It’s the start of a new year and time to reflect on my S&W collecting preferences and attempt to focus on what works best for me. Frame size, barrel length and caliber seem to be my primary selection criteria. Here’s what I came up with . . . individual results may (and probably will) vary.

If it’s a 2” J-frame, it needs to be round butt with fixed sights in 38 Special

If it’s a 3” J-frame, it needs a heavy barrel, square butt with fixed sights in 38 Special.
(once had a 3” J-frame with target sights in 357 magnum . . . never again)

If it’s a 2” K-frame, it can be either square or round butt with fixed sights in 38 Special. (the pre-war 2” M&P looks best with the round butt – the post-war 2” M&P needs the classic square butt look)

If it’s a 3” K-frame, it should be round butt with fixed sights in 38/357.
(I have both the 65 and the 66 in 3” and the fixed-sighted 65 is - by far - my preference)

If it’s a 4” or 5” K-frame, it should be square butt, fixed or target sights, ramp front sight and in 38/357.

If it’s a 6” K-frame, it should be square butt, target sights with Patridge front sight in 38/357.

If it’s an N-frame, it needs to be ground down enough so it’s the same size as a K-frame

Whatever your S&W collecting interests happen to be, have a Happy S&W 2012,

Russ

I started with N frames and have a few of those. I'm still filling a few gaps in my collection when I find them.
I started with them as I have large hands and they fit well and the fact that ten plus years ago here they weren't wanted much and sold cheap but no more.

The other thing that I'm interested in are snubbies. I buy those in any frame size but just S&W now. I sold or traded off all the non S&W ones.

Everything else I'm not so interested but do buy some like an I frame last year. My collecting has no particular direction other than the above. I just buy what I like.

If it's a blued Smith and Wesson K, L, or N frame .357 Magnum with stag grips it's for me. One day I hope to add a set of real Ivory grips to one of the N frames.

I've been looking for a direction or FOCUS to my collection for years. A few members here have to endure my once a year "turning over a new leaf" speech. As well as listen to my plan to finally get a "direction" . Lasts until the next gun show at most.

My collection tends to consist of whatever appeals to me. I've got a dozen J frames equally split between snubbies and Kit Guns. Though I do have a few of the 3" HB Jovino M-60's.

The K and N frame shelves in the safe go all over the place too. About the only consistent theme..I do NOT care for nickle...but I still have a few of them. Otherwise everything from a 2" M-12 to an 8 3/8" N frame. and all manner inbetween.

Throw in the Freedom Arms, Colts, SIG's, HK's, and a few others...and thats the rest of the group. Though in my defense many of these are shooters, CCW or hunting guns, like the FA's and the Wilson Combat 1911.

About the only "focus" I have with my S&W's ..... is to buy MORE of them.

FN in MT

My Smiths tend to be K or N framed, blued steel. The exceptions are my 4506-1 and my Smith 1911 in SS.

LTC

I've owned at least 21 S&W revolvers over the years....all made prior to 1994....9 were N-frames...

just picked up a beauty of a 66-3 from early 1993, 2 1/2 inch barrel...but most of mine have been from earlier decades...

I only own 11 of the S&W's I've acquired over the years, but I still have at least one of every frame size I thru N...(I developed a fondness for the ponies in the 90's, so my Smith's have lagged behind ever since )...

I only buy revolvers when it comes to S&W (no autos) and I'd have to say J-frames are my least favorite...

I'm always tempted by any pinned barrel K frame snubby or P&R N frame w/ 6 1/2 inch barrel or less, if the price is right...

I'm finding I like the old stuff, first or second years of new models. My favorites are Nframes, just got my first K (a 1948 K38), and my only Jframes are a nice '71 square butt 36 that I got for a great price, and a 442 that is my carry gun. I've been looking for a 1917, but came across a .455 Mk II that I may need to get.....

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Even older, even crankier....

Short barreled big bore revolvers !

For me, it is nickel first, then blue. No barrel longer than 4". I know it is strange, but that is what I like. I have no idea why.

If its in nice condition, i dont have one and i have the money then its mine!

My views on collecting is simple.
If it is S&W, really all it has to be is in great shape, have a barrel of 4 inches or less for revolvers or more than 4 inches for a semi.

Price is directly related to how badly I want it.

What oldman45 said! I'll add a 3 1/2 inch barrel for the semi as being acceptable.

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

My first S&W was a 3rd Model 38 break open. Then a "I" frame 22-32 Target, then a lot more over the years. Still have them after 60 years.

I have a few other Smiths and a lot of other guns, but I really like Model 39s.