remakes of the vintage ones, maybe the classic falls under that same catagory.




Hi
How aure am I of this? Quite sure. Have I seen any with my own eyes? Yes. Me thinks you have not read enough or maybe just you haven't read the right books. Also don't always believe everything you read. No the Classic's do not fall under this cat.
I am sure there are people out there who do not know the difference between a round butt gun and a square butt one. Below lies the difference.
First here is a picture of the so called Canadian 4.2 inch barreled S&W model 686 gun
Next is a picture of the new model S&W model 14 gun. Note the lock just above the cylinder release. This is known as a K frame gun.
Next is a picture of a new model S&W model 586 gun. Again note the lock. This is known as a L Frame gun.
Next is a picture of the new model S&W model 25 gun. Also not the lock. This is known as the N frame gun.
All these guns are not marketed under the classic line. I have enclosed pictures of all the different frames to show that Smith & Wesson still do make square butt guns.
Graydog



























