Smith & Wesson Education
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Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Yeah, well. Neither can Smith & Wesson.
Well in the old days if the number of a model started with a 6 it meant it was a stainless steel model and if it was a semi-auto and started with a 4 then the frame was an aluminum alloy instead of steel. But that's as far as I go.
My advice is get a copy of the Smith and Wesson catalog by Supica and Nahas if you're really interested and just memorize all the different models. But if you think S&W is bad wait till you try to get a handle on Colt and all it's revolver models
My advice is get a copy of the Smith and Wesson catalog by Supica and Nahas if you're really interested and just memorize all the different models. But if you think S&W is bad wait till you try to get a handle on Colt and all it's revolver models
I'll take a shot:
Model 10 thru 19 - K frame (midsize) blued or nickel
Model 20 thru 29 - N frame (large) blued or nickel
Model 30 thru 50 - J frame (small) blued or nickel
Model 60 thru 68 - various stainless J and K frames
Models in the 200's to the 442 - various Airweights, Airlites, I think all are J frames
Model 460 & Model 500 - really big revolvers shooting really expensive ammo
Models 581/586 - Blued L frame (midsize, a little bigger than the K)
Models 681/686 - Stainless L frames, add a + and it shots 7
Put a 6 in front of many of the blued models (i.e. the M29 becomes the M629) and you have the same model in stanless.
There's more to it than that but I'll let one of our more experienced members explain it further as I'm drawing a blank.
Model 10 thru 19 - K frame (midsize) blued or nickel
Model 20 thru 29 - N frame (large) blued or nickel
Model 30 thru 50 - J frame (small) blued or nickel
Model 60 thru 68 - various stainless J and K frames
Models in the 200's to the 442 - various Airweights, Airlites, I think all are J frames
Model 460 & Model 500 - really big revolvers shooting really expensive ammo
Models 581/586 - Blued L frame (midsize, a little bigger than the K)
Models 681/686 - Stainless L frames, add a + and it shots 7
Put a 6 in front of many of the blued models (i.e. the M29 becomes the M629) and you have the same model in stanless.
There's more to it than that but I'll let one of our more experienced members explain it further as I'm drawing a blank.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Well, maybe, except for the model 41 .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol.
See what I mean? There isn't a system.
Ah, Hell. (All as best as I recall)
10 Military & Police K frame
11 Same in .38 S&W caliber
12 Same with alloy frame
13 K frame .357 with fixed sights
14 K frame target grade .38
15 2 & 4” target grade .38 K frame
16 Target grade .32 K frame
17 Target grade .22 K frame
18 4” Target grade .22 K frame
19 Target grade .357 K frame
20 N frame .38
21 N frame .44 Special
22 N frame .45
23 Target N frame .38
24 target N frame .44 Special
25 Target N frame .45
26 Same with lighter barrel
27 Target grade N frame .357
28 Same less deluxe
29 Target grade N frame .44 Mag
30 J .32
31 J .32
32 J .32
33 J .38 S&W
34 J frame .22
35 Target .22
36 J frame .38
37 Same in alloy
38 Variation of above
39 9mm Auto
40 J frame hammerless .38
41 .22 Auto
42 Alloy of M40
43 Alloy J .22
44 None I can think of
45 K frame .22 (very rare)
46 None I can recall
47 None
48 K frame .22 Mag
49 J frame .38
50 Target J .38 Snub
51 J .22 Mag
52 None
53 K frame .22 (Mag or Jet)
54 None
55 None
56 Military J .38 (Very rare, most destroyed)
57 Target N frame .41 Mag
58 Same fixed sights
59 Hi-cap 9mm Auto
(60-68 are stainless)
60 J .38
61 None
62 None
63 J .22
64 K .38
65 K .357
66 Target grade K .357
67 Target 4” .38
68 Same 6” (Uncommon, limited for cop use)
Anything with 3-digits I don’t know. Many variations on the above over the years (19-1, 19-2, 19-3 etc). This is a very basic guide. I'm sure someone will correct some errors I made.
Now don’t bother me for a while. I’m tired.
