S&W revolver frames- difference between K and L frames?

hiredgun

hiredgun

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The title pretty much sums up my question. I am looking for a 38 Special or 38/357 stainless for informal target shooting in 38 Special. I notice that some models have K frames and some L frames. Is one preferred to the other? Thanks for any advice.
 
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The K frames such as the Model 13 were designed to provide 357 power to police/enforcement agencies. The intent was to practice with 38 special and carry with 357.

So you can shoot 357 thru a K frame with no problems. Stick with 158 grain bullets. I you plan on shooting thousands and thousands of 357 you may want to use a heavier L frame. Even with high 357 usage, the K frame will not ''fail'' but may very gradually stretch producing increaed cylinder/barrel blow by.
 
Some shooters I know prefer the balance of a 6" K-frame over an L-Frame. If all you're shooting is .38 Spl then a K Frame will likely be a better choice.
 
K Frames will shoot normal 158gr 357Mag loads with zero issues for as long as you live. The problem was when shooting tens of thoundsands of rounds of +P 125gr ammo. The new model 66-8 K frame was redesigned to eat any SAMMI 357Mag load.
 
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Afaik the opening in the frame is bigger for the L frame to accomodate a larger diameter cylinder.

I think usually the half underlug models are K and full underlug ones L.

Just get both lol!
 
The K is the older frame, and was designed to shoot .38. Back when .357 was a new thing there were issues with rapid unscheduled disassemblies of some K-frame revolvers with the new round, so the larger and beefier L-frame was designed to handle .357 more reliably. With modern metallurgy a new K-frame Model 66 is good with .357.

A lot of picking a gun comes down to hand size (what feels right in your grip?) and what you want it for, whether the extra weight is a good thing or a bad thing.
 
hiredgun said:
The title pretty much sums up my question. I am looking for a 38 Special or 38/357 stainless for informal target shooting in 38 Special. I notice that some models have K frames and some L frames. Is one preferred to the other? Thanks for any advice.
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The difference is size. K frames are officially described as "medium" while L frames are "medium-large". The K frame has been around far longer, and is incorporated into far more models, than the L, which as far as I know is still just the 586, 686, and 69. Neither is better than the other, you need to match the choice to your personal usage.

old303 said:
Back when .357 was a new thing there were issues with rapid unscheduled disassemblies of some K-frame revolvers with the new round, so the larger and beefier L-frame was designed to handle .357 more reliably. With modern metallurgy a new K-frame Model 66 is good with .357.
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I'm afraid I'm having some trouble matching your account with the history books. The .357 was introduced in N-frame revolvers in the 1930s, and adapted to the K-framed model 19 in the 50s. But the L frame wasn't introduced until the 1980s, so you're saying Smith & Wesson and the public accepted spontaneously exploding revolvers for 30 years before doing something about it?
 
Hmmm, I'd thought the N frame was the big bad .44 model; was it maybe the first answer to enough beef to comfortably handle .357? Need more coffee.
 
The K frame has been around far longer, and is incorporated into far more models, than the L, which as far as I know is still just the 586, 686, and 69.
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There are also the fixed sight 581 and 681, but they are not too common here as they were only available in 4".

Auggie D.
 
Grip size is exactly the same on both guns. Grips are interchangeable between them.

The only difference is the size of the cylinder. The L frame cylinder is bigger.
 
Both the S&W "K" & "L" frames are suitable for informal target shooting. S&W quit making "K" frame revolvers until recently with their re-introduction of the model 66 & 19. Both are 4.2" barrels & I think they sell for C$900.00......if you can find them.

S&W's 686 revolver is more common both new & used. Ruger's GP100 revolver should also be a candidate to look at.
If the Kimber (KS6) guys & the Colt (King Cobra) guys ever wake up & make their new revolvers in 6" & 4.2" barrels they would sell many here.
 
I like the 66. lighter and I like the traditional styling over full lugs. with full power loads it's fun but not painful like the scandia frames can be at times.
 
I have both a 66-8 and 686, the 66 is a much nicer handling gun. I find the L frame 686 much larger and a tad awkward compared to the 66 which points and shoots very nicely. It even shoots the same ammo 150+fps faster than both my 686.
 
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