4" 34-1 .22 Kit Gun

[dsk]

This will probably be my last gun purchase for awhile. I need to stop filling up the safe and start fixing up the house this year. But in the meantime I had to take care of the fact that I lacked a .22 revolver in my collection. I was interested in a new Colt King Cobra, but the one at the LGS sold before I could make up my mind. Then I started to think about the old S&W Kit Guns. Built on a J-Frame they're nice and small, and like most of you I'm a sucker for old-school blued handguns. And so I located this one online and sent off payment and C&R...

It's about 98% overall with the original box and accessories, made around 1968-ish as best I can tell (SN# 1185xx).

 

[hdfinder47]

Good choice, IMO.
But the house will wait - now go get the Colt.

 

[dsk]

I put some rounds through her this evening, and it was so much fun I think the Colt can definitely wait. It didn't matter if I was firing single or double-action... nothing stood a chance against this thing. Clay targets, steel swinger, even shotgun shells... all fell victim to this little wheelgun.

The only issue I encountered was the tight chambers causing difficult extraction. I've got a finishing reamer around here somewhere that I used on a Llama semi-auto .22 that also had a too-tight chamber. But I'll probably try polishing them first.

 

[Rudi]

A wonderful Smith!

 

[sophie]

Nice kit gun. Congratulations on the purchase.

How did you know the gun was a her?

 

[Rpg]

The perfect 22 revolver IMHO.

To me, 22 revolvers are field guns: something you carry in the field for opportunities to bag a spruce grouse or engage in a bit of spontaneous plinking.

 

[22hipower]

Nice 34-1, enjoy it. As to the Colt, I thought I might want one too until I handled one. Nope, don't care for it any more than the new Python.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Rubone]

Great little gun you got, and glad you are enjoying it. Very close to one I picked up a year or so ago.

 

[H Richard]

Double check the reamer you have. I'm thinking one made for a semi auto may not be the best for use on a revolver cylinder. Best to be safe and not sorry. I do know using the proper reamer will be a fix for your tight chambers. I've fixed 7 or 8 S&W .22 revolvers with the Manson finishing reamer.

 

[dsk]

Double check the reamer you have. I'm thinking one made for a semi auto may not be the best for use on a revolver cylinder. Best to be safe and not sorry. I do know using the proper reamer will be a fix for your tight chambers. I've fixed 7 or 8 S&W .22 revolvers with the Manson finishing reamer.

You are correct, the one I have is a barrel reamer. Manson lists a separate one for revolver chambers.

Doing a quick Google search it appears the difference is in the pilot size. Barrel reamers have a smaller pilot to go into the rifling. Also according to this forum thread S&W was notorious for using worn out, undersize reamers in production:

.22 Rimfire Revolver chamber help - General Gunsmithing - Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo!

 

[Hondo44]

Great find!

Recognize S&W 22 chambers have a slight taper in their chambers for enhanced accuracy. I've always tried polishing first and never had to resort to a straight finishing reamer.

 

[dsk]

I just did some polishing of the chambers with a .22 mop and Mother's paste. I tested the insertion of multiple brands of .22 ammo I have on hand, and they all slide in all the way, but it's still tight enough that bullets with heavy lube on them require a slight push.

 

[Hondo44]

Excellent, you have attained the ideal compromise of accuracy and convenience. Once you establish which ammo is favored by your gun for accuracy, you won't have to worry about accommodating the quirkiness of other brands.

 

[Pantherclass2004]

Sweet, very nice

 

[H Richard]

Instead of the Colt, why not get the Mod 63 as a stable mate for the 34?

 

[jkingrph]

Here is one I got a couple of weeks ago, I have not had an opportunity to shoot it but looking forwart to it. Mine is a 22/32 no model number, and made about 1955, an I frame model with round grips. Feels tiny in my hands which are not large at all. No box or papers, I bought it on line based on pictures. Finish is immaculate, actually looks like new, probably 98%+ condition. The only thing I have done to it was to pull the side plate off and seeing that everthing was bone dry, was then to spray the insides with some electrical parts cleaner and then give it lite lube job. Both single and double action trigger pulls are great.

 

[Rubone]

Here it is with it's siblings, a model 34-1 in 2" nickel, and a model of 1955 Airweight (pre 43 if you prefer).

 

[Grayfox]

I've owned a 34-1 for about 35 years now. Great little gun and loads of fun.
To be honest, I prefer my Model 18s, but this little J-frame ain't going nowhere.

 

[71vette]

I just did some polishing of the chambers with a .22 mop and Mother's paste. I tested the insertion of multiple brands of .22 ammo I have on hand, and they all slide in all the way, but it's still tight enough that bullets with heavy lube on them require a slight push.

I had the same issue with my nickel 34-1 and did exactly the same thing. 22 cal bore mop, Mothers mag polish, and a Dewalt. I stopped at the same point. Winchesters go in with finger pressure, Remingtons drop in. Just did the last "pass" a couple hours ago.

Nice revolver OP!

ETA - my 34-1's:

 

[Model19man]

I think you made the correct choice. If you want a Colt revolver the Officer's Model 22 is a far better choice than anything Colt makes now.