[Blue2Green316]

Hey, folks,

I'm just getting back into shooting and collecting, and I'm looking into getting my first 357 (I know, I can't believe I never bought one before, either).

I haven't been paying enough attention of late and just wanting to get a bearing on the new (to me, anyway) numbers and frame designations. This is what I thought was the deal, from smallest to largest (I may be wrong, feel free to correct me):

J-frame - all the 5-shot 38's, simple enough (right?)
K-frame - the 10, the 65 and 66 (38 or 357, depending)
L-frame - only one I know by name is the 686 (38/357), maybe a few others I'm not aware of.
N-frame - 357 (the 27), 41mag, 44mag, maybe others

Now, 2 questions:

#1: I remember seeing this model 610/620 advertised as the 'replacement' to the 'tradition of the' either the K-frame or the 686, or the 65/66 specifically, I forget which exactly. Is the 610 or 620 (again, I get confused easily. My Dell laptops also are a 610 and a 620, go fig ), are these K-frames or L-frames? Or what?

#2: I bought a S&W 625 45ACP from a shipmate back in 2002. I haven't even looked at it in about 3 years and it's been in my storage unit for nearly as long. Which frame would that be? I'm guessing maybe it's an L-frame. It's large enough for 6 shots, but didn't seem oversized for my hand. Just curious if someone can confirm for me.

Again, I apologize if these seem like stupid questions, but I'm way rusty and just getting back into the scene. (I start my AT tomorrow, so I won't be checking the thread or replying for a few days)

Thanks.

[NGIB]

The 625 is a N frame. The 610 is a 10mm/.40 S&W and it's an N frame as well. The 620 is the update for the 66 and is a K/L frame.

Small frame: J
Medium: K/L
Large N

[utf59]

Originally Posted by NGIB

Small frame: J
Medium: K/L
Large N

And extra-large = X frame

If you visit the revolver portion of the S&W site (Category - Revolvers) you can look at current models by frame. That won't help with models that aren't currently in production, but it's a start.

[Dzscubie]

Originally Posted by Blue2Green316

#2: I bought a S&W 625 45ACP from a shipmate back in 2002. I haven't even looked at it in about 3 years and it's been in my storage unit for nearly as long. Which frame would that be? I'm guessing maybe it's an L-frame. It's large enough for 6 shots, but didn't seem oversized for my hand. Just curious if someone can confirm for me.

Thanks.

If you want to get rid of that usless ole hunk of steel I would be more than happy to take it off your hands.

Seriously, if you ever want to part with that 625 please give me first shot at it. Oh, and welcome to the forum.

[Wambli]

From the bottom right clockwise, all .357 mags
Model 19 K Frame
Model 686 L Frame
Model 28 N frame


My 610 (not in this picture) is a 10mm 5" N frame. All guns starting with a 6 in the model number are Stainless.

[SgtSam]

Wambli, if I'm not mistaken, a Model 19 is blue. The stainless version is a Model 66. I have an early Model 66 and it's stainless. But, then again, I could be wrong.

SgtSam

[Wambli]

Originally Posted by SgtSam

Wambli, if I'm not mistaken, a Model 19 is blue. The stainless version is a Model 66. I have an early Model 66 and it's stainless. But, then again, I could be wrong.

SgtSam

Hi SgtSam,
You would be correct if it was a stainless gun. But my gun is a factory Nickle finish Model 19.

[SgtSam]

Sorry about that. I couldn't tell. It looked like a highly polished stainless. So, once again, I stand corrected. Nice collection, by the way!

SgtSam

[Wambli]

Originally Posted by SgtSam

Sorry about that. I couldn't tell. It looked like a highly polished stainless. So, once again, I stand corrected. Nice collection, by the way!

SgtSam

Thanks! Actually that was pretty sharp observation in your part. Many folks have never see a nickel 19 and in the pic it does look like polished stainless.

Good eye.

[Blue2Green316]

Thanks for all the response, folks.

I did remember the designations for most models (barring the new(est) X-frame as the 500SW MAG is fairly new to me).

I was leaning toward a 66/65 or 686 before I tried re-educating myself and got confused looking through an online S&W catalog, where I found that the 66/65's are apparently no longer being made. I'm actually still leaning toward the 686. (Too bad most of those 3"/fixed sight "Transit Authority" models were destroyed (Thanks, Bill! ). That one would be just about ideal for my tastes.)


Dzscubie: As far as the 625, I don't have plans to get rid of it anytime soon, but I will keep you in mind, since you asked.

(Just curious, is this model particularly special?)