J frame barrel length (Lady Smith variations)

[ddc]

Hello,

I've been hitting the auction sites (gunbroker, auctionarms, gunsamerica) as well as the for sale forums on THR as well as TFL (and others) looking for a used S&W 60 and more specifically the Lady Smith variation.

As a result of doing that I've seen a lot of 36LS ads as well.

My questions have to do with barrel length of J frame Lady Smith variations.

I most often see the 60LS listed with a barrel length of 2 1/8".

I most often see the 36LS listed with a barrel length of 1 7/8".

My questions are:

1. 2 1/8" and 1 7/8" are close but I assume that those are two distinct barrel lengths that S&W offered on the J frame. First of all is that assumtption true? And secondly does anybody know why the barrel length on the J frame LS increased from 1 7/8" to 2 1/8"?

2. I've also seen both the 36LS and the 60LS listed with a barrel length of 2". Is that an error and should the length have been either 1 7/8" or 2 1/8" or were there J frame LS with that barrel length?

I realize that these questions border on trivia for many. Thanks for humoring me!

good shooting,
ddc.

 

[SnubbyMan]

The .357 J-frames are slightly larger than the .38 Special J-frames. The .357s have the 2 1/8" barrels, while the .38s have the 1 7/8" barrels. This is independent of whether it's an LS model or not. Some call the larger frames J-Magnum-frames.

Check out this recent thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=123809

 

[Jim PHL]

Current crop of steel "J-Magnums" (M60, 649 and 640) have a 2-1/8" barrel. The Scandium magnums are listed with 1-7/8" barrels. The .38's have 1-7/8" barrels. The frame sizes are all listed as "small"..

I believe the frames of the current/modern j-frame .38's are the same size as the j-frame magnums. The model 37 I just got (members have placed mfr. date at Dec./Jan. '93) has a smaller frame than a current 642/637 when I compared them side-by-side. Holding the back-straps even, the frame of the 642/637 was about 1/4" or so longer than the 37. I have commented in other threads that I am surprised by what a difference this makes in my hand and moreso in my pocket. I would guess (the experts here will confirm or refute) that a current production 36LS will be of the same frame size as all the current 'j's' and that an older (pre-'96 or so?) 36 will be slightly smaller. Personally, I feel like I've found a whole new brand with my "discovery" of the size difference. If you are not as convinced of the significance, please buy new and leave the older used ones out there for me to shop!

 

[lanceman193]

Jim, I certainly love J-Frames,Some RB 2 1/2 or 3 inch (19.66,65) K frames but ALL J-frames.Help me with this-When did S&W start making J Magnum frames,and when did they start putting the ugly-assed lock on 'em?Maybe they didn't make a lot of em?How long they make regular J frames?Looong time.The moral of this story is don't just buy the old ones,but anything Nice in that category if it's nice and a good price With box and papers,or if it's nice and a good price without box and papers(tools, etc.)K frames I like RB 19-4 and earlier and 66-1 or earlier.Actually I don't need another 3 inch 65 or 66 RB but 66 or 66-1 in 21/2 RB is gonna get hot if it's not,already.God Bless S&W old J frames.I even have a pre 34 2 inch RB in a modified I frame.(I Think,anyway.)Oh well, that's my two cents.I'm outa here.....
[email protected] :

 

[ddc]

Thanks to all for your feedback on my question.