Posted: 8/7/2008 1:28:44 AM EDT
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It's pretty much common knowledge. For modern S&W wheelguns... J = Small (Model 36 Chiefs, 442/642 Centennials, Bodyguards... all the little .38s) K = Medium (The quintessetial duty revolver - Model 10, 13, 19, 64, 65, 66, etc. .38/.357) L = Medium/Large (The beefed-up .357. Also some .44 Specials) N = Large (The original .357, then later the .41 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 Colt & ACP) X = Too friggin' big. (S&W 500, etc) That's the jist of it... you can get much more detailed and include the older I frames, differentiate the J vs the J Mag, etc... Here's a link that'll break down many of the model changes over the years, along with frame sizes for each model, etc: www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp |
I don't consider them large. I consider the N frame and X frame large. Also, be advised that some people (like me) refer to the H frame also, which is the same size as the L frame. Edit: The I frame is considered somewhat archaic now, and is reserved for .22 and .32 caliber "kit guns" and the like from the early 20th century. |
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And if you really want be pendantic, you can point out that the stainless versions of the J, K, L, and N-frames are technically E, F, H, and G-frames. And I bet S&W could make a mint if they made a modern version of the old M-Frame (7-shot .22, smaller than the I or J-frames). Or how about a refined version of the never introduced C-Frame (6-shot .38, smaller than a K-Frame). |