S-frame?

[mkk41]

Last page article in the new American Rifleman says that prior to the GCA-68 , all large frame S&Ws with an S-prefix ser.no. were actually called an S-frame by the factory , and after 1968 , when the N-prefix ser.nos. began , those guns were called N-frames. Says the GCA actually mandated the change.

Never heard it explained quite like this before.

 

[Doc44]

The article is incorrect. The 44 Magnum was and is made on the N frame and was designated the NT-430 by the factory. Many authors make the mistake of calling the early guns an "S-frame" because the serial numbers begin with the letter S until they were changed to the N prefix. The GCA of 1968 required all firearms to have unique serial numbers and since some early post-war K-frame revolvers had serial numbers beginning with the letter S it was necessary to change the prefix on N-frame revolvers so the serial numbers would be unique.

I would have hoped an article published in the AR would not have had information that was incorrect.

Bill

 

[mkk41]

Thought it sounded all wrong. Odd though. Article was written by Rick Hacker , who's been around a long time. Usually writes pretty good articles about old west guns.

 

[pilgrim6a]

I thought the 'S' prefix was for the guns with the sliding hammer block safety.

 

[mkk41]

I thought the 'S' prefix was for the guns with the sliding hammer block safety.

SV- denotes Victory models with the hammer block.

 

[Oyeboteb]

But then the "S" prefix followed the "SV" in the 'M&P' line, with the "SV" prefix having follwed the "V" prefix...

Then the "S" prefix was followed by the "C" prefix.

So, yes, far as I recall, the "S" prefix 'M&P' Revolvers would have had the then new Hammer Block feature.

 

[kennethg]

Over the years, I have seen other very notable authors make the same mistake of referring to the "N" frames as "S" frames.

 

[Engine49guy]

I wondered if any .38 M&P's had the same S serials as N frames.

a quick check of serial ranges in the SCSW shows the ranges didnt overlap.

K frame .38 M&P "S" prefix 1945 at S 811120 to 1948 S 999999.

N frame "S" prefix range from 1946 S 62489 to 1970 S 333454.