J Frame "magnum" frame?

S

sox

New member
J Frame experts/semi-experts or whoever,

So, I understand the magnum frame to have been on the J frames since about '96 or so, and designated by a -3 or later. What exactly does this magnum frame offer and how? Is it larger/wider than the older ones or better metalurgy?
 
A more beefed up frame & barrel

Put a Model-36 next to a Model-60 side by side and you can see a difference.
When I bought my S&W Model-360Sc. I still had my Model-337Ti., I put them side by side and I could see that the M-360Sc. had a little more beefed up frame then the M-337Ti.
 
I think the later ones are all using the longer .357 length cylinder instead of the older 38 Special length. This means the frame window is also a bit longer than the classic Chief's Special .38.
 
Mike & BigG

You would assume that the cylinders for the .38spl and .357MAG are of different lengths, 'but they are not', in fact they are the same length. The first time I noticed this was when I put my Model-337Ti .38spl next to my Model-360Sc .357MAG and found that both the cylinders were the same length. The frames them selves were almost the same length, the M-360Sc was only a little bit bigger becouse they beefed it up for the higher pressure of the .357MAG. The cylinders are the same length even for the Stainless Steel models. ;)
 
Hum, I just wondered. I am not refering to the Ti or Sc series. I was lookin through the S&W standard catalog and ran across this nuance, I know it refers to the capacity to take +P, but the '96 guns date long before all the Ti etc. I haven't compared them side by side though. i.e. a 36-2 vs. 36-3, etc. Thanks guys.
 
Ken, I think there's a pretty good reason for why the cylinders on your .38 and .357 are both the same length...

They're both newly designed guns, incorporating the latest "improvements" that were made BEFORE the Titanium and Scandium came out.

Compare those cylinders to an older J-frame, and I think you'll see a difference.

The LAST thing that S&W wants is to have lots of dimensionally different parts flying around the factory.
 
Mike

I called Smith & Wesson today and a Technition told me that the .357MAG cylinder is .0060 of an inch longer then the .38Spl., not noticeable to the human eye. The Technition (Don Vivdnzio) who has been with S&W for over 20 years said that the .38Spl J-frame cylinders have always been the same length.
S&W phone number-(800)331-0852
I know that the Ruger revolvers .38Spl too .357MAG, SP-101 cylinders are also the same length.
 
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