Size difference between K and L frame

[Justincase]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Smith and Wesson K and L frame revolvers. I have multiple L frame Smiths and just used one in a PPC match for the first time and the size of the frame made it difficult for me to cock the hammer during single action fire. Are the sizes of the two different frames the same or would the K frame have a smaller distance between the grip and the hammer? I was using a 686 and would consider a 66 if it would allow me to better access the hammer with my baby hands. Thanks

 

[kev74]

K frames are a bit smaller than L frame. There is a little shorter reach to the trigger and the hammer on the K frame.

The blue one is a K frame, the stainless one is an L frame.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

K frames are a bit smaller than L frame. There is a little shorter reach to the trigger and the hammer on the K frame.

The blue one is a K frame, the stainless one is an L frame.

View attachment 144663


View attachment 144664

Where did you steal that tray from?

 

[kev74]

Where did you steal that tray from?

I bought it. Restaurant Depot.

 

[HEX]

So, this is not a 100% perfect layout, but I think it still makes for a decent enough demo as both guns have the exact same grips. It's a quick and dirty cell phone pic I just took, and the guns are not aligned perfectly, but.. it's pretty close and, even with the slight imperfection, the quick photoshop additions should give you an idea of just how negligible the difference really is. In the hand, it's basically imperceptible.

Edit: Not that it's likely to be too relevant here, but for the sake of data (HEX does love data) that's a 66-2 and a 686-5; both pre-Hillary Hole guns , and a good comparison I think based on the identically styled grips and that one was basically designed as a direct replacement for the other.

Edit #2: I just added the second pic to make it clear that it was the extension of the frame that I was redlining at the base of the sight cut, and the other white lines, while not perfect, are close enough to see the noticeable difference beyond just the imperfect layout. I did think it was interesting that the top of the heels still seem to basically match up. I actually didn't expect that.
(Might be slightly off due to imperfect placement.. not sure, and now I'm going to have to do some more precise measurements to satisfy my own curiosity.)


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[Justincase]

K frames are a bit smaller than L frame. There is a little shorter reach to the trigger and the hammer on the K frame.

The blue one is a K frame, the stainless one is an L frame.

View attachment 144663


View attachment 144664

Thanks tons for taking the time to post this. Super helpful. I’m gonna measure and do some extrapolation.

 

[Justincase]

So, this is not a 100% perfect layout, but I think it still makes for a decent enough demo as both guns have the exact same grips. It's a quick and dirty cell phone pic I just took, and the guns are not aligned perfectly, but.. it's pretty close and, even with the slight imperfection, the quick photoshop additions should give you an idea of just how negligible the difference really is. In the hand, it's basically imperceptible.

Edit: Not that it's likely to be too relevant here, but for the sake of data (HEX does love data) that's a 66-2 and a 686-5; both pre-Hillary Hole guns , and a good comparison I think based on the identically tyled grips and that one was basically designed as a direct replacement for the other.

View attachment 144689

This is exactly what I was looking for. So very appreciated!

And both just beautiful guns

 

[cgrutt]

Where did you steal that tray from?

LOL I was thinking I might have had lunch on that tray back in Elementary school...

 

[kev74]

LOL I was thinking I might have had lunch on that tray back in Elementary school...

I keep a couple around. They come in handy when working on stuff. They keep pieces and mess from getting too far out of hand.

 

[HEX]

This is exactly what I was looking for. So very appreciated!

And both just beautiful guns

No problem man. I love this kind of stuff. To me, this kind of thing is what the forum is really for. Sharing info on, and larnin' stuff 'bout guns.

 

[S&W Fan]

I keep a couple around. They come in handy when working on stuff. They keep pieces and mess from getting too far out of hand.

Exactly. I’ve got two just like them, but blue.

 

[BerettaGuy]

Solve the problem. Get the "N" Frame. LOL

 

[Justincase]

Well, you guys saved me from buying another gun for no reason. From the looks And rough measuring, there’s no discernible difference between the sizes of frames. If only there was something between a j and k frame. Too bad tho. Found a smoking deal on a new model 66

 

[kev74]

Well, you guys saved me from buying another gun for no reason. From the looks And rough measuring, there’s no discernible difference between the sizes of frames. If only there was something between a j and k frame. Too bad tho. Found a smoking deal on a new model 66

The K frame is noticably smaller in the hand than the L frame. If I cram my trigger finger as far as it will go, the trigger is under the first joint with the L frame and almost to the second joint with the K frame.

 

[Justincase]

The K frame is noticably smaller in the hand than the L frame. If I cram my trigger finger as far as it will go, the trigger is under the first joint with the L frame and almost to the second joint with the K frame.

Could it be the grips? Comparing the photos of the two types side by side show no measurable difference between the two Iin multiple dimensions

 

[HEX]

The K frame is noticably smaller in the hand than the L frame. If I cram my trigger finger as far as it will go, the trigger is under the first joint with the L frame and almost to the second joint with the K frame.

I'd have to disagree with you on that one (generally speaking between the frames having notable difference in trigger reach). On my Ks and Ls, with the same grips, my trigger finger can reach almost precisely the same spot. Actually, even one with different grips is the same spot.

I've added white lines of the exact same length here to the measuring pics. You can see the curve of the hammer.. area (I can't think of the word right now) is different, which allows the top of the heel to be in the same spot (still surprising to me). The trigger on the 66 is custom, and not flat on the sides like the 686. It's beveled on the sides, so that's not the gun being tilted (notice how thin the side edges look).
The length from the heel line to the trigger face is extremely close to the same.

 

[HEX]

That said. @kev74 probably isn't totally crazy.. well, not about this anyway.. heh. Kev, I think it's possible you're just incorrect about the reason your trigger reach is different.

I have to explain the process here. I took Kev's picture from above and used photoshop to do my best to match up the positions of the two guns. It's even less close to perfect than I managed with my own. It's REALLY hard to do because the guns are slightly tilted, and you've got a very different design AND a caliber difference changing the cylinder length and support (38spl and .357) so the direct comparison is quite difficult to line up. A note on the lining though: While not pictured, the top of the heels and other aspects were as matched as possible.
So, DISCLAIMER: This was as close as I could get using what I had to work with and could be quite flawed.

BUT.. as close as I can figure, the frame size basically matches my own pics (with some obvious design variations between the models/designs in the trigger guards). However, matched as I can make them, the trigger does in fact, as he says, seem to be (very slightly) longer reach on his L-frame. (It's really hard to tell though based on the difficulty of matching them up.)

Still, based on my initial measurements and matching these , I would now make the edumacated guess that's it's not the frame size making the difference, but rather the position/shape of the trigger between these two guns. It's still a very minute difference in any case (whether I'm right or not), but enough to be noticed I'd suppose.

 

[kev74]

The observation I made regarding the reach of my trigger is purely subjective, on different guns with different grips (although of similar size, both with backstraps exposed where the web of my hand indexes).

Another subjective observation is that I shoot the old Model 10 (with its tiny notched rear sight and black front sight) a lot better than I shoot the 686 with its much better sights. There is some difference that is more significant than the improvement in sights.

Lastly, the 686 won't fit in a holster for the Model 10. The area around the trigger guard is noticeably bigger on the 686.

If I get a chance, I'll pull the grips off of both and take some detailed measurements.

 

[BerettaGuy]

The L-frame was designed to be a sturdier K-frame. This was accomplished by adding more steel and greater strength in critical areas to handle the power of the . 357 Magnum.