Service vs. Target Frame

[gunlovingirl]

While looking at info on a couple of k frame guns in the book, I see some are service k frames and some are target k frames. I'm assuming that the targets are heavier, correct? Any other differences, such as size, etc? The reason I ask, besides "just wanting to know", is I am looking into a k frame .357, such as the 65 or 66. I'd like this for occasional carry, and am wondering about the differences in frames. I've considered a 686, but being an L frame, thought it might be a little heavy for carry. Please enlighten me.

 

[ARMinSC]

Service Frame= notch rear sight. That would be a 65
Target Frame= Adjustable rear sight. That would be 66

 

[gunlovingirl]

Service Frame= notch rear sight. That would be a 65
Target Frame= Adjustable rear sight. That would be 66

Ahh! So it's the difference in sights, not really the frame! How's come it took me this long to know that? Thanks! Any other opinions on the models I mentioned would be welcomed.

 

[clubleaf206]

Ahh! So it's the difference in sights, not really the frame! How's come it took me this long to know that? Thanks! Any other opinions on the models I mentioned would be welcomed.

At least on the older square butt frames, the frame size is the same, it's the Target style grips that make the difference, Service style grips follow the contour of the frame while Target style grips fill in the area just behind the trigger guard and extend below the bottom of the frame, as well as being larger in circumfrence.

As for the models that you're considering, I think either of them would make an excellent choice, I happen to own both a blued four inch and a nickled two and half inch barreled Model 19 and I have carried them both concealed at times (not both at the same time). S&W really got it right, when they came up with the K frame revolver, in my opinion.

Another thing, depending on your hand size you might find that a round butt frame serves you better, in any event you can always acquire larger frips to fit a round butt, you can only reduce the grip size so far with the square butt frame.

 

[gunlovingirl]

Thanks clubleaf206. I also have a model 19, with a 4" barrel and target grips. It's too big for carry, at least for me. And it just feels big in my hand. Probably because of the target grips. I'm considering selling/trading to get a 65, 66, or 686.

 

[Fkimble]

A 19 & 66 are the same except 19 is blue and 66 is stainless. 66 may have a slightly heavier barrel.686 is an L frame which is slightly larger and much heavier than the K frames. Perhaps a grip change on your 19 will make it more carrieable.

 

[gunlovingirl]

I'd rather get something with a 3" or shorter barrel. But I do think the grip issue is because of the targets. I had a model 15 with magnas and it was really comfortable in my hand, as is my K-22. I think I'll check out a couple of the lgs and see what's in stock. And if I ever make up my mind as to what I want, I may post my 19 in the classifieds here.

 

[murphydog]

2.5" 66s and 3" 65s are very popular for CCW use. They are bigger and heavier than an equivalent J frame but are easier to shoot for that reason.

 

[clubleaf206]

As much as I love my 4 inch Model 19 (I've owned it for 27 years, as of last month) I really like my 2 1/2" one, too. They may take a little more practice to shoot well at longer distances, however at typical self defense range I don't see how that's a problem at all. While I have a set of factory fingergoove combat grips for it, I find that I don't have any problems shooting it with just the original round butt grips and a grip adapter.

A K frame that I really miss is the three inch barreled Model 66-2 that I owned back in the '80s, what a great revolver!

 

[Model_60]

Thanks clubleaf206. I also have a model 19, with a 4" barrel and target grips. It's too big for carry, at least for me. And it just feels big in my hand. Probably because of the target grips. I'm considering selling/trading to get a 65, 66, or 686.

I have a Model 19 as well and the original factory target grips were pretty "chunky" for my hands. I read somewhere here on the forum that the new wooden replacement "targets" from S&W were much slimmer in profile, so a purchased a set... The newer grips fit my hands much better than the older ones.

The new grips are not cheap, but fit my hands [which are not large] and the grain is nicely "book matched". You might want to give them a try.

 

[grizzlyblake]

Here's a picture of my 65-4 (and 36) with original style magnas. When I bought it it had the big rubber Hogue Monogrip on it and I didn't like it. It just felt too big for my hands. Who would have guessed that S&W would have figured out the best stock configuration when they designed this revolver, eh?

To me this is the true essence of a revolver and for me it's absolutely perfect. I don't carry it that much but with a good pancake holster it wouldn't be an issue. It is my go-to shooter though, and I've been working up to 50 yard shots. Right now I'm in a pie plate at 40 yds shooting 158gr SJSP .357mag.

 

[P&R Fan]

I love my 2 1/2" M66-1 and carry it often. I will warn you though, the factory stocks on it are comfortable for carry, For shooting a lot, not so much.
If you're looking for a good K-Frame carry gun the M66 and M65 are, to me, among the very best. And being stainless you don't have to worry about pitting and rust if you sweat on them.

 

[BUFF]

The Models 13, 65, 19 and 66 are K frames and have the same size frames in the grip area. The Models 586 and 686 are L frames but use the exact same size grip frames as the K frames. Both frame sizes have come with both round butt and square butt frames, but all the round butts are the same size as each other, and so are the square butts.

Misty, if you like the feel and fit of the Magna stocks on your K-22, you can put the same stocks on your Model 19.