Mod 34 Kit Gun, 2" vs 4"

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NE450No2

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Getting ready for deer season I took my 2 Kit Guns to the range to check their zeros.
Both are Mod 34-1 in Nickle. I have had the 4 inch since the late 1970's.
The 2" I bought as a retirement present to myself in 2006 or maybe 2007.
Both are square butt.

I wanted a 2" round butt. I went to a gun show with a couple of buddies, and I had told them what I was looking for. We had been inside the show for less than 3 minutes when I stopped to tale to another buddy of mine that had a table at the shot. My other 2 buddies walked on. About 5 minutes later they showed up with an older guy that had a pristine 2" Nickle square but for sale, no box or papers. Since it was the exact copy of the Mod 34 I had had for so long, except for the 2" barrel, I bought it.

So I am at the range testing them a few days ago. I shot them at 25, 20, 15 and 10 yards.

To my suprise, the 2" gun shot every bit as good, and maybe even better that the 4" gun did.

Then for some fun I started shooting at the plate rack with them.

Sometimes a 9mm will not knock these plates down from 25 yards.

These 22 LR's knocked them down most of the time.
 
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As I moved closer the 2" Kit gun was faster to shoot, steadier, quicker to recover, when going from plate to plate,. The 2" just seemed to be "dialed in" on its own.

So I will be taking the 2" to the deer lease for small game.

I try to put as many squirrel, cottontail rabbits, quail and doves in the freezer as possible. My normal hunting "long gun" is a Drilling [it has rifle and shotgun barrels] so I always have a shotgun with me as well.

This kinda reminded me of the Mod 15 2" thread. My Dad used one in Nickle when we shot in Snub Gun Matches, I used a 2 1/2" Mod 19.

Many times we both commented how "Sweet", and accurate,these short barreled guns shot, when shooting fast on multiple targets.
 
I daresay that my 2" shoots as well as the 4 incher, too:

34-1.jpg

34-1-4.jpg
 
I own a whole bunch of S&W revolvers and for some reason I just shoot my 4" K-Frames better than all of my longer 6" barreled guns. The 6" guns have "better" sights (w/o & red ramps) while my 4" guns mostly do not. Why do I shoot the shorter barreled guns better............NO CLUE, but I do. They just feel better in my hands.

Good luck hunting!

Chief38
 
Same here and congrats! Had a 4" 63 and replaced it with a beautiful 2" 34 SB. Its without a doubt every bit as accurate as the 63 was. I shoot it more than any of my other S&W's as its cheap to shoot, has zilch for recoil and a delight to carry in a LOBO pancake when out hiking. Also a great training weapon and a decent SD tool for the recoil sensitive. Know some folks with arthritis who can only take a .22's recoil from the pain. Also like rabbits and squirrels.

Here's mine when I first bought it. Love the little bugger. He's by himself and beside his big brother, the model 58 who takes care of him while out in the woods here lately:).


IMG_1565-1-1.jpg

IMG_1565-1.jpg
 
Last edited:
My 2" Model 34 has been with me for well over 20 years. It has gone along on dozens of fishing and hunting trips, and I've eaten many meals of cottontail, snowshoe hare, and blue grouse taken with it. I wouldn't be without it in the woods.
 
years ago I had the only smith that would not shoot good for me- it was a 2 inch kit gun- when spotlessly clean it would shoot only fair groups for the first 30-40 rounds. after that bullets would start to key hole at 7-10 yards! Even trying all sorts of ammo the results were the same. I got frustrated and traded it off. Lately I have been interested in giving one another try. The problem is the 2 inch guns seem to have moved from the shooter/ utility gun realm into collector guns- I am going to continue to look for one to pick up (hopefully without spending 500 bucks on one!). I am happy to hear my first experience with one was not typical.
 
I shot 150 to 175 rounds through each of those Kit guns and accuracy remained the same.
 
MajorD said:
years ago I had the only smith that would not shoot good for me- it was a 2 inch kit gun- when spotlessly clean it would shoot only fair groups for the first 30-40 rounds. after that bullets would start to key hole at 7-10 yards! Even trying all sorts of ammo the results were the same. I got frustrated and traded it off. Lately I have been interested in giving one another try. The problem is the 2 inch guns seem to have moved from the shooter/ utility gun realm into collector guns- I am going to continue to look for one to pick up (hopefully without spending 500 bucks on one!). I am happy to hear my first experience with one was not typical.
Click to expand...

You mean, hopefully without spending $700 ... there's no such thing as a beater 2" kit gun. I think they are so cute, no one wants to wear them out.



Charlie
 
crsides said:
You mean, hopefully without spending $700 ... there's no such thing as a beater 2" kit gun. I think they are so cute, no one wants to wear them out.



Charlie
Click to expand...


Wear 'em out? Some of us haven't even put the first round through 'em!
My cutie, a 34-2,wearing Spegels.
 
I may have to give in to the 2 inch round butt nickel at my local shop- I could probably talk them down to about 500. I really prefer square butts and blue, but as we have mentioned they are not common anymore. I figured since they are kit guns there would be some around that did ride in someones hunting coat pocket or tackle box that could be found for a good price- either they are still being used/carried or there were not that many used in their intended role since those that I do see are in the "high price" (500+) category.
 
$500.00 for one in decent shape does not seem out of line these days. They don't make em anymore and are very handy revolvers. Love shooting my .22's more and more these days as I've developed RA in my hands and of all places my right elbow(:. Shooting my beloved .41 magnums downright hurt so I have to load em real light and they still hurt, but are worth the pain. The 2" is especially handy for riding on ones hip as you don't know it's there as it takes up little space and is one accurate revolver, very capable of taking small game.
 
working some potential deals now for a two inch kit- with any luck I'll be posting a range report in a couple weeks
 
I bought this flat latch 1960 square butt a few years ago. I shot it casualy just a couple times. I see by my notes I paid $375s for it. I will have to take it out and really give it a work out now!

IMG_1281_edited.jpg
 
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