My paired S&W K-Frames,,,

aarondhgraham · May 3, 2010, 09:26 AM

Morning Gentlemen:

As some of you know, my personal collection tastes revolve around (no pun intended),,,
Having a centerfire revolver and a matching .22 for it.

Here is what I've been able to collect so far:

Stella is the Model 15 in .38 Special,,,
Didi is the Model 18 in .22 LR.

Velma is the Model 36 in .38 Special,,,
Velda is the Model 34 in .22 LR.

The interesting thing here is that Velma has a round butt and Velda has a square butt,,,
I can just hear all the jokes being typed now.

But as soon as I put the Pachmayr Compac Grips on them,,,
They are identical in feel and handling characteristics.

This is Eleanor,,,
A pristine Model 12 in .38 special,,,

The .22 "mate" for her is the Model 45,,,
$1,200 to $1,800 seems to be the going rate for those revolvers.

I don't see one of those in my future any time soon,,,
It's not that I wouldn't spend the money on one,,,
It's just I haven't found one for sale anywhere.

Can anyone think of a different make & model .22 lr revolver,,,
That would/could suit as a companion piece to this lady?

I also own a reasonably nice Colt Trooper Mk III in .357 Magnum,,,

This past Saturday I won the auction for a 6" barrel Trooper MK III in .22 LR.

I'll post pics of the pair as soon as I receive her,,,
Hopefully later this week.

spacecoast · May 3, 2010, 09:30 AM

Very cool... those are some nice sets you are building.

aarondhgraham · May 3, 2010, 09:38 AM

The "set collecting" could be a never ending story,,,
But my favorite handguns are S&W K-frames in .38 Special.

I only need one more set to complete my personal collecting goal,,,
Besides the unaffordable/unobtainable S&W Model 45.

I want a 6" Model 14 Target Masterpiece in .38 special,,,
And a 6" Model 17 Target Masterpiece in .22 LR.

Then I will be done collecting sets,,,
Not done purchasing firearms,,,
Just done with the sets.

spacecoast · May 3, 2010, 09:59 AM

Quote:

But my favorite handguns are S&W K-frames in .38 Special.

I can definitely relate to that

My current favorite is my blued Model 10 snubbie with Pachmayr presentation grips. Points and shoots like a dream, not that any of my K frames don't.

If I was building a set, I think I'd have to go for the Model 64 stainless .38 and the Model 63 in .22LR (which I believe would be its match).

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f...-63-22lr-2977/

aarondhgraham · May 3, 2010, 10:11 AM

The Model 64 is a K-frame, is it not?,,,
It is the stainless equivalent of the Model 10.

If I am reading the S&W book correctly,,,
The Model 63 is built on the smaller J-Frame,,,
The Model 63 is the stainless version of my Model 34.

It would still be a nice match-up though,,,
I like the j-frames almost as much as the K-frames.

I have a friend who owns a 4" Model 34 that is either Chrome or Nickel,,,
I've been trying to get her to sell it to me for years now,,,
She picked it out for her 10th birthday present,,,
Somehow I don't think she's gonna sell it,,,
But I keep trying.

My Evil Pawn shop Guy just finished his personal collection goal,,,
He just got in a Model 63 like you are talking about,,
He now has the 63, 64, 65, 66, & 67.

spacecoast · May 3, 2010, 10:15 AM

Oops, you're right. The 64's match would be the 617...

My M60-7 J frame is just great, that would I believe be the better match for the 63.

Quote:

He now has the 63, 64, 65, 66, & 67

That's definitely an enviable set.

aarondhgraham · May 3, 2010, 10:32 AM

Now I gotta tease the Evil Pawn Shop Guy,,,
He was so happy to have finally gotten the complete set,,,
Now I get to rag on him and tell him how he forgot one model number.

I love the rare opportunity to get his goat,,,
He might not consider it as part of the set though,,,
The number 617 is not consecutive to the numbers 63 through 67.

Isn't it odd what we hoplo-maniacs decide upon for our collection criteria?

Duke City Six · May 3, 2010, 02:00 PM

I believe the 617 is in an L-frame.

