Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-29-2011, 10:19 PM
BrianMajors BrianMajors is offline
Member
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question

OK, so I bought a 34-1 snubby .22lr from a friend who needed cash. Timing, lockup and endshake all look good. The gun looks fine in all respects. About two weeks after I bought it, he brings in a box of ammo that he had left over from shooting it. They were .22Magnums! He said that's what he shot and what his grandfather shot out of it when he had it, too.

I checked, and the magnums will in fact completely chamber in all 6. None of my other .22lr revolvers would even let the cartridge case go in at all. Anybody else ever run into this? I have not shot this little gun yet, but visually and mechanically it seems just fine.

BTW, no I will not ever shoot magnums in it, I'm just trying to understand why the mags even fit in the cylinder, but not in any other revolver.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-29-2011, 10:56 PM
murphydog's Avatar
murphydog murphydog is offline
Moderator
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 26,784
Likes: 938
Liked 18,878 Times in 9,241 Posts
Default

Someone swapped out the original cylinder for one from a model 51, or rechambered it?
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-30-2011, 03:48 AM
RAMS RAMS is offline
Member
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: EDMOND, OK
Posts: 245
Likes: 11
Liked 22 Times in 18 Posts
Default

Your 34 is no longer a .22 LR revolver, so do not fire .22 LR rounds in it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-30-2011, 04:03 AM
TACC1 TACC1 is offline
US Veteran
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Wautoma, WI 54982
Posts: 4,118
Likes: 6,564
Liked 799 Times in 499 Posts
Default I CAN HELP WITH THIS...

You need to ship that puppy to Wisconsin ASAP! I'll think of
a good reason whilst you're packaging it up for the trip.....
TACC1
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-30-2011, 07:57 AM
jmark1651 jmark1651 is offline
SWCA Member
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hattiesburg, Ms.
Posts: 415
Likes: 109
Liked 57 Times in 32 Posts
Default

Saw a 34-1 at a gunshop recently that had been modified to accomodate 22 magnum. It looked great and could have come home with me for 300.00. I just am not a proponent of altered Smiths.
__________________
J. Mark McCarver
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-30-2011, 08:01 AM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
SWCA Member

Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,208
Likes: 11,815
Liked 20,511 Times in 8,548 Posts
Default

BrianMajors,

There's no good reason why you shouldn't shoot it! In the past the Model 34 could be purchased with both cylinders or have a mag cyl fitted to it. See if your buddy has the 22 LR cylinder for it or you can have one fitted to it by the factory, than you can shoot both LR & mags.

Actually you can shoot 22 LR out of it right now. It's not recommended and the accuracy may suffer some. But from a safety standpoint there's little downside. The cases will bulge but will eject fine. It won't hurt the gun at all. Then why all the "drama" about not shooting LR in a mag cylinder? Theoretically, once in a great while a case might split and release gas out the back end of the cylinder which can happen once in a great while with any ammo, especially cases reloaded many times. But the model 34 has recessed chambers to enclose the case heads for just that reason; to mitigate any malfunctions!

However you and anyone around you while shooting any gun, anytime, anywhere, should have eye protection anyway! Everyone needs to do what their comfort level dictates. I'm not telling you to do it, I'm just sharing the reality of the issue with you.

But I can tell you your gun is absolutely safe shooting mags in the properly chambered cylinder, that gun was designed for it. Confirm with your dealer or gunsmith if you feel the need.

If you ask them about shooting LRs in it, specifically ask them why not? Because they will tell you not to. The honest ones will tell you the truth, they just don't want to be held liable
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

Last edited by Hondo44; 05-30-2011 at 08:03 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-30-2011, 08:07 AM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
SWCA Member

Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,208
Likes: 11,815
Liked 20,511 Times in 8,548 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmark1651 View Post
Saw a 34-1 at a gunshop recently that had been modified to accomodate 22 magnum. It looked great and could have come home with me for 300.00. I just am not a proponent of altered Smiths.
It could have been original unless you specifically know otherwise. A call to Smith would tell you.
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-30-2011, 08:40 AM
Camster Camster is offline
Member
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 993
Liked 1,923 Times in 956 Posts
Default

"There's no good reason why you shouldn't shoot it! In the past the Model 34 could be purchased with both cylinders or have a mag cyl fitted to it. See if your buddy has the 22 LR cylinder for it or you can have one fitted to it by the factory, than you can shoot both LR & mags. "

My understanding is that guns that were originally magnums could have a 22 lr cylinder fitted,not .22 lr guns being fitted for a magnum cylinder.Bore diameters are different,increased pressures shooting magnums through a 22lr bore.
I think the poster's cylinder was reamed to accmodate magnums.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-30-2011, 12:41 PM
BrianMajors BrianMajors is offline
Member
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Camster View Post
"There's no good reason why you shouldn't shoot it! In the past the Model 34 could be purchased with both cylinders or have a mag cyl fitted to it. See if your buddy has the 22 LR cylinder for it or you can have one fitted to it by the factory, than you can shoot both LR & mags. "

