Model 34-1 2"

[Dino44]

I visited my dad's home in Florida last month. While there, I stopped at the area gun shops. I had this one shipped home. It cost me $543.00 in total after shipping, tax, and transfer fee on my end. I took it to the range last Sunday and fired 56 rounds. Initially I had Winchester black box. Out of 30 rounds, only 6 would chamber with ease. I switched to CCI mini-mags, and they slipped right in. With a 12 o'clock hold I was hitting above the bullseye about 3 inches high. With a 6 o'clock hold I put some in the center of the bullseye. The target paper had four 4" diameter targets and was shot off hand at 7 yards. There are some rust spots on the cylinder but otherwise it's in nice shape. I was also pleasantly surprised with a pretty good double action trigger pull. Not to tight and pretty smooth to boot.

 

[Oldengineer]

I believe that your 34-1 was considerably under priced. A very pleasing Smith that’s quite desirable. Congratulations.

 

[JP@AK]

I love Kit Guns and that's a nice one.

And, as Oldengineer stated, you bought it at a very good price, especially considering that it has its original box.

 

[rockquarry]

I love Kit Guns and that's a nice one.

And, as Oldengineer stated, you bought it at a very good price, especially considering that it has its original box.

I had a 2" years ago. At 25 yards, groups were about 6" high. A sight blade change would have brought it down.

 

[Dino44]

Thanks gentlemen. There was no hesitation on my part. I figured the lower price was a result of its corrosion issues. Thankfully, the cylinder pitting is not that deep, so this one is going into the range rotation. I do have a higher condition one, that's a square butt version. It's in the safe with collector status at my home in Washington state.

 

[D Brown]

I visited my dad's home in Florida last month. While there, I stopped at the area gun shops. I had this one shipped home. It cost me $543.00 in total after shipping, tax, and transfer fee on my end. I took it to the range last Sunday and fired 56 rounds. Initially I had Winchester black box. Out of 30 rounds, only 6 would chamber with ease. I switched to CCI mini-mags, and they slipped right in. With a 12 o'clock hold I was hitting above the bullseye about 3 inches high. With a 6 o'clock hold I put some in the center of the bullseye. The target paper had four 4" diameter targets and was shot off hand at 7 yards. There are some rust spots on the cylinder but otherwise it's in nice shape. I was also pleasantly surprised with a pretty good double action trigger pull. Not to tight and pretty smooth to boot.

I'm not sure I understand "12 O'clock hold". Do you mean "Center of target" or "dead on" hold by any chance? Aiming at the very top of the bullseye would probably be inconsistent since it would totally cover up your aiming point.

Anyway, that's a very nice revolver and the price was really good!

 

[ladder13]

I see alot of 2” SB but rarely a RB.

 

[bobsguns]

You didn't mention what part of FL. I hit a gun shop in Sebastion when I visit my brother & sis-in-law. I once got a Norinco copy of the Browning .22 takedown rifle for less than $300.

There's another excellent gun shop in Del Ray. They focus more on black rifles though.

 

[JP@AK]

I see a lot of 2” SB but rarely a RB.

Here is a picture of two round butt Kit Guns that live in my safe.

The 4" nickel RB is a 34-1 from 1981. The 2" blue RB is a Model of 1953 that shipped in January 1958.

We have several others, and one of them is a 2" blue RB 34-1 that belongs to my wife. It is also from 1981.

All but the two 2" units mentioned above have 4" barrels. The oldest is from July 1937; the youngest is a Model 63 from 1981. Some are RB, some are SB.

 

[Rubone]

Great score! And nice shooting. I have a pair as well, mine are the opposite of JP@AKs are , 2"nickle RB and 4" blue SB. Pictured Here with their older family member, a model of 1955 Airweight.

 

[ezb57]

Here is a very nice nickel 2-inch I once had.

 

[Dino44]

I'm not sure I understand "12 O'clock hold". Do you mean "Center of target" or "dead on" hold by any chance? Aiming at the very top of the bullseye would probably be inconsistent since it would totally cover up your aiming point.

Anyway, that's a very nice revolver and the price was really good!

