K and L Frame, Grip sizes

Matchlock · Sep 21, 2010

Hello everyone;

I have an issue that I hope someone can help me with.

Since I've never owned a S&W revolver with grips smaller than a K Frame, I'm left wondering if the K Frame and any other frame is the same size. For example, does the K frame and L frame revolver use the same size grips.

The reason I ask this is because I just compared one grip marked "N" and one grips marked "K" and they seem to be exactly the same. Is this correct?

Thanks for any help.

Bud

P&R Fan · Sep 21, 2010

The L-Frame has the same size grip as the K-Frame. The N-Frame is larger.
Hope this helps.

Matchlock · Sep 21, 2010

Grip sizes

Hi, thank you, but I wonder why those grips that are marked "N" are the same size?

Like the LEFT "N" fits perfectly up to the RIGHT "K" and the screw goes right into the other grip from the one side.

If (as you say) they are NOT the same size, then what' gives here?

Here's a pic of one of my Model 29's with the "N" frame grip laid right beside it with the "N" clearly visible.

and here's a pic of the "N" grip laid on the gripsframe of the 29. Clearly doit doesn't fit.

Am I missing something here?

Bud

P@R Fan said:
The L-Frame has the same size grip as the K-Frame. The N-Frame is larger.
Hope this helps.

scooter123 · Sep 21, 2010

Matchlock, 2 possibilities. One, you have a K frame grip that is mismarked. Two, you have an older N frame that dates back to when the grip frames were hand shaped to the final profile. All those Craftsmen doing hand fitting operations cause a lot more variation from gun to gun than the modern production methods in use today. While that difference you're showing is a lot larger than I would expect, it is possible that the grip frame for the large frame revolver has evolved a bit during it's long history. I suspect this is why during much of S&W's history the grips were serial numbered to the gun. Most likely grips were individually fitted to each grip frame.

Matchlock · Sep 21, 2010

Grips Sizes

Thank you very much for this excellent information. I learned something new today and I was 64 on Sunday. Like they say, you never stop learning.

Now that I know that they are very close in size, I won't worry about it any more.

I really appreciate you taking the time to explain that to me.

Best regards

Bud

scooter123 said:
FYI, the the difference in the grip frame sizes is NOT huge. If you think about it, it would not make good business sense to produce the N frame with a grip a lot larger than the K, L, or X frames, they would lose too many customers due to trigger reach problems. About the only thing I've noticed is that the N frames seem to have a bit rounder arch on the backstrap of the grip frame, which does makes some sense considering the higher level of recoil typical to the larger calibers available on the N frame. Making the backstrap a bit rounder permits some of the recoil forces to be transfered into the gun rotating instead of pushing straight back.

As for trigger reach, I really can't tell any difference in the trigger reach between my K and N frame revolvers. If your concerned about trigger reach problems, the N frame will fit as well as a K frame, provided you mount grips that are properly sized to YOUR hand.

If you're shopping for grips, the K, L, and X frame are identical, however the X frame is only available in a round butt grip frame. BTW, on the recent K and L frames it seems that S&W is starting to standardize on the round butt profile. They are also starting to standardize on a round butt grip frame for the standard line N frame, however the profile of the N frame differs slightly from the other 3 frames. Frankly, I wish that they would change the N frame to match because I would really like to use the 500 Magnum monogrip on my 610 but this grip gaps at the top of the backstrap by about 1/8 inch. It'll fit, but it doesn't fit as well as I would like.

If your shopping for a square butt grip frame, same deal applies, the K and L are identical, the N frame is unique.

Matchlock · Sep 21, 2010

Grip Sizes

Ok, with all that great information that scooter has given me I can be armed with valuable information about grips.

I just found the left side only of another pair that I tried on my 8" 29 and it fits perfectly but it's a lot bigger than the other grips. There's nothing stamped on them so I have to assume (because they fit) that it is an N frame, right? Here it is.

Bud

Matchlock · Sep 21, 2010

Grip Sizes

Hi Scooter;

What you say makes perfectly good sense and maybe that's the reason why they seem so close in size. I just compared the left side of one grip that fits the 29 pefectly and yet there's a huge difference in size.

Anyway, thanks again for that super information. Glad I asked the question.

The one thing I got out of all this is that I don't have any "N" frame grips. Not a single pair fit a 29. At least the ones I have anyway.

Bud

scooter123 said:
Matchlock, 2 possibilities. One, you have a K frame grip that is mismarked. Two, you have an older N frame that dates back to when the grip frames were hand shaped to the final profile. All those Craftsmen doing hand fitting operations cause a lot more variation from gun to gun than the modern production methods in use today. While that difference you're showing is a lot larger than I would expect, it is possible that the grip frame for the large frame revolver has evolved a bit during it's long history. I suspect this is why during much of S&W's history the grips were serial numbered to the gun. Most likely grips were individually fitted to each grip frame.

dant · Sep 21, 2010

the grips on the left are 'mismarked' look at the step , to the rear of the washer location, the K frames this wood step ( gap from the washer to the back is about 1/8th inch, and the grip to the right , an "N" frame, this step is almost 1/4inch, easiest way to 'spot' the difference of a " K/L" and the "N" frame......................what markings ae on the right side grip panel? this is usually where the serial number is stamped ( or penciled) but again, they may NOT have used the 'letter' in front of the numerals,so you'd only have a group of numbers.....................

Dave T · Sep 22, 2010

Matchlock said:
The one thing I got out of all this is that I don't have any "N" frame grips. Not a single pair fit a 29. At least the ones I have anyway.

I don't understand your comment above. You showed us a picture of your M-29 with a set of obviously N-frame stocks on it. Are those not yours?

And as to the original question, I don't think the "N" stamped in the left panel you have is an indicator of what frame size it fits. It is obviously a K-frame stock. There is a noticeable amount of difference in the size of K vs N, as another of your own pictures shows.

Dave

K and L Frame, Grip sizes

Matchlock

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