The K Frame

[ugaarguy]

Welcome to our newest Members.

I have a minor suggestion about images. I'm like President Uga: the images are of beautiful guns. I want to see more... Yet, when so many full images are posted, it really slows down page loading time... What if we try to post thumbnails only without copying the entire image into the post itself?... This is NOT a complaint at all. I really like pics... In fact, it could be just a suggested guideline with no penalty for those who post the entire pic.

It's a suggestion worth considering Nem. What say you fellow club members?

 

[MTS Cop]

"That's a really beautiful M 13, MTS cop. You say it's an awesome shooter--so you're OK with the fixed sights?"

Absolutely, fixed sights have never been a problem for me. The only problem I have with the sights on this gun is sometimes they're hard to pick up in low light or if I'm aiming at something dark. Guess I'm spoiled by night sights and the three dot system.

 

[coelacanth]

does the "K" stand for Karma?

There's no place like home...there's no place like home.... Great thread! Count me in - 2 mod 13's , a 5" mod 10 , a 3t K 38 and a 3t K 22. Life is good!

 

[Heywood Case]

Maybe I spoke too soon about the cylinder binding on my 65-3 3". At the range today I just took a moment to wipe under the extractor star every 10 minutes or so, and even though the gun got quite warm there was no binding. Excessive lubrication might also have been the culprit; I am pretty sure I had been using too much until recently. Anyway, I'm not complaining!

Not that I needed a reason, but seeing all those great pictures certainly made me want to go to the range!

John

 

[AStone]

An essay question

OK, so if I was going to buy another revolver {choose one: tomorrow, next week, next month, next year},
it would most likely be a .22 LR, I'm guessing either a 617 or a K-22.

After that, I'll be looking for another .38 and/or .357, probably with a 3" barrel.
(Intermediate between my J-frame 642 and my L-frame 686,
my camp gun that could be pressed into a hunting role in an emergency;
I will mostly hunt medium sized game with a carbine.).

The top two contenders for that intermediate size niche currently (with LOTS of room for evolution) are
a Model 60 and a 686+ (yes, another L-frame), both with 3" barrel. Either would fill a niche mainly of SD that could be carried under fall, winter or early spring garb.

The obvious appeal to me of the 60 over another 686 is weight: 24 oz v. 36 for the 686+.
The 60 will handle the occasional .357 rnd, also. (My 686+ with 4" barrel is a camp gun
and secondary hunting revolver, so I wanted it to eat a steady diet of .357.)

Comments? Any other reason that the model 60 may be preferable to the 686?

Any other K-frames with 3" barrels that I should be considering?

Thanks for opinions.

Nem

 

[ugaarguy]

...both with 3" barrel. Either would fill a niche mainly of SD that could be carried under fall, winter or early spring garb...
The obvious appeal to me of the 60 over another 686 is weight: 24 oz v. 36 for the 686+...
Any other reason that the model 60 may be preferable to the 686?
Any other K-frames with 3" barrels that I should be considering?

Beyond weight the narrower cylinder, and more compact frame of the Model 60 would make it more desirable to me for the role you specify. If you stay with a 686 the 3" bbl isn't going to make a lick of difference over the 686 w/ 4" bbl you already have.

Now, sitting smack in the middle of the 60 and 686 are the stainless K Frame M65 (fixed sights) and M66 (adj sights), both in 357 Mag. Beware that these guns in that bbl length are scarce and highly sought after. The blued versions are the M13 and M19, respectively. I've found my 2.5" M66 to be quite accurate and a great all around belt carry gun; so if you can't find a 3" bbl K Magnum don't rule the 2.5" out. That's the way I would go.

 

[Trebor]

OK, I'm in.. Mine's an M65, 3" barrel. Feels just right to me. The cylinder binds up sometimes when it gets hot, is this normal?

The 65 with a 3" barrel is a great little gun. That's my carry gun. I also have a second 3" 65 that needs some repair work done and a primo 13 3". That 3" barrel just carries so well and doesn't give up anything in the shootability department.

 

[Martini13]

New member with two M13 3" Preformance Center guns.

Perfect balance & size for CCW.

 

[ugaarguy]

A warm welcome to our newest members. Will work on that promised content update when my "real" work allows.

 

[jad0110]

OK, so if I was going to buy another revolver {choose one: tomorrow, next week, next month, next year},
it would most likely be a .22 LR, I'm guessing either a 617 or a K-22.

After that, I'll be looking for another .38 and/or .357, probably with a 3" barrel.

Nem, aflicted with Revolver Fever, has now moved past the "Denial" stage and is now solidly in the "Acceptance" stage.

I'd also say that a 3" 686, or even a 2.5" won't carry much different than your 4" due to the weight and width.

Also, recall that the Model 60 is actually a 5 shot J Frame like the 642, just in all stainless steel with an exposed hammer and different barrel lengths.

For an intermediate sized gun between a J Frame 642 and an L Frame 686, it doesn't get much better than a 2.5" or 3" K Frame. Which specific model depends on whether or not you want:

- 357 Mag or 38 Special
- Blue or Stainless
- Fixed sights or adjustable

The 3 inchers are fairly rare and demand a premium, but 2.5" Ks are fairly common, if not in my neck of the woods. I saw a 2.5" Model 66-1 357 Mag (stainless with adjustable sights) recently for $350, which I'd say is a pretty decent price.

