What about K Frames?

[Modified]

Are those as good as N Frames?

I noticed I have fewer of them, although I am pretty pleased with the ones I do have. I guess my habit of getting other people hooked on S&W's by finding and selling them cheap Pre-Model 10s really bites into my K Frame pile.


This is a 4 Digit, I think probably 1900, but I need to get it lettered:

This is the gun that started me on my dark road to hardcore S&W addiction, a 1949 or 50 pre-10. I had hogues on it when I bought it, but the action and craftsmanship involved in the gun got me going, and I eventually put correct stocks on it (I think, looking at it now I can't remember if they are supposed to be beveled at the bottom):

A gun I affectionately call my S&W Hand Grenade. The guy I bought it from said it came from the estate of a Chicago cop who carried it for decades. It certainly looks like it was carried a lot, I'm glad it never blew up on him. I don't plan on ever shooting it with real loads, although I was thinking about running some wax bullets through it:

My shooter 1949 K-22 Target Masterpiece with a set of Rosewood Targets on it (with the slide palm swell to them). Stocks that to my hand are the best possible choice on the K frame:

My K-38 also from 1949 if what I wrote down here is right. The stocks are not numbered to the gun, but they were on there when I bought it. I'm not complaining:

Another K-22 from 1948. Picked it up because I didn't have any S&Ws in the box, and I needed at least one, right? This one will probably go when I can find a proper Outdoorsman to upgrade to:

One of my very few Smiths that actually has a model number stamped on it. This one is a 19 no dash from 1959. Again it came with some rubber grips on it, I managed to find a set of Rosewood Targets with the palm swell for it. I think they may be correct, but honestly I have never really cared if they are. I bought the stocks separately (actually talked a guy in a gunshop into taking them off a hard chromed 14-2 to sell to me directly), they are my very favorite kind of stocks.

That does it for the K-Frames. I look forward to you guys putting my collection to unadulterated shame with replies.

 

[weatherby]

as far as stocks and k frames these rock

 

[Modified]

as far as stocks and k frames these rock

I can only imagine. I have yet to actually get a set of those in my hands, or even see any in person.

 

[weatherby]

These were a recent pickup.....I was unsure but did not take any chances.
My son and I were out with it yesterday......He likes them too.
He Likes the palm swell a lot.....LOL

 

[Hondo44]

That's a fine collection of pre model K frame Smiths.

Recognize that the target grips were hardly ever numbered even when they were originally supplied on the gun.

The palm swell you refer to is actually not an intentional swell like say "cokes", just a factor of the diamond left uncheckered in the checkering field.

 

[Modified]

That's a fine collection of pre model K frame Smiths.

Recognize that the target grips were hardly ever numbered even when they were originally supplied on the gun.

The palm swell you refer to is actually not an intentional swell like say "cokes", just a factor of the diamond left uncheckered in the checkering field.

Really? I find that there is a distinct difference between these Rosewood stocks and the Walnut stocks. It seems far less pronounced then the N-Frame Cokes but I do think there is a difference. It may just be that they are narrower overall.

The walnut stocks are ok, but those rosewoods feel much better to me. More rounded? I think you can sort of see that with how the checkering sort of seems to cover a bit more toward the back of the stocks.

I can probably try to get some better pictures if anyone likes.

 

[crofoot629]

I made the choice to sell a lot of S&W's to fund a family vacation to Maui this spring. It was the right choice, but dang I lost a lot of nice K Frames. All 5 Screw or pre model guns.

I of course kept 2 K22's that will be my daughters some day. (and how can you not have a K22 3rd Model?!!)

Interestingly I kept to 4" 5 Screw Pre 10's that I only have about $200'each in. They are nice guns with honest wear, nothing ugly, but boy are they utilitarian. I don't miss the pre 34's I sold near as much. K Frames are just so much easier to shoot for me.

