38 Caliber K frames

[Jonesy814]

Probably the most produced and most underlooked revolvers in the S&W line are the 38 caliber K frames. The model 19s and 66s as well as the big N frames get a lot of attention as do the newer 686 series but there are more 38 caliber K frames out there than any of the others. The first 38 M&P Hand Ejectors were produced in 1899. There have been changes, but they are still making them today. Here are my Model of 1905, 3rd change from 1911, Pre model 10 from 1955 and my 1983 model 64, representing 72 years of 38 caliber K frame production

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Victory!

 

[red rick]

I love the 14 , 15 and 66 .

 

[RPZ]

I think you're wrong! The 19s, 66s etc get more glamor and glory in the gun press perhaps. But K frame .38s are held in very high esteem by a lot of people.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

They're good guns for a hunting back up or self defense, I once used an MP .38 to take a doe, (It Worked but I wouldn't/havent done it again), I especially like them for shotshells for snakes.

 

[billybob44]

Probably the most produced and most underlooked revolvers in the S&W line are the 38 caliber K frames. The model 19s and 66s as well as the big N frames get a lot of attention as do the newer 686 series but there are more 38 caliber K frames out there than any of the others. The first 38 M&P Hand Ejectors were produced in 1899. There have been changes, but they are still making them today. Here are my Model of 1905, 3rd change from 1911, Pre model 10 from 1955 and my 1983 model 64, representing 72 years of 38 caliber K frame production
View attachment 787666 View attachment 787667 View attachment 787668

Jonesy, you are like me..I like the fixed sight models, especially for carry=S&W's 10's, 64, 681. Ruger 4" Half-Lug barrel GP-100, and SP-101,.357Mag. the same..Bill.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I have never had a K I need to fix it one day. I have heard them sung as the goat of revolvers.

 

[Waveski]

"I have never had a K I need to fix it one day."

Yes , you owe it to yourself. GREAT guns ; the most successful platform of all time , I think?
Adding up all of the K frames built in the century plus of it's existence , what other design can approach that number?

 

[RPZ]

I should have said this, but rather than my usual after thought "edit" I'll add it here.

K frame .38s were widely used in both law enforcement and privately in the pre war and post war (WW2) era. The Air Force used them for a significant period including my time (Model 15) in the 70s and 80s. Some of the largest police departments used them for a long time, like NYPD.

A strong arguement is made that they are "obsolete" in one context or another. I would be inclined to agree that they are, and yet they are not. I personally, like many others recognize this. In the historical sense they are classics with great practical value.

 

[Blkhrt13]

"I have never had a K I need to fix it one day."

Yes , you owe it to yourself. GREAT guns ; the most successful platform of all time , I think?
Adding up all of the K frames built in the century plus of it's existence , what other design can approach that number?

I’ve had 2 j frames, 1 L frame and an N. I want a good 10 or a 65. I’ve heard they balance well. I wanted one for a chest rig for kayaking.

 

[Sistema1927]

I like this Pre-10 M&P:

And this M64:

 

[Jonesy814]

I’ve had 2 j frames, 1 L frame and an N. I want a good 10 or a 65. I’ve heard they balance well. I wanted one for a chest rig for kayaking.

I have a couple J frames, L frames and N frames, but have 4 K frames. 3 are the 38s pictured and 1 is a 22
The K frames do have a great feel to them.

 

[bullseye308]

Tho only one I e ever owned, model 67 no dash.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Probably the most produced and most underlooked revolvers in the S&W line are the 38 caliber K frames.

Underlooked? Do you mean overlooked?


Anyway, not hardly.



Model 1899. Shipped in 1899.






38 Military and Police Target Model. Precursor to the K-38 and Model 14. Shipped in 1917.






38 Military and Police. Shipped in 1939.






A pair of K-38s. The one at the top with the funky, fake stag grips shipped in 1957. The other one shipped in 1950.






38 M&P from 1938 at the top, a Model 10 from 1964 at the bottom.






A Model 14-3 from 1974.






I keep telling myself not to buy anymore K frame 38s. Then I run across something I can't resist. I found this K-38 Combat Masterpiece from 1953 last year.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

They may be overlooked by some shooters but not by me. One of my favorite shooters is a 1948 M&P I just love to shoot. Here it is with a Chief's Special, another great .38 Special.

 

[CajunBass]

I've owned dozens over the years, but currently only have two

M&P 38 from 1951.



15-2 from 1966

 

[bannockburn]

CajunBass

Most definitely two K frame classics right there!

 

[MedWheeler]

bullseye308 writes:

model 67, no dash..

My first issued weapon. Shot it very well, enough to hold my own in law enforcement competitions, too. Certainly wouldn't mind another one.

 

[Tallball]

I have two and like them a lot.

I think my "pre Model 10" is more properly called a "Military and Police". I got it for next to nothing. The finish is mostly gone, but it's still a good shooter. IIRC, it's from 1915-1916.

I got lucky with the Model 14. It's from... 1978 or so, I'm pretty sure. It had barely ever been fired. The trigger is still smoothing out. With the nice sights and loooong barrel, if I can't hit what I'm aiming at, I have nothing to blame but my own poor shooting.

View media item 1666

Smith And Wesson Model 14

• Tallball
• Dec 22, 2017

 

[Kendal Black]

"I have never had a K I need to fix it one day."

Yes , you owe it to yourself. GREAT guns ; the most successful platform of all time , I think?
Adding up all of the K frames built in the century plus of it's existence , what other design can approach that number?

It's one of the most copied, too.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

These are my pair of .38 K-frames - a 1989 Model 64-5 and a 1987 Model 67-1, both ex-police guns.

 

[Waveski]

"It's one of the most copied, too."

Good point.

 

[Deanimator]

Deleted

 

[Blkhrt13]

Pics don’t show in post. Only in quote box. Weird.

 

[Deanimator]

Pics don’t show in post. Only in quote box. Weird.

Yeah, it's acting strangely.

I'm going to try again.

See post #26.