Revolver Frame Question

[crew590]

Sorry for taking up your time, but I am new to revolvers and have a simple question. What are the different types of frames for a revolver? I heard of the J frame, N frame, ect and was wondering if someone could explain what the difference is.

Would it be too much trouble for someone to post/link to pictures as well? I am more of a visual learner.

Thank you,

Jay

 

[hexidismal]

Hi Jay (from a fellow Jay). The letter designation you're referring to doesn't apply to all revolvers. It's specifically a Smith and Wesson thing. It refers to the different size frames of the revolver models they offer. From smallest to largest in current offerings is J, K, L, N and X.

The best place for pictures is right on the smith and wesson site, revolver section.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...1&parent_category_rn=15701&top_category=15701

 

[Sunray]

"...specifically a Smith and Wesson thing..." Yep. However, a lot of other manufacturer's revolvers are very close to S&W frame sizes. The larger frames are also heavier and have thicker steel.
Most of the numbers and names are strictly a marketing thing.
Smith uses a model number mostly. As in Model 60, Model 29. Eventually, you get so you know what it is.
Colt single action revolvers are sometimes known as 'P' frames and their .45pistols as 'O' frames. The Python as 'I' frames. Colt .357 DA revolvers were called 'D' frames. There was also an 'E' frame at one time. Mind you, most of Colt's stuff had a name and that is what they were usually called. Python, Trooper, Cobra, Government Model, etc.
Rugers don't use a frame size letter or number. They use a name that may or may not have a number in it. GP-100, SP-101, Redhawk, Super Redhawk, Vaquero, etc.

 

[Majic]

Colt like S&W built their DA revolvers on several different frames. The various models were given names, but each model was built on a specific frame. Colt frames were the NS frame, D, E and I, J, SF, AA, and VV.

BTW...... No Colt revolver in .357 magnum was built on the D frame. One was built on the newer SF frame.

 

[hexidismal]

Oh yeah, I totally forgot about Colt When the OP mentioned the J and N, I just instantly started thinking S&W. Like an above poster said though, although they do have them, it's somewhat rare that you hear colt's referred to by their frame letter designation. Not nearly so commonly as S&Ws anyway.

 

[crew590]

Thanks guys. Like I said I'm new to revolvers. I never picked up on the fact that I heard mostly S&W referred to by frame size and didn't realize that Colt had different frame designations as well. I had always heard them referred to by name. Same thing with Ruger.

hexidismal, thanks for the link.

Jay

 

[Iggy]

 

[crew590]

Thank you for the picture, Iggy.

Jay

 

[Jim K]

Those letters were originally used by the factories to designate the particular forging die used for a frame, and hence the frame itself.

They were rarely known to the public until S&W designated a line of target revolvers as the K-22, K-32 and K-38, with the "K" being the frame used, and the number the caliber.

Jim

 

[CU74]

Limiting my opinions to double-action revolvers, methinks one reason we don't see much about frame sizes in the Colts, (and the Rugers) is that they have or had a lot fewer different revolvers than Smith&Wesson. Smith started numbering their models awhile back when the "stable" got too big for us simple-minded gunnies, but their numbering system isn't much of an improvement IMHO. I think they should have stuck to the K-22, K-32, K-38 letter/number system, (but they didn't ask for my opinion).

 

[wad]

Crew950/JAY,

Here is a picture of 3 revolvers from 3 different companys. These might be considered mid-size.

From top to bottom, Ruger Security-Six, S&W M19-5 (K-Frame) and Dan Wesson model 15.

Here is a picture that represents 3 different frame sizes.

Left to right - large to small, Dan Wesson model 44 (44 Magnum), Dan Wesson model 15 and S&W M342 (J-Frame).