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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 02-03-2021, 12:22 AM
Fate Fate is offline
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Default New 34-1 Snub-nose owner

Well I’ve gone to the dark side and bought my first revolver. I’m really a M&P guy, but this little one called to me. Smith and Wesson 34-1, sn 764xx, deep factory blue, 2” barrel, with original box, tools, and paperwork. Extremely minor finish wear and tight lockup. I’m guessing from what I’ve read it’s a 1963-64 gun. Has a sales receipt from Ace Hardware on March 1964 for $66.30.

It has the newer thumb piece, but also a flat one and screw in an envelope. Is replacing the flat one as easy as removing a screw?

I’m a total revolver noob but have been reading a lot of old threads trying to learn. Any and all comments are welcome

Last edited by Fate; 02-03-2021 at 12:52 AM.
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:25 AM
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More pics attached

Last edited by Fate; 02-03-2021 at 12:50 AM.
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:35 AM
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Beautiful little kit gun. That's a very complete package with the box, paperwork, tools, etc. Wish I had all that with mine.

What's with the extra thumb-piece? Is that the original and someone upgraded to the button-style that is on it?

Here are a couple of pics of mine
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BC38 View Post

What's with the extra thumb-piece? Is that the original and someone upgraded to the button-style that is on it?
I think so. I was thinking I might swap it back if it’s just a turn of the screw.
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Old 02-03-2021, 12:50 AM
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Now that is one I would love to have......
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Old 02-03-2021, 01:07 AM
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Nice find! And welcome to the club, I have 2 round butt 34-1 snubs and a 4" SB I-frame. One is a safe queen, w box and docs. My 'shooter" only has the box.

New to revolvers huh, snub-nosed J-Frame revolvers take a bit to master, short sight radius, and the rimfires have a heavier trigger than there centerfire relatives.
I carry/shoot DA revolvers, with ammo prices up and availability down, my 34-1 has seen a lot of rounds. It has probably done more to improve my short barrel DA shooting than anything.

Training with a DA revolver will have a positive impact on your semi shooting.
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Old 02-03-2021, 01:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fate View Post
I think so. I was thinking I might swap it back if it’s just a turn of the screw.
I'm not quite sure how that works. The flat latch style used a screw, but the later button style that is on the gun uses a domed, closed-top "nut" with a screw slot in it. I think that to go back to the flat latch will require changing out the existing bolt which is probably one that is externally threaded for the nut - rather than internally threaded for the screw. But I could be wrong about that.
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Old 02-03-2021, 01:42 AM
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On a Kit Gun that sold originally in 1964, the flat thumbpiece would be original. I just checked the thumbpiece on a couple Kit Guns in my safe. I suspect the one that is mounted on yours now came from a different J frame revolver. It should mount with a cap nut having a slotted screw head, not a screw. The nut screws onto a threaded stud on the internal slide for the cylinder release. It is quite different from the arrangement used on the post-1966 Kit Guns with the conventional thumbpiece.

It would be interesting to see what you find if you remove the thumbpiece that is on the gun now. Is there a screw hole in the internal slide, or a threaded stud that sticks out through the frame?

Edit: BC38 is on the same page as I am. He posted while I was typing.
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Old 02-03-2021, 03:58 AM
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Very nice,I have a couple of these kit guns and they shoot fantastic
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Old 02-03-2021, 07:26 AM
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Nice find! The previous owner shorted you one .22 LR round so I would track him down and insist he give it to you.

The store that sold it is still is business but I doubt it still sells guns.
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Old 02-03-2021, 08:14 AM
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Enjoy that beautiful little revolver, they’re really handy little plinkers!

Here’s my kit gun from the late 50’s with the flat latch ......

