[yojimbo]

Just like the title says, I want to know which Smith models are on the L frame.

Thanks.

[RON in PA]

586, 686, 619, 620

[ChristopherG]

Right. Current production L-frames are all .357's with six or seven shots. There's also the airlite versions, the 386 and 386pd. S&W also used the L-frame in recent years for a couple of 5-shot .44 specials, the 296 and 696--both pretty unusual/hard-to-find nowadays.

[perpster]

It amazes me that S&W don't put the frame letter on their website. IIRC it's not in their print catalog either. I've emailed them about it but ...

[Janitor]

IIRC it's not in their print catalog either.
The catalog is indexed on frame sizes, by letter. They have two seperate sets of medium frame pages - the .38 S&W & .22 lr K frames, and the .357 magnum L frames.

The only one that Ron & Christopher missed is the 520. Lightweight 4" w/ titanium cylinder, hi vis sights and the cool Ahrends (clone?) grips.

/j

[perpster]

Hi Janitor. Found my 2005 S&W catalog. While they do have the letter designation at the top right of the first page of a section, everywhere else (descriptions next to photos, and in the Specifications tables at the page bottoms) it's just "small, medium or large" [or supersize:D ]. I'm just suggesting they should be clear, accurate and consistent in print and on the website. Just put J, K, L, N so everyone's on the same page. On some pages of the print catalog (rimfires and Sc Airlites) they don't give the frame size at all except at the bottom, and the pages have mixed frame sizes.

Not trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I do think they cause too much unecessary confusion the way it is now.

[Gordon]

You missed my 242! Ti,Sc 2.5" 7 shot .38+p humpback! :neener:

[yojimbo]

Is there anyway to remember which is which, other than rote memorization?

[jagdpanzer347]

Wasn't there also models 581 and 681 with fixed sights when the L-frame debuted in the early 1980s? My dad bought a six-inch 686 back in 1985. Super nice revolver, and for me, very well balanced. I'm really more of an auto-loader guy myself, but that Smith would be a great trail gun, albiet a little heavy. Those Remington 125 grain SJHPs are real attention getters as well!
-jagdpanzer

[JNewell]

:D Yes, also missing is the 396 "Mountain Lite" .44SP x 5.

So...
.357M x 6: 386, 581, 586, 681, 686 (and 619, 620)
.357M x 7: 242, 686+
.44SP x 5: 296, 396, 696

The xx1, xx2 and 296 are fixed sights
The 2xx and 3xx are alloy frame (Sc or Al) with Ti cylinders
The 619 and 620 have the new barrel design :scrutiny: and they aren't in my vocabulary...not sure I'm going to add 'em...

I'm sure I've missed something above and someone'll jump in

[45Badger]

Ok, new question here-

What's the difference between a 581 and a 586?

[yojimbo]

5, duh.

[perpster]

6 (5 + 1) :neener:

[Sheldon]

The 581 and 681 are the fixed sight versions of the 586 and 686.

[45Badger]

Thanks Sheldon:)

[cadfael]

This site (http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp) has a good listing on model numbers, frames, and other differences.

Adam

[Don Lu]

Dont forget the new 520..

[drannor]

Or the PC .40S&W 646 with Ti cylinder. (Admittedly a rare specimen :D )

[ArchAngelCD]

perpster,
In the 2006 S&W catalog the frame size and letter is on the top of every page.

The only L frame Models listed in the current catalog are the 386, 520, 619, 620, 686 and 686+. K Models listed are the Model 10, 64, 67 and the 617.

[19-3Ben]

Here. Their website lists them by frame size. Click on any one, and you'll see their whole line up in that frame size.

Ok my format skills suck. I tried and failed. but here's the link:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&categoryId=15703&parent_category_rn=15701&top_category=15701

[Don Lu]

.......Still cant get over how sexy the 520 is :rolleyes: