M34-1 to -2 transition guns?

[wetdog1911]

Anything to be concerned about during the transition?

1988 BBA series, pre lock. No model # stamped, supposedly due to the transition. Decent price for a M34, but I'm still a bit wary.

Any info would be helpful.

Thanks
Rob

 

[H Richard]

I wouldn't worry about it if you can get a decent price and otherwise in good conditon.

 

[wetdog1911]

Anyone happen to know just what the changes were from the -1 to the -2?

Thanks
Rob

 

[wetdog1911]

I wouldn't worry about it if you can get a decent price and otherwise in good conditon.

Went ahead and snagged it, $550 and not one single bid. Other M34-1s were going for $150 to $200 more with auctions still going.

Funny thing is, the finish is nearly perfect, like it had been shot once or twice then put away for years. No bluing wear from carry or a holster, like on the muzzle or the sharp edges on the cylinder.

It also has the 'banana' grips, which I doubt are original to the gun, but, IDK. Have zero experience with them, so no idea how they will work for me.

Will see in a week or so after all the transacting is done and it finally gets here.

Rob

 

[murphydog]

Anyone happen to know just what the changes were from the -1 to the -2?

Thanks
Rob

The usual change from the pinned to the unpinned barrel (which occurred in the very late 34-1 by report), and the spring-loaded yoke retention screw. You can confirm this on your brand new shiny 34-2.

 

[wetdog1911]

The usual change from the pinned to the unpinned barrel (which occurred in the very late 34-1 by report), and the spring-loaded yoke retention screw. You can confirm this on your brand new shiny 34-2.

Not sure exactly what it is, it's not stamped at all. This was supposedly normal during the transition (1988), according to the dealers 'book'. I'll have to go back and get the three letter prefix off the description.

Perhaps not being stamped is why no one bid on it, IDK. But the finish is nearly perfect.

Edit: The serial series is BBA

Rob

 

[D Brown]

Congratulations on the acquisition! Looking forward to photos when you have it in hand.

 

[Hondo44]

That's a good price for such a nice gun.

During transition the dash # can be wrong but not the whole Mod # missing. I nothing to worry about, the missing Mod # I wouldn't call normal just not uncommon.

As a member posted above the yoke screw (larger than other side plate screws) improvement is related to the dash two change in '88 and the barrel pin was eliminated in the 34-1 in '82.

But in my opinion the best improvement was at the end of the 34-1 in '86 which is the smooth .312" wide trigger!

Congrats and let us know what you think of it in person when you get it.

 

[PALADIN85020]

This 34-1 (marked "MOD/34-1") was evidently shipped in 1981, with serial # M1698**. Seems to have all the bells and whistles, including semi-target trigger, smooth rosewood stocks, white-line rear and red ramped front. Pinned barrel.

John

(click for larger picture)

 

[wetdog1911]

The one I bought also gas the semi target hammer and the semi target trigger. LOL, I always thought it was one or the other, target or not target. But the sights are not RR or WO.

The grips are target banana's if there is such a thing. The tops do have that target shape and cover most of the S&W logo. Looks like some I've seen on Ladysmiths. No idea how they will fit my hand. We'll see when I actually get to hold/shoot it.

I'm just hope it shoots well and without drama. At that price ($550), I couldn't pass it up, especially with the nearly perfect finish. Other M34-1s, with less nice finishes, but older were $200+/- more and the M63-3 I really wanted went for over $1k. For a shooter/carry piece I really couldn't justify the extra $$$. Just hoping I made the right call here, but I think I did.

Man! I love that nickel finish and the stocks on your 34-1. That is one beautiful pistol!

Rob

 

[Hondo44]

You made the right call and I've never had one that didn't shoot very well.

Occasionally one will have sticky chambers for ejecting cases. But simple to fix and we'll cross that bridge when and if we have to.

The full (and only) target hammer is a standard feature on every Model 1953 and Model 34 New I frame, and 34-1 and -2 J frames.

Target triggers were never a standard feature on the .22/32 until the .312” smooth became standard 1986. But there were two optional target triggers that were discontinued, also in 1986:

.400” grooved target trigger
.335” grooved

 

[wetdog1911]

Well, it finally arrived after a bit of delay (my FFL guy was on vacay), and all I can say is WOW!

