Which Do You Prefer- K or L Frames?
- Thread starter kbm6893
- Start date
I have always liked the size and balance of the K frames best, and all I ever shoot is 38 special ammo, so they make perfect sense for me. However, I do have a 6"bbl 686-4 that I'm quite fond of.
OK Hog Shooter
Member
I have more K frames than other frame configuration... jumped over the L frames and went straight to the N frames (think 625s). Guess l'll vote for the Ks!
Hog
Hog
H P Bushrod
Absent Comrade
My 1971 and 1977 vintage K-38 and Model 15-2 get the most mileage out of all of my revolvers. I can drill tacks with them all day long. I couldn't tell you how many rounds have been down the barrel of the K-38. It's my favorite!
For me it is K frame for 38's and N frame for 357's. I never got the L frame urge...(yet).
Cpt. Obvious
Member
L frames, 38s in my 681 feel like im shooting a 22, and 357 feels like a 38!
I would sell the Ruger...
I like the K frame for carrying, but the L frame for high volume shooting.
I am not a 357 Mag kind of guy but I have owned some Mod 19/66's.
2.5, 4, and 6".
Just today a buddy and I were shooting rifles together. He had just bought a 4" 686 from another buddy. He knows I am a S&W revolver kind of guy and tole me to take it home and check it out, as we will be shooting again together in a couple of weeks.
With its under lug 4" barrel it feels like it will be a good shooter of 357 Mag loads. It really does not feel that much bigger and bulker than a K frame.
But remember I most often use N frames....
But I do like the feel of the L frame...
I like the K frame for carrying, but the L frame for high volume shooting.
I am not a 357 Mag kind of guy but I have owned some Mod 19/66's.
2.5, 4, and 6".
Just today a buddy and I were shooting rifles together. He had just bought a 4" 686 from another buddy. He knows I am a S&W revolver kind of guy and tole me to take it home and check it out, as we will be shooting again together in a couple of weeks.
With its under lug 4" barrel it feels like it will be a good shooter of 357 Mag loads. It really does not feel that much bigger and bulker than a K frame.
But remember I most often use N frames....
But I do like the feel of the L frame...
...
I probably should'nt have used the term "our" since after my wife
shot it the first time it's technically her's.
I lost a Colt 1911 the same way. I get to clean it now and again ...
To the OP, there's nothing like the feel of a "K". If I want larger, I go to the "N".
stantheman86
US Veteran
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There's not enough of a difference in frame size for that to matter to me. My 581 fits in my K-frame size IWB holster and I don't notice the extra few ounces in weight.
L-frames use the same crane and yoke assembly as the K-frame and are subject to the same endshake issues.
The only thing I wished for was that S&W should have made a non-underlugged L-frame, besides the newer 619's and 620's. There are some PC shop non-lugged 686's but they're hard to find.
Like Ruger did with the GP100, the 586 should have been offered in underlugged and light barrel configurations.
L-frames use the same crane and yoke assembly as the K-frame and are subject to the same endshake issues.
The only thing I wished for was that S&W should have made a non-underlugged L-frame, besides the newer 619's and 620's. There are some PC shop non-lugged 686's but they're hard to find.
Like Ruger did with the GP100, the 586 should have been offered in underlugged and light barrel configurations.
bananaman
Member
I prefer K's, L's, & N's! They ALL have their place in society! Enjoy shooting them all! Bob
I have way more K frames than L frames, but it's hard to beat the looks of an L snub, imo.
Clean Break
Member
It's really easy to "want" things. It is about priorities and saving, trading off or doing without other things. Do you love your 686? Would you likely regret selling it? Could you do without that satellite t.v. package? Gym membership? How about that boat sitting in the driveway? Downscale vacation? Golf junky? What your "old" t.v. doesn't really work anymore and you just have to have a slim, wide screen job?
I had a high gloss, 4 3/4" Ruger Bisley Vaquero .44 mag. that I couldn't shoot well. I looked at and yearned for years for either a stainless 5 1/2" Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 or a S & W 4" 629 (both are similar in weight and packability to the first gun, but with adjustable sights). A friend pointed out the high price of silver and that she'd made some real money selling off old dimes and quarters. So I sold the Vaquero, traded in two small baggies of coins from my ancestors (I figured a gun would certainly last as long as coins, it would also be an instant heirloom, and I could use it too!), and now own a gorgeous, effective 629.
Life is short. Make it happen. Embrace that K-frame.
