What's this "Frame" stuff?

[Doggy Daddy]

Okay, remember that I'm new to this stuff so go easy on me.

I see designations such as N-frame, C-frame, J-frame, etc. Can somebody give me a quick primer on what this all means? Does it refer to the size of the gun? ... the shape? Both or neither? Can I look at a gun and be able to tell at a glance which frame it is?

Thanks in advance for any info and patience.

DD

 

[Euclidean]

The short answer is it means size of the revolver in question.

My practical answer is that manufacturers only have so much tooling and thus produce certain standard sized frames and then build what kind of gun they wish to produce around them.

I'm sure someone will be along with a highly detailed answer which incorporates specs, dimensions, etc.

 

[22-rimfire]

And to top it off, different manufactures have different frame designations. The two dominant are Colt and Smith & Wesson of course where folks refer to the frame or frame designation. Yes, it refers to the size of the gun.

 

[Doggy Daddy]

Euclidean

I'm sure someone will be along with a highly detailed answer which incorporates specs, dimensions, etc.

Sheeesh! With a name like "Euclidean", I sorta figured YOU would be the one with the specs, dimensions, etc.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Doggy Daddy]

22-rimfire

And to top it off, different manufactures have different frame designations. The two dominant are Colt and Smith & Wesson of course where folks refer to the frame or frame designation. Yes, it refers to the size of the gun.

You realize you guys aren't simplifying this for me, doncha?

 

[Euclidean]

Most of us talk in terms of Smith and Wesson frames. Even when I talk about a non S&W, I will often use this nomenclature at least in my own mind.

J frame - 5 shot snubnose, the 642 for example

K frame - A bigger frame, the Model 10 frame is what I think of it was, slimmer than the:

L frame - What I personally consider to be a "full sized" revolver, the size that most common good old .357 Magnums probably are

N frame - Big bore frame. Think .44 Magnum.

X frame - Really freakin' big bore.

Even when speaking of say my Ruger GP100, I'll often say it's L frame sized even though it's not an L frame as it's not a S&W... more confused yet?

There are other designations... I frames... D frames... etc. but they're not all S&W designations and some are relatively obscure.

 

[Doggy Daddy]

Euclidean

Even when speaking of say my Ruger GP100, I'll often say it's L frame sized even though it's not an L frame as it's not a S&W... more confused yet?

Oh yeah, definitely getting more confused. But, Doggy Daddy sez: "The path of confusion is often the path to understanding." And the reason I say that is that it makes me look wise when I'm at my most confused.

So, by what you say and my take on it so far, my Taurus 85 would/could be called a "J-frame", and my Taurus 605 would be a "K-frame"??

 

[Richard]

Doggy Daddy, lets talk Smith and Wesson (S&W). In general J frames are 22lr to 357 Mag and they are the smallest made by S&W. Next, is the mid size K frame and they are also made in 22lr to 357 Mag. L frames are basically large N frames with the mid size K frame grip and come in 32 Mag to 357 Mag. Then we come to the N frame and they have been made in everything from 357 Mag to 44 Mag plus 45acp and 45 Colt. The largest S&Ws are X frame and they come in 460 S&W and 500 S&W Magnum. I hope this helps. Regards, Richard

 

[jad0110]

L frames are basically large N frames with the mid size K frame grip and come in 32 Mag to 357 Mag.

Wasn't the S&W Model 296 a 44 spl L frame?

What was the 32 Mag L frame?

Anyway, once you get used to what various J, K, L, N, and X frame Smiths look like you can usually spot them pretty easily. X Frames are the easiest to spot since they are so freakin' massive. The best way to ID them is to learn which model numbers go with which frames, and the best resource I've found so far on this is here:

http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp

 

[Euclidean]

I'm not familiar enough with the Taurus model 605, but the 85 would definitely be Taurus' analog to the J frame. I think the 605 is a 5 shot capacity .357, so it's probably closest to a J frame.

 

[Richard]

jad0110, in my post I was dealing with generalities not the more obscure calibers S&W has made. The L frame M296 is a five shot 44 Special and among the most unpleasant revolvers I have fired. It weighs about 18.5 ounces and kicks like a mule. The photo is of mine and I rarely shoot it. The L frame 32 Mag was a Model 16 and it is a huge pistol for the caliber. Regards, Richard

 

[Doggy Daddy]

Richard

Doggy Daddy, lets talk Smith and Wesson ...(stuff left out cuz my head is starting to hurt [DD])... I hope this helps. Regards, Richard

I'm sure it will help once I digest it. Seriously, thanks. I'm starting to get a grip on this (pun sorta intended).

jad0110

Anyway, once you get used to what various J, K, L, N, and X frame Smiths look like you can usually spot them pretty easily...the best resource I've found so far on this is here:

http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp

1) Looks like a good excuse to go to the gun store and fondle guns <G>.
2) URL saved for future deep analysis. Thanky much.

Euclidean

I'm not familiar enough with the Taurus model 605, but the 85 would definitely be Taurus' analog to the J frame. I think the 605 is a 5 shot capacity .357, so it's probably closest to a J frame.

You are correct. The 605 is a 5 shot .357 with a 3" barrell. Makes sense that they would both be a J-frame since both fit the same molded holster.

 

[jad0110]

Richard,

Thanks for the info on the 32 Mag L, learned something new today .

I bet that 296 does hurt ... you are braver than I! Of course I bet the stainless 696 is much more enjoyable.

Doggy Daddy,

Glad we could all help! Now with that URL I provided you can try to figure out S&W's numbering scheme for them!

 

[Shear_stress]

The L frame 32 Mag was a Model 16 and it is a huge pistol for the caliber.

I believe the M16 was always on a K-frame. The later Model 16s had a full-lug barrel that resembled that of the L-frame 686, however.

 

[Doggy Daddy]

jad0110

Doggy Daddy,

Glad we could all help! Now with that URL I provided you can try to figure out S&W's numbering scheme for them!

hrmph! I didn't realize you all assigned homework around here!