S&W Revolvers - Differences Between Models ?

[Duman]

In S&W 357's, other than cylinder size (5, 6, 7, or 8 rounds), what are the fundamental differences between the different models:686, 586, 66, 27, 60?

[crays]

S&W Revolvers

This should get you started.

[Big E3]

I'll put what I have in 357 info for you. The 60 is a 5 shot "J" frame, the 65, 66 and 19 are 6 shot "K" frames, the 586 and 686 are 6 shot "L" frames and 619 and 620 are 7 shot "L" frames and the 627 is an 8 shot "L" frame, the 27 and 28 are 6 shot "N" frames. Frame sizes are small to large J, K, L, N. In most cases a 6 at the beginning of any model number is usually stainless steel. Now if I'm wrong it would not surprise me, but I believe that is right.

[sportbikeco]

Well they built 357's on all the frame sizes. J, K, L, & N.

6 at the beginning of a model# is a stainless gun.


What size pistol do you want? Do you plan on shooting it alot (you reload)? Do you plan on shooting a bunch of .357's through it or mostly 38's?

If you are shopping for one you can't really go wrong with a 686 (or the 686+ 7 shooter) imo.

[Husker95]

586 is a blued square butt while 686 is a stainless round butt. I think 627 is an N frame - simply a stainless model 27 with an 8 shot cylinder. Just like a 625 is stainless model 25.

[Great-Kazoo]

Oh Robert.......... I'm not up on the designations of all S$W 357 & 38 revolvers. I do know when i see something i like, the money starts getting saved for it. UNless i'm with a fe wguys from the board, LGS hopping. Then Impulse buying rears it's ugly head.

[Husker95]

One of the best coffee table books you will ever buy is the Supica & Nahaus (sp) Standard Catalogue of Smith and Wesson. Great reference for all things S&W and you will not watch TV for a week with that sitting out. Even with this book, knowing all the models, revisions, and sub-categories is like memorizing the bible - in ancient Greek.

[ray1970]

Several people posted above with pretty much all the basic stuff. All I will add is the dash numbers usually include "upgrades" to each model. Some were improvements to minor design flaws, and some were simply cost saving changes for the company. I've had a few with the internal lock and I just don't like them. Never had a problem with them. I just don't like the extra tiny parts in the design of the lock work.

[Duman]

Thanks for the quick summary, it helps me get my bearîngs.

[Gman]

586 is a blued square butt while 686 is a stainless round butt.

...then where did my square butt 686 come from? It depends on when your revolver was made. There are an immense number of variations. The frame size is a starting point, but collecting S&W revolvers can make you crazy/poor with the number of variants.