L frame .357 vs N frame .357?

[yugolovr]

I carry a model 66 everyday. I love the balance and the weight of the K frame. I carry Federal 125 grain .357 magnum in it. But I only practice with .38 special. I give it a very thorough cleaning after I finish practicing with it. This helps to prevent damage if I have to shoot my carry rounds. I very rarely shoot my carry loads through it.If I was to shoot a lot of hot loads I would be looking for an L or N frame.

 

[DeanD]

I have one Model 19 4" and have owned a couple of 19 6" guns which I no longer have. The K frame 4" to me is a great lightweight carry gun but a little light with strong .357 loads. I have a 65 K frame with the 3" bull barrel and it is a sweet and smooth shooter with a Pachmeyer RB grip. Got a K frame Model 66 3" but have never fired it but it probably isn't as smooth shooting as the 65 heavy barrel.

I have several L frames, 4" and 6" both and to me they just shoot .357 magnum loads much better with the extra weight.

Don't own an N in .357, just .44 mag.

 

[kenpofan]

Originally posted by Jellybean:
There was never any shortcomings to the K frame .357s, they were, and still are, the best gun made for their intended purpose. The L frames came along about the same time Ruger was advertising their Security Six as being better for a number of reasons that were noting but advertising hype. But people were buying the hype and the Rugers and it was cutting into S&Ws market. The L frame addressed every issue Ruger was bragging about, but was pretty much like "New Coke" in that it wasn't an improvement over anything. It weighs almost as much as an N frame and is too barrel heavy for my liking. I think the barrel was made heavy to satisfy the bullseye shooting crowd which was a large part of the market at the time too.

+ 1
Hear Hear ! Ditto

 

[rbmcmjr]

Originally posted by 29Wheelgunner:
I like the L frame in .357 and the K frame over the N because of the shorter lock-time.

This is the first time I have ever heard that argument. Is there really that much difference between the two hammer throws?

 

[Sporting12]

Please excuse my ignorance,but what is meant by "Lock Time"??
Regards, Pete

 

[Ron H.]

Originally posted by Sporting12:
Please excuse my ignorance,but what is meant by "Lock Time"??
Regards, Pete

Sir, lock time is how long it takes from when the sear releases to the gun firing. The shorter the lock time, the better for accuracy--consider a modern bolt-action rifle compared to a flintlock musket.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by bmcgilvray:
The L-Frame .357 Magnum is neither fish nor foul and the J-Frame .357 Magnum is just plain silly in my view.

+1

 

[Sporting12]

Thanks Ron H!----Pete

 

[Snapping Twig]

The L frame has a lower bore axis and a longer cylinder than an N frame .357, so felt recoil is less than it might be with the L frame.

The longer cylinder of the L frame allows longer OAL and therefore heavier bullets - sort of counter intuative, but there it is. I can load 170g cast Keiths and crimp them in the crimping groove with the L frame and there's room to spare, on my 627-0, the same bullet sticks out of the cylinder a tad, but they will work. Move up to a heavier bullet and I suppose I'd have to set it back a mite to work right in the N frame.

If I could have only one, I typically prefer N frames, but everybody has to own at least one L frame, I think it's a law.

Kind of like owning at least one 1911.

 

[Kamerer]

All of the technical issues have already been addressed, so I have nothing to add there. Beyond that, the preference between L vs. N for a .357 is a very subjective one. I love this discussion and find it interesting - we've had it before and if often re-occurs. I find the .357 to be the most widely versatile cartridge extant, and having a number of guns in it makes sense. I currently own:

3 K frame .357s (2 2.5" and a 4")
2 L frame .357s (a 2.5" and a 4")
1 N frame .357 (a 3.5", also had a 4" until recently)

One of my favorite games is to shoot different guns head to head with identical loads, .38 up to heavy .357.

The full lug and more compact design of the L give it a decided recoil advantage over either a K or an N. My 4" L with smooth targets weighs identical (41 ozs) to the 4" N frame with Magnas. The lug, and more compact frame make the L decidedly handier with heavy loads, but it is not a massive margin. Both make controlling magnums MUCH easier than the K frame. People criticize the lug for making the L harder to point, but I don't shoot skeet with mine. I have a Shotgun for that. I try to put multiple rounds into a single target to practice neutralizing a threat, and that is where the 686 excels in handling. The action on my 1st generation 686 (the 4") is also among the finest and smoothest I've ever encountered.

In the woods, I will carry the 3.5" N or the 4" L based on my mood or a whim - I love them both quite a lot. But I do agree with those above who say the N feels good in the hand, with a Tyler and Magnas, it feels great. I put plain targets on the L to get a good feel, but it's less pleasant feeling than the N (though the recoil control and distribution is better).

For CC, I will use one of the 2.5" K's, however. The compactness, decent controllability, and power make it a truly superb CC gun.

 

[RevolverDen]

Thanks Todd, I forgot the .41.