Sorry for causing confusion. I am by no means an expert in shooting terminology. By 12 o'clock hold, I am referring to lining up the top of the front sight blade with the top of the rear sight blades square notch (flat plain) VS 6 o'clock lining the top of the front sight blade with the bottom of the rear sight notch. In both cases I am aiming at the center of the bullseye. Thanks for your question. Maybe I'll learn something new or stand corrected.

 

[Dino44]

You didn't mention what part of FL. I hit a gun shop in Sebastion when I visit my brother & sis-in-law. I once got a Norinco copy of the Browning .22 takedown rifle for less than $300.

There's another excellent gun shop in Del Ray. They focus more on black rifles though.

My dad lives in Sarasota. The gun shop that had the model 34-1 was in Bradenton, FL. It's a place called High Noon Guns on FL State HWY 64.

 

[Dino44]

This is my nicest M34-1 out of a collection of 3. Two 2" and this one 4" model. Mine are all blue. Hopefully one day I will find a nice nickel example, as others have graciously shown above.

 

[alwslate]

I have a 2" RB model 34-1 that I bought several years ago at a consignment auction in nearly new condition. I did a lot of shooting from a bench rest to get the point of impact exactly where I wanted it and to determine what ammo was most accurate in it. Standing shooting offhand tells you nothing about the point of impact of your gun or it's accuracy. .22s are picky about ammo and mine sure is. Try shooting single action from a bench rest to sight your gun in and find it's best ammo. The correct sight alignment is the top of the front blade aligned with the top of the rear sight and bullet impact on target right at the top of the sights.

 

[Muley Gil]

Sorry for causing confusion. I am by no means an expert in shooting terminology. By 12 o'clock hold, I am referring to lining up the top of the front sight blade with the top of the rear sight blades square notch (flat plain) VS 6 o'clock lining the top of the front sight blade with the bottom of the rear sight notch. In both cases I am aiming at the center of the bullseye. Thanks for your question. Maybe I'll learn something new or stand corrected.

A 6 o'clock hold is when you put the top of the front sight in the rear sight, level with the top of the notch and then you aim at the BOTTOM of the bullseye.

A 12 o'clock hold is when the front sight is level with the rear notch, and you aim at the CENTER of the bullseye.

 

[M29since14]

Correct. In days gone by S&W referred to that latter hold as a “dead center” hold. That term makes more sense to me.

 

[JP@AK]

By 12 o'clock hold, I am referring to lining up the top of the front sight blade with the top of the rear sight blades square notch (flat plain) VS 6 o'clock lining the top of the front sight blade with the bottom of the rear sight notch. In both cases I am aiming at the center of the bullseye. Thanks for your question. Maybe I'll learn something new or stand corrected.

Dino
I was an instructor from 1979 until my retirement in 2010. May I offer some advice?

1. As others have stated, you should always line the sights up with the top of the front sight blade even with the top of the rear sight notch and with the point of aim centered on that plane. There should be an equal amount of space on either side of the front blade showing relative to the rear sight notch. This is called the sight picture.

2. Remember that your eye can only focus on one point, not multiple locations at any given time. With that in mind, you should focus your eyesight on the front sight blade. The rear sight and the target will be visible enough to know where they are, but not actually in focus.

If you practice hard to consistently do these two things, your groups will improve significantly. I have watched many of my students become much better shooters quickly, once they train themselves to practice these two principles.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Great find Dino! I recently picked up this 34-1 but haven't tried it out yet. 117xxx so slightly older than yours; 1967 vintage I believe. I added the un-numbered stocks which are the later silver washer type. No box so I'll be on the hunt. It's my only kit gun.

Todd

 

[Dino44]

Right back at you, Todd. Thanks for sharing. Yours looks like a nice one too. I'm glad you found one there in WA. I still own a home in Kitsap County. I'm looking forward to returning when my family commitments back east have concluded. You made me look. My grips do number to my gun and have black washers. I hope you get to try yours out soon. I'm enjoying mine and with the weather getting better it will get a lot more use in the coming weeks and months. CCI mini mags are working best in mine at this point. Find some time and try yours out. I'm thinking you're going to like it.