S&W Frame sizes

[Riomouse911]

With a loaner X-Frame 460 S&W Mag with me for another week or so I thought I would post a group pic and individual pics of the J, K, L, N, and X frames. (I don’t have any of the older discontinued frames for a true multi-generational S&W family photo.)

Group shot: Five different frame sizes represented by the 460XVR in .460 S&W Magnum, 629 Mountain Gun .44 Magnum, 686+ .357 Magnum, 64 .38 Special and a 49 Bodyguard in .38 Special.


Now they’re set next to a ruler to give us the same point to begin measuring the frame sizes. I tried to line up the front of each frame in line with the 8 on the ruler so the differences can be easily seen:

X Frame Model 460 XVR:


N Frame Model 629:


L Frame Model 686+


K Frame Model 64:


J Frame Model 49:


Without actually holding them side by side you can’t really tell the true differences, but I hope this makes visual comparisons a bit easier for those who wondered what the current S&W frame size options are.

Stay safe.

 

[Jonesy814]

Cool comparison. All stainless too

 

[Riomouse911]

Cool comparison. All stainless too

The 49 is nickel plated, and the 686+ is bead blasted rather than polished, but they all do look alike .

Stay safe.

 

[Jonesy814]

The 49 is nickel plated, and the 686+ is bead blasted rather than polished, but they all do look alike .

Stay safe.

Temporary brain death..... Yep, the 649 would be a stainless version of your 49, but the shine of those great revolvers blinded me to What Model number you had typed

 

[evan price]

No I or M frames?

 

[Riomouse911]

No I or M frames?

No, I own nothing older to compare.

Stay safe

 

[Pat Riot]

Thank you for the comparison.

 

[wagonburner]

There is also a Z frame, used in the S&W Governor.

 

[Riomouse911]

There is also a Z frame, used in the S&W Governor.

I forgot about that one .

I’ve never seen a Governor, in Ca I think they’re considered “short barreled shotguns” or something similar so no one ever carries them. Same with the Judge from Taurus, another gun I’ve never seen, handled or shot.

Stay safe.

 

[Texas10mm]

I forgot about that one .

I’ve never seen a Governor, in Ca I think they’re considered “short barreled shotguns” or something similar so no one ever carries them. Same with the Judge from Taurus, another gun I’ve never seen, handled or shot.

Stay safe.

They might be considered short barreled shotguns in California, but in the Free United States they aren't.

 

[Riomouse911]

Indeed. There are lots of guns I can’t find here that normal places have no problem with. I just do the best I can.

Stay safe.

 

[bluetopper]

Every and all S&W handguns both revolver and semi-auto if they are stainless their model number starts with a "6".

 

[cfullgraf]

Every and all S&W handguns both revolver and semi-auto if they are stainless their model number starts with a "6".

S&W has a fairly consistent model number convention but they do have some exceptions just to make life interesting. The Model 642 has a stainless cylinder and barrel while the frame is aluminum.

If you are really interested in S&W guns, get a copy of "The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson". It helps with the various different models.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Nice stable of Smiths.