A little old-fashioned love for my K-frame

[ChristopherG]

Since S&W has made known that they are discontinuing the k-frame 357, I've felt a little like my 66 (though just a run-o-the-mill 357 k-frame) is an example of a classic bygone time: a time when Bill Jordan was a god, and people were able to understand what he meant when he said 'think of it as a .38 that can shoot .357's'. Anyway, since it's going away, I decided to get mine a traditional outfit in memory of the time when it was THE LE gun in America.

I started with a pair of round-butt checkered walnut target grips. Not as traditional as a plow-handle, I know, but I like the feel of this profile a whole lot better, and this gun is decidedly a shooter. Bedside gun and all, you know.

Here it is in its 'banana' grips, which I bought from Clubbe over at S&W forum--a fine gentleman to do business with.

 

[ChristopherG]

Then, I started looking for a traditional type open-carry holster. What I ended up with was both a little different and better than I would have expected. Again at the S&W forum, I bumped across a fella who represents a 78-year-old retired craftsman who makes sheepskin-lined holsters with care and class. I asked for this specific combination--brown leather, grey fleece liner, and rattlesnake inlay, with hammer strap--and he produced it for an embarrassingly low price inside a week. It's a treasure, and the man who represents David (the craftsman) is known as Newfyman over at the S&Wforum. I forgot to include in this picture the matching speedloader holder which David custom made to fit the moonclips for which this gun is machined.

 

[ChristopherG]

I'm glad to know that there are enough 357 k-frames floating around that I'll always be able to fill this holster and use these grips, despite the cessation of their production, even if I shoot this one into oblivion (which I doubt). They are and were great guns.

 

[iluvG.R.I.T.S]

Its unreal the price he sells those holsters for.I got one lined from him for my S&W 642 and its amazing the craftmanship in his work.I plan on getting many more from him.

 

[ColtBRH]

So is it official that S&W are discontinuing the k-frame 357?

 

[ChristopherG]

I can't really say whether it's official, but I have heard it from people whom I trust to know, and who say they have heard it FROM officials. The L-frame will bump the K for .357, though they will still produce at least some form of .38 K-frame.