2” K Frame for Carry

[ISCS Yoda]

After my 2018 fire my snubby S&W collection - IN MY SAFE! - was all stained and ugly so I liquidated most of them because they were still excellent shooters:

And while I admit my standard EDC is a Model 649 (it's in the first picture) there was no way I was parting with these two:

M10 - with S&W stocks instead of bonded ivory which were negatively affected by the heat of the fire but not the gun itself:

M64 customized:

2" K frames are really quite excellent but I prefer to belt carry them than try to pocket carry them as I do that M649. I have no interest in trying to conceal any longer barreled revolver than a 2".

 

[Old cop]

I carried an issued 10-7 snub square butt for years and now have it at home. Recently qualified for LEOSA certification w/it and scored 96.4%, exactly the same as my M&P 2.0 9C., but don’t carry it now.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My wife has my 2" Model 10..... I fell in love with the 3" K-frames back in the 80s

 

[pantannojack]

I started with a 686 RB 2 1/2" w combats IWB. It shot very well at 25 yd but was too wide for any comfort. I dumped it for a 2 1/2" 66 RB. It too is inconvenient compared to a 649 with Sile rubbers. I think we should all just go back to 45 Colts in western rig.

 

[Marshal Tom]

S&W needs to produce a modern model 12 RB with a durable finish w/o the stupid lock! It would be IMHO a huge success.

 

[RetCapt]

I think the K frame size is an perfect configuration for a carry revolver. My large hand meant I never fit well with a J frame.

Our department had a lot of trouble with our 66s, both 2 1/2" (for admin and detectives) and 4" for uniforms. So I don't own any. From the time I did carry an issue 2 1/2" I thought this was an ideal set up. Our issue ammo was the Treasury spec 38+, so it had some horsepower. After I had turned in the 2 1/2" K for the new 4" 686, I decided I wanted something K frame sized for off duty use. Having two Ruger six series PPC guns I was very familiar with them. I bought a 2 3/4" Security Six, and immediately put a nylon Hogue Monogrip on it. From the first time on the range it was perfect for my purposes. It got a lot of carry.

But times have changed. I have long since gone to a Glock 26. Smaller, lighter (thus more concealable and comfortable) with a greater payload.

But if someone wants to stick with a revolver, I think the K frame size is perfect.

 

[yugolovr]

A month ago I was able to finally pick up a model 10-5 square butt. I have been carrying it every since. I have found that I much prefer it to my J frames. It fits my hand much better, and is much better under recoil.

 

[jbull380]

I have gone totally semiauto on my carry guns. The pistols offered today are too reliable, too slim, too plentiful in variety and firepower to not carry. But that’s just me. I have carried revolvers both K frame and N frame on duty so I don’t make light of the revolver.

 

[Old cop]

I have gone totally semiauto on my carry guns. The pistols offered today are too reliable, too slim, too plentiful in variety and firepower to not carry. But that’s just me. I have carried revolvers both K frame and N frame on duty so I don’t make light of the revolver.

We switched to the Glock 19 sometime in the ‘80s (ret. ‘97), I was glad to have it for street duty but still carried my J Frame off duty.

 

[Well Armed]

I have a bunch of semiautos including the newer micro wonder nines. I still choose to EDC a 2.5" 686+ on a regular basis.

• Revolver do not have the same profile of a pistol, so it's easier to carry conceal carry a larger revolver without printing.
• The ammo selection and firepower you can find in 38spc-357mag is more plentiful. You can have light 38spc bullets all the way up to hot and heavier 357mag bullets.
• They are STILL more reliable than semiautos as they are less susceptible to ammo and user induced failures especially if imployed while in a struggle and/or a perfect grip. Contact shots and firing from the pocket or other covering is also possible without producing a malfunction.
• You can change the grips from being short boot grips, to medium, large, square, round, back open/close, wood, rubber, G10, inserts, so on and so forth to fit any hand size and application. No need to have to buy an entirely new gun to get a longer or shorter frame.
• I don't feel at a disadvantage capacity wise in this first world country especially being that I'm not a drug dealer and gang banger, nor do I live in the ghetto. 6 to 7 rounds is really no different than many of the popular 45acp 1911s, 380s, and even single stack 9mms on the market.
• You almost never see people who perfer revolvers going to semiauto threads to let everyone that's interested in a semiauto that they perfer revolvers and why revolvers are better than semiautos, but there's a trend of semiauto guys doing it in revolver threads. I don't get it. The OP is interested in a revolver and posted about K-frames. Not sure why semiautos are being brought up as usual.

 

[Well Armed]

My observation may be entirely incorrect, but it seems that the popularity of a 2” revolver for carry is largely limited to the J Frame. K Frame carry favors the 3” or 4” barrel over a 2”. The 2” K models, 10, 15, and 64, have much to offer as 2” carry pieces. One more shot than the J, more weight to mitigate recoil, larger grip surface for control and quicker repeat shots and not too much more difficult to conceal than the J. You may have noticed that the 2.5” Model 66 is not on the list. Kind of trying to compare 38 Spl in both frame sizes.

Are there folks here who utilize the snub K Frame routinely? Why or why not?