It's larger caliber partner would be the 686.

aarondhgraham · May 3, 2010, 02:53 PM

I did not know the 617 was on an L-frame,,,
I believe I just assumed it was another K-frame revolver.

To tell the truth I thought the L-frame was not being used any more,,,
I was under the impression it was J, K, and N frames only.

I went to the S&W website and in the technical specs it says:
[QUOTE]Frame: Medium

The Standard Catalogue of Firearms didn't give a frame letter either.

Dang!

I hate it when I'm not the Font of All Knowledge,,,
Thanks for the information my friend.

I have a S&W 629 that I drag out on occasion,,,
A friend of mine loads some comfy target loads for me.

I use a Taurus model 970 in Stainless as a .22 LR companion to the 629,,,
With it's full lug 6" barrel it actually has a similar balance and feel.

I noticed there is only 2-3 ounces of weight diff between the 617 and the 629,,,
The 617 being an L-frame instead of a K-frame would explain that.

In the past I had toyed with the idea of finding a used 617 and selling the Taurus,,,
But I shelved the idea because a K-frame really isn't a suitable companion piece to a N-frame

Dangit Duke City Six,,,
Now that idea is back in my head,,,
And 617's are not inexpensive revolvers!

Curse you Duke City Six,,,
Curse you I say!

Duke City Six · May 3, 2010, 03:12 PM

Aarond,

Sorry.

Yes, the L-frame is very much alive and well. If you look at the S&W website, and select "Firearms," then "Revolvers," the Ks and Ls are grouped together under "medium." I believe the frame on the L was beefed up to handle regular hot magnum use, but the grip frame is identical to the K. Grips can be interchanged.

Due to the EXTREME popularity of the 686, the L-frame is very well represented out there indeed.

Duke City Six · May 3, 2010, 03:31 PM

Even so, they could do a better job on the website of indicating which specific models are Ks and which are Ls.

BigJimP · May 3, 2010, 04:25 PM

My 3rd edition book / shows the model 617 as a K frame / not an L frame.

The 686 ( and 681 ) are L frames in .357 mag / and the 696 is an L frame in .44 spl ( 5 shot L frame).

but you have a nice collection / I like the K frames as well ...but I lean towards the .357 mag ...( model 19's, 66's) and of course the N frames ( models 27 and 28 ) ...

spacecoast · May 3, 2010, 05:14 PM

I don't know how you guys missed this 6+ years ago

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show....php?p=1445429

BigJimP · May 3, 2010, 05:42 PM

Its getting to the point where my memory is so bad / I need that 3rd edition book with me when I go to the gunshows ...

and if I didn't keep a spreadsheet / with details on my collection .... I'd forget what I have in there ...especially when it comes to which dash numbers some of the models are ...

and I only have about a dozen S&W revolvers ....

aarondhgraham · May 3, 2010, 05:52 PM

But at least I know what make and model I have.

The vast majority of the time,,,
I'll be chatting with someone at my watering hole,,,
I say something about guns and they say "I have a pistol."

When I ask them what kind they say,,,
"A 9 mm" or maybe "a .38."

If I ask what brand,,,
Most of the time they don't know.

I ask, "have you ever shot it?"
They usually reply, "No."

I had one lady ask me if I could help her buy ammunition for her pistol,,,
I said sure so she pulled it out of her purse and laid it on the bar,,,
She said, "Write what to buy on this so I won't forget again."
She unfolded her concealed carry permit papers.

Now that is scary,,,
So you're doing fine BigJimP.

spacecoast · May 3, 2010, 07:23 PM

Aarond -

You'll have to start worrying when you know your revolvers' names but not your kids'.

Duke City Six · May 4, 2010, 02:12 AM

Sorry fellas,

I stand corrected. The full lug on the 617 always made me think it was an L.

It just LOOKS so darn much like the 686.

Again, my apologies for muddying the waters.

aarondhgraham · May 4, 2010, 11:36 AM

Since the 617 isn't an L-frame,,,
I feel no compulsion to get one to match my 629.

