Deciphering Frame Size Across Brands

[Huntolive]

Simple question:
How do frames sizes compare between Colts, Dan Wesson and S&W?

specifically how does a Colt Python and King Cobra compare to S&W models 27 N fame and model 19 K frame and 586 L frames?

Likewise how do those S& Ws equate to DW 715 and 15-2? The DWs must at least be L or maybe even N frame

also did new model 19 classic solve worries about frying forcing cones on model 19 K frames?

how do blue finish and overall performance compare Btwn older model 586, 27, and 19 versus new “classic” versions?

 

[UncleEd]

What, no Rugers?

 

[357 Terms]

https://www.handgunhero.com/tabletop

Kinda limited, at least with revolvers

 

[EMC45]

https://www.handgunhero.com/tabletop

That is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while!

 

[mcb]

My attempt I would ask other to correct or add to it. If they are on the same line they are roughly equal in size. There are many different Colt Frame sizes I am not familar with and have likely short changed (I am a Colt Hater remember )

S&W J-frame - Ruger SP101
S&W K-frame - Colt D frame
S&W L-frame - Colt E/I Frame (Python etc) - Ruger GP100 - DW Small Frame
S&W N-frame - Colt MM frame - DW Medium Frame
Ruger Redhawk - DW Large Frame
S&W X-frame

I have my asbestos underwear on so do you best to fix that mess. The S&W Z-frame (Governor) and Taurus should be on the list some where too but...

 

[CraigC]

Not every size has an equivalent in every brand.

There's only two frame "sizes" for Dan Wesson. The medium and large, then the large stretch frame. The medium frame (.22/.32/.357) is equivalent to the L-frame, GP, Python. There is no K-frame or N-frame equivalent.

The large frame (.41/.44/.45) is equivalent to the Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Anaconda and New Service.

The stretch frame is similar in length to the X-frame but the X is beefier.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I'm pretty sure the Colt V-Frame (Anaconda, Lawman, Trooper) is also L-Frame sized.

The thing about the letter names is they're very new compared to the named frames - the New Pocket frame was smaller than an I-Frame and the New Police frame was about the same as the Military & Police frame but the layout and angles are different, for example. The D vs. J vs. K stuff is really not 1:1. A Colt D-Frame fits a J- or K-Frame holster - wider cylinder than the J- to accommodate an extra .38Spl but a shorter and narrower grip frame/trigger guard than the K.

I used to have an article describing all of these in detail but I think it got lost the last time I swapped computers. I'll look for an old backup. It wasn't on the interwebs, it was a scan of a book chapter.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Take a look here: https://www.coltforum.com/threads/colt-frames-reference-guide.378547/

 

[Huntolive]

What, no Rugers? [/QUOTE

While in some respects I have liked the GP 100s I have owned as well as Super Redhawks they just did not stack up against Dan Wesson‘s or Smith and Wesson‘s or call pythons for accuracy that’s just the facts.
I love their robust Brick **** house build but they just aren’t nearly a accurate.
The only Ruger‘s I have kept my 5 inch a red hawk 44 magnum that has an awesome trigger job and 1 Toklat 454 casul Do to do unique barrel length and style.

I have no regrets and I’m not looking back at Rugers such as Super redhawks which I have owned in more than one caliber or GP 100s or God forbid the SP101.
I am 100% confident that I have upgraded my collection by eliminating all of those and opting for 629’s ,freedom arms, DWs and king cobra and Pythons.
I have nothing against her and I own at least three of the rifles that I will never part with and I find that they have good customer service just not find revolvers to the extent of the other companies mentioned above by a long shot

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

This photo may prove helpful. It shows a Colt police Positive Special at the top and a S&W K frame 32-20 Hand Ejector at the bottom. As can be seen, the K frame S&W is slightly larger than the Colt. Someone more learned than me can properly identify the name of the Colt Police Positive Special frame.






Somewhere I think I have a comparison photo of a K frame Smith and a Colt Official Police too. The Colt is a little bit larger. I will snoop through my hard drive and if I find itI will post that photo too.




Here is a photo that may prove useful too.

At the top is a Colt New Service, which used the same sized frame as the Colt Model 1917. At the bottom of the photo is a S&W N frame Triple Lock. The Colt dwarfs the S&W. That New Service is the biggest revolver I own.






At the top of this photo is a S&W Model 17-3, in the middle is a S&W K-22. Both built on the K frame. At the bottom is a Colt Officers Model 22 Target, built on the same size frame as an Official Police. The Colt is a little bit larger than the S&Ws.

 

[CraigC]

I'm pretty sure the Colt V-Frame (Anaconda, Lawman, Trooper) is also L-Frame sized.

The Anaconda is a scaled up Lawman/Trooper frame, bigger than an N-frame.

This photo may prove helpful. It shows a Colt police Positive Special at the top and a S&W K frame 32-20 Hand Ejector at the bottom. As can be seen, the K frame S&W is slightly larger than the Colt. Someone more learned than me can properly identify the name of the Colt Police Positive Special frame.

I thought the K-frame was slightly larger than the Police Positive but didn't want to dig them out to confirm. Still larger than a J-frame.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I thought the K-frame was slightly larger than the Police Positive but didn't want to dig them out to confirm. Still larger than a J-frame.

It is.

Here is another photo of a K frame Smith and a Colt Police Positive Special. This pair both have 4" barrels. A S&W 38 Military and Police is at the top and a Colt Police Positive Special is at the bottom. The Colt Police Positive (not Police Positive Special) has a slightly shorter cylinder and frame than the Police Positive Special.






Here is a view of the cylinders. Colt on the left, S&W on the right. Both are chambered for 38 Special. I did not have a caliper handy when I took the photos, but I believe the S&W cylinder is slightly larger in diameter.






In this photo, the Colt Police Positive Special at the top and Colt Detective Special in the middle are both built on the same frame. They are six shot 38 Special revolvers. The S&W Model 36 (Chiefs Special) is built on the J frame. It is a five shot 38 Special revolver, the frame is not large enough for six 38 caliber chambers.






This is a photo showing the comparative sizes of Smith and Wesson revolver frames. Top right is a N frame Triple Lock. Below that is a K frame 38 Military and Police. Below that is a J frame Model 36 (Chiefs Special). Upper left is a I frame 38 Regulation Police, and the tiny revolver below that is a M frame Ladysmith.






And just in case anyone is interested, Here is a view of the mechanisms of a S&W K frame on the left and a Colt Official Police on the right. Yes, the side plates are on opposite sides, that is why the cylinders rotate in opposite directions.

 

[RugRev]

Ah, Dan Wesson had a small frame, the "Lil Dan", albeit made in small numbers. It was a 5 shot .38 SP.

 

[Riomouse911]

Here are a couple of visuals… including a couple of guns not yet mentioned:

Ruger Super Redhawk, Redhawk, S&W N Frame:



Ruger GP 100, Colt Officers Model .38, S&W L frame:



Dan Wesson 15-2, S&W K frame:



Just a few to give an idea how they compare.

Stay safe.

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks guys