Quick Guide to D-Frame Colt Revolvers

This is an incomplete (work-in-progress) list of Colt's postwar D frame revolvers. Colt's D frame revolvers are larger than the Smith & Wesson J-Frame, but smaller than their K Frame. The benefits of this is that it fits a little more security in your hand, and has six rounds. Colt revolvers carry a substaintial premium to their S&W counterparts.

 

• Police Positive Special ($400 -$1,000) - all steel blued version, D frame .38, usually with a 4" barrel. Many pre-war models are on the less expensive end.
• Detective Special ($900 - $1,000) - similar to the Police Postive Special, but  with a  2" barrel
• Colt Diamondback ($2,000 - $2,500) - Same frame as the Police Positive Special, but nice finish. Barrell lengths of 2.5", 4" or 6"
• Colt Cobra -($1,100) Has an aluminum frame, available in 2", 3", or 4" barrel
• Colt Agent - ($900 - $1,000)  a budget version of the Cobra Cobra, featuring a less highly polished blue finish and smaller, simplified grips

Guide to Smith & Wesson Model Numbers

 

 

Smith & Wesson models can be extremely confusing. This is amplified that prior to 1957, the revolvers had names, not numbers. You can break it down by frame and version. Many models are the same weapon with variations in material, sight adjustibility, or caliber . This is an incomplete list, focusing on the more popular variants that are seen.

 

J-Frame (small)

 

Chief's Special

• Model 36: (.38 Special)  aka the Chief Special. Blued subnose
• Model 37: Airweight Chief's Special. An aluminum frame/barrel version of the Model 36. Aluminum barrels were replaced with steel for safety.
• Model 637: A model 37 with a stainless steel body.

  

Model 60: All stainless steel snubnose. Introduced as a .38 special, models starting with the 60-9 in 1996 had .357 magnum versions. Starting with the 60-14, there is the internal lock.

 

Bodyguard

• Model 49: (.38 Special) aka the Bodyguard, is a shrouded hammer snubnose
• Model 38: an aluminum frame, carbon steel cylinder version of the 49
• Model 638: an aluminum frame, stainless steel cylinder version of the 49
• Model 649: all stainless steel version, chambered in either .38 or .357

 

Centennial

• Model 40: (.38 special) concealed hammer snubnose
• Model 42: aluminum frame verson of Model 40
• Model 640: (.357 magnum) Modern aluminum frame, Stainless steel model
• Model 642: .38 Special version of the Model 640
• Model 442: Aluminum frame, carbon steel barrel version of the 640

 

 

K-Frame (medium frame)

 

Military & Police

• Model 10: (.38 special), formerly known as the Military & Police model. Usually 4" barrel. The internal lock started at model 10-14.
• Model 13: (.357 magnum) magnum version of the Model 10
• Model 14: (.38 special) aka K38 target Masterpiece. Has adjustable sights and longer barrels.
• Model 15: (.38 special) Has adjustable sights, but shorter barrels than model 14
• Model 19: (.357 magnum) aka Combat Magnum.   Has adjustable sights
• Model 64: A stainless steel version of the Model 10.
• Model 65: A stainless steel version of the Model 13
• Model 66: A stainless steel version of the Model 19
• Model 67: A stainless steel version of the Model 15

 

L- Frame (medium large) - These utilize the same grip as the K-frame, but the barrel is beefied up and it can hold 7 rounds

 

• Model 581 ·
• Model 586: Blue steel version of the 686 
• Model 619
• Model 620 ·
• Model 646 ·
• Model 681 ·
• Model 686: (.357 magnum) - Can hold 7 rounds

 

N-Frame (large frame)

 

• Model 22 ·
• Model 27: Originally known as the Registered Magnum, this is the original .357
• Model 28: Originally known as the Highway Patrolman, this is a budget version of the Model 27 (has less HQ finish) 
• Model 29 · The Dirty Harry Gun. A .44 Magnum
• Model 57 ·
• Model 610 ·
• Model 625 ·
• Model 629