Model 34, pros, any cons?

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TinyDee

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I am a hard nosed K22 nut but also have a minty Model 34, about 1975 manufacture. I think I have read some cons of the 34 versus the K22 but cannot recall. Who likes, dislikes this one? Look forward from learning again.
 
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J frames typically have much harder trigger pulls than the K frame and you cant do much to lighten it or you will experience misfires due to light indent. Short barrel affects some shooters accuracy. Regardless, I like the little model 34 as it carries well and is fun to shoot.
 
I am no expert, but I have an 18-4 and a model 63 no dash, the stainless version of 34, more or less. Both have 4 inch barrels. Folks say the coil spring in the J-frame guns (34, 63) is inferior to the leaf spring of the K-frame. I do like shooting the larger gun more than the smaller, then again, the 63 is just nifty to pack beacuse it is so small...
Verdict: they're both terrific, but for whatever reason, I am more accurate with the K-frame.
 
The 34 is harder to master, so I guess that might be a con. It's easier to carry, so I guess that a pro. It's harder to master because of the smaller sights, the smaller frame and the lighter weight. Herrett's grips helped mine a good bit.

To me, they have different uses. My 17 is a carry-in-the-truck gun and my 34 is a carry-on-the-hip gun. My 34, which I bought new in the 70s, has an excellent trigger, nearly as good as the 17 no dash. It was supposed to have "S&W's extra action tuning" - at least according to the dealer, and, naturally, he charged a little more for it.

Here's my 34. As I've mentioned before it has thousands of foot, motorcycle, horse and 4 wheeler miles on it.
 

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The 34 is an excellent trainer for younger shooters or those with small hands. My son's girl friend is petite and about 5' tall with small hands. She prefers the J frame to the k frame.

I have both the K22 and Pre model 34 for plinking. I prefer the K22.
 
I have a 34-1 & 317 in snubs and a 63 & 18-3 in 4" and they are used for different purposes. Hard to get much accuracy with snub J's but they were not meant for shooting targets. The 63 is easier to carry but not quite as accurate as the 18 but both are great for plinking.
 
The 34 is lighter and smaller. It could float away more readily and could be more easily be lost (due to its smaller girth ) than the 17. The 17 is clearly the more competition ready of the two. It has not been the competition piece of choice since the C--- and the High S------- chased the revolver from match shooting 60+ years ago.

Regards,

Tam 3
 
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Larry From Bend,

I have a round butt 34-1 and would like to find better grips for my hand size. The grips in your picture looks like they would work well for me. Do you know if they will fit a RB M34?

HAM
 
Yes the Herret grips will indeed fit a round butt J frame. Mustang made some great finger grove grips that fit the round butt j frame as well.
 
I have a couple of the 4" 34s set aside for my young boys. They're just about perfect for a new shooter!
 
TinyDee said:
...Who likes, dislikes this one?
Click to expand...

I have to admit my favorite .22 revolver is a K22 as well, but I probably have carried my Model 34 50-miles for every one with the K22. On the other hand, I can shoot rings around the 34 with the K22. Those are the two differences, for me.

Never had any complaints about the mechanics/triggers of either model, and don't think my M34 has had a thing done to it except larger stocks installed. The SA trigger is just fine and I never shoot it DA. :)

I have noticed the 34s seems to be more ammo sensitive than the K22s... :confused:

They're both great revolvers and I can't imagine being without either one.
 
J frame stocks

Ham,

I think most adults will find a J frame easier to shoot with a pair of stocks that covers the back strap extending the trigger reach. Try handling a pair that covers the backstrap before you buy.

Gil
 
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Can someone clarify the differences between a 6 inch model 17 and a K22? Are they equal as far as accuracy goes and frame size?

Thanks for any help,
HAM
 
Same gun. K22 Masterpiece was the term before model numbers.

I don't think I have ever seen a bad shooter in the K22/Model17. Some are better than others, but all seem to be pretty darned good. My best happens to be a 4-screw gun non-model marked, but the others are not far behind.
 
M29since14, thanks for the clarification. Now the hard part, finding an affordable nice one.

HAM
 
I have heard, more than once, that the M34/63 series of .22s have a "habit" of tight barrel/cylinder tolerances. To the point of after anywhere from 10 to 20 rounds the cylinder will start to bind due to residue on the face of it.

My wife's 4 inch M63 does not seem to do this. My 2 inch M34 sometimes does, depending on the ammo used. However, it is easy to clean the cylinder face and keep on shooting.

Yes, my M34 is a bit stout on the trigger pull. The M63 seems to be better.

However I still like the extreme "portability" of the J-Frame .22s. If I were wandering the woods in an area where I was free from bears, hogs, or cougars [not really a threat..but] I would carry my 2 inch M34 without concern. One can pack a LOT of .22 ammo and in an extended woods stay it would be fun to have a lot of ammo along for plinking, etc.

I also have a 6 inch M17-4, a 6 inch K22, and a 4 inch K22. I will be shootin' the heck out of those guns too.

My M34 currently prints into 3 1/2 inches at 25 yards and the K-Frame .22s will do 2 1/2 inches or, in the case of the 6 inch K22, 1 1/4 inches. Those groups being with one specific brand of ammo.

I personally think its a simple matter of how much weight one cares to pack. And truthfully, the difference in weight between a 4 inch J-Frame .22 and a .22 K-Frame does not seem to be a bother to me.
 
I am pretty sure I will go ahead and get the 34, just wish I had a Bangor box for it too, but we always wish something, right?
 
HAM said:
Larry From Bend,

I have a round butt 34-1 and would like to find better grips for my hand size. The grips in your picture looks like they would work well for me. Do you know if they will fit a RB M34?

HAM
Click to expand...

Greetings:

My 34-1 is also a round butt -- So the grips, which are Herrett's Shooting Stars, will work for your 34.

I got the Herrett's right after I got the 34, in the late 70s, so I don't know about their current availability.
 
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