S&W Frame Explanation Help Needed

[TMan]

Okay guys, with my new interest in wheel guns, I've gone back through several posts and found references to J frames, K, frames, N frames, L frames, et al.

What I can't find is any explanation of what these terms mean. Neither the S&W site nor their current catalogue is of any help. Can someone give me a short glossary?

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; Without going into a big discussion on the entire lineup, and history, of the S&W frames; I'll give a short description.

J-Frame is the small frame

K-Frame is the mid size frame

L-Frame is the strengthened version of the mid size K- Frame, designed to handle the hotter .357 magnum loads.

N-Frame is the large frame.

You might want to refer to a couple of threads called "Magnums", a few pages back.
The designated letter frames refers to the Hand Ejectors, the Numbered frames refers to the earlier top breaks.

[TMan]

Hey, thanks for the quick response DA. It was from reading those "Magnum" threads that I came to the conclusion that I was confused and really needed straightening out. You did a good job on that. Now I can re-read the threads and it will make a lot more sense to me.

[denfoote]

All you need to do is go to a gun show, find yerself a nice N-Frame, and you will be fine!!! ;D

[TMan]

Denfoote, I don't do drugs, gun shows, or jewelry shows. The first is self-explanatory. The agreement I have with my wife, after dropping $7500 on a bracelet that she never wears, is we don't give ourselfs opportunities for making emotional buys. We know our weaknesses (well, I have a few she doesn't know about ;D )

However, your advice about an N frame is probably good. Just today I had an opportunity to shoot a J frame and an L frame. Both were .357 Mag, but I had a box of .38 Special. The L frame was actually an old clone by Tarus and the J frame was by S&W. I didn't see any model numbers on either, and after leaving the range I forgot to ask.

I first shot the L frame and was very pleased with the results. All in the 9 and 10 rings for about 25 rounds. Then a fresh target and the J frame, which was very small for my hand. After 5 rounds there were only 3 holes in the paper and none in the black. Also, it seemed much louder to me too, but that could have been my imagination. I quickly concluded that I wasn't going to waste anymore ammo on the J frame. Back to the L frame and into the black for the remaining 20 rounds.

Then back to the Bearcat and .22LR, and again I shot poorly. I've about concluded that I need a big gun. (Good thing my wife never concluded that )