fourdollarbill
Member
What is the history of the S&W frame group. Why, what, when? Is a Ruger snubby also called a J frame?
J, K, L, N Frames
- Thread starter fourdollarbill
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Well, I can't answer most of your questions but I can tell you a Ruger is not a J frame. Only Smith & Wesson revolvers are J, K, L or N frames. 
It would be like calling a 4" barrel Kimber pistol a 1911 Commander. The answer is no!
It would be like calling a 4" barrel Kimber pistol a 1911 Commander. The answer is no!
J frame was originally S&W's frame for compact 32 cal revolvers not sure when they came into being. They were probably an outgrowth of their 32 break action revolvers.
K frame started with the Military and Police in the late 1800s.
L frame first made in the early-mid 1980s. Offred as a solution to longevity that K frame 357s didn't have.
N frame came about with big bore DA revolvers. Used that for the first 357 in 1935 or so.
I don't consider myself a S&W historian and maybe someone like Old Fuff will come along and be able to give you more detailed answers.
K frame started with the Military and Police in the late 1800s.
L frame first made in the early-mid 1980s. Offred as a solution to longevity that K frame 357s didn't have.
N frame came about with big bore DA revolvers. Used that for the first 357 in 1935 or so.
I don't consider myself a S&W historian and maybe someone like Old Fuff will come along and be able to give you more detailed answers.
Hawk
Member
I believe there was once an "I" - just a smidgin smaller than the "J" - the model 36 spent some time as each.
Just to complicate the issue, there was an "M" but it wasn't between the "K" and "N" - it was a little guy used for a 7 shot .22 Ladysmith.
Nothing between "N" and "X" that I know of.
Better summary here:
http://www.armchairgunshow.com/SWHE-info.html
Complete with:
Just to complicate the issue, there was an "M" but it wasn't between the "K" and "N" - it was a little guy used for a 7 shot .22 Ladysmith.
Nothing between "N" and "X" that I know of.
Better summary here:
http://www.armchairgunshow.com/SWHE-info.html
Complete with:
krs
Member
Cool picture, Mr. Hawk.
The N frame, size at least, preceded the 1935 .357 model by a bit as"The big "N" frame was introduced in 1908 for the famous S&W Triplelock 44 revolver". The .45 ACP M1917 revolver is also an N frame.
The N frame, size at least, preceded the 1935 .357 model by a bit as"The big "N" frame was introduced in 1908 for the famous S&W Triplelock 44 revolver". The .45 ACP M1917 revolver is also an N frame.
krs
Member
The one in the center looks to be an older version or predesessor to the K frame. The long action 'Outdoorsman', sometimes called "humpback" because of the longer distance between the firing upright and the backstrap. The top left, "M" is similarly shaped, but this is the domain of Old Fuff who no doubt will happen along to tell me that I'm full of it......again.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
Other revolver makers produce guns that are closely equivalent in size and may be called "J-frame sized," "K-frame sized" and so on. Also, they may produce a frame with the same letter designation but a much different size. For example, the Colt Trooper MK III is called a J frame by Colt, but it is much bigger than S&W's J-frame.
krs
Member
Old Fuff protege' - no matter.
The I frame was the original swing cylinder model is .32 S&W Long. It was used for the .32 HE and the .38 Terrier. The J frame was the same frame but with the cylinder window lengthened to take a .38 Special cylinder; it was used for the Chiefs Special.
AFAIK, Ruger does not use the "x frame" terminology, but the Colt equivalent to the S&W J frame was the D frame.
Jim
AFAIK, Ruger does not use the "x frame" terminology, but the Colt equivalent to the S&W J frame was the D frame.
Jim
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