I've been thinking of S&W Kit Guns??????

[redbos]

So, I have been a addicted S&W collector for ahile, but am fairly new to the forum and I love it here, so much knowledge and nice people.

I need "help" I want to get into S&W Kit guns and I dont know where to start or whats good and whats not. I want a M34 a Model 63, maybe a 651? I always wanted a 651 with a dual cylinder in .22 lr, but maybe I am dreaming. Saw on GB that went for a fortune awhile ago.

Where would you start? Are there any Kit Gun addicts out here? I bet so, please let me know what you think...

Thanks
Will

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I'm not a Kit Gun collector, but my little Model 34 RB 2" is one of my all time favorite handguns. It has accompanied me on many years of hunting trips and filled my pot with rabbits, snowshoe hares, grouse and other small game. The revolver and 100 rounds of ammunition might weigh 2 lbs or so, but would keep me eating for months if I had that need.

Great little revolvers. Everybody should have at least one.

 

[redbos]

With the 34's, should I be looking for a no dash gun or whatever is in the nicest condition? I also see some 4 inch M34's out there, I am confused...

 

[murphydog]

You'll find 4" model 34-1s to be most available, followed by 4" model 63s. 2" Kit Guns are relatively expensive due to CCW training (and because they are so darn cute ). You are correct that the dual cylinder guns are expensive; many people find the short-barreled .22 Magnums loud. Keep an eye on the sales ads here and the gun auction sites, the Kit Guns are out there.

 

[Florida Guy]

I really like these little 22's.
I bought a 63 for my sister, and after I shot with it, I bought another for myself. They are both 63 no dash. These earlier models had both pinned barrels along with recessed cylinder.
The blued gun is my 34-1 which I picked up recently and have not shot yet.
You should be happy with either one.

 

[redbos]

I like them both, they are very nice!

 

[mkk41]

The 4in stainless 63 with square butt is probably the most common. or at least that's the one I see most often. I too would love to find a few more J-frame .22s.

 

[snubbiefan]

I did the same thing with a 317. Bought one for the wife and loved it so much I had to have one for myself. I lucked-up and found a low mileage ND.

63 would be a good choice, but the weight of the 317 makes it almost unnoticeable. They put a lanyard loop on it so it won't float away.

 

[Messer]

I have a couple "Kit Guns", and like them both.

The first is a factory engraved 63...

The second is a 651 I picked up when I went out looking for a model 65, but found this instead... (don't worry - I found a model 65 later)

The 651 is loud - but has almost no recoil.

Good luck on your search,
Bob S.

 

[H Richard]

Mod 63 is an all around fun gun. Accurate and handy. It does need a little help in the grip area, either a BK Grip adapter (Tyler T) or little larger grips. I'm looking for a 2" 34 myself just because they are so cute.

 

[TACC1]

I Bought A Model 317

Every time I see this question come up, I feel the need to jump on a soap-box, 'cause I'm so happy with the 317.
As snubbiefan mentioned, they are very light-weight. Unfortunately, mine didn't come with a lanyard ring, so I have to be careful when on the water.
Seriously, going by the threads posted here, some 317's are dogs,
whilst others are gems. I got a gem. Good trigger, good accuracy, and
it is so light that you might have trouble noticing if it HAD floated away.
I've had a Taurus Mod. 94, and a S&W Mod. 63. Both were accurate, and had great triggers after my gunsmith smoothed them up. I found both to be bigger and more awkward for me, (small hands), and that
they were heavier than I liked. Never tried a Charter Pathfinder.
I still wanted the S&W quality, and I've got it now. 3" barrel and
Hi-Viz front sight, and can hardly tell I'm carrying it.
The others listed above, all those S&W's, will probably last their owners lifetimes and more, and will shoot as well or better than
their owner's ability. I just fell in love with Small, Light, and Accurate.
TACC1

 

[redbos]

I love both of the 63's, very pretty.

 

[burrhead]

Don't forget the M43. Adjustable sights, 3&1/2" barrel in an airweight package. My flat latch is my favorite fishing companion.

 

[Smith357]

I think out kit guns quite often, I have one, yes only one, I would like more but for some reason the ones I really like are out of my price range and are not getting any cheaper.


This is my 1953 kit gun, it's worn enough I don't feel bad about carrying it in the woods.

 

[Robinett_11B]

This is my only Kit Gun....for now I still want a 4" example too. This little Model 63 sees far more rounds than any of my centerfires. I love this gun just about as much as a guy could love an inanimate object!

 

[snubbiefan]

Folks....I plan to cross-breed a 317 and a 63. I guess it will then be a 31763 or a 63317.

There is a poster on the forum here that sent his 317 back home for service and it came back with a SS cylinder. Just for pure fun (and lack of anything else to do at the moment), I have ordered a 63 cylinder kit to see if it will drop-in the 317. Might take a spacer, or a bit of shaving to set the end-shake, but if Smith can do it....me and a good gunsmith should be able to. The folks at S&W told me it would fit, but may require some tuning to set the end-shake. I talked about it at length with one of the reps. and he said they would do it for around $200. The cylinder kit was cheaper.

Why....I don't know. I just want to try. It will remove any fears concerning the lack of trust in the aluminum cylinder 317's.

 

[redbos]

Ok, so now I have to look either a 34, 43, 63 or that very pretty 1953 Kit Gun.....

 

[sd307]

I lucked into an early 60's 34 about 4 years ago.

I am always interested in 22lr and was in the market for a J frame snubby when I found the little gun. They are really a gem of a pistol.

Depending on your intended use I must suggest looking at the light alloy Colt Frontier scouts, these are cheaper- $400 or less is common-, all have a 4 in or 6in barrel and the 4in barrel is lighter than my S&W 34.

I have a very hard time with the DA trigger pull on my 34 it seems very heavy.

 

[edteach]

My first Pistol 22-32 kit gun

This was my first gun ever. Bought it at 18 in 1980.
Its original factory Nickel. I don't think its had two hundred rounds though it since I bought it in 1980

 

[Model39]

Model 651, 650, and 51 Dual Cylinder Kit Guns

I collect 22 Smith revolvers, and for me the best kit guns are the 22 magnum kit guns, with the aux 22LR cylinders. Two guns in one. The Model 651's both 2"and 4"ones, Model 650's and the Model 51's. You can't go wrong with any or all of them.
Model 651's

Model 51 Round Butt

Model 650 (Mixed in with other fixed sight S&W 22 revolvers, upper left picture)