[Oh, and WHY did I choose the N-frame 629 over the perfectly slightly weigh-forward balanced, beefy, reliable and cheaper Ruger - even when my 6.5" Ruger Super Single Six .22 is my favorite handgun ever? Because I own a K - frame Model 10 .38 spl. that drills cloverleafs and has the cleanest breaking trigger (especially in single action) that I've ever fired. Boy did I make the right decision. The action on my new .44 is superb!]
Clean Break
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Stainz
Member
My first .38 was a new 2" 10. My first .357M was a new 6" 66-6. They were both bought on closeout 9/03 - and that 66 is just a long barrel .38 to me. I added a 686P, 627 Pro, and, ultimately, the revolver I had lusted for since seeing it's first offering in 1999, the 2 5/8" PC627 UDR. Now, that's my absolute favorite .38/.357M... an eight-shooter N-frame... but that wasn't a choice.
Just after that 627 Pro arrived, I spent the remainder of my gun moola, from divesting myself of my Ruger revolvers, some $309, on a ANIB 4" 64-8 security guard trade-in at a LGS. I had a choice of 64's and opted for the current model. It has been fantastic - I cannot miss the SPC targets with it, whether loaded with 125gr JHP plinkers, 158gr LSWC plinkers, or +P 158 gr LHPSWC 'protectors'. I've often wondered if life wouldn't be a lot simpler with just that revolver. Sure, I liked the 2" 10 - but I lost it to Mrs. Stainz as her house gun eons ago. I like the 4" 64 better - and they are inherently +P rated - and still available used, in better shape, and cheaper than the remaining 4" 10 'beaters' I've seen. Of course, besides the +P rating, which many modern 10's share, the SS is easier to clean.
Stainz
Just after that 627 Pro arrived, I spent the remainder of my gun moola, from divesting myself of my Ruger revolvers, some $309, on a ANIB 4" 64-8 security guard trade-in at a LGS. I had a choice of 64's and opted for the current model. It has been fantastic - I cannot miss the SPC targets with it, whether loaded with 125gr JHP plinkers, 158gr LSWC plinkers, or +P 158 gr LHPSWC 'protectors'. I've often wondered if life wouldn't be a lot simpler with just that revolver. Sure, I liked the 2" 10 - but I lost it to Mrs. Stainz as her house gun eons ago. I like the 4" 64 better - and they are inherently +P rated - and still available used, in better shape, and cheaper than the remaining 4" 10 'beaters' I've seen. Of course, besides the +P rating, which many modern 10's share, the SS is easier to clean.
Stainz
VAdoublegunner
Member
If you want to stay with a 38Special, I like the K-frames.
I have an old heavy barrel Model 64 that is one of the best shooters in 38SP that I own, and that includes some classic Model 14s and 67s. I dunno why it is, but it surely is.
However, if I wanted to shoot 357s, and I rarely ever shoot 38s in my 357s, I'd choose an L-frame over a K-frame. I have never been a big fan of the K-frame 357s.
I have an old heavy barrel Model 64 that is one of the best shooters in 38SP that I own, and that includes some classic Model 14s and 67s. I dunno why it is, but it surely is.
However, if I wanted to shoot 357s, and I rarely ever shoot 38s in my 357s, I'd choose an L-frame over a K-frame. I have never been a big fan of the K-frame 357s.
If you can't ditch the Rxxxx, then you have to decide whether you will be happy having a Model 10 in place of your 686. It is not a trade I would make because I am a handloader and I would get a lot of good out of the adjustable sights and the flexibility of the 686 being able to use .357 cartridges. Then too, your -3 version of the 686 is one of the good ones. (Forged parts and "proper" square-butt frame. 
) Unless you are just tired of or bored with the 686, why not just save up for the Model 10 and keep the 686?
Forgot to answer your question.
Of the two guns, I prefer the K-frame, but like most here have said, if I am going to shoot a lot of .357s, then I usually take the 586. So I am no more decisive than almost everyone else here.
) Unless you are just tired of or bored with the 686, why not just save up for the Model 10 and keep the 686?Forgot to answer your question.
Of the two guns, I prefer the K-frame, but like most here have said, if I am going to shoot a lot of .357s, then I usually take the 586. So I am no more decisive than almost everyone else here.
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elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
I carry an issued L-frame Model 686-6 on duty. My primary concealed carry is my Model 13-3:
This Model 10-5 is what I carry when working off duty:
I have a personal L-frame Model 681, but my wife confiscated it when I put Crimson Trace grips on it.
ECS
This Model 10-5 is what I carry when working off duty:
I have a personal L-frame Model 681, but my wife confiscated it when I put Crimson Trace grips on it.
ECS
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