looking for revolver--what kind?

[LL617]

I am looking for a revolver, separate from my carry gun, to keep at the house. This gun would be used for personal protection usually but also for shooting "varmints" such as coyotes if they attacked our dogs. I have been thinking of getting a S & W38 special with a 6 inch barrel, but I see several different models mentioned in the online literature.

Where can I go to find out about the differences in these various models?

Thank you.

LL617

 

[thomashoward]

I am looking for a revolver, separate from my carry gun, to keep at the house. This gun would be used for personal protection usually but also for shooting "varmints" such as coyotes if they attacked our dogs. I have been thinking of getting a S & W38 special with a 6 inch barrel, but I see several different models mentioned in the online literature.

Where can I go to find out about the differences in these various models?

Thank you.

LL617

Get a .357 of your choice. Shoot .38 specials for practice and such. Use .357's for the serious social work IMHO

 

[Smith357]

For what you are looking at there are 3 .38/357 frame sizes that come with 6" barrels. From small to large they are the K, L, and N, frames. This is just a down a dirty rundown and other will chime in with the ones I missed but these are by far the most common one I see around here.

In the K frame size there is;
the M&P/Model 10 fixed sight .38 special only generally in 4" barrels but can sometimes be found in 5 and 6 inch. In stainless it's called the Model 64.

Then there is the Model 14 / K-38 "Masterpiece" which has a heavy barrel and adjustable sights they come with 6" and 8" barrels. The 4" version is called the Model 15 "Combat Masterpiece", there is a stainless version of the Model 15 but I can't recall the model number off the top of my head.

The Model 19 "Combat Magnum" is a K-357 that comes as a 4" or 6" with heavy barrel, half underlug, and adjustable sights, in stainless it's called the Model 66

Then you move up to the L frame .357 magnum family "Distinguished Combat Magnum" which is the fixed sight 581or adjustable sight 586 in blue or the stainless versions called the 681/686. Most of these have a full underlug.

Then you have the big daddy N frame magnums either the Model 28 "Highway Patrolman" or the gussied up Model 27 "The Magnum".




I keep a Model 14 in my nightstand for HD duties. It's my number one shooter and goes to the range with me every time. It's deadly accurate and just fits me like a glove so it is the one gun I will bet my life on.

 

[old bear]

For varmints, a rifle may be your best bet. For a revolver I suggest either an M-586 .357 Magnum or the M-686 which is the same revolver produced in stainless steel. These are "L" frames and both are excellent revolvers.

 

[LL617]

Thanks for the information. It begins to start putting the pieces together.

Other questions: What size is the J frame? I think that J frame refers to the small personal defense revolvers, but I am not sure.

Is there a site where I can find out the dimensions and weights of the various K, L, and N frames? I am thinking that the K frame is the one that I need which means the Model 10 and 14 and 19 would be the right size.

Are there certain years with any of these models that I should look for and any that I should avoid?

Thank you.
LL617

 

[murphydog]

The J frame is the smallest currently produced.

Here is the best current reference book:

http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Cata...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293944738&sr=8-1

As far as which model variation (usually called "dash numbers", or engineering changes), there will be plenty of advice here once you narrow down which general type of revolver you want.

 

[Smith357]

Thanks for the information. It begins to start putting the pieces together.

Other questions: What size is the J frame? I think that J frame refers to the small personal defense revolvers, but I am not sure.

The J frame is the small frame 5 shot and vaery rarely found in a 4 or 6 inch barrel, the are usually snubbies.

Is there a site where I can find out the dimensions and weights of the various K, L, and N frames? I am thinking that the K frame is the one that I need which means the Model 10 and 14 and 19 would be the right size.

I'm not sure about dimensions but we can pots lots of pictures to give you a rough idea.

Are there certain years with any of these models that I should look for and any that I should avoid?

Thank you.
LL617

They are all good, some will just suit your needs better than others.

This is a Model 64 4" and is basically the same gun as a Model 10 only in stainless. This is the tapered barrel version they also came with a heavy barrel.

This is a model 14 6" with wide target hammer, trigger, and grips. The frame and cylinder is the exact same size as the Model 64.

this next series of pictures shows the slightly larger L frame Model 586 and the K frame Model 14. The 586 has the full lug barrel, some folks like it some folks don't. Both guns use the same grips the size difference is the taller frame forward of the grips to fit a bigger cylinder.

 

[Iggy]

This site by a deceased member may help. http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Smith & Wesson J, K, L and N-frame Comparisons.htm

 

[LL617]

Thanks, everybody

Wow. Between the pictures, the explanations, and the link, I have really learned a lot.

Thanks, everybody.

LL617

 

[bananaman]

LL, welcome to the Forum! You can learn so much here! 1 of my loaded ready to guns is a Model 10-8, with Crimson Trace Laser Grips on it. If you need to shoot in a hurry, put the red dot where you want it and you're good to go! Bob