Which Do You Prefer- K or L Frames?

[kbm6893]

I really want a model 10 in 4" heavy barrel. But I want a nice one, not some $200 shooter. I take pride in my guns and like them to look nice. I have a very nice 686-3. If i want to get the model 10, I'd have to sell something. i also have a Ruger Service Six in .357 so I have the .357 bases covered. I shoot 95% .38 with the occasional .357.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

For .38 SPL shootin' I prefer the K over the L.

Both my wife & I consider our heavy bbl, 4" Model 64-1 our favorite.
I probably should'nt have used the term "our" since after my wife
shot it the first time it's technically her's.

 

[tfparatech]

K-frame - no contest. Something about the balance and size just makes the K-frame so much better for me. The grip is the same for both the K and L but the reach is not, so the K also fits my hand better. I carry a 315 but have been looking for a good 66 from some time now. One of these days....

 

[C/O]

For .38 go with the K-frame.
For .357 I prefer L-frame.

 

[Snakeshift]

K-Frame for me, nothing quite carries like a K Frame.

 

[mike from st pete]

My only K is a 22lr.
38SPL J and 357MAG L.
I'm not a fan of 357MAG in less than the L frame size, my opinion, K and J frame size are too light for full power magnum rounds.

 

[mr.jbk79]

K-Frame for me, nothing quite carries like a K Frame.

My feelings exactly.

 

[bronco45]

K Frames are the world standard for carrying and shooting 38s into little tiny circles. L Frames for blasting with 357s. I always carried an L frame on duty and a K frame off duty. On duty was a 586 4" and off a 19 or 66 in one version or another, nothing over a 4" bbl.

 

[sarge1967]

In .38 I like the K frame.
For .357 I like the extra weight of the L frame.

 

[Rapidray]

What they all said!

 

[one eye joe]

For .38 go with the K-frame.
For .357 I prefer L-frame.

DITTO ! ! !

 

[one eye joe]

My only K is a 22lr.
38SPL J and 357MAG L.
I'm not a fan of 357MAG in less than the L frame size, my opinion, K and J frame size are too light for full power magnum rounds.

I concur, Mike. My only K frame is a 617. The K frame is fine for .38 Spl ammo. The L frame was developed to address the inability of the K frames to handle a steady diet of .357 Magnums W/O having problems, specifically cracked forcing cones.....

 

[JCS&W]

Gosh, I do not believe I can add anything that has not already been said. I have 5 K frames and 1 L frame. Yep, I would go with the K.

 

[AveragEd]

Unless heavy .357s are going to be used, I like a K-frame a lot better than an L-frame. Having said that, I will admit that my 686s have an appearance advantage over my 66s - but then, I'm a former Python lover.

Ed

 

[Maximumbob54]

Smith & Wesson says I should prefer the L frame since they dropped Combat Magnums... :/

 

[old bear]

Well for once everyone else agrees with me. I prefer the M-19 for carry just the right weight and balance. For shooting .357 Magnum ammo I PREFER my L frame 586, so much it has replaced my M-19 as one of my ready revolvers.

 

[ruger-p94]

Since I have only a 13-3 K frame I will have to say I love the K.

 

[Engine49guy]

The marriage of the .38 Special round with the S&W K frame was made in heaven,
As you already like the 4" Model 10 HB try to imagine it with target sites,
Its called the 4" Model 14-2 ,
I HIGHLY recommend getting one if you ever have the opportunity.

My personal favorite for shooting .357 is the SS L frame 686-5 + Mountain gun (7 shot).
Carrys and feels like a Model 66 with the classic tapered barrel profile of a Model 27 .

 

[nipster]

Prefer the shooting on a 686, prefer the looks of a K frame

 

[one eye joe]

The marriage of the .38 Special round with the S&W K frame was made in heaven,
As you already like the 4" Model 10 HB try to imagine it with target sites,
Its called the 4" Model 14-2 ,
I HIGHLY recommend getting one if you ever have the opportunity.

My personal favorite for shooting .357 is the SS L frame 686-5 + Mountain gun (7 shot).
Carrys and feels like a Model 66 with the classic tapered barrel profile of a Model 27 .

Engine49guy, the 686-5+ Mountain Gun is my favorite for field use also. (It's on the extreme left in the pic of 3 Mountain Guns below) My no dash 2 1/2" converted to a 7 shooter by S&W is my favorite CCW. My no dash 8 3/8" is my favorite .357 Mag/.38 Spl range gun. IMHO, no S&W collection is complete W/O at least one 686........