What is differnce in m34 and m34-1?

Centex Bill

It's pretty simple, Bill.

Model 34 is built on S&W's old ".32" I-frame, which is why it's known as the .22/.32 -- .22 caliber on a .32 frame.

Model 34-1, beginning in about 1961, is built on the J-frame. S&W discontinued the I-frame then and switched all I-frame models to the J-frame.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I agree. The model 34-1 was the first I frame introduced on the J frame Oct 1960. The cylinder and cylinder window were lengthened 1/8”. The other two I frames in .32 and .38 S&W followed in April 1961.

When the .22/32 Kit Gun was designated the Model 34 in mid 1957, it was the same dimensions as it’s predecessor the Model of 1953 New I Frame often referred to as the Pre Model 34.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Well, I would have to disagree. I have a Mod 34 no dash and a Mod 34-1 and they are exactly the same size in all dimensions and are J-frames. A Kit-Gun of the 1953-55 era IS on the improved I-frame. Cylinder and frame dimensions are definitely different ( smaller ) than the 34 no-dash and the 34-1.

Never say never with S&W. They could have missed a dash and number or you could have the transition gun.

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Front sight and squeeze

The most likely reason is that Model 34-1s have been observed missing the dash 1. I have one.

Actually no Kit Guns were made on the Improved I frame; they evolved directly from the Kit Gun Post War Transitional model into the Model of 1953 New I Frame. Production of the .32 and .38/32 Improved I frame - 2nd versions (ramp front sight and barrel rib) ended in 1953 when the Model 1953 New I Frame Kit Gun, .32, and .38 S&W began. Kit Gun production began in the summer of 1953 with the new serial # range starting with #101.

However there may be a few of the .32 and .38 S&W Improved I frame 2nd versions shipped after 1953.

The Mod '53 22's, Kit Guns & Targets, transitioned to increased cyl dimensions of 1.304” cyl OD, 1.340” vertical window height and 1.390" cyl length; in-between the nominal 1.25" reported in the SCSW (or a more accurate actual measurement of 1.32") and the 1.44" of the J frame .22s.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Any insight as to why the Model 34 and 63 have a slightly different yoke and cylinder cavity than any of the other J-frames? Is this current yoke size a holdover from the earlier I frames?

Thanks


Carter

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Carter,

We need to know which dash # 63 we're talking about. In what way is the yoke size/cylinder cavity different? The first Model 63 wasn't introduced until 1977, long after the I frame, and the yoke size would be too short.

The only frame change would be the 1998 63-4 which was the change to the J MAGNUM frame. But the cylinder was still 1.44" in length, the same as the Model 34-1 and 34-2.

The 2007-2012 63-4 J MAGNUM was the 8 shot cylinder with 5" barrel.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I only have the 34-1, and I noticed the yoke barrel and yoke cavity in the cylinder is bigger. This may not be the case with the model 63, which came along later. Sorry about that confusion.

I have always wondered why my model 34-1 has a different yoke and cylinder assembly than the regular J-frames.....like the model 36 for example. Just curious if this was a holdover from the older, discontinued I frame. Also wondering if this disparity continued up through 1991?

Sorry about getting off topic with this,

Carter

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Ok I remember now:
The yoke cylinder axis is different for the .38 S&W and .38 Spl in both I and J frame 5 shot cylinders because of the large .38 cal chambers. Maybe even the 63 even though it’s a .22, just for standardization of production on all J frames.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

More detail to my post #10 above:

.38/32 - Because of the larger .38 chambers, differ from the other caliber I frames:

The .38/32 does not have a separate extractor spring retaining collar like the .22 and .32, but rather the spring seats against the rear end of extractor rod (no actual collar) because of a smaller .181” diam extractor star shaft and smaller diam extractor spring, both the same as the .38 Spl J frame. The center pin is also different with the spring collar at the front end of the pin with spring in front of it. The .38 S&W and .38 Spl yoke tubes and cyl center holes are also smaller at .295”.

NOTE 1: The extractor rods for 2” barrels on I frames and .22/32 and .32 J frames are the same lengths; 1.773".
The 2" rod from a J frame 38 S&W or .38 Special, are ~1/8” longer.

NOTE 2: J frame .22s and.32s Models .34-1&2/35-1, and 30-1/31-1 still use the separate collar but with sleeves on both sides of the spring retention collar, not just to the front.

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Jim
S&WCA #819