Model 34

[dtf08]

I have a great little S&W m34 no dash with the original diamond grips. Love the gun and often carry it out in the woods. The problem is that it has only "OK" accuracy. I've tried different loads, shooting from a rest, and different shooters. I've heard tales of legendary accuracy from these kit guns. Maybe I have a lemon. I don't think it's me. Anyone else have one of these and similar issues.

 

[fireman 9731]

Define "OK" accuracy. A fist sized group at 10 yards? A paper plate size group? I wouldn't expect a snub 22lr to be a tack driver, but its bigger brother in 38 is no slouch.

 

[dtf08]

3 to 4 inches at 7 yards. I don't have pics of targets. I usually get a tight 5 shot group, but one cylinder does what it wants. I've marked it and leave it empty.

 

[fireman 9731]

Any chance the barrel is leaded up?

 

[joem1945]

How much do you practice with it? Shoot a 100 rounds a week and you might get better groups.

 

[Wil Terry]

In the past sixty years I've never EVER seen a S&W J-frame or K-frame 22 pistol that didn't shoot like a house afire...all except a 6"M617 that had charge holes you could throw a cat through...and that was a factory F-up in manufacture they quickly fixed.
ALL of my other S&W 22's shoot to beat the band. LL will shoot under an inch at twenty-five yards with each's favored ammunition.
And so it goes...

 

[witchhunter]

Maybe have it checked out by a gunsmith. Loose sights, bad barrel or maybe just dirty. How is the trigger? I have a couple and they are accurate, a 63 and a 651 in 22 magnum.

 

[VA27]

I've had 2 different 2" 34's. A minty one that you could barely hit the floor with and the one I have now that came from a house fire. No heat damage but smoke etched the blue off. It is a whole world more accurate than the other one. You pays your money and you takes your chances.

 

[rcmodel]

All I can say is, 2" guns are much harder to shoot accurately then those with longer barrels.

I have 2" AirLite 317, and a 4" Model 34.

The 34 is way easier to shoot accurately then the 317, due both to weight, and barrel length / longer sight radius.

But after putting a laser grip on the 317, I find it is easily as accurate as the 4" 34.

I'd suggest you try yours off a bench and sandbags and see how you do with it.

If it groups off bags, then your off-hand shooting technique is suspect.

And are you talking DA or SA fire??

rc

 

[bannockburn]

dtf08

I picked up this Model 34 up a few years ago for my wife. A friend of mine at a LGS put it aside for me as he knew I really like S&Ws, especially if they're in great condition. This one was LNIB and the only thing I changed on it was the addition of the Hogue Mnogrip as my wife didn't like the original factory stocks on it. Accuracy is great with it with a definite preference for Wolf Match Target and CCI MiniMags. I think the longer sight radius and better handling and balance with the 4" barrel make it that much easier to get good groups with it.

 

[dtf08]

Thanks for the input. Even out of a vice accuracy is just bleh. Sights are secure and barrel shinny with great grooves.

 

[Wil Terry]

Thanks for the input. Even out of a vice accuracy is just bleh. Sights are secure and barrel shinny with great grooves.

By the way, can you load the cylinder from the front also ? IF you can...BINGO. Guess how I know this...? Does the BBL have a LARGE forcing cone...or NO forcing cone atall ??
And so it goes...