The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - S&W J-K-L-N Frame Descriptions/Pictures?

BillCA · July 5, 2010, 02:01 AM

The S&W Line consisted of a number of frames over the years.

For a quick view of the difference between the most common Large & Small frames, this photo might do...

S&W N-Frame .41 Magnum above a S&W J-frame .32 Long.

From smallest to largest:

M Frame - used on the obsolete Ladysmith .22 Long (circa 1909-1920)

Small frame
The I & J frames are commonly called the "snubby" frame or Chiefs Special frame after the 5-shot, .38 Special snubby by that name.
I Frame - obsolete: Used for .22/.32 caliber revolvers (1900-1941)
I-Frame/Improved - Obsolete: Used for .22/.32/.38 S&W revolvers (1945-1960)
J-frame - Used for .22/.32 & .38 Special (5-shot) revolvers (1950-current)
J-Magnum - New: Used for .357 Magnum 5-shot revolvers (1999-current)
Example:

Similar in size to your Chief's special, the J-frame Centennial hammerless
(Model 42) and the shrouded hammer 649 on the J-Magnum frame.

Medium Frame
There are two frames that S&W classifies as their "medium" frame. The K & L frames. The K-frame was introduced in 1899 and has been in continual production since then. It's the basis for 15 different models in .22/.32/.38/.357 Magnum.
K-Frame - Used for all six-shot .38/.357 caliber revolvers. Primary police revolver from 1900 to the 1980's.

Example: K-Frame Military & Police Model

L-frame - Slightly enlarged K-Frame to withstand the .357 Magnum. (1980-current).

S&W L-Frame 686

Large Frame
N-Frame : Introduced in 1909 for the .44/.45 caliber guns. Today it's chambered in .357, 10mm, .41, .44 and .45 calibers. Dirty Harry's .44 Mag is an N-frame.

X-Frame
Introduced in the 1990's, the X-frame is the largest frame. Created for the .500 S&W Magnum it also launches the .460 Magnum.

S&W Model 500, in .500 S&W Magnum

July 5, 2010, 02:01 AM	#15
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	The S&W Line consisted of a number of frames over the years. For a quick view of the difference between the most common Large & Small frames, this photo might do... S&W N-Frame .41 Magnum above a S&W J-frame .32 Long. From smallest to largest: M Frame - used on the obsolete Ladysmith .22 Long (circa 1909-1920) Small frame The I & J frames are commonly called the "snubby" frame or Chiefs Special frame after the 5-shot, .38 Special snubby by that name. I Frame - obsolete: Used for .22/.32 caliber revolvers (1900-1941) I-Frame/Improved - Obsolete: Used for .22/.32/.38 S&W revolvers (1945-1960) J-frame - Used for .22/.32 & .38 Special (5-shot) revolvers (1950-current) J-Magnum - New: Used for .357 Magnum 5-shot revolvers (1999-current) Example: Similar in size to your Chief's special, the J-frame Centennial hammerless (Model 42) and the shrouded hammer 649 on the J-Magnum frame. Medium Frame There are two frames that S&W classifies as their "medium" frame. The K & L frames. The K-frame was introduced in 1899 and has been in continual production since then. It's the basis for 15 different models in .22/.32/.38/.357 Magnum. K-Frame - Used for all six-shot .38/.357 caliber revolvers. Primary police revolver from 1900 to the 1980's. Example: K-Frame Military & Police Model L-frame - Slightly enlarged K-Frame to withstand the .357 Magnum. (1980-current). S&W L-Frame 686 Large Frame N-Frame : Introduced in 1909 for the .44/.45 caliber guns. Today it's chambered in .357, 10mm, .41, .44 and .45 calibers. Dirty Harry's .44 Mag is an N-frame. X-Frame Introduced in the 1990's, the X-frame is the largest frame. Created for the .500 S&W Magnum it also launches the .460 Magnum. S&W Model 500, in .500 S&W Magnum __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)