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01-03-2022, 11:39 AM
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Model 34-1 kit gun
All right everyone, I was able to buy a model 34-1 on New Years Eve. I have been looking for one for a couple years off and on, and seemed I always was a day late or severa dollars short this time I wasnt missing it showed up to the shop at opening, was the second guy through the door. Immediately went to the revolver section and asked to see it. Off the bat, had super nice bluing, was a tiny bit dirty, but not bad, mostly just dust. It was missing the rear sight which bothered me a bit. It was on consignment, so I had the salesman call the owner and see if theyd drop the price, and they would not.
While I was waiting to do the paperwork, 3 other people called to shop to see if it was still available, but I beat them to the punch for once! The Valera were amazed at 9:03 am it was already sold lol. It cost me $749 but I think it was worth every penny and Ill tell you why
1) it came with the factory matching number box with wax
Paper, tools (unopened), all the paperwork, and a vintage holster.
92EF4669-AF25-4BD1-918F-1B637A9546A7.jpg
2) after looking it over, it appear to never have been fired
3) I missed out on another 34-1 earlier in the week at another shop that was $699 and in much worse shape with no box.
The shop I bought it from had a 3 Model 317 as well, for $719, but I dont like the finish on those as much and it was really dirty. I debated for 2 seconds buying it as well, because I had never even seen one of those before, but it was really dirty- shot a lot never cleaned, and I dont particularly like the finish on those.
Anyway, after I got it home and Started looking at it with a flashlight, I think it was never fired.
There are no cleaning marks anywhere. No powder burns, no flame cutting, with the exception of a tiny spot of bluing wear on the muzzle and some tarnishy rust on the backstrap and frame, some finish discoloration on the grips, it looks amazing. Original box, paperwork, original tools, wax paper now that I see it, I bet it either came with broken real sights or they fell off, and someone left it in the box and never shot it.
I think it is a 1960-1969 because the box calls it a 22-32 kit gun, it is a 34-1 which is a j frame, and it has no M prefix in the SN. I havent found exactly what year it is, the serial number is 1332xx if anyone has any info on that let me know. The grip is serialized as well, but it is off by 2000 digits grip is 1312xx. Probably misstamped or swapped on assembly line. The grips were stuck on one side from rust (all cleaned up nicely though)
The lockup is absolutely rock solid. Cylinder gap is very tight.
Here is what youve all been waiting for
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bill-in-texas, blakesum, cndrdk, GerSan69, Guero, Hondo44, Jimmyjones, John Patrick, klind45, krsmith58, kscharlie, lihpster, Model19man, mtgianni, Muley Gil, pharmer, Rudi, SS336, sw44spl, THE PILGRIM, toddimusnimski, usm1rifle |
01-03-2022, 12:07 PM
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You got a real bargain. I bought a 2" 34-1 last year and was happy to pay $950.
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01-03-2022, 12:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ruger 22
You got a real bargain. I bought a 2" 34-1 last year and was happy to pay $950.
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I fealt good about it on gunbroker they routinely go for closer to $1000
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01-03-2022, 12:17 PM
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I'm amazed at how the values on these continue to skyrocket. I bought this one as new in the box about 20 years ago; it has all the goodies. It's a 34-1 that left the mother ship in 1981.
John
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Last edited by PALADIN85020; 01-03-2022 at 12:19 PM.
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01-03-2022, 02:25 PM
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There's one for sale near me, a 34-1 snub. I'm happy with this plated 4 incher though.
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01-03-2022, 10:13 PM
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Probably unfired since it is missing the rear sight assembly
What is the deal with that?
Last edited by MajorD; 01-05-2022 at 01:27 AM.
Reason: Spelling
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01-03-2022, 10:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GT_80
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really nice find. congrats. krs
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Too good
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01-03-2022, 10:53 PM
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You should check, but the current production adjustable rear sights for J frames appear unchanged from what was used on your 34-1. If in stock, Numrich sells the complete rear sight assembly for something like $50. You may even be able to get S&W to sell you one. I would check for the correct positioning of the hold down screw where the sight attaches to the frame.
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01-03-2022, 10:57 PM
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Nice score for you. I picked this one up in the spring. Near new condition.
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01-04-2022, 12:22 PM
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I have typically found this on the cylinder face of factory test fired only guns. Carbon on every other charge hole. Also, as someone stated, be aware of the rear sight leaf screw position which I think changed around 1968. I could be wrong on that time frame.
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01-04-2022, 12:39 PM
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Now that I think about it, that screw location change was for K-frames.
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01-05-2022, 05:46 PM
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My stepdad had one from a collection. unfired in the box pinto model 34. but he sold it. You have a very nice one.
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01-05-2022, 06:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GT_80
Attachment 551500
The lockup is absolutely rock solid. Cylinder gap is very tight.
Here is what youve all been waiting for
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Nice. I'm jealous. But I just wanted to make a comment. Long ago when I bought my 34 it had a very tight cylinder gap which caused binding. I had to send it back to S&W and I think they installed some spacers. It works fine now.
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01-06-2022, 09:35 AM
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When cleaning my 34, I'll look under the extractor and not see anything there. Looks clean, but scrubbing it with some Hoppes on a toothbrush will fix a stiff cylinder every time.
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01-06-2022, 04:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MajorD
Probably unfired since it is missing the rear sight assembly
What is the deal with that?