I know this is blasphemy in the K Frame Club , but another intermediate sized gun that should not be ruled out is a Ruger Security, Service, or Speed Six in 357 Mag with a 2.75" barrel. Generally, they are a little more affordable than K Frames.

 

[slick6]

My K-Frames!

I found that I have a few more K-frames than I thought I had-pictured as follows;

Model 19-7(NIB):

Model 66(No dash #):

Pre Model 19:

Model 19-6:

Pre Model 10(2-inch)Circa 1946!:

Pre Model 10(6-inch)also, Circa 1946!:

 

[slick6]

My K-Frames(Continued!)!

Here is a continuation of my K-Frames!:

Model 19-3:

Model 17-3 K-22, NIB!:

Model 64-3(3-inch):

Model 67(No dash #)NIB!:

Model 617(With aluminum cylinder)ANIB!:

My second, Model 66(No dash #)!:

 

[AStone]

Nem, aflicted with Revolver Fever, has now moved past the "Denial" stage and is now solidly in the "Acceptance" stage.

<laughs> Yep.

Also, recall that the Model 60 is actually a 5 shot J Frame like the 642, just in all stainless steel with an exposed hammer and different barrel lengths.

Ah, no kidding. Well, my confusion about the distinction between J's and K's and L's continues. I thought I had it figured out.

<checks SW web pages> Ah, yes, I see: the 60 is listed under J's. <sigh>

The 3 inchers are fairly rare and demand a premium, but 2.5" Ks are fairly common, if not in my neck of the woods. I saw a 2.5" Model 66-1 357 Mag (stainless with adjustable sights) recently for $350, which I'd say is a pretty decent price.

So, then, does SW not make any K's currently? They list models like 64 and 67 under "K or L", but there's not a significant weight savings there from my 686.

{added: Yes, I just checked Slick's images above (purty) and see 64 and 67 listed.}

The reason I'd want intermediate is to get significantly under the ton of the 686 but with a longer 3" barrel (but not all the way to 4").

Hmm. Maybe I don't "need" an intermediate after all...

I know this is blasphemy in the K Frame Club , but another intermediate sized gun that should not be ruled out is a Ruger Security, Service, or Speed Six in 357 Mag with a 2.75" barrel. Generally, they are a little more affordable than K Frames.

Gasp!

<gasp!> ... having ... trouble ... breathing ... <gasp!>

 

[Stainz]

My first-ever .38/.357M's were bought new the same day in 9/03 as 'closeouts' from CDNN - a 6" 66-6 and a 2" 10-11. Both were made for them in early '03, according to S&W. They were great 'deals'. I immediately subbed a HiViz front sight, Ahrends cocobolo square conversion f.g. stocks, and some lighter Wolff springs in the 66, just putting some service wood boots in place of the UM's grips on the 10. The only commercial round either has seen is the Remington R38S12 +P 158gr LHPSWC. The only .357M cases the 66 has seen have been my mild loads - probably not +P .38 level. That 2" 10 is a shocker at distance, the 6" 66 is just about the perfect plinker. That K-frame is a super revolver size.

Stainz

 

[Marshall]

S&W Model 13 Heavy Barrel

 

[edman79]

My 19-2

 

[DAdams]

K Frame Price Check Please

Price Check Please:

19-5 2.5in Round LNIB.

I too am filling the gap. Have J 642, have L 686 CS1 3in.

I Really like the looks of the 2.5 inch 19-5.

By the way here is a great historical accounting for the Model 19.
With good photographs.

http://www.freepatriot.com/model19.php

Thanks in advance. Dennis

 

[TheotherMikeG]

17-3

 

[ugaarguy]

Price Check Please:

19-5 2.5in Round LNIB.

A quick search on Guns America shows M19s going from $375 to close to $700 for the Texas Ranger Commerative. Local availability & demand will influence price, but for LNIB it looks like you'll be in the neighborhood of $500.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Here's a M66-2 wearing refinished Fitz cherrywood. This is a sweetheart to carry and shoot.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

very nice model 66-2. how much do those run for these days?

 

[Poohgyrr]

Ii traded a 3913 for it...........

 

[homefront]

My first, a model 10-8.



The first time a shot a model 10 was back in the 80's, and it was my uncles' K-38. It was so smooth and accurate it was almost boring . When I found this the other day, in practically unfired condition, I just had to have it.
Twenty years later, I own and carry only revolvers, both single and double-action. For the longest time I thought that revolvers took second place to autos in terms of practicality and effectiveness. Many thousands of rounds and years carrying later, I feel differently. For SWAT teams and military people, autos make sense. But for the rest of us, living life here in the America The Beautiful, the handy/slick/reliable/simple revolver is the way to go (IMHO ).

 

[ugaarguy]

A warm welcome to our newest members. Once again thanks to all for continuing to post the gorgeous K Frame pics. I think we're firmly in the lead for THR thread with the most beautiful gun pics . A joy to carry, and a joy to look at, no wonder we love our K Frames.

 

[AStone]

I've got to agree with Uga: these are beautiful revolvers.

Which leads me to a question:
Why are so few (any?) K's in production now?

K's seem to fill a really important niche between J & L.

Why aren't they being produced now?
__________

I handled a J today that's close,
but still a J instead of a K:
A Model 60 3".

Wow.
It's now on my list.

Put a set of full sized Hogue monogrips on it,
and it could almost be a K (especially for smaller hands)....