S&W Model 34/63 versus Model 17/18

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kemper

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Need some help from you fine folks.
I purchased a Ruger SP101 in 22LR that was the most inaccurate revolver I have ever owned. My LGS was gracious enough to give me full credit when I took it back the next day and I traded it back in for a S&W 642 and a Ruger LCP for my wife to carry. I am not kidding you when I say that this revolver could not shoot an 18 inch group at 15 to 25 yards with four different brands of ammo. My N.A.A. mini revolver in 22 LR shoots better than the $500 Ruger SP101 in 22 did.

Anyway to my point, I am going another direction and can't decide between a J frame S&W Model 34 with a 4 inch barrel or a Model 17 or 18 with a 4 or 6 inch barrel. I wanted to get opinions from members of this forum. I need the revolver to be reasonably accurate out to 25 yards. Can the J frame model 34 revolvers with 4 inch barrels shoot anywhere near as good as the K frame model 17 and 18 revolvers ?

Thanks in advance for your input.
 
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What is "reasonably accurate" to you? And what is the gun going to be used for primarily? If it's target shooting or hunting, then personally, I'd go with the K if I wanted to shoot small groups, say 2" or less. at 25 yards. Not that the J frames can't be very accurate...they certainly can be. But the K frames are renowned for their accuracy and easier to shoot for same. If light weight and "packability" were my primary requirements and "reasonable accuracy", say 2"-4", was plenty good, then of course the J is the choice.
 
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I've owned every flavor-get yourself no less than a Model 18 size wise,unless you have really small hands.Cool as they are,I no longer own any J frame .22s.If I had woodland trails where I could take one for casual plinking,it might be a different story,even with my big paws,but I don't.I've found even little lightweights like the 317 to be reasonably accurate(whatever that means) but it took a lot of concentration and a very steady hold.
 
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I have 2 617s and just got a model 63. Ive owned a 17 and 18 before. I think if you take the human aspect away the 63 is capable of shooting as good as its k frame brother, but it is too small in my hands for me to get it to perform to its potential. If you are looking at shooting 25 yards, I would recommend the 17,18 or 617.
 
I happen to have a 4" 34, a 4" pre-18 and a 6" 17. The 17 is hands down the most accurate of the 3. The pre-18 is pretty darn accurate too and the 34 not bad at all. The one problem with the 34 aside from the smaller grip is the trigger. The J-Frames have a coil spring ignition system and the rimfire ammo needs a pretty good wack by the firing pin to be reliable. It would be very difficult to get a J-Frame trigger any where near as nice as a K-Frame revolver.

I have a 4" SP101 22 too and it shoot pretty well. I have only had it out a couple of times though. I bought it as a knock around camping/fishing gun and it will work great for that.
 
Every Smith 22 I have seen shot very very good. The barrel length may not be that critical. Milek or Jameison once showed some accuracy results using different barrel length on a 22. My memory is that in one instance, a 2" bbl shot a bit ---a bit larger groups than the 4 and 6 inch--but it was not "practically" larger.

I have a friend who has 3 17's and 4, 6 and 8 inch---he says he shoots the 4 and the 6 inch best (I think here we have the human element).

But, since we are not a machine---it seems that a heavier gun is most likely to give you superior accuracy---hence the 17. etc

If you can---just buy BOTH---and give it a try. You well never regret owning another 22 Smith.
 
Depends...as the owner of 2 4" 34s (round & square butt); 3 6" pre&17s; a 4" 18 and a 4" 617-0)

Carry a lot ........shoot a little........90% single action.......... 4".. Model 34/63 (IMHO small grips and light weight limit these guns in double-action shooting at any distance)

Carry a little ...... shoot a little or a lot.......... single/double action....4" Model 18 or 617

True "target gun" to get the most accuracy out of a .22 revolver at the range or for squirrels/small game..... 6" Model 17s....are the way to go........

Target gun and "club".......6" 617....LOL
 
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They have close accuracy potentionals, but the 17/18s are far easier to shoot than the 34/63s. I have a 34, 63, 18, and 648. When walking in the woods, I carry one of the J-frames. A lot of small game has fallen to them. When shooting small targets on my range, I shoot the 18.

