Any Info On My .22 Mod-34 Please

[yanici]

Just picked up a Model 34 (no-dash), 22. Ser.# 602** Gun is in really nice condition with only a little wear on the bluing around the muzzle. The previous owner had the cylinders reamed to alleviate the sticking. Otherwise the gun is all original. Great little shooter. It's a J-Frame, round butt.

Love to know the year, etc. if anyone can help me.

[Wiregrassguy]

According to the SCSW 4th Ed., it was made in 1959. But likely shipped later since is it only a couple thousand numbers below the highest numbered unit made that year. Perhaps the experts can tell you more if you post some pictures.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Your gun appears to have been made in 1959. According to S&N, it was an improved I frame. J frame started at serial number 70000.

I have a similar Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit gun, apparently made in 1954 (serial # 75xx). It, too, had extraction problems. It still has them, even after a gunsmith's attempt to remove them by normal cylinder reaming. Despite the gun's near pristine appearance, I believe that the issue is chamber erosion forward of the case mouth. This is consistent with my observation that ejection is not a problem with any CB Longs used, nor with Winchester Mark III (!) Match, probably both lower pressure, nor with ANY CCI ammo used (including Stinger), perhaps because CCI ammo had or has a stronger case mouth. At one time, I believe that they advertised this.

Anyway, neat gun. Depending on your dress, this can be a very easily carried woods gun, along with 200-300 rounds of ammo hardly noticed. It is also easily adapted to hands large and small, an advantage I will exploit in a few weeks with a friend's visiting grandson. [My friend is just starting out, and doesn't even have his own .22 pistol yet, much less one suitable for the youngsters.]

Enjoy!

[Bastogne71]

A model 34 no dash is built on the improved I frame. In 1960 S&W ended the I frame production and all of the small frame models were built on the J frames. These would be the model 34-1's.
If your cylinder is a nominal 1.32 inches long, it is defiantly an I frame.

Not that it matters though, it's still a great little revolver. What is the barrel length? Pictures please.

[yanici]

Barrel is 4" Cylinder measures 1.25" J frame round butt grips fit it.





uploading pictures

[Hondo44]

Congrats!

The two Improved I frame versions were replaced in 1953 when the model of 1953 was introduced. So that’s what you have. The .22/32 Kit Guns are classics that everyone should have at least one of!

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by yanici

Just picked up a Model 34 (no-dash), 22. Ser.# 602**

Love to know the year

As noted above, it is c. 1959, but since they were not shipped in serial order, that is only an approximation.

It's a J-Frame, round butt.

As others have noted, it is built on the I frame, not the J.

However, it is not, as stated in the SCSW, the "Improved" I frame. Rather, it is on the "New" I frame, introduced in 1953. The difference is the length of the grip frame. No .22/32 was ever built on the Improved I frame.

In c. 1961, all I frame production was discontinued and I frame units were converted to the J frame. For the Kit Gun, this meant the Model 34-1 designation.

The barrel length on yours could be either 2" or 4". The butt could be either round or square. Any of those is desirable.

This picture displays two variations. The nickel unit is a Model 34-1 (J frame) with the round butt and 4" barrel. The blue unit is a Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun (I frame) with the 2" barrel and round butt. The latter shipped in January, 1958, and is not model marked.


Edit: Jim snuck in a post while I was writing mine.

[yanici]

Updated with pics in post 5. Thank you.

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by yanici

Updated with pics in post 5. Thank you.

That’s a gorgeous example! And a great acquisition.

If you have the SCSW 4th Ed., the rust colored pages starting on pg. 144 have updates to the old I frame information following the rust pages.

[colt_saa]

VERY Nice looking Model 34

Congratulation on a fine addition to the Family.

[yanici]

Thank you everyone for all the good info.

[yanici]

The diamond magnum grips that came with the gun are original and stamped with the gun's serial number. I took them off and mounted the original grips to my 642 air weight just to have a more comfortable shooting grip. I'm looking for a set of used wooden bantam sized, checkered grips with finger grooves though.

[Truckman]

Originally Posted by yanici

I'm looking for a set of used wooden bantam sized, checkered grips with finger grooves though.

Combat grips...Look in our For Sale forum...I've bought some from members myself......Ben

[Inland7-45]

Originally Posted by yanici

Just picked up a Model 34 (no-dash), 22. Ser.# 602** Gun is in really nice condition with only a little wear on the bluing around the muzzle. The previous owner had the cylinders reamed to alleviate the sticking. Otherwise the gun is all original. Great little shooter. It's a J-Frame, round butt.

Love to know the year, etc. if anyone can help me.

These are great little guns. I have a 2” RB nickel that I bought new in 1978. While I have bought lots of S&Ws since then this was my last new one.

The K frame is my favorite but I still have quite a few N and J frames as well as all Colts in all 3 frame sizes. After feeling that sharp slap to the palm of the hand from my favorite model 36 or my early model 42 it’s nice to shoot off a few boxes of .22 LR through the 34-1. I also have a 2” blue Pre Model 30 and 2 pre war .32 RPs. Still looking for a Terrier or .38 RP from any era on either frame size. It’s a shame S&W did’nt market a .32 Kit Gun with the same configuration options as the .22.

Good luck with yours