|
586 and 686 are Smith and Wesson L frames with adjustable sights . K frames are smaller and the police duty guns on that frame were originally primarily .38 special. The .357 was initially offered in the larger N frame, but that was a heavy firearm, and police wanted the .357 in a smaller package. Smith and Wesson made the K frame in .357, but the forcing cone suffered from high velocity lighter weight bullets. So Smith and Wesson came out with the L frame which was designed to handle a steady diet of full house magnum loads, and still be smaller and lighter than the N frame. (The Model 69 is a 5 shot .44 magnum on the L frame, it is plenty strong.) The L frame shares grips with the K frame, just be aware of the round/flat butt differences. You are choosing between great firearms at reasonable prices, I don't think you can go wrong.
__________________
'86na, 5-spd, turbo front brakes, bad paint, poor turbo nose bolt-on, early sunroof switch set-up that doesn't work.
Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem.
|