My understanding is that guns that were originally magnums could have a 22 lr cylinder fitted,not .22 lr guns being fitted for a magnum cylinder.Bore diameters are different,increased pressures shooting magnums through a 22lr bore.
I think the poster's cylinder was reamed to accmodate magnums.
The barrel is marked .22LR. The likelihood that someone reamed the chambers later is what I was afraid of. Will the .22LR barrel cause problems if shooting magnums? I don't want to do anything unsafe, but at the same time I'll take a beating on it if I sell it, which would be with full disclosure.

*ETA, I just saw in your post I quoted about the different bores and increased pressure.*
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-30-2011, 01:07 PM
surfgun surfgun is online now
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: OC
Posts: 503
Likes: 199
Liked 288 Times in 158 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianMajors View Post
The barrel is marked .22LR. The likelihood that someone reamed the chambers later is what I was afraid of. Will the .22LR barrel cause problems if shooting magnums? I don't want to do anything unsafe, but at the same time I'll take a beating on it if I sell it, which would be with full disclosure.

*ETA, I just saw in your post I quoted about the different bores and increased pressure.*
The barrel pressures will be higher, but a good quality Smith should be able to handle it (your steel cylinder will not blow up). There have been a lot of conversions done like this in the past with no ill effects. Not something to advise with a pot metal imported .22 LR.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-30-2011, 06:49 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
SWCA Member

Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
Posts: 19,208
Likes: 11,815
Liked 20,511 Times in 8,548 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by surfgun View Post
The barrel pressures will be higher, but a good quality Smith should be able to handle it (your steel cylinder will not blow up). There have been a lot of conversions done like this in the past with no ill effects. Not something to advise with a pot metal imported .22 LR.
Agreed. Increased pressures do not mean extreme pressures in regards to this issue and therefore do not translate to doomsday, danger, catastrophy, OMG the sky is falling or even global warming.

BrianMajors,
Shoot and enjoy your Model 34 and don't worry about having to sell it and take a loss. Or if you really didn't want it in the 1st place or 22 Mags are too expensive, with this thread as you're "full disclosure", put it up for sale in the classified section for what you paid for it and see if it doesn't sell right here.
__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-30-2011, 07:24 PM
alaskavett alaskavett is offline
US Veteran
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Wasilla ALASKA
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 2,293
Liked 259 Times in 154 Posts
Default

If it is a problem then send it to me. I will take this "dangerous" gun off your hands and I will even give you $250 as a re homing fee. I'll even be generous enough to pay the shipping on this poor little orphan. Kyle
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-30-2011, 08:52 PM
BUFF BUFF is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 5,062
Likes: 739
Liked 3,271 Times in 1,282 Posts
Default

I have never seen an original Model 34 or 34-1 factory-equipped with a .22 Mag cylinder.

The .22 Mag kit guns were Model 51's. They often had auxillary cylinders in .22 LR.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-04-2011, 07:44 PM
BrianMajors BrianMajors is offline
Member
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Thanks everyone for the answers and advice. I think I'll keep it, at least for awhile. I haven't even had the chance to shoot it yet, so maybe I'll fall in love with it.

All this talk about it and I forgot a picture. Here goes one.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 34-1.jpg (30.4 KB, 108 views)

Last edited by BrianMajors; 06-04-2011 at 07:52 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #15  
Old 06-04-2011, 07:54 PM
BrianMajors BrianMajors is offline
Member
Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question Model 34-1 .22LR/.22Mag question  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by alaskavett View Post
If it is a problem then send it to me. I will take this "dangerous" gun off your hands and I will even give you $250 as a re homing fee. I'll even be generous enough to pay the shipping on this poor little orphan. Kyle
LOL, $250 would be the "beating" I was referring to that I would take. Sorry, gonna keep it for awhile I think.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
22lr, cartridge, endshake, gunsmith, recessed, snubby

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
FOR SALE , NIB. NAA .22LR / .22MAG. ***(SOLD)*** HK-N-THE-HOUSE GUNS - For Sale or Trade 1 04-07-2014 07:16 PM
WTS: NIB NAA .22lr/.22mag (WITHDRAWN) HK-N-THE-HOUSE GUNS - For Sale or Trade 0 02-21-2014 03:31 PM
Need Info on my S&W mdl 650, 22mag/22Lr bnoutdoors S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 3 02-25-2011 02:58 PM
351C 22mag or 43C 22LR ? ChattanoogaPhil S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 13 01-24-2011 09:59 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:34 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)