That just saved me several hundreds of dollars.

It's terrible to have Obsessive Compulsive tendencies,,,
When you are a small-time collector of anything,,,
That whole "set" thing gets too important.

May 3, 2010, 09:26 AM	#1
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	My paired S&W K-Frames,,, Morning Gentlemen: As some of you know, my personal collection tastes revolve around (no pun intended),,, Having a centerfire revolver and a matching .22 for it. Here is what I've been able to collect so far: Stella is the Model 15 in .38 Special,,, Didi is the Model 18 in .22 LR. Velma is the Model 36 in .38 Special,,, Velda is the Model 34 in .22 LR. The interesting thing here is that Velma has a round butt and Velda has a square butt,,, I can just hear all the jokes being typed now. But as soon as I put the Pachmayr Compac Grips on them,,, They are identical in feel and handling characteristics. This is Eleanor,,, A pristine Model 12 in .38 special,,, The .22 "mate" for her is the Model 45,,, $1,200 to $1,800 seems to be the going rate for those revolvers. I don't see one of those in my future any time soon,,, It's not that I wouldn't spend the money on one,,, It's just I haven't found one for sale anywhere. Can anyone think of a different make & model .22 lr revolver,,, That would/could suit as a companion piece to this lady? I also own a reasonably nice Colt Trooper Mk III in .357 Magnum,,, This past Saturday I won the auction for a 6" barrel Trooper MK III in .22 LR. I'll post pics of the pair as soon as I receive her,,, Hopefully later this week. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 3, 2010, 09:38 AM	#3
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Thanks SpaceCoast,,, The "set collecting" could be a never ending story,,, But my favorite handguns are S&W K-frames in .38 Special. I only need one more set to complete my personal collecting goal,,, Besides the unaffordable/unobtainable S&W Model 45. I want a 6" Model 14 Target Masterpiece in .38 special,,, And a 6" Model 17 Target Masterpiece in .22 LR. Then I will be done collecting sets,,, Not done purchasing firearms,,, Just done with the sets. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 3, 2010, 10:11 AM	#5
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Hey SpaceCoast,,, The Model 64 is a K-frame, is it not?,,, It is the stainless equivalent of the Model 10. If I am reading the S&W book correctly,,, The Model 63 is built on the smaller J-Frame,,, The Model 63 is the stainless version of my Model 34. It would still be a nice match-up though,,, I like the j-frames almost as much as the K-frames. I have a friend who owns a 4" Model 34 that is either Chrome or Nickel,,, I've been trying to get her to sell it to me for years now,,, She picked it out for her 10th birthday present,,, Somehow I don't think she's gonna sell it,,, But I keep trying. My Evil Pawn shop Guy just finished his personal collection goal,,, He just got in a Model 63 like you are talking about,, He now has the 63, 64, 65, 66, & 67. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 3, 2010, 10:32 AM	#7
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I hadn't thought of the 617,,, Now I gotta tease the Evil Pawn Shop Guy,,, He was so happy to have finally gotten the complete set,,, Now I get to rag on him and tell him how he forgot one model number. I love the rare opportunity to get his goat,,, He might not consider it as part of the set though,,, The number 617 is not consecutive to the numbers 63 through 67. Isn't it odd what we hoplo-maniacs decide upon for our collection criteria? __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 3, 2010, 02:00 PM	#8
Duke City Six Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2010 Posts: 304	I believe the 617 is in an L-frame. It's larger caliber partner would be the 686. Last edited by Duke City Six; May 5, 2010 at 02:12 AM.

May 3, 2010, 09:30 AM	#2
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Very cool... those are some nice sets you are building.