10 Military & Police K frame
11 Same in .38 S&W caliber
12 Same with alloy frame
13 K frame .357 with fixed sights
14 K frame target grade .38
15 2 & 4” target grade .38 K frame
16 Target grade .32 K frame
17 Target grade .22 K frame
18 4” Target grade .22 K frame
19 Target grade .357 K frame
20 N frame .38
21 N frame .44 Special
22 N frame .45
23 Target N frame .38
24 target N frame .44 Special
25 Target N frame .45
26 Same with lighter barrel
27 Target grade N frame .357
28 Same less deluxe
29 Target grade N frame .44 Mag
30 J .32
31 J .32
32 J .32
33 J .38 S&W
34 J frame .22
35 Target .22
36 J frame .38
37 Same in alloy
38 Variation of above
39 9mm Auto
40 J frame hammerless .38
41 .22 Auto
42 Alloy of M40
43 Alloy J .22
44 None I can think of
45 K frame .22 (very rare)
46 None I can recall
47 None
48 K frame .22 Mag
49 J frame .38
50 Target J .38 Snub
51 J .22 Mag
52 None
53 K frame .22 (Mag or Jet)
54 None
55 None
56 Military J .38 (Very rare, most destroyed)
57 Target N frame .41 Mag
58 Same fixed sights
59 Hi-cap 9mm Auto
(60-68 are stainless)
60 J .38
61 None
62 None
63 J .22
64 K .38
65 K .357
66 Target grade K .357
67 Target 4” .38
68 Same 6” (Uncommon, limited for cop use)
Anything with 3-digits I don’t know. Many variations on the above over the years (19-1, 19-2, 19-3 etc). This is a very basic guide. I'm sure someone will correct some errors I made.
Now don’t bother me for a while. I’m tired.
I found this website quite useful in familiarizing myself with the S&W models & engineering changes:
http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp
Good luck!
edit: Just saw SaxonPig's list. Mighty impressive effort, sir.
http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp
Good luck!
edit: Just saw SaxonPig's list. Mighty impressive effort, sir.
SnWnMe
Member
There was a pattern when they first went to the Model #s.
Ten, 11, 12 and teens were for K frames.
Twenties were for Ns
Thirties were for Js. Except for the 39.
Of course, this did not leave room for newer models. Now it's all messed up.
Ten, 11, 12 and teens were for K frames.
Twenties were for Ns
Thirties were for Js. Except for the 39.
Of course, this did not leave room for newer models. Now it's all messed up.
jfh
Member.
saxonpig, you're obviously JUST a revolver guy--
The 52 is the match quality 38 Spl WC self-loader, built up on the original Semiauto frame, the 39. (I think). 2" at 50 yards.
That's an impressive list from memory.
Jim H.
***: "...52 None..."
The 52 is the match quality 38 Spl WC self-loader, built up on the original Semiauto frame, the 39. (I think). 2" at 50 yards.
That's an impressive list from memory.
Jim H.
nm- Welcome to the forum.
The Model 31 in .32 S&W, or the .32 Regulation Police, is considered to be a less than ideal caliber for self defense in this county as more powerful handguns are commonly available. As I understand it the importation of handguns to India was stopped in the 1980's and that S&W 31 may be the best available to you. Before you purchase it please be sure to read the sticky at the top of this forum regarding checking out a revolver by Jim March.
One advantage of that caliber is that the Indian Ordnance Factories continue to produce ammuinition in that caliber, also known as the .320 revolver cartridge, so ammunition may perhaps be more easily obtained than other calibers.
I'm curious if you have any opinions on the .320 revolver produced in India and available for sale there, it looks like a Webley copy.
The Model 31 in .32 S&W, or the .32 Regulation Police, is considered to be a less than ideal caliber for self defense in this county as more powerful handguns are commonly available. As I understand it the importation of handguns to India was stopped in the 1980's and that S&W 31 may be the best available to you. Before you purchase it please be sure to read the sticky at the top of this forum regarding checking out a revolver by Jim March.
One advantage of that caliber is that the Indian Ordnance Factories continue to produce ammuinition in that caliber, also known as the .320 revolver cartridge, so ammunition may perhaps be more easily obtained than other calibers.
I'm curious if you have any opinions on the .320 revolver produced in India and available for sale there, it looks like a Webley copy.
Last edited:
mnw42
Member
Don't forget that the Model 22 is also the Model 1950 military, which used to be the 1917
XavierBreath
Member
Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd Edition.
Smith & Wesson Forum.
There is not much rhyme or reason to the Model numbers. Dash numbers further complicate things. The named models are extra. I admire Saxon Pig's effort.
Smith & Wesson Forum.
There is not much rhyme or reason to the Model numbers. Dash numbers further complicate things. The named models are extra. I admire Saxon Pig's effort.
Pistol Toter
Member
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- Jan 10, 2005
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- 657
Saxon Pig are you sure that's all?
That's pretty good man.
That's pretty good man.
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