The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - I dunno, but I get it.

I dunno, but I get it. (reply)

AaronB — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:11:13 +0000

I have wanted a K-frame .38 for as long as I've known what they were. A four- or five-inch barrel and it doesn't need to be a .357, I'd only shoot .38 in it anyway... I will own one of these one day.

-AaronB

We had an example..... (reply)

RayLee — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:13:04 +0000

Much like the one to the left but without the grip adapter.

It was ordered from kittery and was much freckled as they often are. This one numbered to late '73 or early '74 according to the store clerk who claimed to be a collector. He also showed me the faint nypd stamp in the yoke recess. He said the grooved trigger was probably factory original but the corresponding grip backstrap groove were more common on much earlier models.

The single action proved too light for reliability and the ejector rod tended to back out with rapid double action despite efforts to apply red loctite and tighten securely.

Most of the world agrees! (reply)

JimT — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:14:16 +0000

The K frame has the largest production at S&W and has been and is copied around the world. It is just about the ideal sixgun for daily use.

COPY:

What is it about K-frames?

Otony — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:57:01 +0000

Out of all the Smiths I’ve ever owned, the ones my hand agrees with the most are K-frames.

I can manage N-frames, but honestly I feel like they are just a smidge too big. If they are wearing Magna grips and a Tyler-T that is about as big as I can mange. I have a large palm and medium length fingers, and I feel like I’m stretching to the trigger.

The K on the other hand is just right. With Magna grips and an adapter, I am in my comfort zone. Gotta love ‘em!

The blue M&P is from either ‘48 or ‘49, while the SS Model 64-2 dates to approximately 1982. I have been reworking a set of Altamont grips to install on the 64, but I think I’m going to just pick up a grip adapter and combine it with some Magna slabs. It plain works.

Nothing like a J-frame, that’s for sure. Either of these is a solid handful, and recoil is negligible compared to an Airweight .

I got froggy when I picked these up, and haunted eBay and Gunbroker buying up the components to assemble a Galco double shoulder holster rig.