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Old 02-03-2021, 09:46 AM
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Congratulations

As you can see there are many fans of the small bore snubby among your fellow Forum members





I even have one with a 2nd cylinder for 22 Magnum

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Old 02-03-2021, 10:22 AM
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I had one of these and they're great little guns. However I found no real use for it as I prefer to shoot my 4" Model 34 much more. After languishing in my safe for several years, I sold it. Didn't take long to wish I hadn't.
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Old 02-03-2021, 11:53 AM
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I got this beater back in 2012. Shoots a little high even with that tall front sight. Probably needs a partridge on it. Joe
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Old 02-03-2021, 02:03 PM
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Before you do anything, get a set of the S&W specific screwdriver bits, or the set, if you don't have a driver. Avoid buggered up screw slots and such. Got mine from Brownells, but I'm sure Midway has them also. I just got into revolvers in 2019 after 30 years of just bottom feeders.

Both of my 34-1 snubbies have the button cyl release and at 73 and bad RA in the hands it's easier for me to push against the 'button' than the downward pressure needed for a flat latch. I'd bet the previous owner had a similar situation.

But, you have both, so, easy enough to find out which you prefer.

Nothing like my M41, but boy, they are fun to shoot.

Enjoy yours!

Rob
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Old 02-03-2021, 02:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pharmer View Post
I got this beater back in 2012. Shoots a little high even with that tall front sight. Probably needs a partridge on it. Joe
If that's your idea of a beater I'd like to see what you consider collectible! That's really really nice!
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Old 02-03-2021, 09:34 PM
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So, forgive the new guy, beyond being careful to not bugger up the screw notch, is there anything that thumbpiece screw head is attached to that’s going to sproing off inside the case if I unscrew it?
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Old 02-03-2021, 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by murphydog View Post

The store that sold it is still is business but I doubt it still sells guns.
I dunno. The local Ace Hardware here in town sells them. So did the one across the border in Pullman until they closed a year or so ago. I might have to give them a call.
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Old 02-03-2021, 09:50 PM
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Its hard not to chime in with you guys. I found one about 4 years ago new in box, I just can't bring myself to shoot it.

Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk
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Old 02-03-2021, 10:04 PM
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Quote:
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So, forgive the new guy, beyond being careful to not bugger up the screw notch, is there anything that thumbpiece screw head is attached to that’s going to sproing off inside the case if I unscrew it?
No, the "thumbpiece nut" is like a small threaded hat, no spring underneath it.
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Old 02-04-2021, 10:58 AM
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We''re all curious as to what you find, is the existing bolt equipped to take both a screw and a cap nut?
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Old 02-04-2021, 11:35 AM
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Quote:
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We''re all curious as to what you find, is the existing bolt equipped to take both a screw and a cap nut?
Well this is what I found. Not sure where to go next. I did clean her up though.
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Old 02-04-2021, 03:20 PM
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That's what I expected to see. Just put the conventional thumbpiece back on and enjoy the revolver.
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Old 02-04-2021, 04:49 PM
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Quote:
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Well this is what I found. Not sure where to go next. I did clean her up though.
Yup, someone changed the thumbpiece AND the bolt (the piece that the thumbpiece mounts onto). To reinstall the flat latch will require complete disassembly to replace the bolt with one compatible with the flat latch thumbpiece. Not too hard if you have the part, and the right screwdrivers and the mechanical aptitude. Probably not worth it to most people.
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Old 02-05-2021, 02:18 AM
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Thanks all. I’m probably going to just enjoy it as is and maybe tackle that project down the road.
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Old 02-05-2021, 05:52 AM
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Default On the contrary.....

....you have now moved through the darkness and found the light that is S&W revolvers.

People having near death experiences often report seeing S&W revolvers on the other side.
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Old 02-05-2021, 12:35 PM
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Quote:
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Thanks all. I’m probably going to just enjoy it as is and maybe tackle that project down the road.
Good idea!

You have the orig part and screw, no need to rush.

Do you have the proper screwdrivers? They are a must.

Rob
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Old 02-05-2021, 06:56 PM
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Quote:
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Well this is what I found. Not sure where to go next. I did clean her up though.
Looks like maybe someone repaired/replaced the firing pin, going off your pic in post #22 of the "firing pin retention pin." Joe
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