S&W Model 34/63 v. S&W Model 17/18

[kemper]

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.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes, they can.
But most people can't.

They are harder to hold steady on target then the heavier K-Frames.
And the sight radius is shorter.

I dearly love mine.
But there is no mistaking it for a Model 17 at 25 or 50 yard paper.

rc

 

[PapaG]

Have had all four, still have the 63. Also had the 22 101, and while it was accurate I could never get the trigger pull down to manageable weight. The 63 is very accurate from a steady position but gall up after 18-24 rounds. Early model. Scotchbrite, clip, and a bronze wire brush and a few minutes later I can shoot another three cylindersful. My old 617, and very old K22 would group into an inch or less at 25 yards.
Any of them will do you fine.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I have a 63 and an 18,,,

I have a 63 and an 18,,,
The 18 definitely has the better trigger.

But that could be due to many factors,,,
Who knows which is the telling one.

My model 63 has the S&W Target grips,,,
They are almost identical in size to K-frame Magnas.

I have a round butt 34 that is inherently accurate,,,
But the small grip "swims" around in my hand.

My lady friend has very small hands,,,
She can't hit very well with the Model 18 or 63,,,
But with that little round butt Model 34 she's deadly accurate.

Honestly, I don't think there is a whit of difference in the accuracy potential,,,
I believe it is all in which one fits your hand the best.

JMHO - YMMV

Aarond

.

 

[cfullgraf]

I agree, the K frame will be easier to shoot more accurately.

I have a M18 and a M34. I put neoprene grips on the M34 that are a little larger than the S&W wood grips and they help some.

My 5'-2" wife has small hands and is very good with her M586. Finding the right grips for her was one of the keys. She likes the Pachmayr Presentation grips and does not like the original wood grips.

Grips are a personal thing though. everyone is different.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've had a M-34 and M-63 as well as a M-17 and I could never shoot the J-frame guns as well as the K-frame gun.

More than the sight radius and the difference in weight, the J-frame coil spring triggers were just not as clean as the K-frame trigger...and that was only SA; in DA there was no comparison.

I tried all kind of ammo and different grips on the J-frames and it really came down to the trigger

 

[J-Bar]

I own two Js and three Ks. The Js are for concealed carry. I can do surgery with the Ks...

 

[witchhunter]

I have a 63 that shoots way better than I can hold it. I also have an 18 that really shoots well no matter how I hold it. The K frames are very nice to shoot, the J frames are very nice to carry.

 

[Radagast]

I have a Model 18, used to have a Model 617, have shot the Model 63.

I'm keeping the Model 18. If I wanted to shoot for groups at 25 yards, then I would source an old Model 17. The extra two inches of sight radius will help.

 

[bannockburn]

I bought a Model 34 with a 4" barrel a couple of years for my wife. While the smaller grip size of the J frame suited her hands better than a K frame Model 17, they were almost too small. So I put a Hogue's Monogrip (with fingergrooves), on it and it's been a perfect fit for her. Still overall I would say a Model 17 is going to have a better trigger, a better balance, and better accuracy to it than a Model 34.

 

[Artym]

You can't beat the 4" K frame in 22. However, individual guns may vary a great deal in the quality of the trigger action. While I like a model 18, you might come across a fine smaller 22 revolver.
Does the weight and size matter to you? If you don't mind the extra size and weight of the larger gun, go for it. For pure shooting pleasure, you can't do better.

 

[BCRider]

I really liked the little 34 I got to shoot. But truth be told it's a small dainty little thing in my big hands. With the right grips it would make for a nice wood walking gun because it is light and small. But for range plinking or trying to get good at bullseye shooting it would most certainly be my Model 17 all the way.

 

[roaddog28]

My advice would be find a S&W 17 or 18. They both have the best double action trigger that I have experienced. Remember rim fire revolvers will always have a heavier double action trigger than a center fire revolver. The rim fire 22 round needs a harder blow to fire the round. I had a Ruger sp101 22LR. The accuracy in single action was ok. Double action was another story.

Be prepared to pay a lot for a S&W 17 or 18. And they are hard to find.
Howard

 

[Jim K]

The 22/32 Kit Gun dates from 1912, while the K-22 dates from 1930. As I understand it, when S&W went to the K frame K-22 (that became the 17), they kept the Kit Gun (that became the Model 34) in the line for those who preferred a lighter carry and target revolver, mainly women shooters. Due to the lightness, it was generally thought that the smaller gun was not as accurate, but that might have been a ploy by the men shooters to reduce the confidence of the ladies.

The smaller .22 is just as accurate as the larger, but most folks won't shoot it as well.

Jim

 

[aHFo3]

I have both J & K frame 22's. I had to get Target stocks for the J frame. If you prefer shooting double action, get the K frame. The DA trigger pull is far superior IMHO. If you are a single action shooter, then you'll be be pleased with either. I'm keeping both of mine!

 

[stu1ritter]

I think witchhunter summed it up. Carry the J shoot the K. I have a 34-1 2" and a few K's. The K's are tack drivers and unbelievably accurate at 25 yds and have fine triggers both in single and double action. I polish all of my lockworks and the K triggers are fantastic. On the J, while I can get a fairly decent double action trigger it will never match the K. There is a huge difference between the coil spring and strut on the J's and the leaf spring on t he K's and for reliable ignition, you really never lighten the mainspring, just the rebound spring. In single action they are exactly the same or can be made to be exactly the same. The J's are hard to put a good double action feel on so I feel for 25 yd shooting you will be much better off with the 18 and the 4" barrel is capable of excellent accuracy out at 25 yards. IF you are a highly experienced pistolaroh you can probably use the extra accuracy of the 17 but that 6"er really magnifies the shake and you have to know how to shoot through the shake.
Stu