Help please! I'm in the process of purchasing a S&W M&P R8 eight shot .357 magnum/.38 - I'm clueless as to what type of frame this handgun has?? I've only ever owned/shot/competed with or been issued a 1911-type of handgun, so you can see my quandry.... "N" FRAME...etc.

Welcome to the forum!

It's an N frame.

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"I also cook."

This gun is #1 on my covet list. Official S&W info says its "Large - Exposed Hammer" that to me means N frame. 5" barrel, Black Matte finish, Scandium Alloy Frame, Stainless Steel Cylinder, empty weight 36.3 oz, List $1,289. Same gun called Model 327 TRR8 same everything except weight and its an oz. less. I think the difference in weight is the design of barrel. The 'same' gun in stainless weights more and costs less Model 627, but you sound like you know what you want.

Congratulations, I think its a terrific gun.

Hi, to answer your question there are severla different frame sizes.

J frame being the current smallest frame available. These are your pocket revolvers and 5 shot 38 or 357 revolvers.

K frame is your medium frame revolvers. These are the guns you would see the police carry like the model 10,66,15, etc.

N frame are your large frame revolvers that are usually your big bore stuff like .41,.44,45acp or LC there are also several .357's

X frame is the big boy. these are your S&W 500, 460 and .410 combo.

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M.J.Hanna

There is also th L frame that bridges the gap between K and N. The first model was the 586. L frames are still current in the stainless 686 versions.

s&wchad is correct. The M&P R8 is an N-frame.

Here are some examples of the most common frames. The most apparent difference in them to the casual viewer is the cylinder size. The frame used with the model you mention is the same as the Model 629 pictured. Hope this helps a bit with the comparison...

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Terry