No marks on the finish anywhere, really no burn marks on the face of the cyl, forcing cone, or top strap. Like the very definition of a "sock drawer" gun. Like, function fired only, then put away for decades.

The trigger is flat out amazing (smooth target trigger), and even the DA pull feels like less than 1/2 of the M43C and even better than some of the mid 70s steel framed Js I have. The well broken in M442-1 is barely in the parking lot of the ball park and the M43C is still stuck in traffic.

I've been on a J frame buying binge in 2019 trying to find the perfect "fit" for me. This M34-1~2 is it, just never realized it till I actually held it. Checks all the boxes while the M43C just checked some of them.

Have no problem with .22lr as a carry caliber, mainly because of all the practice you can do compared to say .38spl. Having nearly 2 cases of SK standard helps also. Got this for the M41 that absolutely loves it. I cannot remember any misfires or function failures with this ammo compared to CCI sv, where it was rare, but did happen on occasion. Was like those Germans made it just for the M41, but it works extremely well in all my .22s. Haven't used any american made .22lr in decades, or any other for that matter. But, boy howdy! has the price gone up! Almost double what I paid back when.

She's a chunky little girl, like a mini K22 or the like. Definately a "she", a beauty with a bite. I can't wait to shoot her.

Rob

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

No description? Barrel length? Pictures?
We would all live to hate you more for stealing that 34

 

[wetdog1911]

Pics will have to wait till I finish 'Posting pics Online 101'

But, she is a snubby 1 7/8" bbl, 6 shot, with an actual one piece .22 cal bbl, not the 2 piece (steel insert in aluminum outer), like the M43C has.

Adjustable sights, all black, no RR or white outline, which are kinda cute with such a short bbl. I mean, c'mon, a 4" sight radius? Could be dead wrong, but we'll see after a range trip. I hope I am wrong.

The grips are S&W banana targets, but not numbered to the gun and I plan on stripping them and going with Tru Oil or similar.

BTW, the yoke screw appears to be the same size as the other frame screws, so IDK if the larger one made it into this one.

Like I mentioned before, it is the action, along with that wide smooth trigger that really impressed me. It is one of the nicest, smoothest triggers from the factory I've ever encountered besides my M41, which rates #1 ... period.

I really can't wait to go shoot this little jewel.

Rob

 

[Hondo44]

It's 34-1 , likely 1988 as you noted from the BBA prefixed #.

 

[wetdog1911]

It's 34-1 , likely 1988 as you noted from the BBA prefixed #.

Ok, cool, it's a 34-1.

All I can say is, I am super happy to have gotten it and especially for what I paid. Prices certainly seem to be going up on all the .22lr revolvers, especially pre-lock and P&R even more so.

I have several searches going at GB. Besides specific model#s, I have one that is just "S&W .22 caliber revolvers", that is kind of a catch-all search. I ignore the super high starting bids, but just watching various auctions, I see prices several hundred $ above where I would think they would be with 4-6 days to go in the auction and 10+ bidders from when I really started watching 8 or 9 months ago.

These are more of the 'regular' 22s, not the high end 17s or 18s, or K22s (those usually start @1k or more), but like the M34-1s and other kit guns. Snubbys of any model seem to fetch a couple hundred more than longer bbls of the same model.

Really glad I got what I got, when I got it. The market certainly isn't soft in this particular area.

Rob

 

[cmansguns]

I don't have the snubby version but my 4" 1972 Model 34-1 is also a P&R and performs very well for the wife and kids too.

Mine is of course on the J Frame, and is round butt, but came with RB to SB grips. These grips are very nice as there is a slight palm swell and the extra "meat" of the square butt configuration just seems to fit everyone's hand better than RB Magna's or banana.

My EDC is a Model 637 (38 Special + P) but this M 34-1 is a sweet companion to K22 Masterpiece, and the Model 17 when out for range, plinking, spinners, etc.

You snagged a good one, at a very good price it appears. Enjoy that gun, it looks like a keeper.