Henry Rifle Forums

Not sure what's going on with me stumbling on vintage Smith revolvers, recently. Maybe I'm a vintage Smith magnet or something. Anyway, both of these are 22 LRs, so that means I can shoot them at home. Fairly collectible, too. Those were my excuses, anyway.

This first one is a 1983 Model 34-1 Kit gun. Grabbed it to shoot, so that I don't put a lot of shooting wear and tear on my 1953 version, which is very collectible. Being a later vintage 34, the 34-1 is a J frame, not the earlier I frame on the 53.


Added a Hogue mono grip for better control.


And shoot the little 22 LR 34-1 I surely do, mostly in DA, since J frames are my carry guns. Makes a great DA practice gun. Didn't keep them all in the 3" bull this time, but I'm getting there.




Next up was a totally unexpected find. Yeah, I already posted about the fairly collectible S&W 617-1 I recently found. Great 617 and figured I was done and then I got a call from a buddy asking me to buy a 617 no dash. What?

A 617 no dash is about as collectible as it gets in a 617, thanks in part to the very rare late factory finger groove combat grips which bring insane prices, now. Only offered on the no dash. Has the wider target hammer and trigger, too. Have to look real hard to even see a turn line on the cylinder. My friend offered me a price that I told him was way too low, but he wanted to move it. What could I do?


Funny thing, too, is that I had just added a red dot to the 617-1, so now I have the 617 no dash to shoot with iron sights, since the no dash was not drilled and tapped for a mount.


With Bill's current production 617-6 (bottom), we now have a nice collection of S&W 617s. Fine with me, because a 617 is my bread and butter rimfire target revolver.

I’m with you, S&W rimfire revolvers both J and K (okay I frame too) frames are simply wonderful. I’ve never owned or even shot a Colt Diamondback 22 lr but I bet it would be in the mix too. Nice find and good for you to tell your buddy his price was too low. Bet you sleep well at night.

The 617 No-Dash is beautiful. Grips, stainless finish and target setup... everything you could want.
An all around win.

Thanks, guys. I do still regard single actions as my number one, but the double actions are definitely workhorses for my shooting, too. Nice to have the option of shooting either one.

Yup, I have both in my collection of revolvers, and a smattering of semiautos from my teaching/competition days. Who am I kidding, if it goes bang, I'm interested.

Me, too, really. Semi autos are always tempting.

Those are absolutely beautiful. I was addicted to collecting rimfire firearms but stopped. Your posting might get me started again.

Gene, because of our current situation with me being a caretaker for Bill, now, rimfires are hugely important for my shooting. With quiet ammo, I can shoot the rimfires at home right along with the air guns. I take a hit on accuracy using quiet rimfire ammo, but at least I am still shooting my favorite rimfire guns.

Congratulations on another great find. What a nice deal your friend passed along to you.

Thanks, Dave. Yes, my friend and I have been doing gun buying and selling with each other for years.