Airweight K Frame???

[clayflingythingy]

Is there a technical reason why S&W does not produce an Airweight Model 10 (the old model 12?) with Aluminum frame?

I would line up today to buy a round butt Model 10 Airweight with 2.5" barrel.

Given the popularity of the Airweight J frames I am puzzled by the lack of an Airweight K frame.

 

[pete950]

I would love to see somthing like a model 19 in an airweight but with fixed sights!!

 

[HarrishMasher]

From the late 90s to about 2010 S&W produced many lightweight K, L and N frames. Here are just some that come to mind. Look them up. You can find many nice used examples for sale on Gunbroker:

242
296
386PD
386NG
386SC
315NG (This is the only K Frame. 6 shot 38spl +P)
310NG
396NG
396SC
325NG
325PD
327NG
327PC
327PD
329NG
329PD
357NG


The 315 NG (Night Guard) is the only actual K frame and would be the only model that fits what you are looking for exactly. Not many were made and are very hard to find. But the L Frames are so similar that they should work just fine for what you are looking for.

 

[murphydog]

They likely have the tooling and obviously have the materials to produce Airweight K frames; all the factory needs is the (perceived) demand for them. Try a post in the "Wish List" section and see what happens .

 

[Hapworth]

If you look at HM's excellent list, you see a bunch of underperformers, sales-wise, for S&W. There's your answer...

 

[HarrishMasher]

If you look at HM's excellent list, you see a bunch of underperformers, sales-wise, for S&W. There's your answer...

Absolutely 100%, that is the reason why. They don't sell well. But they sure go for a fortune on the used market!

 

[Old cop]

I saw a nickel, RB four inch model 12 for around $500 at a local gun store last week but passed it up. Had it been a snubbie things would have been different.

 

[Engine49guy]

Used Model 12's are still found for sale fairly often.

I have been considering making up a pseudo Model 612 as a project.

 

[clayflingythingy]

From the late 90s to about 2010 S&W produced many lightweight K, L and N frames. Here are just some that come to mind. Look them up. You can find many nice used examples for sale on Gunbroker:

242
296
386PD
386NG
386SC
315NG (This is the only K Frame. 6 shot 38spl +P)
310NG
396NG
396SC
325NG
325PD
327NG
327PC
327PD
329NG
329PD
357NG


The 315 NG (Night Guard) is the only actual K frame and would be the only model that fits what you are looking for exactly. Not many were made and are very hard to find. But the L Frames are so similar that they should work just fine for what you are looking for.

Aren't all of the above the much more expensive scandium frame?

 

[HarrishMasher]

Aren't all of the above the much more expensive scandium frame?

Aluminium alloy alone could not handle a 357 or more powerful loads. They frame has to contain scandium to stand up to a 357 or better. SO yes they are all scandium because they have to be.

 

[HarrishMasher]

Aren't all of the above the much more expensive scandium frame?

Aluminum alloy alone could not handle a 357 or more powerful loads. The frame has to contain scandium to stand up to a 357 or better. SO yes they are all scandium because they have to be.

 

[M3Stuart]

Well then, if Scandium is all it takes, then they should go back to the moon and mine some more of it because an airweight M10 is a good idea.

 

[cometpx4]

Airweight K

Who on this revolver forum would NOT run out and buy a 386 Night Guard 7 shot with a 3 inch barrel ??
I would buy 2 in a second. Carry, field use, home defense, etc..
They should make one.

 

[mc5aw]

Who on this revolver forum would NOT run out and buy a 386 Night Guard 7 shot with a 3 inch barrel ?? I would buy 2 in a second. Carry, field use, home defense, etc. They should make one.

S&W doesn't cater to our collective Forum whims simply because we do not number enough of the consumer demographic to affect sales. For everyone pining for a lightweight this or that, how many actually ponied up for a Night Guard when first offered? Answer: Not enough to keep the NG in production. The same goes for virtually every other model on HarrisMasher's list. Talk is cheap, S&W lightweights ain't.