Do K-frames and L-frames use the same internals?
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The hammers are different size and will not interchange
scooter123
Member
They will interchange in some cases. If you look in S&W's revolver parts list PDF you'll see that hammer #293660000 is listed for the M10, M65, M66, M67, M386, M586, M686, M696, M617, and many others.
I suspect that this particular hammer is common to all of the models that feature a frame mounted firing pin. Unfortunately, the parts listing does not list revision compatability, so that's only an assumption. BTW, under revision all the different models that list this hammer has the revision marked as 0. Another assumption here, that revision 0 is the level for the hammer, NOT the gun it's used on.
One of these days I plan on pulling the hammer from my 617 and trying it in my 620 just to confirm it works. However, since Brownell's doesn't seem to carry this particular part number I not in any great hurry to do that.
BTW, anyone with a 6 inch, frame mounted firing pin, 686 equipped with the .500 target hammer, please post the dash number of your gun. I've got an itch to set my 620 up with the wide hammer and .400 smooth trigger so it matches my 610 and the way that Brownell's is set up knowing that dash numer is the only way to be sure I get the correct hammer and trigger.
I suspect that this particular hammer is common to all of the models that feature a frame mounted firing pin. Unfortunately, the parts listing does not list revision compatability, so that's only an assumption. BTW, under revision all the different models that list this hammer has the revision marked as 0. Another assumption here, that revision 0 is the level for the hammer, NOT the gun it's used on.
One of these days I plan on pulling the hammer from my 617 and trying it in my 620 just to confirm it works. However, since Brownell's doesn't seem to carry this particular part number I not in any great hurry to do that.
BTW, anyone with a 6 inch, frame mounted firing pin, 686 equipped with the .500 target hammer, please post the dash number of your gun. I've got an itch to set my 620 up with the wide hammer and .400 smooth trigger so it matches my 610 and the way that Brownell's is set up knowing that dash numer is the only way to be sure I get the correct hammer and trigger.
Gee I guessed I goofed up when I put a case hardened hammer from a K frame into my 686-1. It was the hammer mounted firing pin.
I don't know if these are different size than frame mounted firing pins.
By the way it worked fine.
John
I don't know if these are different size than frame mounted firing pins.
By the way it worked fine.
John
valkyriekl
Member
MIM K- and L-frame hammers are the same part. Forged (hammer-mounted firing pin) K-frame hammers are different from L-frame hammers.
K/L-frame hammers will not interchange with N-frame hammers (MIM or forged).
There is also a difference between forged K-frame rimfire hammers (frame-mounted firing pin) and forged K-frame centerfire hammers (hammer-mounted firing pin).
K/L-frame hammers will not interchange with N-frame hammers (MIM or forged).
There is also a difference between forged K-frame rimfire hammers (frame-mounted firing pin) and forged K-frame centerfire hammers (hammer-mounted firing pin).
Wow - tough crowd here. In my second post, I corrected my silly generalized statement I made in my first post.
Now in my third (which should have been my first and only post), I'll back up my statement with pictures.
Shown are three hammers from Models 10, 586, and 27 - from left to right K, L, N respectively.
As you can see in the pictures, these hammers are different sizes and not interchangeable.
*Note* - I'm sure as times progressed at S&W, they made parts that would interchange but these earlier examples will not.
Now in my third (which should have been my first and only post), I'll back up my statement with pictures.
Shown are three hammers from Models 10, 586, and 27 - from left to right K, L, N respectively.
As you can see in the pictures, these hammers are different sizes and not interchangeable.
*Note* - I'm sure as times progressed at S&W, they made parts that would interchange but these earlier examples will not.
John - could I ask a favor? Can you please post a picture of the internals of your 686-1 with the sideplate off?
Thanks in advance!
animl
Member
this is a rookie question, but you folks seem to know what is going on. Just bought a used 10-7, (k frame- from your description?) the firing pin has 1-2mm of play (north to south/ up and down). Is that about right? I've fired 24 rounds- no problems, just want to make sure the gun is right. thanks for any help anyone can offer.
hammer nose is suppose to move up and down.........you are good!
