Smith and Wesson’s hand ejector revolvers are easily the most successful revolvers of all time. From .32 caliber I-frame revolvers to big-frame .45s, the people armed with hand ejectors are well-armed individuals.
These revolvers are reliable, often accurate, and handle better than most. When the hand ejector with a swing-out cylinder and simultaneous cartridge ejection was introduced, the trigger-cocking revolver wasn’t new.
But combining a solid frame, swing-out cylinder and reliable lockwork made for a winner. Named the “hand ejector” for the innovative swing-out cylinder and ejector rod, the original was introduced in 1896.
Built on the I-frame, this six-shot revolver was chambered for the .32 Smith and Wesson Long cartridge. The I-frame was a small-frame, double-action revolver. Originally, the bolt stop was located in the top strap.
The bolt stop was later moved to the bottom of the frame window. Considerable modifications resulted in an improved revolver and eventually, the design changed so that the ejector rod locked into a stop at the bottom of the barrel.
The next in Smith and Wesson’s line of hand ejectors was the Military and Police .38. Originally chambered in the military .38 Long Colt, the Military and Police was upgraded to the . 38 Smith and Wesson Special soon after.
Transition to K-Frame
The I-frames hung on for many years while the .38 Special hand ejector was to become the most popular police issue handgun of all time.
The .38 Special cartridge became a favorite of those wishing to protect themselves with a fairly light and easy-to-use revolver that offered reasonable power.
Those who must carry a handgun—police, guards and special agents—were armed with the .38 Special revolver for decades.
The .38 Special cartridge had a lot of stretch and further development led to a more powerful combination of velocity, bullet weight and accuracy. The .38 Hand Ejector Military and Police eventually became the Model 10 in 1957.
The K-frame (or Smith and Wesson medium-frame) spawned highly successful handguns such as the K-38 target revolver, the Combat Masterpiece, the K-22 and the .357 Combat Magnum.
The K-frame was the bread and butter of the company and remains in production. Variations include:
- Round and square butt frames
- Barrel lengths of two to eight and three eighth inches
- Calibers including .22, .32 Smith and Wesson Long, .32-20 WCF, .38 S&W, .38 Special, .357 Magnum and 9mm Luger
During World War II, both Britain and America deployed thousands of Smith and Wesson . 38 caliber revolvers. The majority are five-inch barrel revolvers, but two and four-inch barrel revolvers are encountered. Most were parkerized.
These were known as the Victory Model. They featured a “V” prefix in the serial number, save for very early production.
Post-War Developments
After World War II, there were important changes. A new short-action lockwork was introduced. This lockwork is more durable and makes for better shooting in both target and combat shooting.
The I-frame was stretched to accept the .38 Special cartridge in a five-shot version and became the Chief’s Special. The new frame is the J-frame.
The Chief’s Special became the stainless steel Model 60 and was later chambered in .357 Magnum, with the .38 Special being the most common chambering. The I-frame was discontinued soon after the introduction of the J-frame.
To replace the . 32 caliber I-frame, the Smith and Wesson J-frame was offered in . 32 Smith and Wesson Long. This is a feeble caliber, accurate and low recoiling, but at the bottom of the list for personal defense.
Just the same, it was a popular cartridge for about 100 years! If you have one of these excellent-but-underpowered revolvers, Buffalo Bore offers much stronger loads suitable for small game and are right on the edge for personal defense.
Where Hand Ejectors Shine
Hand ejectors excel as personal defense handguns, for field use and for hunting. Even the simplest fixed-sight revolvers are often very accurate. The .32s and .38s are not the whole story. Smith and Wesson introduced the N-frame or large frame hand ejector in 1907.
Originally known as the New Century or .44 hand ejector, the Smith and Wesson N-frame was chambered in .44 Special for the most part with versions in .45 Colt as well.
Eventually, the big-frame Smith and Wesson was manufactured in . 38 Special, .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .45 ACP and a few others. These are robust revolvers suited for the most difficult duty. The old long action guns are smooth and useful.
The short lockwork versions introduced after World War II are even faster-handling handguns. Smith and Wesson eventually introduced target grade versions of the N-frame. These adjustable-sight handguns are very accurate and fire powerful cartridges.
The Magnums are among the most accurate and useful of handguns.
My Favorite Hand Ejector
My favorite of the big-frame hand ejectors is the Model 1917. Manufactured in great numbers, these revolvers are not as easy to come by as they once were.
I would be more than happy with a modern Smith and Wesson big-frame hand ejector, but the classic 1917 is a useful and reliable handgun. These revolvers are chambered in .45 ACP.
Moon clips allow for quickly loading the cylinder and also make reliable simultaneous ejection possible no matter what the angle of the muzzle. This makes the Smith and Wesson 1917 perhaps the finest combat revolver ever manufactured.
Loaded with the Buffalo Bore hard-cast SWC load in .45 Auto Rim, it is a fine outdoors revolver.
Conclusion
Hand ejectors are still going strong and offer an excellent revolver for personal defense, hunting, home defense, and some forms of competition. They are among the greatest revolvers ever designed.