Model 34 with 6" BBL weight, photo?

[islandguy]

Hi all,
My wife finds my Model 17-6 6" too heavy and bulky for her to shoot comfortably. I've located a S&W Model 34 with a 6" barrel in VG+ condition that I think (hope) she will like.
Right now she shoots a Ruger MKIII 6" Std (37oz empty).
Can anyone tell me the empty weight of a Model 34 with a 6" barrel so I can give her some idea of the difference? Ideally, I'd also like to have a photo showing a Model 17 and Model 34 together to show her.
Thanks
Islandguy

 

[hsguy]

islandguy, I believe you have found a Model 35 rather than a 34. The 35 is a rather collectible gun as they are seldom seen for sale. I don't have any info on the weight but they are quite a bit lighter than a 17 and I find them harder to shoot with accuracy compared to a 17 due to the lighter weight but I have often thought they would be a great gun for a woman or man that found a 17 too heavy.

 

[islandguy]

Thanks for the info John! Good to know about the Model 35. The gun is advertised as a Model 34 with 6" barrel. I was wondering about the 6" barrel length, as I've never seen a 34 other than with a 2" or 4".
Islandguy

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks for the info John! Good to know about the Model 35. The gun is advertised as a Model 34 with 6" barrel. I was wondering about the 6" barrel length, as I've never seen a 34 other than with a 2" or 4".
Islandguy

The Model 35 weighs 25 oz. But the 6" barrel makes it a little unwieldy to shoot as the ong barrel tends to weave around. The Mod 34 w/ 4" weighs 22 1/2" oz. Not much lighter and the women I've taught to shoot find it easier to shoot accurately than the 6".

 

[redbos]

Yeah, model 35's are kind of rare. None of my buisness, but if the price is priced for a 34, I just may buy it if it where a 35, could be a nice find...

 

[InTheWoods]

I have both a 34 and a 35. I find the 35 easier to shoot due to the longer sight radius. For a male of average strength, they are harder to shoot well than a 17 or 617 due to their light weight. But, I think it would be a great gun for a small women or younger person of lesser strength. The 35s are really neat guns. A photo of my .22s is below. The 35 (actually a pre-35) is at about 4 o'clock.

 

[islandguy]

Thanks for the help guys! Much appreciated.
And, InTheWoods, thanks especially for the photo. My 17-6 is the full underlug, so with your 617 above the Model 35, she'll be able to easily see the difference. Note that I haven't seen this 35 yet (no pic either), and since I'm up here in Canada where we have ridiculous Calibre and length restrictions, I'm wondering if its possibly a Model 34 4" that has been rebarrelled to 6" to make it Restricted instead of Prohibited status. Thanks again,
Islandguy

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks for the help guys! Much appreciated.
Note that I haven't seen this 35 yet (no pic either), and since I'm up here in Canada where we have ridiculous Calibre and length restrictions, I'm wondering if its possibly a Model 34 4" that has been rebarrelled to 6" to make it Restricted instead of Prohibited status. Thanks again,
Islandguy

I had a similar thought. When/if you get to see it, look under the left grip panel for a re-work date. If it has one, likely the barrel was changed at the factory. Also check to see if it has a serial number on the bottom flat of the barrel to match the gun or a diamond stampped there indicating a part that was factory replaced.

 

[islandguy]

Thanks Hondo44. I'll check it out as per your directions. if its still available, I plan to see it this coming Thursday.
Islandguy

 

[k22fan]

Your gun selection isn't so much a male vs. female difference as it is a matter of finger length and preference for or against muzzel heavy balance. I haven't kept a tally but I think the majority of members who have posted on 6" FL k22s found them to be too muzzel heavy. For me they have ideal balance & weight for target shooting but your wife agrees with the majority of shooters, and like them, unless she has short fingers my guess is she'll probably find a lighter barreled 6" 17 or an 18 easier to shoot accurately than a 35 or 34. I don't remember anyone with average male length or longer fingers saying they found a J frame easier to shoot than a K frame. Older 6" 17s weigh 39 oz. and 18s 36 oz., both of which are similar to the Ruger your wife likes while FL 6" 17-6s weigh 48 oz. The 6" FL barrels have wider ribs than older 6" 17 barrels and also lack their taper.

As you could have figured from my screen name I'm biased toward K frames but even I'd buy a 35 or rebarreled 34 at the right price just to have one. A 35 would make a nice combination of long sight radius and light weight for long hikes.

 

[RLingo]

Here they are for direct comparison. The model 35 (top) is noticeably smaller and lighter.

 

[murphydog]

Rlingo;

Nice guns, the model 35 is on the top though .

 

[islandguy]

Thanks RLingo...that's a perfect comparison shot.
Much obliged!
Islandguy

 

[islandguy]

Well my wife and I went to see the gun today. It is registered as a Model 34, and it has an original 6" barrel (butt and barrel #'s match 237XX), and there is no Model Number to be found on the crane or anywhere else on the exterior. It has a pinned barrel and diamond grips. VG+ condition, as advertised, with an excellent bore, very little mechanical wear, and normal usage marks. My wife likes the look and weight of it, so we bought it ($695.00 Cdn). Should have possession in a week or two and be able to try it out.
Islandguy

 

[hsguy]

Well my wife and I went to see the gun today. It is registered as a Model 34, and it has an original 6" barrel (butt and barrel #'s match 237XX), and there is no Model Number to be found on the crane or anywhere else on the exterior. It has a pinned barrel and diamond grips. VG+ condition, as advertised, with an excellent bore, very little mechanical wear, and normal usage marks. My wife likes the look and weight of it, so we bought it ($695.00 Cdn). Should have possession in a week or two and be able to try it out.
Islandguy

islandguy, sounds like a very nice gun and a decent buy at the price. I think it is a pre Model 35 (or Model of 1953 22/32 Target as S&W called it) that was misidentified by the person who registered the gun. S&W did not start model marking their guns until about 1957 and the serial number would place it in the proper range to not be model stamped. Here is a thread about pre-35's you may find of interest.http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/199166-pre-model-35-a.html

 

[islandguy]

Hi all,
Hondo44 was kind enough to confirm that it is indeed a pre-35 Model 1953 Kit Gun, made in 55-56, and mis-identified when it was registered (as a Model 34). As I said to Hondo44 in a PM, "My wife was standing here by my side as I read your reply out loud, and you should have seen her big smile! Big smiles on both of us, actually, and for several reasons. Number one for her being that we got a good deal (she is an accountant), second that it is a collectable S&W, and third that it could have been manufactured the same year as she was (1956)."
And thanks to all of you for your input and feedback.
I'll give you a range report in a week or two.
Islandguy

 

[Hondo44]

That's as cool as it gets!!!