Emory

 

[Hondo44]

Really? I find that there is a distinct difference between these Rosewood stocks and the Walnut stocks. It seems far less pronounced then the N-Frame Cokes but I do think there is a difference. It may just be that they are narrower overall.

You're exactly right, the early narrower grips are the difference and much preferred by me as well! The later targets are more like 2x4s and far less comfortable.

Your photos are great and show clearly the checkering patterns are flat with no swell.

Early Targets on left, cokes w/palm swell on right:

 

[Modified]

I don't miss the pre 34's I sold near as much. K Frames are just so much easier to shoot for me.

Emory

Yeah, I have a Pre-34 and a 22/32 that are pretty and neat little guns, but I can't shoot them very well at all. I know exactly what you mean. That K-22 with the Rosewood stocks on it is a far better gun for me to shoot with.

I like my M, J, and I frames, but I don't really like shooting them much.

You're exactly right, the early narrower grips are the difference and much preferred by me as well! The later targets are more like 2x4s and far less comfortable.

Your photos are great and show clearly the checkering patterns are flat with no swell.

Targets on left, cokes w/palm swell on right:

Got it, now I get the comment about the diamonds. That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying that for me. I mostly just knew I really like these rosewood stocks. I suspect if I ever am lucky enough to get a set of Kearsarge or Roper stocks I will like them better, but to date they are the best I have been able to lay my hands on.

 

[PMRet]

For me, nothing beats a K Frame revolver with diamond target stocks for looks, balance and feel.

 

[Mike McLellan]

I'm somewhat partial to K frames myself

 

[mikepriwer]

Sixgun

My vote for your best gun is the first one - the 1899 . Its got blue wear, but its
still a nice gun.

Mike Priwer

 

[RKmesa]

Sixgun:

Nice guns and great photos. Thanks for sharing,

 

[Modified]

Sixgun

My vote for your best gun is the first one - the 1899 . Its got blue wear, but its
still a nice gun.

Mike Priwer

Thanks, I was pretty pleased to find that. It was actually one of my most recent buys just this last month. I went into a local gunshop and saw it with a $350 price tag on it and I had to touch it. The lockup is great, everything is nice and functional. Still has a lot of blue (I need to work out a better lighting setup to really relate that I think). The 4 digit Serial # was pretty neat.

The funny thing was that when I picked it up I thought it was broken. It wasn't "right" if you know what I mean. There are enough differences between this and almost every other hand ejector that it was throwing me. I'd never had the opporunity to handle an 1899 before.

One thing that I bet you guys would know regarding it; There is a distinct click when closing the cylinder on all my other S&Ws, it's not present with this gun. It still seems to close and lock up perfectly, so I have been a bit baffled about why the click doesn't happen.

My guess has been that since the end of the extractor rod is just hanging, that must be it. The distinct click is the extractor rod clicking into place, which just isn't present here.

Can anyone confirm that?

 

[Modified]

Sixgun

My vote for your best gun is the first one - the 1899 . Its got blue wear, but its
still a nice gun.

Mike Priwer

Managed to get some better pictures of it.

Better in some ways at least.

 

[Mike McLellan]

You have some beautiful guns. I'm in complete agreement with you regarding the stocks. Some of them do mimic the "coke" grips. I'm certain there was some 'friendly competition' between the stock-whittling artisans.

 

[Dave T]

To my thinking the K-frame is the ideal platform for the 38 Special cartridge. Even the L-frame, made for and ideally chambered in 357 Magnum, is over built for the 38 Special. Likewise, the J-frame is too small and confined. Just my opinion. YMMV!

I don't have any K-frames right now but if a 3" RB (M-10 or M-64 of course) crosses my path when I have disposable income available I may yet have that "K". (smile)

Dave

 

[Gunhacker]

Someone mention K-Frames?



These are the pre model numbers out of the bunch that I have individual pics for:

1947 Pre-10



Pre-17 1954- This is the one that started it off for me.



Pre-18 1954


Pre-14 1956



Pre-15 1951