Looks like really good shape for the age. Nice score!

 

nice! i picked up a similar shape m-18 which is also a blast.

 

I wish mine was a square butt......

 

I wish mine was a square butt......

There are several grip options in a round butt/square profile on eBay that I've noticed.

 

I'm more inclined to buy a vintage S&W revolver than just about anything at this point in time. It takes me back to my late teens and early 20's. Took so much for granted back in the day. Smith produced some really fine revolvers back then.

 

I have a set of round/square grips for it, but prefer the looks of the Hogues..... thanks!

 

I have a set of round/square grips for it, but prefer the looks of the Hogues..... thanks!

Huntsman, I have what I think are the same grips for my 34. Have shaped a little for my hand 40 plus years ago. I remember needing to shave a notch for the hammer when at full cock. .i think they are ironwood as I never needed to put any finish on them after reshaping them.

 

Wow, congratulations on your great find! I have one just like yours, but mine was made later in 1979. I'm glad you plan to shoot it a lot. They are super fun to shoot. Mine really likes the plain Remington gilded round nose rounds.

 

But I reeeeaally like the Hogue sqaurebutts on my 63...

 

I was planning on replacing the OEM grips on mine, but now I think I'll wait as they really don't feel bad in the hand. It's not like I need a set of recoil-absorbing rubber grips on them or anything.

(and yes that was a dig at Colt)

 

dsk -------- To me, your getting this S&W is a HUGE win over that Colt or any other new gun (this side of a Korth) So congrats, Man! That's a lifetime keeper!

 

DSK

Be careful. S&W Kit Guns are addictive and seem to breed if left unattended. Here's some of ours, rounded up over a period of maybe 40+ years. 34s, 63s, 35's, 651s and a 650, as well as a 43 and 51. This case is on the wall over our desk in the gun room. Desk gun is a 1943 home 'smithed GI Colt. The dust was free.

. Our last Kit Gun was a 631 picked up at the Tulsa show 4 years ago. That started us down the .32 H&R Mag rabbit hole. That's a whole 'nuther story.

Our 317 Air Lite (possibly the handiest Kit Gun ever) served pest control duty in the cook tent at a Hanna's WY hunting camp W of Bondurant for several seasons. It was light in the saddle bag and deadly on pests with CCI shot shells.
Did I mention I have a "weakness" for Kit Guns.

 

Those model 34s are nice guns. I bet that you did not get it cheap, not in that condition.

 

The price was equivalent to a new S&W .22 revolver. Of course I didn't factor in the value of the internal lock, but I think I can live with that.

 

Plus you got a better pistol.

 

I remember the days of sub-$300 Kit Guns fondly. Our Model 43, with red ramp front sight and target stocks, set us back $275. The Moel 35s .22/.32 Target (6" target Kit guns") just about broke the bank at around $500. We paid the going rate for our 631 .32 H&R four years ago and our b#tt still hurts; but it's a very cool Kit Gun.

It's interesting that the Kit Guns (and other J-frames) were some of the last of the older S&Ws to see the price spike a few years back. The good stuff brings the best price, despite the age.

 

That one is really clean. Nice pickup.

 

Okay, so I ran 200 rounds of Remington Golden Bullets through it. Accuracy-wise it's a tack driver. The sights were perfectly regulated and I was happily blasting clay targets, the steel swinger, and even spent shotgun shells with ease. Even double-action presented no challenge. I had no misfires, but I did have an issue with difficult extraction, requiring quite a whack on the ejector rod to pop the empty cases out. A little Googling revealed that it's a common issue with these older Smith rimfires. A little polishing of the chambers might help, otherwise I'll have to invest in a finish reamer.

 

Looks pretty good all the way around. If you got it for like you said the equivalent of something like it just new. Then I think that you did pretty good. Sticky extraction is generally not something that I will lose a lot of sleep over, not in .22 rimfire revolvers They tend to get gummed up pretty quick. And they are not likely what you will reach for when something goes bump in the night.

 

i've used q-tip with tooth paste and it did not take long. they don't have to be perfect, just enough so you get smooth ejection.

 

Nice to see your new blaster pleases you dsk. The 4" Kit Guns we've owned have all been great shooter, as have the other barrel lengths, except for some of the 2-inchers. In our experience, the 2-inch .22LR guns either shoot well or they shoot like crap; no in between with the ones we've had over the years. The 2" .22WMR 651s (the couple we've seen) all seem to shoot well, BTW and our 650 drives tacks.

I too have learned to live with the rimfire's sticky extraction; some guns are worse than others, but speed reloads are not a rimfire requirement.

 

I have that same gun. Was first one my son starting shooting things other than BBs with. Perfect lil grip for things like that.

 

The S&W 34-1 is a classic and it sounds like you’ve got yourself a real gem especially with the original box and all. Nothing beats the feeling of firing a well-crafted piece of history

 

A good choice that you won't regret .

My square has the original grips , but back in the 80's I picked up these factory accessory grips for mom .
Back in about '74 , dad bought a new 42 for himself and the 34-1 for mom . Still have the boxes . I need to get the .22 out . Haven't shot it since the 70's .

 

It's a shame to let a good old Kit Gun languish in the safe; they need to be used, IOHO. Here's two of ours that see duty around our place (usually in the Spring) when the creepy crawlies start moving around. Holsters by El Paso and SD Myers; snake courtesy of mother nature.

 

Good pickup!
I’ve had a 17-4 with a long barrel for like 30 years and started shooting it a little bit the year before last. Then, last year I bought a new 317, with a 3” barrel, on a whim and I only put 32 rounds through it to function test and see how close it was sighted in. I don’t know why I thought I should buy it. I really don’t know what I would use it for and will probably sell it at a loss. Then, last month, a fellow shooter sold me his 4” 617, with holster, speed loaders, and loading block at a price I just couldn’t pass up. I might use it for steel challenge, but really prefer semi automatics for steel

 

I have must have the twin of your gun. I have been an FFL for decades and once in the mid 1970s had a widow ask me to sell her husband’s collection. He had many unique guns and many were unfired NIB. i purchased several of the guns and one was S&W 34-1 Square Butt NIB. i have all the paperwork, tools, and S&W documents for the gun. it has been resting in my safe and probably talking to my other Safe Queens. Every once in a while you get lucky and score. Congratulations on hitting the jackpot!

 

I checked my inventory spreadsheet and my S&W 34-1 was manufactured in 1961 according to S&W and I acquired it in 1978. I liked it because the serial number was low M500XX and even. I am an old school guy who enjoys revolver since that is all we used except the 45acp back in the good old days.

 

I came by this one some years ago. Very little used. I like it and the grandkids love it.

These are my notes in my ledger: S&W 34-1. First of the models on the “J” Frame. “Model of 1953.” 6-shot J-frame, 4-inch pinned barrel. Square butt. Trigger serrated and case colored. Made 1973 – 1977. Excellent condition, possible blood stain flaw in finish on right side, to upper rear of trigger guard. Only a faint turn ring around cylinder. Smooth backstrap with tiny rust spots. Original grips w/o diamond around screw. “47675” and “F 17” on crane above hinge.

 

I like ‘em too