I sure would, except I sold it a couple of months ago. A guy couldn't live without it with those color case colored hammer and trigger. And I couldn't live without my, new to me, 627 model of 1989. Now that is a sweet gun!
If I could find another one to borrow and drop the parts in I could do it. The triggers on a N frame are the same as K & L too.
Now that you have sparked my interest here a little. I have another mystery her that has me puzzled.
A friend of mine has two model 64's. I don't know the dash numbers. Anyway one frame is longer than the other. Have you ever heard of anything like that? When they are layed back to back, the front of the frame being even the length of the frame is longer at the hammer end! He swears that are both 64's.
John
Found pic of the guns! Have any of you ever seen this?
If I could find another one to borrow and drop the parts in I could do it. The triggers on a N frame are the same as K & L too.
Now that you have sparked my interest here a little. I have another mystery her that has me puzzled.
A friend of mine has two model 64's. I don't know the dash numbers. Anyway one frame is longer than the other. Have you ever heard of anything like that? When they are layed back to back, the front of the frame being even the length of the frame is longer at the hammer end! He swears that are both 64's.
John
Found pic of the guns! Have any of you ever seen this?
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animl
Member
VM- thanks a million!- happy hunting!
Bruce51
Member
internals
I took this awhile back 686 no dash.
Bruce
I took this awhile back 686 no dash.
Bruce
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Lee M
I took this awhile back 686 no dash.
Bruce
Thanks Bruce - your picture shows that it is indeed a L frame hammer. A {K} frame hammer just doesn't have the height needed to work in a L frame gun.
Here's a picture of a K frame hammer resting on top of the L frame hammer in my 686.
Originally Posted by Bruce Lee M
I took this awhile back 686 no dash.
Bruce
Thanks Bruce - your picture shows that it is indeed a L frame hammer. A {K} frame hammer just doesn't have the height needed to work in a L frame gun.
Here's a picture of a K frame hammer resting on top of the L frame hammer in my 686.
jspick, I believe the difference in the frames is due to one having the frame mounted firing pin and the other using a hammer nose. In your picture the lower gun has the frame mounted pin, which needs a little more frame to house it.
I have a question about your statement that you placed a K frame hammer, w/hammer nose, in an L frame and it worked. Did you take the hammer out of a K frame and place it in the L frame, or did you get what you thought was a K frame hammer from some other source?
Thanks,
KAC
I have a question about your statement that you placed a K frame hammer, w/hammer nose, in an L frame and it worked. Did you take the hammer out of a K frame and place it in the L frame, or did you get what you thought was a K frame hammer from some other source?
Thanks,
KAC
Having you guys post your comments here has got me to thinking.
My hammer was bought from a very good source on this forum. I ordered a "K" frame hammer and then placed it in the L frame. So did I take a KNOWN K frame hammer and put it directly into an L frame? The answer is No. I Assumed that I got what I ordered. I also asked this question on this forum and got my info from whomever that told me that the K & L hammers are the same.
So what I got was a hammer for a 586 then? Please reply as I am wanting to know. Did 586's have color case hardened hammers? I never had a 586. I am mostly a stainless guy when it comes to handguns.
This is one of the reasons I am here as I can learn soooooo much that I didn't know was even possible.
So if S&W lengthened the frames for the frame mounted firing pins does that not changed the frame size and changed the demensions and therefore shouldn't S&W redesinate the frame name??
John
My hammer was bought from a very good source on this forum. I ordered a "K" frame hammer and then placed it in the L frame. So did I take a KNOWN K frame hammer and put it directly into an L frame? The answer is No. I Assumed that I got what I ordered. I also asked this question on this forum and got my info from whomever that told me that the K & L hammers are the same.
So what I got was a hammer for a 586 then? Please reply as I am wanting to know. Did 586's have color case hardened hammers? I never had a 586. I am mostly a stainless guy when it comes to handguns.
This is one of the reasons I am here as I can learn soooooo much that I didn't know was even possible.
So if S&W lengthened the frames for the frame mounted firing pins does that not changed the frame size and changed the demensions and therefore shouldn't S&W redesinate the frame name??
John
Bingo!
Yes (although 581's had case hardened hammers too!)
Yes
John - my picture with the three hammers;
middle one is a 586, L frame, case hardened
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