The superiority of the K frame magnum!

L

lawboy

New member
Every once in a while I just cannot help but hold forth on the superiority of the S&W K frame magnums. You know, the models 13, 19, 65 and 66. I am talking the pre-MIM and pre-lock guns. Those oooooh so sweet and sexy carry guns from a bygone era of good guys and bad guys, and citizen kanes.
Could there by a more vibrant, more responsive, more perfectly balanced carry piece than the 2.5- and 3-inch k frame magnums? I THINK NOT!
As I sit here, M19-3, 2.5-inch magnum in a holster at my elbow on the desktop, I feel a great appreciation for the gun, and thankfulness for Mr. Jordan and those at S&W who's good judgment and excellent design brought these guns to life. Slap on the grips of your choice and these guns are, without doubt the finest carry revolvers of all time. Period. End of story. And, truth be told, they are, even today, a better CCW for most private citizens than any other handgun.

Some will try to say the L frame is better because it is marginally larger and much stronger. Hog wash! The L frame is significantly larger and its extra strength is commonly over stated. I've owned and shot them all ... a lot. What you do get in additional robustness with the L frame is undermined by the increased size and weight, and lack of liveliness in the way the gun handles when compared to a K frame gun. The L frame is a superb range gun and hunting gun. It is good belt holster gun, but the L frame is just an okay CCW gun in snubnose configuration. They are simply too large and too heavy to be best in show in the CCW role.

I don't know why I am going on about this tonight but I just love those K frame magnums!
 
+1 on the K-Frame magnums.

croyance, the Model 15 is a .38 Special. The Models 13 (fixed) and 19 (adjustable sights) were the blued K-Frame Magnums.

While I appreciate the reasons behind the L-Frame, I think S&W uglied it up with the full underlug (I never did care much for it on the Python either). The Model 620 is a step in the right direction.

The K-Frames are light & quick handling. The feel "right" in the hand and to the eye they are svelt, elegant looking guns. The downside is that they can be a handful with .357 Magnum ammo unless you've practiced enough to get used to it. The L-Frame was originally intended to replace police service revolvers which typically see heavier use than privately owned guns. Unfortunately, the conversion to semi-autos overtook the L-Frame.

Whether you wear it in a duty holster or under your jacket, the K-Frame magnums are about the best blend of size and power in a six-shooter.

M19_0632.JPG
 
Lawboy, you just put into words something I feel almost every day with my own CCW and house gun - a S&W Model 65.

This class of guns, especially in 3" dress are truly something special and I've yet to find anything else that even comes close in overall feel and quality within the revolver family.
 
Model 19

I really agree on the whole statement. The only change I have made to the Model 19 and 66's I've had over the years was grips. I favor the Ahrends finger groove on my current Model 19. They are jewels. Though I've never used one in combat I believe them to be the finest fighting revolvers ever made. Beautifull in every way with quality that cannot be matched anywhere. Just my opinion.
 
Agreed. My model 66-4 3" gets carried more than any other handgun I own. My model 19-4 4" just passed 11,000 rounds, without a problem. If there is a better revolver, I've not come across it yet.

The only revolvers I've had problems out of, have been L-frames. My 586-5 PC L-comp went out of time, and a 686-5 had light strikes, and timing issues.

I still purchase and carry revolvers. The only ones I'm looking for currently, are LNIB K-frame magnums. Regards 18DAI.
 
I finally registered here just to add my ditto to this thread. My Model 66-1 is my favorite revolver, with a Model 19 not far behind. The K frame, in general, is my idea of what a revolver should be. I've got N frames, J frames and L frames, but none are as handy as a good K. Unlike many folks, I even prefer Magnas on these guns. I also admit to being more fond of the 4" than the shorter barrels, but I'll take any K frame I can find!
 
K frames are attractive, well balanced and great to shoot. At the same time a steady diet of full power 357 rounds will prematurely wear them out. They were the weapon of choice when the LEOs who were armed with them followed the "Practice with 38s, Carry 357s" mentality. Times have changed though and even if the move to autoloaders had not happenned it is now understood better that one should practice with what they carry. As a result the Model 19 would still have to be set aside....

If you want to shoot it primarily with 38s though and once and a while throw some 357s through it then it is certainly a great gun.
 
It is great to find kindred spirits here!
To those who believe the K frames are delicate, I can only say that I have not found that to be the case. I do agree that there were problems with the early full house 125-grain loads but today's 125-grain loads are not up at those early pressure levels. Still, I admit that I do not shoot 125-grain defense loads in my guns. I carry my 19-3 with 145-grain silvertips and 150-grain Starfire ammo.

That said, the guns are not delicate by any stretch and will consume may thousands of magnum loads that are much more powerful than 38 special without any undue wear.

I do not agree that the k frame would have gone bye bye in law enforcement even if the semi-auto had not taken over. Advances in metallurgy have made it absolutely possible to produce K frame magnums of yesterday's dimensions but with more strength and durability. Semi-autos killed the K frame in law enforcement work, plain and simple.

With that said, I do not believe the revolver is the best tool for law enforcement work today. However, for private citizen CCW, the K frame is unequaled in my humble opinion.
 
It is great to find kindred spirits here!
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Indeed, it is! I had a 2.5" Smith M66 that I sold to a young friend of mine who is now stationed with the US Army in Alaska. It was a bit much for my old bones, but I have nothing bad to say about it. Never once a FTF.

My .38Spl M60 is more my speed, but K-frame Smiths are outstanding handguns. :)
 
The "N" frames rule!:p Especially the model 27 with 8 3/8 inch barrel. 158 grain handloads at 1500 FPS!:D

The "L" frame isn't a REAL .357 magnum, it's just a "K" frame on steroids!:p
 
My original 66 is still great as I have not fired the cr-p out of it with high power ammo. And like someone said, some so called magnum loads seem to be a bit down powered from the real hot stuff. Not that it is a bad thing for preserving the gun. I have seen more N frames 357s that were worn and loose and out of time, given it is a local random sample and maybe not representative. But I suppose it is because people assume they can shoot them with lots of overloads and hot stuff and treat them rough, believing the hype that they can take it. My 66 is my second oldest gun, next to a 1983 Raven that is just there for no reason anymore. The 66 would be the very last gun I will part with, hopefully not pried from my fingers by some vicious gun banners.
 
I had a 2.5 inch 66, and I thought it was a great gun. Unfortunately, I had to sell it due to financial circumstances, and I have regretted it ever since. I need to find another one!

Sodbuster
 
Could there by a more vibrant, more responsive, more perfectly balanced carry piece than the 2.5- and 3-inch k frame magnums?
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Well, I won't say MORE but I will say EQUALLY. The gun series that was created to compete with the K frame magnums: the Ruger Security Six/Service Six/Speed Six.

And, like the K frames, they were replaced by a heavier and bulkier gun (the GP-100) that has never really replaced them in my heart.

Take a four inch Security Six and compare it it to a S&W four inch M28. The difference in size is really noticeable! I love the N frame Smiths but I would sure rather carry a Security Six if I was a cop on duty.

Gregg
 
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