Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W revolver numbers, is there an order

I do know the dash refers to a design change but is there definition to the model numbers?

There is very little that is standard. Each dash means some sort of change in engineering or manufacture process, but it's not the same for all S&W guns because each model had changes at different times, or had completely different changes.

Pick up a copy of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, or Roy Jink's history of S&W, and you'll have a listing of the changes.

The "model" designations have some significance to the company but they all aren't sequential or necessarily logical from a consumer's standpoint.

A brief example:

Most guns that start with a "1" are K-Frames, but some autos started with a 1, also.

Most of the guns that start with a "2" are N-Frames, but some .22 autos started with a 2.

Most of the guns that start with a "3" are J-Frames, but the Model 32 preceded the J-Frame designation.

Stainless guns start with a "6" ....... etc, etc.

And just to add to the confusion, the Model 22 is, in fact a .45, while the Model 45 is, yup-- you guessed it, a .22. Like Kevin suggested, get yourself a copy of "The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson", and then hide your wallet. Smiths are damned addictive!

+1 it can be confusing... My 357PD is a .41 magnum..

In a strange way it is kinda like women,
confusing....YES , take all your $ ...YES,
but I love them anyway.

This will be my first but I know I'll add. Have a honeymoon and deer season first then.... I do know a few I want. 500 S&W long barrel, 44mag long barrel with a scope, and the 357 I'm getting Sunday. Just thought there may be order to figuring out their numbers.