J Frame Pistol Question

[crewdawg]

I have heard about J Frame pistols before, but being a noob, I have no idea what it means. What does the term J Frame mean?

I have also heard about K Frame also. What is the difference, and is there any other "Frames" out there that I should know about? Thanks

 

[dwr461]

A revolver frame is the portion that hold the revolver's mechanism and at least part of the hand grip usually. The cylinder, barrel, sights, etc all attach to the frame.

Manufacturers have different sized frames. Think like small, medium and large. So each frame type has to have a name. They're given a letter designation because a frame isn't caliber specific. The large frame "N" sized S&W for example is chambered for 44 magnum, 10mm auto, 45 acp to name just a few. But the frame is the same size for each. A K frame S&W is a Model 10 size. I guess I'd call it a medium. The model 10 for example is 38 special with cylinder that holds six rounds. A J frame is a small frame. The cylinder holds five 38 special rounds. Smaller frame so it must have a smaller cylinder. This is an over simplification but gets you a basic understanding.

Remember each manufacturer assigns it's own designation. I.E. a J frame S&W and a J frame Colt are very different animals.

Dave

 

[Barney88PDC]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...1&parent_category_rn=15701&top_category=15701

 

[jphilp87]

What these guys said.

I think my Avatar still has a pic of my J frame S&W model 37

 

[Pookie]

My understanding is that revolvers are not referred to as pistols (at least not in the U.S.). Elsewhere (Britain and Europe), a pistol can be either. No idea why this is.

 

[dwr461]

According to Meriam Webster Dictionary the definition of a pistol is a handgun whose chamber is integral with the barrel. I can't speak for what they do in Europe.

Dave

 

[Gus McCrae]

My understanding is that revolvers are not referred to as pistols (at least not in the U.S.). Elsewhere (Britain and Europe), a pistol can be either. No idea why this is.

I find it kind of silly myself. Generally, if it's a revolver, is not a "pistol" but we used to call them pistols before autoloader came around.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Oh, the J frame is just S&W's designation for a small frame revolver, usually in .38 special.

I have a Taurus 605 that is a J-Frame sized revolver, but in .357 Mag.

 

[Paul Gomez]

It's funny...Sam Colt referred to his early products as 'revolving pistols'.

S&W has used initials to identify the size of the frame upon which the revolver is built.
Currently, the J-frame is the smallest size [most often seen as a 5 shot .38 Spc], the K-frame is the next size up, followed by the L-frame and then the N-frame.

The reason that the J-frame is a 5 shot .38 is because the cylinder was originally conceived as a 6 shot .32 cal and when they decided to offer it in .38, they could fit only five of the larger cartridges into the existing size.

 

[smith625]

Don't forget the gorilla x frame, in 460 and 500sw.

 

[columbo]

Here are some possible explanation:

Etymology of "pistol"
Hand Cannon from the Chinese Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

The word "pistol" is derived from the French pistole (or pistolet), which has these possible origins:

* From the Czech pistole and this one from the Czech píšťala (flute or pipe, referring to the shape of a Hussite firearm), from Middle High German pischulle or from Middle French pistole.
* From the city of Pistoia, Italy, where hand-held guns (designed to be fired from horseback) were first produced in the 1540s.[6]
* That early pistols were carried by cavalry in holsters hung from the pommel (or pistallo in medieval French) of a horse's saddle.
credit to Wikiedia

 

[columbo]

I'm starting to get into this "forum" thing!!!!
You ask a question and get "much more" than you asked for!!!!!!
Ain't America great|!!!!

 

[del4]

Just so it's said, J frames can also be .357 mags as well, such as a model 60.