I really don't know the answer to this.

[murphydog]

Micro, mini, small, medium, large, extra large, massive.

That would work fine, except the order in which S & W introduced them was -

Small (I), medium (K), micro (M), extra large (N), small again (J), large (L), massive (X). And how would anyone know in which order they would be made 108 years apart?

Also, all the tip-ups had numbers, and top breaks had letters too. Do you have a copy of the Standard Catalog of S & W 4th edition? That would help.

 

[ispcapt]

Another way to keep track is to count how many rounds of .38/.357 ammo can fit in the cylinder:
J - 5
K - 6
L - 7
N - 8
There's never been an X-frame .357 but I bet it would hold 10, so you can remember it like the Greek letter X

No, nothing like that at all. Look at a Model 27 and 28. What frame size do you call those? How many rounds for each?

 

[H Richard]

I don't really want to muddy the waters, but (long discontinued) are "M" Frames, "I" Frames, Improved I Frames, and don't forget the J Frames come in two sizes, J Frame and J Magnum Frame. There are also a few other mundane designations but you won't run across those very often.

 

[silversnake]

No, nothing like that at all. Look at a Model 27 and 28. What frame size do you call those? How many rounds for each?

It's how many rounds of .38/.357 COULD fit based on the cylinder diameter, not the caliber/capacity of a particular model. Thus the answer to both is 8.

 

[ispcapt]

It's how many rounds of .38/.357 COULD fit based on the cylinder diameter, not the caliber/capacity of a particular model. Thus the answer to both is 8.

How many rounds could fit in the cylinder? As many holes as there are in the cylinder. Your description has nothing at all to do with the size determination. That's YOUR definition. Totally irrelevant to the frame size designations.
Who many .22 rds would each size hold? Or .32 rds?
Where do some people come up with this stuff????

 

[silversnake]

How many rounds could fit in the cylinder? As many holes as there are in the cylinder. Your description has nothing at all to do with the size determination. That's YOUR definition. Totally irrelevant to the frame size designations.
Who many .22 rds would each size hold? Or .32 rds?
Where do some people come up with this stuff????

You totally missed the point.

 

[jdh]

These are S&W current frame size choices.

You forgot the Z Frame.

 

[silversnake]

You forgot the Z Frame.

I actually wish they would make more Z frames -- only way to get K/L size grips on a revolver capable of chambering .45 caliber cartridges. A Z frame in .45 Colt/.45 ACP and a shortened cylinder would be great.

 

[Inusuit]

You totally missed the point.

I don't think he missed the point. Or perhaps I did as well. The theoretical cylinder capacity seems to me a lame way to designate or identify frame size. Easier to learn the system and count the (existing) holes/chambers.

 

[oneounceload]

Long out of production, but still available is the smaller I frame - especially in 32SWL

 

[silversnake]

I don't think he missed the point. Or perhaps I did as well. The theoretical cylinder capacity seems to me a lame way to designate or identify frame size. Easier to learn the system and count the (existing) holes/chambers.

It is simply my way of visualizing frame/cylinder sizes using a common caliber as a point of reference.

 

[alfsauve]

And while everyone tends to just use J, K, L, N & X, Supica reports that the factory may have used J, K, L or N for blue steel and E, F, G, H & X for stainless.

 

[gunnails]

You forgot the Z Frame.

================================

I didn't know about the Z frame, thanks for the heads up on that.

I just posted a couple of pictures off of Google that I thought would help explain, I knew the I frame was not shown but didn't feel the need to bring that up.

Maybe as a service to the board or better yet a challenge to the board.
Can anyone take a picture showing every frame size ever made by S&W?

 

[silversnake]

And while everyone tends to just use J, K, L, N & X, Supica reports that the factory may have used J, K, L or N for blue steel and E, F, G, H & X for stainless.

Wow....Never knew that.

 

[jdh]

================================

I didn't know about the Z frame, thanks for the heads up on that.

I just posted a couple of pictures off of Google that I thought would help explain, I knew the I frame was not shown but didn't feel the need to bring that up.

Maybe as a service to the board or better yet a challenge to the board.
Can anyone take a picture showing every frame size ever made by S&W?

Is the I current production?

For those wondering the Governor is built on the Z frame.

And while everyone tends to just use J, K, L, N & X, Supica reports that the factory may have used J, K, L or N for blue steel and E, F, G, H & X for stainless.

Thank you, I've been looking for something to confirm this for awhile.

 

[gunnails]

The "I" is not in current production.

 

[ispcapt]

You totally missed the point.

I didn't miss your point. It's your own made up definition and is in no way a frame designation.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

If you really want to be confused, S&W made TWO Model 1½ revolvers! One of them was a "tip up" in .32 RF, and the other was a top break in .32 S&W.

 

[dben002]

Yes, revolver nomenclature is most confusing...at least to me....
My first weapon purchased was a revolver (Charter Arms 38 special)....*** handgun....after that I never wanted or owend another revolver.....Never could and still don't understand the tactical advantage of a revolver over a semi-auto for SD carry purposes. In fact see disadvantages...I know there are many who love revolvers for SD carry, but to this day can not understand why......but to each his own, no problems there.......Guess it's just a me thingy..........

 

[silversnake]

I didn't miss your point. It's your own made up definition and is in no way a frame designation.

That's what I said....