retired2006
Member
In the classifies there is a 520 advertised for sale, and the listing says it is a N frame. Am I wrong, is this not a L frame revolver ?
520, N or L Frame ?
- Thread starter retired2006
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
There are actually TWO Model 520s. One was a N frame, fixed sight version of the M28, built for the NY State Police. When the NYSP found out the L frames were being introduced, they cancelled their order. The second M520 was a 7 shot .357 L frame, introduced in 2005.
BCDWYO
Member
Muley is correct as usual. The most commonly referenced 520 is the N-frame. The 2005 L-frame version is lesser known (and I daresay, less revered). Here is my NYSP N-frame 520:
Engine49guy
Member
IIRC the N frame version was called the .357 M&P ( BTW the K frame Model 13 was called the 357 M&P Heavy barrel),
its actually closer to a .357 version of the old fixed site N frame 38-44 HD ( became the Model 20 with the advent of model marking).
When S&W attempted to update the model numbering system in the 1980's they usually added a 3rd digit at the beginning,
A 4 was used for airweight frames (Like 459), the number 5 for steel frames in blue or nickel (like 559) and the number 6 for SS versions (like 659)
So the old Model 20 now would become the new Model 520, unfortunately they didnt change all their old models to the new system and the 3rd gen system is even more confusing (to me).
Whats puzzling is why S&W recycled the old Model 520 number especially considering the new version was an L frame with target sites and a Ti cylinder.
Pic of the L frame version:
On a side note the SS L frame version was called the Model 620.
its actually closer to a .357 version of the old fixed site N frame 38-44 HD ( became the Model 20 with the advent of model marking).
When S&W attempted to update the model numbering system in the 1980's they usually added a 3rd digit at the beginning,
A 4 was used for airweight frames (Like 459), the number 5 for steel frames in blue or nickel (like 559) and the number 6 for SS versions (like 659)
So the old Model 20 now would become the new Model 520, unfortunately they didnt change all their old models to the new system and the 3rd gen system is even more confusing (to me).
Whats puzzling is why S&W recycled the old Model 520 number especially considering the new version was an L frame with target sites and a Ti cylinder.
Pic of the L frame version:
On a side note the SS L frame version was called the Model 620.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,669
- Reaction score
- 21,359
Occasionally S & W reuses the same model number for different guns. The standard reference lists these as the model 520 of 1980 (the N) and 2005 (the L).
Engine49guy
Member
As the 520 number had already been applied to an entirely different gun and seeing as L frame 581/681 and 586/686 models already existed perhaps would have caused less confusion to use something new like 587/687....
Then again my OCD is easily triggered searching for logic in the S&W Model numbering system.
Then again my OCD is easily triggered searching for logic in the S&W Model numbering system.
Doug M.
Member
Are there any other models that use the same model number in this manner? I consider the real 520 to be the N frame, which is basically a .357 chambered Heavy Duty. (I would not call it is a fixed sight version of the M28, personally.) The L frame bearing that number is abomination. I had one of the real 520s that I had to sell for tuition one semester; should have rented out that wife instead.