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No idea. I found one on Ebay, should be here tomorrow. $60 wasn't too bad IMO
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01-06-2022, 04:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rubone
Nice score for you. I picked this one up in the spring. Near new condition.
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The nickel really pops!
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01-06-2022, 04:06 PM
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I did take it out and shoot it the other day, even without the rear sight it was very enjoyable! Just had to compensate a little more with the rear sight missing. This gun is perfection in a 22lr IMO. It feels so good!
It will get a diet of good quality ammo 
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01-06-2022, 10:14 PM
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One of my favorite handguns is my 2” square butt model 34-1 nickel. It is rather accurate for what it is ( I can hit a 1/2 size uspsa steel target at 65 yards with boring regularity. )
I sometimes even use it for steel challenge matches rarely needing that 6th spare round for a five round string.
Mine is also blessed by not having the typical tight chambers
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01-07-2022, 07:24 PM
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What a great find!! Congrats.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GT_80
It was missing the rear sight which bothered me a bit. It was on consignment, so I had the salesman call the owner
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1. Have the salesman call the owner and ask what happened to the rear sight and if it truly was never fired.
2. The grips with diamond around the screw hole was ordered to be eliminated mid 1968.
The last Kit Gun # w/o the M was 135465, Oct. 1968.
So that pretty much pins down when your #1332xx was shipped.
3. The rear sight:
The following shows the correct size sight your gun requires, you need the #2 size below:
There are three I & J frame post war micro click rear sight sizes (over-all lengths), all tang widths .250**:
1. The Model of 1953 I frame including the Mod 34 = 2.390-95**; this one has the front mounting hole 1/16** further back and best for a pre war but hardest to find. It**s too short for a J frame.
2. The **60s and **70s J frame = 2.530-35**; the pre Mod 36 to M 36-1 Targets and 22/32 Mod 34-1.
3. And the most current J frame = 2.718**; my Mod 60-4 (1990), my Mod 36-6 (1986), 22/32 Mod 34-2 (1980) and the Mod 63.
Does the sight you bought have the elevation pellet included? If not you'll need one.
The post war Kit Guns target sight elevation screw is threaded and has a grooved cross cut in the bottom end that indexes on the ridge of the elevation pellet that just sits in the sight groove to give the clicks when you turn the screw.
The pellet or plug just nests in a shallow cup drilled in the top of the top strap. The sight tension and elev. screw keep it in place.
Rear Sight Elevation Click Plug Product #: 298910B here: Search | Numrich Gun Parts
Does the sight you bought include the front mounting screw?
Part #19 here: Smith & Wesson 34-2 Revolver Parts, Schematics | Numrich Gun Parts
The picture of the screw is wrong but the part # is correct.
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Last edited by Hondo44; 01-07-2022 at 07:49 PM.
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01-11-2022, 05:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondo44
What a great find!! Congrats.
1. Have the salesman call the owner and ask what happened to the rear sight and if it truly was never fired.
2. The grips with diamond around the screw hole was ordered to be eliminated mid 1968.
The last Kit Gun # w/o the M was 135465, Oct. 1968.
So that pretty much pins down when your #1332xx was shipped.
3. The rear sight:
The following shows the correct size sight your gun requires, you need the #2 size below:
There are three I & J frame post war micro click rear sight sizes (over-all lengths), all tang widths .250**:
1. The Model of 1953 I frame including the Mod 34 = 2.390-95**; this one has the front mounting hole 1/16** further back and best for a pre war but hardest to find. It**s too short for a J frame.
2. The **60s and **70s J frame = 2.530-35**; the pre Mod 36 to M 36-1 Targets and 22/32 Mod 34-1.
3. And the most current J frame = 2.718**; my Mod 60-4 (1990), my Mod 36-6 (1986), 22/32 Mod 34-2 (1980) and the Mod 63.
Does the sight you bought have the elevation pellet included? If not you'll need one.
The post war Kit Guns target sight elevation screw is threaded and has a grooved cross cut in the bottom end that indexes on the ridge of the elevation pellet that just sits in the sight groove to give the clicks when you turn the screw.
The pellet or plug just nests in a shallow cup drilled in the top of the top strap. The sight tension and elev. screw keep it in place.
Rear Sight Elevation Click Plug Product #: 298910B here: Search | Numrich Gun Parts
Does the sight you bought include the front mounting screw?
Part #19 here: Smith & Wesson 34-2 Revolver Parts, Schematics | Numrich Gun Parts
The picture of the screw is wrong but the part # is correct. |
yes, my gun had the pellet in the frame, and my rear sight had the adjuster screw too. it is all set now, very happy with it.
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01-11-2022, 06:32 PM
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Here it is now with the new sights on it. This was before I cleaned the sight- had some dust in the back part of it, but it was the only one on Ebay with all the screws and it was the cheapest. Looked it over well to make sure it wasn't cracked, and it looked great. I put blue loctite on the front mounting screw of the sight, so hopefully I will never lose it lol
IMG_4441.jpg
IMG_4442.jpg
Last edited by GT_80; 01-11-2022 at 06:34 PM.
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01-11-2022, 06:55 PM
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01-13-2022, 05:40 PM
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Well done videos!
Just FYI: the serial # letter prefix for that Model was M, not B.
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