I was looking at a 686 because it seemed to be the right size to carry on my ATV in the bac country. I think it is a K ? What is the difference in terms of size and weight between a K and L frame? I am looking to purchase a .357 mag. Thanks

The K frames came first, and then the L frame, mostly because the K frame in 357 magnum didn't do to well with a steady diet of magnum loads ( the new ones are much better due to advances in metallurgy ) . The grips for a K and an L frame are the same. A 686 is an L frame.

A model 66 ( K frame 6 shot ) in a 6" barrel is 36.6 oz . A 686 plus ( L frame 7 shot ) with a 6 " barrel is 38.9 oz.

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

A 686 is an "L" frame. It has a K Frame size grip frame, but the part of the frame surrounding the cylinder is a little larger and beefier. This will allow any amount of .357 Magnum use without problems. The Model 19 is a K Frame in .357, but is not build to take a steady diet of magnum rounds. It was intended to shoot 38's for practice and 357 for necessity.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Hello. The 686 is an L frame, which is more a heavy medium frame revolver, while the K frame is a medium sized revolver. The L frame was introduced to make a medium sized frame that was more durable with a steady diet of Magnums. You will find that when you look at holsters for a K frame and an L frame, the revolvers are interchangeable within the same barrel length.

The L frame may be an ounce or two heavier, but I can't speak from personal experience.

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Judge control not gun control!

Thanks, that helps a lot. Unfortunately there is very little on the website to allow you to see differences in sizes. My initial choice was a 686RSS, but I am also liking the 627 a lot because of the two extra rounds and its workmanship/accuracy. Is the 627 substantially larger than the 686?

I would really like to belt carry my weapon, but it seems like the 627 may be too large for that.

I would really like to hear from folks with experience with the 627.

Thanks

Smith frame sizes.

Smith

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Eccentric old coot

Thanks, lots of good info but I still don't have a visual on the size difference between the L and N frames. Is the 627 an L or N ? Sorry for sounding so stupid.

NO NO NO....Not "stupid"..............ignorant (we all are!!)

A three number designation starting with a 6 denotes Stainless Steel. So the 627 should be a mod 27 in Stainless which would make it an N frame. I don't think that the cylinder is any bigger, just drilled to different spacing with the smaller holes for .357 instead of .44 magnum compensating for some space.

I'm not an authority so maybe someone will verify this for sure. I'm a plain old 686 guy.

PS Many people like the 8 round spacing because the holes fall in between the flutes of the cylinder, giving thicker metal around the chambers. I don't know why it would need the extra strength but it does come out that way, so why not.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Finally got to a gun shop that had a good assortment of revolvers. I had a good chance to hold and examine both S&W revolvers and Ruger. What a huge difference in the 686 series and the 627. While the 627 holds 8 rounds, I would classify it as a great gun to compete with and feel that carrying it would take either a shoulder or chest rig. The N frame was just bigger than I want. They did have a 686SSR, that felt like it was the right size. So I think I will get a 686.

Maybe I need to start another thread on whether to but the 686+ or 686 SSR. So many questions.��

Smith & Wesson .38 Special and .357 Mag Revolvers Guide

I took a picture a long time ago with several S&W revolver frame sizes:



At one point I even had pictures of my digital calipers around each size's cylinders, but I seem to have deleted them. As you felt on your trip to the gun store and getting a handle on the various sizes, even though the K- through N-frame revolvers might look similarly-sized in a picture, they definitely feel different in-hand (and especially on the belt in a holster).