Don't feel too bad about forgetting the .41, it seems dealers near me have forgotten the .41 as well making it difficult to even get ammo, let alone firearms. I like the .41 cartridge, but the lack of .41's and accessories make it one I regretfully pass anymore. For the N frame, it's the .44 that is now the choice of caliber.

 

[RevolverDen]

I chose the L frame because I like to shoot and rarely carry a revolver for ccw ,and when I do ccw a revolver it's a J frame.

+1 on the J frame for CCW! I pretty much carry my 640 w/ .357 mag. exclusively since acquiring it. You can can't beat it size, great weight and balance for handling the versatility from .38, .38+P to a full .357 mag round. Arguably one the most versatile and potent small handguns one can carry!

But for a range outing shooting only .357 mag., I would have one of my 686's on hand for the task of going through the several or more boxes of .357.

 

[BAM-BAM]

All the technical points have been made........on K,L,N frames

bottom line in selecting a .357; IMHO is "intended use" and what fits your hand best.

For concealed carry ..... for me .....a 3" K frame 66 w/ Spegel boot grips

Open/ woods carry..... for me........ a 4" 686, 586 or 681w/ Spegel extended boot grips

Hunting...... for me..... a 6" 686 ( taken 2 Pennsylvania deer with one)

That said......................

I do own a 6.5" Registered Magnum..... for looking at ; and a

4" N Frame Model 28 ....... just cus everyone should have at least one!!!!

 

[ironhead7544]

The only real difference between the L and N frame is the grip size. Some people prefer the K frame sized grip but either one is fine for me. I see no difference in recoil in 357 Magnum.

 

[kaaskop49]

+1 on the J frame for CCW! I pretty much carry my 640 w/ .357 mag. exclusively since acquiring it. You can can't beat it size, great weight and balance for handling the versatility from .38, .38+P to a full .357 mag round. Arguably one the most versatile and potent small handguns one can carry!

But for a range outing shooting only .357 mag., I would have one of my 686's on hand for the task of going through the several or more boxes of .357.

As I wrote on a recent post, I dig how RevolverDen thinks. Myself, I love the frosted "pinkish" finish of the Model 60 Ladysmith in .357. Carries just as easily in an IWB as the .38 versions.

Den: Maybe I already suggested this: have you tried the medium CCI Blazer .357 158gr. JHP? This would allow you to fire the "several or more boxes of .357" (dont'cha just love this?) in the 640. Stay safe, partner.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[eveled]

You can get speedloaders for the seven shot L frames, and use moonclips for the eight shot N frames.

S&W still makes the classic six shooters too.

All the Smith .357s are good, and each has its' own advantages.

Five star makes eight shot speed loaders for the N frames.

I have j frames and eight shot N frames. I haven't found a need for anything in between. Although I appreciate them for their historical value, I personally don't need a 6 shot .357 n frame. Ed

 

[at_liberty]

I remember when the L-Frame was introduced. It would have been a commercial flop waiting on me to buy it as an improvement over the K-Frame or the N-Frame. I've handled 'em and shot 'em but just don't care for the full-lug barrel. I dislike the front-heavy feel. I might have tried one if they'd made them with a more conventional barrel.

I like the N-Frame .357 revolvers' heft and balance and feel it's the very best home for the .357 Magnum cartridge. There's nothing better for the hand loader, handgun hunter, or competitor who wants to shoot lots of full power loads. If one desires a .357 Magnum of more trim proportions then the K-Frame answers. It is a sensible choice for carrying. I don't think it's as fragile as it's been hyped up to be in more recent times.

The L-Frame .357 Magnum is neither fish nor foul and the J-Frame .357 Magnum is just plain silly in my view.

This is the problem with age and a historical perspective. Smith hasn't offered a K frame .357 for some time until just this year (see Model 66). It answers the issue of eschewing the full under lug and minimizes the mass in a stainless, 4", 357 well suited for holster carry. Still, one could expect that these guns will see mostly .38 Special ammo.

New for 2014

If guns with trigger locks are effectively invisible, then the discussion is limited to what one already owns from earlier years (century) or is lucky enough to locate.

 

[at_liberty]

Wasn't the 357 originally an N frame? That platform would have supported the recoil well, but who likes carrying an N frame with any barrel length to it? In the smaller frames, you pick your poison, so to speak. I believe we expect nasty recoil from this caliber only because we aren't shooting it in an N frame. We adapt and get used to anything, but I doubt there are many who shoot a lot of rounds in a single outing with the smaller framed guns and short barrels.

 

[RevolverDen]

The only real difference between the L and N frame is the grip size. Some people prefer the K frame sized grip but either one is fine for me. I see no difference in recoil in 357 Magnum.

And typically about 3 ounces of weight vigor equal barrel lengths. I recently put cash down on a 627 2.625" performance center, but today I backed out of it because I feel my 686 2.5" performance is more suited for my needs and feels better overall in my hand.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fyimo]

Actually I'm a guy who likes both the L frame and N frame in 357 Magnum but as I thinned my herd the one I kept was a Model 28-2 with 4 inch barrel.