It is really fun to have both sizes. One of the best ways to see if your shooting form is slipping a bit is to pick up a J-frame .22 and fire a few shots. It will let you know very, very quickly. The K frames are far more foregiving.
 
I feel fortunate to have the following; a 2 in Md 34, 4 in Md 63, 4 in Md 18 and a 6 in Md 17. And I love all of them. I use the two J frame Kit Guns primarily as my plinkers and the two K frames for target practice. I shoot better with the 17 and 18 but I have more fun with the 34 and 63 as they are easier to take hiking or fishing. OK, bottom line.....get a J frame and a K frame!
 
I have a 22/32 J frame with 4" bbl, another with a 2" bbl, a model 63 with 3"bbl, a model 18, and a K22. They all seem to be close in accuracy.

I only fire the revolvers in double action mode at 25 yards.

The K22 is the easiest to hit with due to a smoother action and more weight out front to keep the front sight steady. The J frames require more attention to keeping the front sight on target, but since they fit my small hands better, I find I can shoot just as well with them if I concentrate just a little more.
 
I would choose based on which fits best in my hand.
I've owned a model 34 and 63, only to sell them for the larger model 18 which felt much better in my large hand.
The J frames are fine guns, so you can't go wrong either way.
 
Not an easy choice

Not that I can add much to this discussion but here goes anyway. The "J" frames are my favorite, if you install a set of target stocks on the "J" you have a very comfortable hand gun. No, they may not be the most accurate (that's always debatable) but as one poster mentioned they are the most fun and accuracy is very dependent on the user, as we all know! As also mentioned, the small frame revolvers are not as conducive to a smooth trigger but the larger stocks seem to help that problem in my opinion.
The "K" frames may be the sweetest action wise and there fore appear more accurate. Well, they are a little heavier and absorb the slight recoil much better, this can't hurt accuracy.
It seems to come to personal preference and truth be told I like both sizes for different reasons so my recommendation is to get both since there is always a situation where each satisfies an itch. You will be glad you did. Enjoy!
 
My model 17 is the most accurate revolver I own. The J-frames are great guns, but I just shoot the K-frames better!!
 
Thanks for your input

Thank you for your opinions. They are much appreciated.
I should have been more clear in my original post.

Reasonably accurate to me means being able to hit a stationary squirrel or rabbit size target at 25 yards with a two hand hold (Hopefully, I will do my part) or leaning against a tree or some type of support in a field situation, but also being light and portable enough for a trail gun while out hunting. We walk and ride our hunting property on ATV's often checking on food plots, stands, feeders, hog traps, etc. and would like to have that is portable enough to tote with me as a back up to what ever rifle or shotgun I might have with me at the time.

Sometimes in fact the revolver might be carried in a back pack on the ATV or on my back when walking, which I do a lot of during the fall and winter. OK, so there is my wish list. Let me say that I have several Ruger Single Six revolvers that are very accurate, but I want to try out one of the S&W revolvers to compare it to and because I have always wanted one to go with my Model 10, Model 19 and 686 revolvers. Again, thank you for your input.
 
hi,kemper sorry about the ruger, but to answer your question in a word yes I have a 63 and a 18 and can hit gophers at 25 yd.quite easily.good luck:)
 
kemper said:
Can the J frame model 34 revolvers with 4 inch barrels shoot anywhere near as good as the K frame model 17 and 18 revolvers ?
Click to expand...
In my limited experience, no.
Not to say J's aren't good. I just think K's are easier to shoot accurately.
If it's a carry more/shoot less gun, it may work fine.
 
I have owned 3 K frame 22's and 2 J's. One was a 3" 317 the other is a 34-1, 4". I still have the 34, put some target grips on it and I shoot it as well or better than the K frames. But, I have small hands. As for accuracy? Off sand bags I saw no appreciable difference between the 17's & 617 and the little 34. I definitely prefer the 34 when hiking
 
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