K & L frame holsters

spm · Feb 18, 2015

Hello,
Do S&W K and L frame revolvers fit the same holsters? I'm seeing other mfrs holsters for sale that say "Large frame" or "Medium frame" and I'm not sure which my 686 L frame pistol is considered.

thanks,
spm

GunarSailors · Feb 18, 2015

Some K frame holsters fit the L, but if you go to the S&W website, you ll see that they sell both the K and the L frame leather holsters. So depending on the fit, there is a difference when it comes to some leather holsters that are formed to the gun. The 686 is considered a Medium frame, so is a K frame.

OKFC05 · Feb 18, 2015

Do S&W K and L frame revolvers fit the same holsters?

Not really.
However, some holsters, such as Safariland, can be adjusted to either (and then it really does not fit the other). Some cheap holsters are such slop fits that more or less anything close will go in, but the retention is terrible. The "fits all medium frame" holsters do not really fit anything well.
The higher quality boned leather holsters are frame and barrel specific, and don't need a strap to retain the revolver.

GerSan69 · Feb 18, 2015

The L may be a medium frame but it's definitely bigger than a K. Quality holsters are not really interchangeable between the two.
An L will fit a Colt Python holster, though.

ISCS Yoda · Feb 18, 2015

I have a 2.5" barreled 686+ (medium frame) that fits an El Paso Saddlery shoulder holster that I originally acquired for a 3" barreled 629(large frame). So apparently you can go "up" more easily than you can fit holsters "down".

Eaglestroker · Feb 18, 2015

A holster made specifically for a K-frame, should not accommodate the slightly larger L-frame. In my experience making holsters a K-frame will work 'ok' in an L-frame holster while a little loose off the belt, but the other way around is tight. In generic terms they would both likely be considered 'medium frame' but not all were created equal. Holsters made for the Colt Python and Ruger GP100 are very close to the L-frame. Any holster that doesn't substantiate model numbers or has a large number marked as fitting it may be serviceable but is not as good as something custom fit to your specific firearm.

Good luck and happy hunting.

spm · Feb 18, 2015

Thank you for your responses. I suspected they were different, but wasn't sure.

Thanks again for your responses,
spm

LoboGunLeather · Feb 18, 2015

While both have been marketed as "medium-frame" revolvers there is significant difference in frame size, cylinder size, and other dimensions.

Some holster makers will offer "one size fits several" solutions, and those may work well for some users.

If you want a closely fitted holster specifically made for your handgun there are people ready to fill your needs.

AZretired · Feb 23, 2015

If you buy a quality leather or kydex holster, NO. If you buy nylon or some adjustable piece of junk, probably.

K & L frame holsters

spm

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GunarSailors

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OKFC05

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GerSan69

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ISCS Yoda

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Eaglestroker

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spm

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LoboGunLeather

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AZretired

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