Another Little Gem Followed Me Home

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Eddietruett

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541949BE-32C9-4EB6-938E-F0074113FE7C.jpeg 88D17738-CAE6-4CA2-99CC-F8D768EE0DF4.jpeg I found this beautiful Model 34-1 in my favorite shop and just could not let it sit there another day. It sat a week and that’s long enough. I paid more than I wanted to, but I just don’t see snub .22’s in this condition. Most look like they were pocket carried or put in a tackle box which is what they were designed for. I’ve probably owned 5-6 .22 snubs through the years and all were mechanically great but finish challenged. They are a hoot to shoot, so no wonder most look well used. This one looks almost unfired. No blue wear or scratches. Faint turn line and grips are perfect. I had a very brief moment where I considered putting away and let it appreciate in value but quickly came to my senses. It and 4-5 different brands of .22 ammo are already in the range bag for the next trip. I am always the one saying they were made to shoot and I actually had a weak moment. These little guns are too much fun to keep locked in a safe
 
Beautiful! What kind of velocities do you get from a little snub 22 like that?

I've never checked one on a chronograph. Obviously slower than a rifle. I do remember a friend who told me one time there was not as much difference in his rifle and 6" .22 revolver as he expected. The real eye opener is how accurate Smith and Wesson .22 revolvers are. Even the snubs. You find the right bullet and the .22 revolvers will shoot as well if not better than any of the centerfire revolvers out there. I had a Model 17 with a 8 3/8" barrel that I foolishly traded away that I mounted a red dot tube with a Weaver No Drill Mount. I forget now which ammo that I found that worked best, but off a rest, it was no problem to shoot dime size holes at 25 yards and if my eyes were better, I think it would have done close to that at 50.
 
Saw one of these, in similar condition, about 5 years ago at a local store. Admired and handled it, and asked the store to ask the seller (it was on consignment) if there was any flexibility in the price.


There wasn't!


And for good reason. These things seem rare. And they're so handy for many uses. I usually only buy when I can find something mispriced. Some sellers know their prices (the same seller had a stream of beautiful S&W revolvers he sold through that store over the next year or so, always fully priced).
 
I have one just like yours,,,
You might be surprised at how well it shoots.

Mine is paired with a Model 36,,,
VelmaVeldaWood.jpg
The reason I shoot the Model 36 as well as I do,,,
Is because of all the inexpensive practice I got with the Model 34.

Nice score my friend,,,

Aarond

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I inherited one in chrome w/a 3" barrel and wood bag grips. Fun and accurate shooter!
 
Great find!! Your new model 34 is in amazing condition. Certainly not something you run into every day
 
Jonesy814

Great find!! Your new model 34 is in amazing condition. Certainly not something you run into every day

That's what I thought til I ran into this Model 34 at a LGS while looking for a first gun for my wife. It was LNIB with the original manual and paperwork. Only thing I added was the Hogue MonoGrip as the factory grips didn't feel right to her.

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I see a fair amount of Model 34's but the majority are not in very good shape. I think that most were bought for hunting/fishing sidekick guns and got stuck in tackle boxes, backpacks etc and since they were a .22 no one seemed to care about the condition as much as they would a .38 or .357. Just my guess but I would have to say I run across way less model 34's in good shape than any other smith with the exception of Police Trade in Model 10's. Around here a decent Model 345 is a $300-400 gun. In like new condition, they will bring north of $650. I saw a 2" at a show last year that was brand new in the box with all of the goodies and the box looked new as well. I saw it sell for 1k! I felt real stupid. He didn't have a price marked on the gun and when he told me $1k, I offered $750. He laughed at me and I laughed at him. He got the last laugh. Next guy that walked by asked how much and never tried to negotiate. Just peeled off the Benjamins. Tucked my tail and walked away.
 
Jonesy814



That's what I thought til I ran into this Model 34 at a LGS while looking for a first gun for my wife. It was LNIB with the original manual and paperwork. Only thing I added was the Hogue MonoGrip as the factory grips didn't feel right to her.

View attachment 836204

That's a beautiful gun. I normally don't like Hogue Grips but those look just right.
 
Eddie,
Nice find!
I like that you said "a Faint turn line". From the top pictures it is hard to see any turn line at all.
Excellent condition.
I agree with you on shooting them. They were made to shoot and NOT sit in a safe or presentation box.
I am a shooter, not a collector.
 
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