A question for the knowledgeable esteemed fellows:

Why is it that S&W snub J frames come with 3 close, but different barrel lengths? From someone who spent a lot of time in inventory control, supply chain, operational efficiencies, etc., I just don't get the 1-7/8", 2", and 2-1/8" lengths. Why not make things simpler by just using 2"?

Thanks for any insight.

Excellent question.

Sitting here waiting to be educated!

Much too complicated to explain here.

It's also highly classified, far above our level.

Not as simple as it would seem.

The original hand ejector snubby, the M&P, has a 2" barrel that is specific to the K-Frame.

J-Frame 1 7/8". If you compare to a 2" K the proportions are identical. It is an aesthetic thing. These are specific to the J size frame.

2 1/8" J-Frame. Began I believe with the "J-Magnum" frame and are all shrouded. Not interchangeable with standard J-Frame for several reasons. The longer barrel allows for longer extractor rod travel.

The three variations are all different from each other and not interchangeable. All are necessary. It is far from being as simple as the length!

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

...Brings to mind the answer (?) I got from a S&W phone rep on a different matter several years ago:

"Because that's the way they make them now."

I've never called them again. You can't make this stuff up.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

It's actually more complicated than described above.

If you go in order of ejector rod length it looks like this:

1 7/8" J-Frame (Model 36);
2 1/2" K-Frame (Model 66, as well as the 2 1/2" L-Frame 686);
2 1/8" J-Magnum Frame (Model 60);
3" J-Frame Magnum Frame (Model 60);
3" K-Frame (Model 13); and at the same length
4" K-frame (Model 10).



The difference in ejector rod length between the 2 1/2" and 3" K-Frame revolvers reflects the differences in barrel lengths:

3" Model 13 and 2 1/2" Model 66:



The same is true for the 1 7/8" J-Frame and 2 1/4" J-Magnum Frame revolvers:



The oddities occur when you start comparing J to K frames. Here the 2 1/8" J Magnum Frame revolver has an ejector rod that is longer than the 2 1/2" K-frame, despite the barrel being 3/8" shorter. In fact the 2 1/2" K Frame ejector rod is only about 1/8" longer than the ejector rod on the 1 7/8" Model 36.



Frame size proportions seem to be driving things on the 3" J Magnum frame revolver as the ejector rod on the 3" J-Magnum is significantly shorter than the full length ejector rod found on the 3" K-frame revolver.



And the 3" J-Frame's ejector rod does not reflect the barrel length differences in between the 3" and 2 1/8" barrels in these -14 and -15 Model 60s:




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The only thing I'll say with any degree of confidence is that the Model 13 was ordered with a 3" barrel by the FBI in order to accommodate a full length ejector rod. However, S&W's "full length ejector rod in the K-frame is only "full length" relative to the .38 Special so it's still 1/8" too short for the .357 Magnum.

The short ejector rod on the 2 1/2" K and L frame revolvers is an issue in .357 Magnum as maximum loads often start to stick in the chambers, making extraction difficult with the short ejector rod, requiring a very sharp rap on the ejector rod to make it happen. As such I load them down about a half grain compared to what I'd carry in a Model 13, so that the cases still drop free on their own and eject easily.

You sir have the same trouble with logic as my wife. She doesn't understand when people don't use it. Think how much easier holster selection would be.

Wow. I love that BB57.

I don't think you answered the question but I love it just the same. But
I have a number of 2" K frames. I know something is missing in this esoterica. Why are they omitted?

OTOH, I like it anyway.

I was thinking about that the other day when I saw a 2" Model 10. The problem is there's such a thing as too snubby and I just don't find the 2" K frames to be as pleasing to the eye as a 2.5" or 3".

I like the 1 7/8" J frame just fine though, so it must be a proportion thing.

Still...if I find a 2" Model 10 in excellent condition at a decent price I'll bring it home.