O.K. I've searched and can't narrow it down. what are the 32 frame sizes? i am mostly interested in .32 WCF but would like to know about I, J,K size pre war. and was the J size before WW11? I get confused when references just state .32 when talking about a gun, and whats a good guide for the pre war smiths? Thanks.
32 frame size
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The .32s were built on three different hand ejector frame sizes: the I, the J, and the K. .32 WCF, also known as the .32-20, was only built by S&W on the K frame. The J frame was introduced in 1950 for the first Chief's Special in .38 special. The I frame was too small for the length of the .38 special cartridge.
Try the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd edition, for a good S&W guide.
Try the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd edition, for a good S&W guide.
gordonrick
Member
Tiny, but very cool.
Green Frog
Member
No, the I-frame is small and handy!!
That frame size was developed by S&W specifically to serve as the platform for the 32 S&W Long and what would become the K-frame was developed for the 38 Special. Of course shooters being shooters, there was a demand to put the 22 lr into the I-frame (Bekeart and HFT models) and ultimately the K-frame, and the 32 into the K-frame (as the K-32.) The fact remains, though, that the I-frame platform was designed to be "just right" for the 32 S&W Long. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! 
Froggie