I say go for it for all the reasons you mentioned. I had the same quandary a few years back between a 6 round K-frame or 7 round L-frame snubby. The weight and size was negotiable, so I went with the L-frame. Between the J and K frames, the main difference will be the slightly larger cylinder size; however, the cylinder has never been an issue for me with printing or concealment. If IWB, the cylinder will be a below the waistline non-issue. OWN concealed, I also never had printing issue, and it's not going to give anyone the appearance or thought of a firearm if it did print. It's typically the grip that is the issue. I'm not a tall man, I have a small frame, and I wear medium off the rack t-shirts. I'm able to easily conceal an L-frame 357 days a years even IWB with shorts and a M t-shirt in the summer with a spilt-six speedloader pouch on my weak side.

 

[Ingramite]

IF I'M WEARING A BELT......

Then I'm going to carry a revolver that I'm most effective with.

The support of a good belt will carry the weight and size of a full sized revolver. If comfort and concealment are attainable then why wouldn't the logical choice be a 4" K or L frame?

I have a 2.5 inch Model 19-3 but the only reason why I would choose it over a Model 67 would be a magnum loading. Whatever that reason might be. If I had forewarning sufficient enough to "Super-Size" up to a magnum cartridge from a .38spl then a more prudent course of action might just be staying in bed and pulling the covers up over my head that day. The .38spl is as deadly today as it has ever been because of modern bullet designs.

This Model 67 has proven to be a very fine combination that's served me faithfully over decades of defensive carry. Sporting very small wooden stocks. A first year model with stainless sights.

 

[Baxter6551]

I’m a late comer to the the 2 inch k frame game having picked up my first a model 10-5 square butt just this year. Very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. Found a home for a pair of Eagle secret service grips I had.

 

[Ingramite]

BUT IF I'M NOT WEARING A BELT......

Maybe as relaxed as a bathrobe pocket or casual as an elastic waistband of a pair of sweatpants. It'll be a 2" or less lightweight J frame.

My Model 442 has a DeSantis Clip Grip stocks on it. Yeah, I'm "that guy" who remembers when a lot of people carried revolvers without a holster.....and still do it today......But you do you and me will do me.

Anyway, wearing a belt or not.
That's how I decide.

 

[chief38]

My very first carry gun back in 1979 WAS A 2" M10 RB. I carried it for about a year or so and decided it was too big, too bulky and too heavy for EDC - especially during the Summer months. The extra shot was simply not worth the annoyance of the plusses - to me.

I suppose wether or not a K frame can be carried comfortably depends on dress, climate, body build and how you carry it. I personally do pocket carry at least 50% - 60% of the time and a K frame is out of the question for that. Even for belt carry, I can still make the argument that it's a bit too heavy and bulky as compared to a J frame.

4+ years ago I retired my M60-7 in exchange for a Sig P365. It weighs 5 ounces less than a J Frame, is smaller, flatter, has better sights, holds more than twice as much ammo, and the 9mm ballistics out of a Sig P365 are even better than +P 38 special out of a 2" J Frame - while at the same time being easier to shoot with less recoil and more accuracy.

While I used to feel perfectly well armed with a 5 shot J Frame or 6 shot K Frame, I no longer do in today's world of crime. A 2" K Frame is just too big with too little to offer for EDC, at least in my book. I'm sure here on the S&W forum having many retired guys who grew up on revolvers, there will be many who disagree, but I am just stating what works for me.

Oh - and BTW, I LOVE K Frames and still buy them if the deal is right - just don't cary 'em anymore.

 

[kbm6893]

Timely thread. I have a DAO model 64 4” that I’m thinking about swapping barrel to a 2”. I think most members here would argue that the barrel is the easiest part of a gun to conceal so why not increase performance with the 3”. They are not wrong. I just like a 2”.

If that DAO 64 is an NYPD one stamped NY1, I’d leave alone. One just sold at auction for about $800.

 

[smoothshooter]

My observation may be entirely incorrect, but it seems that the popularity of a 2” revolver for carry is largely limited to the J Frame. K Frame carry favors the 3” or 4” barrel over a 2”. The 2” K models, 10, 15, and 64, have much to offer as 2” carry pieces. One more shot than the J, more weight to mitigate recoil, larger grip surface for control and quicker repeat shots and not too much more difficult to conceal than the J. You may have noticed that the 2.5” Model 66 is not on the list. Kind of trying to compare 38 Spl in both frame sizes.

Are there folks here who utilize the snub K Frame routinely? Why or why not?

Is it blessed with the longer ejector rod as well?

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I like shooting k frames #10, #19 in 4" But even a 2" is to heavy for this retired geezer to carry. My dream would be a 3" model 340 PD.

 

[mk70ss]

M y EDC is a vintage Model 15 square butt 2 inch. So much easier to shoot well over a J frame.

 

[SquarePizza]

I just recently switched from my 649 to 2" M10. Having a toddler has slashed my shooting to almost nothing and I lost a lot more proficiency with the J frame than any other gun that I own. I still carry a semi more often, but I have been trying to move over to the M10 at work.

It does tend to feel "top heavy" when I carry it, but I am hopeful that a dual belt clip JM custom holster will cute that feeling.