J Frame vs. K Frame Capacity?

[Dave Baird]

Hi fellows. Did or does S&W made/make a 6-shot J Frame, or are those K Frames I see?
Thanks!

 

[murphydog]

Yes, plenty of six round .32 J frames.

 

[Dave Baird]

Okay, thank you!!

 

[H Richard]

.32, 32 H&R Magnum J Frames are 6 shot. 38/357 size cartridges are too big to stretch the cylinder out to 6 rounds.
431PD & 432PD, 32 H&R Mag


2" and 3 1/4" "I" Frames (just a fraction smaller than a J Frame) in 32 S&W Long. Both 6 shot.

 

[murphydog]

Also, 7 round .22 Magnums and 8 shot .22 LR. Not big enough for six .38s.

 

[Dave Baird]

Nice looking revolvers, fellas!!!! Thank you.

 

[GerSan69]

Well...... there was that one gun they made that never made it into circulation.....
The Model 73, made in 1973. A 6-round small revolver, built on what they named the C-frame. The frame was slightly larger than a J and what some say was a K-frame cylinder was used in it. Obviously, it was an attempt to directly take on the Colt Detective Special.
A different method of locking up the cylinder with an "offset" stop was used and it didn't work reliably, so the entire run of 5000, less a few (20 or less) survivors, was scrapped. Those few are seldom seen and worth a bunch.
I snagged a photo off the internet. Note the lack of a locking bolt.... it looks like there may be some sort of indentation to capture the front of the ejector rod, but that's just a guess.

 

[Dave Baird]

Very cool, thank you!!! I didn't know that even existed. Too bad they didn't improve it.

 

[GerSan69]

I personally don't understand why they didn't just "shrink" the dimensions of the K instead of inflating the J. I guess that just wasn't feasible. Heck, even cutting down the K's grip frame to J dimensions - and using the coil spring setup - might've done the trick. I don't know. I guess that's why I didn't work for S&W....

 

[Dave Baird]

If I'm not allowed to post this, please delete. But, is this one of those Model 73's?

SMITH & WESSON Model 12-2 NICKEL AIRWEIGHT .38 SPECIAL 6 SHOT REVOLVER - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 909777844

 

[Rubone]

If I'm not allowed to post this, please delete. But, is this one of those Model 73's?

SMITH & WESSON Model 12-2 NICKEL AIRWEIGHT .38 SPECIAL 6 SHOT REVOLVER - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 909777844

Nope, a model 12 is just that, a model 12. K frame lightweight frame.
Here is mine in blue...

 

[GerSan69]

And they got it at a killer price, IMO!
My understanding is "completed auctions" are OK to post - they just don't want the ones still open.

 

[G-Mac]

There's lots of .22 caliber 6 shot J-frames, like the Model 63, for example.

 

[Dave Baird]

Thanks, guys!!!! The sellers don't always list which frame it is, and with the short, curved grip, they can look like J's. Or, I'm just going blind!!! lol