May 3, 2010, 02:53 PM	#9
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Hello Duke City Six,,, a curse on you,,,,, I did not know the 617 was on an L-frame,,, I believe I just assumed it was another K-frame revolver. To tell the truth I thought the L-frame was not being used any more,,, I was under the impression it was J, K, and N frames only. I went to the S&W website and in the technical specs it says: [QUOTE]Frame: Medium The Standard Catalogue of Firearms didn't give a frame letter either. Dang! I hate it when I'm not the Font of All Knowledge,,, Thanks for the information my friend. I have a S&W 629 that I drag out on occasion,,, A friend of mine loads some comfy target loads for me. I use a Taurus model 970 in Stainless as a .22 LR companion to the 629,,, With it's full lug 6" barrel it actually has a similar balance and feel. I noticed there is only 2-3 ounces of weight diff between the 617 and the 629,,, The 617 being an L-frame instead of a K-frame would explain that. In the past I had toyed with the idea of finding a used 617 and selling the Taurus,,, But I shelved the idea because a K-frame really isn't a suitable companion piece to a N-frame Dangit Duke City Six,,, Now that idea is back in my head,,, And 617's are not inexpensive revolvers! Curse you Duke City Six,,, Curse you I say! __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 3, 2010, 03:12 PM	#10
Duke City Six Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2010 Posts: 304	Aarond, Sorry. Yes, the L-frame is very much alive and well. If you look at the S&W website, and select "Firearms," then "Revolvers," the Ks and Ls are grouped together under "medium." I believe the frame on the L was beefed up to handle regular hot magnum use, but the grip frame is identical to the K. Grips can be interchanged. Due to the EXTREME popularity of the 686, the L-frame is very well represented out there indeed. Last edited by Duke City Six; May 3, 2010 at 03:17 PM.

May 3, 2010, 03:31 PM	#11
Duke City Six Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2010 Posts: 304	By the way Even so, they could do a better job on the website of indicating which specific models are Ks and which are Ls. Last edited by Duke City Six; May 4, 2010 at 02:47 AM.

May 3, 2010, 04:25 PM	#12
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	My 3rd edition book / shows the model 617 as a K frame / not an L frame. The 686 ( and 681 ) are L frames in .357 mag / and the 696 is an L frame in .44 spl ( 5 shot L frame). but you have a nice collection / I like the K frames as well ...but I lean towards the .357 mag ...( model 19's, 66's) and of course the N frames ( models 27 and 28 ) ...

May 3, 2010, 05:14 PM	#13
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	I don't know how you guys missed this 6+ years ago http://thefiringline.com/forums/show....php?p=1445429

May 3, 2010, 05:42 PM	#14
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Its getting to the point where my memory is so bad / I need that 3rd edition book with me when I go to the gunshows ... and if I didn't keep a spreadsheet / with details on my collection .... I'd forget what I have in there ...especially when it comes to which dash numbers some of the models are ... and I only have about a dozen S&W revolvers ....

May 3, 2010, 05:52 PM	#15
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I don't remember the dash numbers either,,, But at least I know what make and model I have. The vast majority of the time,,, I'll be chatting with someone at my watering hole,,, I say something about guns and they say "I have a pistol." When I ask them what kind they say,,, "A 9 mm" or maybe "a .38." If I ask what brand,,, Most of the time they don't know. I ask, "have you ever shot it?" They usually reply, "No." I had one lady ask me if I could help her buy ammunition for her pistol,,, I said sure so she pulled it out of her purse and laid it on the bar,,, She said, "Write what to buy on this so I won't forget again." She unfolded her concealed carry permit papers. Now that is scary,,, So you're doing fine BigJimP. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 3, 2010, 07:23 PM	#16
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	Aarond - You'll have to start worrying when you know your revolvers' names but not your kids'.

May 4, 2010, 02:12 AM	#17
Duke City Six Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2010 Posts: 304	Oops! Sorry fellas, I stand corrected. The full lug on the 617 always made me think it was an L. It just LOOKS so darn much like the 686. Again, my apologies for muddying the waters. Last edited by Duke City Six; May 4, 2010 at 02:46 AM.

May 4, 2010, 11:36 AM	#18
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Whew!,,, Dodged the bullet on that one,,,,, Since the 617 isn't an L-frame,,, I feel no compulsion to get one to match my 629. That just saved me several hundreds of dollars. It's terrible to have Obsessive Compulsive tendencies,,, When you are a small-time collector of anything,,, That whole "set" thing gets too important. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)