Model 34-1, 4 inch - No Brainer?

[Vtgw938]

I have been hoping to find a square butt, target sighted J frame for a set of Guy Hogue grips I recently got. Was hoping for a 1970's era gun. Today I stumbled onto this 34-1 four inch with a BAB serial number and no pinned barrel. Best I can come with is about 1988. It is in fine shape, even under the diamond stocks but newer than I would like. No original stocks and no box of course. I'd be into it for $635, and of course I could sell the stocks.

Is the price good enough that I should just buy it and upgrade to an older one when and if I find one? What is the going price for these?

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Yep a no brainer if you have money and everything checks out on the gun. Good condition j frame 22s aren't cheap. You might be able to locate a similar one for less but if so it wouldn't be for much less. If it's under your nose and you can inspect it in person, it's a no brainer buy for someone who's been looking for that model. Great little guns. Not as easy to shoot as the larger K frames but definitely more appropriate size for caliber.

Edited to add: if you can get it for 500-550 you'd be doing quite well. At $635, it's still good to fair price for a good condition 34-1

 

[max503]

Looks like mine. Got it around 1980. I have shot the heck out of it and it still works like new, but it has some wear on the bluing.

You won't regret buying it. Mine did take some tuning. I had to send it back 2x to S&W for timing and barrel/cyl gap, but now it is a gem.

 

[Vtgw938]

"Edited to add: if you can get it for 500-550 you'd be doing quite well. At $635, it's still good to fair price for a good condition 34-1"

I handled it and it seems fine. He's already come down quite a bit so I think that is it. It is actually $600 but I would need to do a FFL transfer as it "across the river" in another state.

 

[Grayfox]

I've owned a 4" Model 34-1 for about 30 years. It ain't going nowhere.
That's a pretty good price these days. Buy it!

 

[wrangler5]

If you want one to shoot, buy it now and shoot it. Maybe you'll find another specimen you'd rather have at a suitable price, but maybe you never will. Meantime you can shoot this one.

 

[Rubone]

I think that price is just fine for what it is. I picked one up about a year ago for $680 with box and papers in a little nicer shape and wouldn't sell it for that although I have no desire to sell it. I looked for a good one locally for a fair while before I found mine.

 

[Vtgw938]

I'm passing for now. The price isn't as good as I thought and if I'm going to buy one I want it closer to the date of my Guy Hogue's. Have to say I was disappointed after seeing the diamond magna's.

 

[Norton 750]

Around here if you set that gun down at the shop after looking at it, the guys behind you would be scrambling for their wallets at that price! This is one of the best revolvers ever made for introducing youngsters and ladies to the sport. It is worth having just for that reason, let alone how much fun you will have with it.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Get it........Enjoy it........

I have 4 inchers in blue nickel and stainless......I would cut somebody if they tried to put rubber grips on them.

 

[StrawHat]

Not saying you made a good or bad decision. You made a decision! Great! What I or anyone else thinks dies not matter.


I will share something with you. I have had 6-8 rimfire S&W revolvers. ALL have needed the chambers reamed to allow the fired cartridges to eject smoothly from the chambers.

Kevin

 

[bobsguns]

You guys who have reamed their chambers, what brand reamer did/do you use? Did you also need a finish reamer as well?