What Good Is A K Frame?

[sjs]

It occurs to me that I have done nothing particularly egregious in the last few months and should reward myself with a new SW revolver. This is not as easy as it appears because I never met a SW revolver I didn't like and there are many to choose from.

I have given the matter at least 3 or 4 minutes of careful thought and realize that I have never owned a K frame. I am talking about shooters, not collectibles, and I have had J frames for carry, L frames for trail use and hunting and N frames for hunting, but never a K.

For those who have K frames and like to shoot them, what do you like to use them for? Is there a particular use for which you feel they are particularly well suited?

 

[shocker]

New K frames fixed the weak points of the old ones. There's enough heft to dampen 357 recoil. So for 6 shots it's perfect.
Need 7? Get an L frame. Need 8? Get an N frame.

 

[yeti]

The K frame is perfect for 38spcl and/or modest .357 range loads. Great feel and size!

 

[bananaman]

There are many good K frames to choose from. How can I name them all?
2 wonderful examples are a 14-3, 6" barrel gun. Very accurate. Another would be a 67, or 15, in 4" If you shoot .357 more often than not, consider a L frame such as 586, or 686. These are only my opinions! Bob

 

[ColbyBruce]

The S&W K frame is the greatest invention since sliced bread. AS or FS, 2” to 8 3/8” barrel lengths, over half a dozen calibers, RB or SB, capable of fitting the hands of anyone 8 to 80, with the proper caliber and ammo it will handle most anything on the Continent. There should be a K frame on display in the Smithsonian.

 

[Hair Trigger]

There are many good K frames to choose from. How can I name them all?
2 wonderful examples are a 14-3, 6" barrel gun. Very accurate. Another would be a 67, or 15, in 4" If you shoot .357 more often than not, consider a L frame such as 586, or 686. These are only my opinions! Bob

Don't forget the M19 and M66, two of the most popular S&W's made. Tone down the .357 loads just a little and don't use 110 or 125 grain bullets and they'll last forever. A RB 2-1/2" makes a good CC, only marginally bigger than a J-frame snubbie.

 

[NYlakesider]

To be a bit contrarian the K frame is perfect for being good on most anything you can do with a handgun.

Not perfect but it will do what you want it to do. In plain English a very good compromise gun!

 

[pharmer]

K frames were in police holsters from before WWII until the mid 1980's. My town in northern NJ had Model 15's. They were the Glock of their time. Joe

 

[bulletslap]

To me they are the smoothest and most mechanically balanced of all S&W revolvers. My personal favorites are the K-22 models. My K-22 Combat Master Piece in particular.

 

[Bumpus13]

I like my J, L, and N frames, but 2/3 of my S&W revolvers are K frames.

They just feel right.

 

[glenwolde]

My favorite range guns are 6" K-frames with adjustable sights. Currently that's a 66-2 and a 14-3. Very accurate, especially considering that they are basically stock. The only thing I did to them accuracy-wise was to ream the throats for lead bullets.

.38 ammo is pretty cheap and easy to reload, and you don't have to pick up brass. Recoil is more than manageable, and the guns are not so heavy as to induce fatigue, but heavy enough to "hold" on target well.

I shoot mine a lot. So much that I try to remember to rotate to some others so as not to wear them out. But I miss them.

 

[Green Frog]

Over the years I’ve just reached the point where various K frames just feel right for range or field. Since they’re sort of “middle of the road” powerwise, I like them chambered in 32, with a recreated Model 16-3 in original 32 S&W L, and a true custom 4” stainless 327 Fed Mag. If I can shoot it with a revolver, one of these two will probably be the right gun for the job.

Froggie

PS In addition to the K32 Masterpiece, I have an original, early K22 and K38, and next to the 32s, the K22 gets the most love.

 

[stansdds]

The K-frame gets you a larger diameter cylinder than that of a J-frame, so it is capable of being machined for a greater number of rounds than a J-frame cylinder.


The K-frame gets you a leaf main spring, which can provide a better double action trigger pull than a coil spring.


The K-frame gets you a larger grip frame, making it easier to handle calibers like 38 Special and 357 Magnum recoil.


The 19/66 Classic also brings a redesigned crane lock and barrel, which should make them at least as durable as the L-frame 357 Magnum, but in a slightly smaller and lighter package. I'm wondering if we would even have the L-frame if the Dan Wesson patent on the tensioned barrel system had not been in effect when S&W developed the L-frame.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

The K frame was made for the 38 Special. Millions of M&Ps were made. The models 14 and 15 are perfection. And the K22 series is a wonderful 22 platform that is easier to shoot accurately than the smaller J frames.

John

 

[smithra_66]

It occurs to me that I have done nothing particularly egregious in the last few months and should reward myself with a new SW revolver. This is not as easy as it appears because I never met a SW revolver I didn't like and there are many to choose from.

I have given the matter at least 3 or 4 minutes of careful thought and realize that I have never owned a K frame. I am talking about shooters, not collectibles, and I have had J frames for carry, L frames for trail use and hunting and N frames for hunting, but never a K.

For those who have K frames and like to shoot them, what do you like to use them for? Is there a particular use for which you feel they are particularly well suited?

They are well suited for almost anything one would want to do with a DA revolver.

I use a 6" model 14-1 to shoot bullseye and it's great at that. I use the same gun to pop squirrels during the hunting season.

I use a 4" model 19-3 as a winter carry gun and as a great range gun. It could also double as a good deer gun but I've never used it in that capacity yet.

I use an old 5" model 10 as a good range gun shooting double action IDPA-like courses.

K frames are great and there's a reason they became the most ubiquitous revolver of the 20th century. They were on the vast majority of cops' belts, almost like the Glock of its day. Very nice sweet spot for almost anything.

 

[BAM-BAM]

K-frames are the perfect platform for a .22lr.... Models 17 & 18

K-frames with 2 1/2 or 3 inch barrel are the perfect concealed carry gun in +P.38s and .357 magnum.... think Models 13,19,65,66.

K frames were the ideal size for a police .357 duty gun from 1955-1980 and the introduction of the L frame.... which kept the grip frame and trigger reach of the K-frame but beefed up/enlarged the front of the frame around the barrel .

 

[kraynky]

I own 2.5" and 4" K frames in 38 special and .357, and love them all. I really hope to find a 3" model 65 before I get too old to enjoy it.

The 66-1 is a great carry piece. The 4" 15 & 66 are great woods walkers around here (no bears or hogs......yet).

I just think the 3" would be the best of both.

 

[Buford57]

Treat yourself to a K-22. You will never again ask that question. Pure shooting enjoyment.

 

[SS336]

K-frames are the Goldilocks of S&W revolvers, in my opinion, the j-frames are a little to small, the N-frames are a little to big, but the K-frames are just right. In anything from .357 down they are just about the perfect revolvers.

 

[Jalopiejoe]

Don't forget the 617 ,22lr 10 shot!
A beautiful K frame that you can afford to shoot!