In my pursuit for a 4” pre-lock 586, I came across a pre-lock Model 15. I didn’t know much about it then, but I took a chance on it. Uh-oh, little did I know that it was the start of something wild – a mysterious bug has bitten me…

About a month later, a friend “forced” me to buy his Model 14. I tried to stay away from 6” barrels as I found them to be front heavy (at least the two 6” 586’s I had were). Well, what do you know? 6” K-frames are not front heavy because they don’t have a full underlug! Looking back, I think this was when the itch grew stronger and a quest was well on its way (even without me knowing it).

Many months later, one by one, I came across a 2” Model 10, a 4” Model 66, a 4” Model 13 and two 4” Model 19’s. This meant that the blued set of .38 Spl/.357 Mag was “complete” – at least one of each model. This also meant that the stainless set was lagging with only a 4” Model 66 to show for.

Fast forward to many more months, with some frustrations along the way, including missing out on a bid or two, there was a turn of events. One by one they came, as if they could not resist the calling of their K-frame brothers in my safe. A 4” Model 67, a 6” Model 68 (no other barrel lengths available), a 4” Model 64, and finally, a 4” Model 65 joined the family.

So here they are, lined up against each other in a family picture, to show the blued and stainless counterparts of each model. Well, there is no stainless counterpart to a Model 14, and there is no blued counterpart to a Model 68. As such, I just considered them as counterparts to each other.




And oh, remember that 4” pre-lock 586 I was initially looking for? I found one during the quest, too. Here it is together with its stainless counterpart – a 4” pre-lock 686.





And here, you can see the other members of the K/L family – a 2.5” Model 66 and a 686 SSR, both of which came well before the quest began, and another 4” Model 19 that I found during the quest.





And would you believe it? Another K-frame will be joining, but this one is not chambered in .38 Spl/.357 Mag, but in .22 LR/L/S. It is a Model 617 for which I just did the paperwork yesterday. Could this be the start of another quest?





Breathe, smile, and carry on…


Best,
trigger945

For shame not a single K 22 in the bunch.
OOPS missed the 617 part
Seriously though.... Nice bunch of K's

a no lock 617 at that....new stocks time though

__________________
Paul
S&WCA #2726

It's hard to fight the fever.

Did you say a bug bit you? No lots of bugs bit you. Welcome to the club. Best.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Nice family!

Yes, a set of target stocks is waiting for the Model 617.

Uh oh. The ratio of blue to non-blue is now off. You need to get two more blue ones and everything will be OK.

You really need a K-22 six inch to get the most joy out of K-frames. Just sayin'

Froggie

You make a valid point... see, I noticed that imbalance, too

Until you see another stainless K you want.

I love the K-frames. Fortunately, in retirement I have no money to buy them.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Lol, I thought about that, as well. Or maybe a Model 18 to keep it at 4" so it is more of a counterpart to the Model 617.

Sigh...

Yes, that's a nice "start" to your k-frame collection.
All are very nice.
Now for the rimfires:
model 18 or pre-18
model 17 or pre-17
model 48
and then a model 53...
It's a never ending list my friend.
Keep on keeping on.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Thanks Chuck!

I sure did have that sinking feeling when I acquired the "last" piece

Very nice collection !

The blue counterpart to your 617 (ND) is the 17-6


A Model 12 might be nice but while they did offer them in nickel or blue there is no SS counterpart....
There was a Model 64 snub to go with your Model 10 snub.

Thanks!

So there is indeed a counterpart to that Model 617! Uh-oh, the hunt may be on...

Nice! But it seems to me that you're missing a whole passel of nickel K-frame guns...

Yes it definitely never ends !
For example while you are correct that there was no SS version of the ( 6" ) Model 14 a 4" Model 14 was produced in small numbers as shown below.
The SS version of the 4" Model 14 is the wide rib Model 67-3 (top)


Muzzle Comparsion of Model 67-1 (left) with a 67-3 (right)

Well, if I go on, then I better say goodbye to my 401K. It looks like I have *only* completed Stage 1 of this never ending journey

Nice, they are addictive. I'll never part with my K's, and I still remember one of the first ones I saw. I haven't held my aunts old 2.5" M19 in years, but still hope she still has it. She got it back when she worked with the FBI back in the 70's/early 80's, and last I heard it was still with her. One of the sweetest S&W K-framed revolvers I have seen.

It looks like I have *only* completed Stage 1 of this never ending journey

Just don't get caught in the shoe department....it is down right nasty.

Like do you want magnas on that 617 ?



combats ?



or targets ?



and I barely touched on the dark side

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

I think I know what you mean.

Fortunately, my taste for stocks is simpler. I prefer the checkered target stocks. A set of speed loader cutout target stocks is awaiting the arrival of the 617. I got it from a nice fella here not too long ago.

The dark side you speak of seems like something I would not dare venture at this point...

Man, you didn't get bit by a bunch of bugs you got the whole darn swarm.Offhand I'd say you been downright busy. Now you gotta watch these guys. Putting all that temptation right out there for all to see. Best darn bunch of enablers I've ever run across and boy do they love to spend other folks money. You got the sickness bad and for that there is no cure and the only thing that will help will be for you to go right out and buy some more S&W's. Have fun, Frank

What happens is you say this is my focus K frames thats it, then the microscope gets dialed in a little deeper, blue and SS K frames,,,, then a little deeper, blue, SS and nickel,,,,,then barrel lengths, then revisions, then special lengths, snubs, years, grips styles, boxes, tools, literature, then you need a bigger safe...ha ha.....

I don't know why it worked out that way, but my last 3 revolver purchases were K frames. Sept. gun show, a beautiful 13-2. December, a 10-6, 8 & 3/8" PPC gun. Feb, a 10-5 2". My 1st K snub. I did however eliminate my J frames, and no more .22's. Bob

Yeah, I think you nailed it

Beware! You may be subconsciously on a quest for K's

That is a very nice pile of K frames!

Congrats!

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But then, what do I know?

Pssst! Kid. Wanna buy an N Frame?

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

Not yet. Still in K-frame world

Hah, just wait until you get your hands on a 3"HB RB K-frame.

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Wayne
Torn & Frayed

Stay there.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726