By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
When writers mention the J, K, L and N frame revolvers some readers may not quite understand.
I was once a novice and it took some time to understand the frame sizes. The J frame is the smallest frame, typically a five shot .38 Special, the K frame is a six shot .38 often with a .357 Magnum shoe horned into the chamber, and the N frame is the .44 frame, the largest save for the huge X frame .500 Magnum guns.
When I became a peace officer most everyone carried the K frame revolver. The N-frame Model 27 and Model 28 revolvers were seen primarily in competition.
Many agencies issued the Smith and Wesson Combat Magnum, most often as the stainless steel Model 66. These revolvers were basically .38 Special revolvers with lengthened chambers, while the original .357 Magnum had been a .44-frame revolver. While fast into action and accurate, these K frame revolvers took a beating from magnum loads. I once owned a well-used Model 66 that cracked at the forcing cone. The handguns did not blow up or split cylinders but the small parts took a beating.
Smith and Wesson improved the gas rings and cranes but a heavy-duty revolver was in the works. Some think it may be the best all around .357 Magnum revolver ever fielded. The L-frame is a heavy-duty revolver but smaller than the N frame revolver. It features the same sized grip frame as the K frame.
Traditionally, the K frame grip fit most hands well and was easily modified with custom grips. Since there were many different grips available for the K frame, this choice made a lot of sense. The Distinguished Combat Magnum features a heavy under-lugged barrel. The balance is among the best I have felt in any revolver.
The L frame featured Smith and Wesson’s fully-adjustable sights and post front sight with red insert. Eventually the stainless steel 686 outpaced K frame sales. The L frame has been offered in seven shot .357 versions and also a five shot .44 Magnum. Fit and finish are often excellent and the action is smooth. Most of the revolvers will smooth up with use. Part of the energy expended by the trigger finger cocks and drops the hammer and part of the energy cycles the cylinder. The Smith and Wesson revolver is smooth, often very smooth, and responds well to a shooter who practices.
Examine the gap between the frame and the crane and judge for yourself how tightly the cylinder locks up. The original Model 586 and the modern Classic are excellent handguns. The newer handguns have the greater mechanical accuracy potential. CNC manufacture makes for tight tolerances. The original revolver may be smoother out of the box and will smooth up after a few years of use.
Smith and Wesson has offered quite a few custom grade grips, and in my opinion, Hogue grips the best for overall use with magnum loads. They are not raspy, but offer good control.
The four-inch barrel L frame revolver illustrated is among my most trusted handguns. It is among the first stainless steel Model 686 revolvers. A standard six-shot revolver the double action trigger is quite smooth. The revolver is a reliable instrument, this one has been neglected and still comes up firing. This handgun features fully adjustable sights and a bold post front sight.
This is a revolver that may be used for small game hunting with lightweight bullet loads, personal defense with .38 Special or .357 Magnum loads, hunting deer sized game, and also for defense against the big cats and feral dogs. It will come up shooting every time. The weight of the L frame makes for a revolver that simply hangs on the target and allows rapid recovery from recoil. The revolver is rugged and will take heavy loads but just the same most loads I fired are medium velocity or .38 Special loads. The shooter and the revolver will last indefinitely with such loads.
Among the cleanest burning and accurate combinations, I have used is the .38 Special 130 grain FMJ loading from Remington. This is a wonderfully clean burning load that provides stellar accuracy. For small game and target practice this is a good choice. A unique loading offered by Remington is the 125 grain Golden Saber. A medium velocity loading at 1250 fps this loading will provide anyone with excellent protection. Yet, it is much easier to control than a full power Magnum loading. While the recoil shy may be advised to load a .38 Special defense load in a lightweight .357 Magnum revolver the L frame is docile with the Golden Saber load. This load expands well and offers excellent accuracy.
Much of the reputation of the .357 Magnum in personal defense and police work was made with the 125 grain jacketed hollow point. The Remington 125 grain JHP breaks 1443 fps in the L frame’s four-inch barrel. Recoil isn’t bad but muzzle blast may be startling. This load hits hard and for those willing to practice a follow up shot is seldom needed. If I were to regularly travel where big bears may be a problem, or where I might be hunting heavier game, I would probably load and test a 180 grain bullet. At present the loads illustrated provide peace of mind.
The L frame is a large handgun but not much heavier than the Government Model 1911 I often carry. I have been experimenting with the Blackbeard ratchet belt and find it a very modern, very good idea. I hitch it up exactly correctly for my waist and then add the Lobo Gun Leather three slot pancake. I love crossdraw when possible and this holster may be worn crossdraw or strong side. (Lobogunleather.com) This holster is nicely molded, much different than the general run of pancake holsters. The draw is sharp and it spreads the weight of the revolver out on the belt. I am quite pleased with this holster.
The L frame revolver is a formidable firearm, among the finest modern revolvers and a sure thing for protection against man and beast.
Model 686
Caliber: 357 Magnum, 38 S&W SPECIAL +P
Capacity: 6
Length: 9.56 inches
Front Sight: Red Ramp
Rear Sight: Adjustable White Outline
Action: Single/Double Action
Grip: Synthetic
Cylinder: Stainless Steel
Barrel: Stainless Steel
Frame: Stainless Steel
Frame Finish: Satin Stainless
Barrel Length: 4.125″ (10.477 cm)
Weight: 39.7 oz.
Note- the modern revolver is supplied with a 4.125-inch barrel, the minimum legal length in Canada.
Accuracy table Fired from a benchrest with the MTM K Zone rest
Load 5-shot group, 25 yards
.38 Special
Remington 130 grain FMJ 2.0 in.
.357 Magnum
Remington 110 grain JHP 2.4 in.
Remington Golden Saber 125 grain 1.7 in.
Remington 125 grain JHP 2.1 in.
