K-Frame 38s

[Waywatcher]

The K-frame and the .38 Special cartridge go together like butter on corn on the cob! Blue, nickel, stainless, fixed or adjustable sights and barrel lengths from 2 inches to 8 3/8ths inches; yes I love K frame 38's!

The model 15/67s with 4 inch bbls. are probably the best all around .38 Special revolvers ever made. Great sights, smooth triggers, accurate and easy to carry.

I agree! 4" barrels get better velocity than the shorter ones, a better sight radius, and are not so long that they get in the way like the longer ones.

I went from carrying a GP100 (with .38 specials) to a 15-4. That extra half pound of weight really makes a difference. The GP100 felt like a belt anchor to me, but the 15-4 carries just right. The 15-4 gun's size plus being able to have smaller grips also helps make carry much more comfortable for me.

I am actually eating a bit of crow saying this, because the bulk of the GP100 and weight in the past really turned me off from carrying revolvers, and the other end of the spectrum, a snubby with 5 shots was too little and hard to shoot--so I didn't care for them much either.

The 15-4 is a goldilocks gun for me. I am going to keep a keen eye out for more K38s with 4" barrels.

 

[owenwd54]

I really like K frames they are handy and shoot good. I like the model 10 and 12 snub nose round butts and the model 15 snub nose as well as the model 19 2 .5 inch. The model 18 is a lot of fun too.

 

[sarge1967]

I have a Model 64 4 inch that is dead on accurate. I plan on getting a Model 10 this year as well. I just love the blued guns.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

The K-38- Combat Masterpiece would be my choice. I love the postwar era guns, but for practicality would probably choose a M67 for use in the deep south.

 

[ACP230]

I am a big fan of the snubnose M15.
And the snub M66 and M19.
And the M18.
And...

 

[Doug M.]

I am not a big fan of .38 revolvers for most purposes, simply because the flexibility gained by .357 chambering is important to me. That said, to me, the only exception and the best of the best is a 6" M14/K38 of just about any age. Due to my eyes, I really prefer the adjustable sights because they are easier to see.

 

[Iggy]

If you can't find a K frame that works for you, you better git a Glock.

I haven't found one I didn't like yet.

 

[Old cop]

Currently my only K is a M13-3 four inch .357 (house gun), but I do like 'em all.

 

[tcc]

To me, the K frame .38 with a 6" barrel is the best shooter. I love my model 10's with 2,4 and 5" barrels. I love my pre 17, pre 15 and pre 18, but my favorite is a pre 14 with the 6" barrel. I have both magna and target grips for it but either feels great and shoots great!

 

[H Richard]

K Frame 38's are like Pringles Potato Chips, you can't have just 1.
1st Model M&P, Model of 1899

5" IL State Police K38

38 M&P Pre-10 snub

15-3 snub

K38 (Pre Mod 14)

10-0 (4 Screw) (Incorrect grips)

15-2 (on right)

Pre- Victory

"Colt" Officers Model (They made some decent 38's also).

 

[Mike McLellan]

Mike
The one on the far left appears to have a long throw hammer, prewar style cylinder release and the pre-war style extractor rod knob. Can you tell us a little bit about this revolver? If I had to guess, I'd say it has an S prefix serial number.
Jack

Nope. It's a pre-S 1905 4th. Probably from the early WWII years. Still has the early style hammer safety. It was a real spitter when I first got it. It's calmed down quite a bit since then. Those long actions are fun to shoot. In DA, you almost have to learn how to breath all over again, waiting for the hammer to drop.

 

[JP@AK]

Nope. It's a pre-S 1905 4th. Probably from the early WWII years. Still has the early style hammer safety.

Very cool. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Looks like a dandy.

Those long actions are fun to shoot. In DA, you almost have to learn how to breath all over again, waiting for the hammer to drop.

I agree. I have a few of them and just enjoy the heck out of shooting them. My wife and I went to the range last week and she burned a few rounds out of a couple of long actions. She decided she likes them too. (Unfortunately, not as much as she likes my Model of 1953 Kit Gun. Guess I'm going to have to find her one of those, before I lose mine!)
Jack

 

[WardenRoss]

Good enough for LAPD, good enough for me.

 

[fletre]

All pro's and no con's. I like the stainless one's best though.

 

[KLYDE]

Got a 2, 3 and 4 inch M64. Also have a couple K's in .357. Just something about the dedicated .38's. Looking for a nice M67.

 

[Parker357]

Well my love has grown for the K Frames, the Model 67 has one of the sweetest balances you will ever hold in your hands. Dead on sights and will eat any .38 Special load you can think of. The 64 and 65's are nice but there is just something about that Model 67. SWEET!!!!!

 

[had3nuf]

K frames are so easy to like, but then I say that about all S&W revolvers, have a hard time finding anything wrong with any od them. here are a few 38's.

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[JP@AK]

I like the stainless one's best though.

Well, I certainly won't dispute the value of stainless steel, and for a working gun, it is hard to beat. We can thank S&W for starting that trend in 1965 with its introduction of the first all-stainless revolver (the Model 60).
Having said that, from an aesthetic point of view I personally think it is awfully hard to beat the beauty of a deeply blued carbon steel revolver.
Jack

 

[Retired W4]

Love the K frame 38's and N frame magnums. A 15-3.

 

[RussellD]

Buy a 1950's era k 38 with a six inch barrel. You will set the benchmark high out of the blocks. After that go with a 2" model 10-5. Then you can attend meetings with the rest of us.