24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,467
S
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
S
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,467
Ask over at the S&W forum. I believe that they had a coil spring instead of the y or v shaped spring. Model numbers started in 1957. Flat latch was in the 50's.

BP-B2

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,913
R
RJM Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
R
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,913
Originally Posted by gunzo
Well I'll be dammed, I was wrong, a little bit. shocked

http://www.ogca.com/Legendary%20Kit%20Gun.pdf


..thanks so much....

However...
"In May of 1960, the .22/32 Model 51 Rim-fire Magnum Kit Gun was introduced, chambered for the .22 Winchester Rimfire Magnum. The 51 was S&W’s initial entry into .22 magnum Kit Gun production and began with serial number 52,637. These were made only on the J-frame and 4” barrels, produced until 1974."

51s had a 3.5" barrel like the 43....

I've owned most of the models mentioned... The only ones I have left are a 63 with an extra .22 Magnum cylinder and a Model 35 also with an extra Magnum cylinder...unless you also want to count the 317....the UltraLite Kit Gun...

Bob


If you can not deal with reality, reality will deal with you....
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,913
R
RJM Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
R
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,913
Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer
I'm having trouble telling the improved I frame from the early J frame.

Someone who knows, tell me what I need to know.

DF



I believe it said in the article that when the switch to the J-frame was made the serial number changed to a "M" prefix...

Bob


If you can not deal with reality, reality will deal with you....
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,435
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,435
The light was goofy, so the guns look like the blueing is off. Anyway they are a 34-1, and a Police Positive match in 22LR.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,529
E
EdM Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
E
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,529
My I-frame.

[Linked Image]

And two J's.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


Conduct is the best proof of character.
IC B2

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,032
N
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
N
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,032
about 15 yrs ago i had a hobson’s choice of sorts between a NOS model 18 and a NOS model 34 with 4” barrel. i went with the model 18, which i still have. the model 34 went with my uncle. fast forward a couple of years and the uncle died of a rare disease, his evil 2nd wife was administrator of the estate and shut the rest of the family out, and ta daa that 34 is gone forever.

now for some reason smith only makes J frame .22s with a 3” barrel.


Uber Demanding Rifle Aficionado
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
D
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
D
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
Originally Posted by RJM
Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer
I'm having trouble telling the improved I frame from the early J frame.

Someone who knows, tell me what I need to know.

DF



I believe it said in the article that when the switch to the J-frame was made the serial number changed to a "M" prefix...

Bob

MIne has a pre-M serial number, but has the coil spring and flat latch.

Number is 98xxx. I'd guess late 50's, early '60's or around there somewhere.

Not sure when they dropped the flat latch.

DF

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,059
S
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
S
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,059
That S/N puts it in 1956. But even the SCoS&W says J frame dates are approximate.
The thumbpiece was changed in '66.
The M prefix began in '69.


There is nothing made by man,
which cannot be broken by woman.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
D
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
D
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
Originally Posted by Savuti
That S/N puts it in 1956. But even the SCoS&W says J frame dates are approximate.
The thumbpiece was changed in '66.
The M prefix began in '69.

Thanks.

Good info.

DF

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,900
D
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
D
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,900
Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer
I'm having trouble telling the improved I frame from the early J frame.

Someone who knows, tell me what I need to know.

DF


An easy way to tell is to look at the curve between the forward trigger guard and the yoke. On the I frame, the curve is a short radius, whereas the J frame has a bit more length (towards front of the gun) to it. May be hard to envision, but once you have an I and a J side by side, it's easy to tell; then you'll never forget!


Ken
IC B3

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
D
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
D
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
Thanks.

Does that frame radius difference persist even with those transitional I frames?

DF

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,581
johnw Offline OP
Campfire Ranger
OP Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,581
I've probably never held an I frame in my hand.

I assumed that there was a noticeable difference in frame size.

Was I mistaken?
Again?


"Chances Will Be Taken"


Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,153
M
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
M
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,153
EdM, I really dig the Roper-style stocks on your I-frame!

Never found a Smith with those but I do have an I-J "Supershot Sealed 8" .22 with grips of the same profile. They were justly popular for target shooting back in the '20, '30s and '40s. And people who used a .22 revolver for subsistence hunting liked them too--good for hitting a grouse or ptarmigan head.


Was Mike Armstrong. Got logged off; couldn't log back on. RE-registered my old call sign, Mesa.
FNG. Again.
Mike Armstrong
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,529
E
EdM Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
E
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,529
Originally Posted by Mesa
EdM, I really dig the Roper-style stocks on your I-frame!

Never found a Smith with those but I do have an I-J "Supershot Sealed 8" .22 with grips of the same profile. They were justly popular for target shooting back in the '20, '30s and '40s. And people who used a .22 revolver for subsistence hunting liked them too--good for hitting a grouse or ptarmigan head.


Thanks. The grips are properly penciled and factory numbered to the gun. The piece is runs with my M41 in the accuracy department.

[Linked Image]


Conduct is the best proof of character.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
D
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
D
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
Thanks for posting. That's neat.

DF

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,059
S
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
S
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,059
Differentiating I from J frame:

I Frame - 5 screw frame, short cylinder (1.25- 1.26), strain screw on frame

Improved I Fame - 4 or 3 screw frame, short cylinder, no strain screw

J Frame - 5, 4 or 3 screw frame, longer cylinder (1.525), no strain screw

The new design hammer block was instituted in post war production at S/N 536685.


There is nothing made by man,
which cannot be broken by woman.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
D
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
D
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
Originally Posted by Savuti
Differentiating I from J frame:

I Frame - 5 screw frame, short cylinder (1.25- 1.26), strain screw on frame

Improved I Fame - 4 or 3 screw frame, short cylinder, no strain screw

J Frame - 5, 4 or 3 screw frame, longer cylinder (1.525), no strain screw

The new design hammer block was instituted in post war production at S/N 536685.

Thanks for that info.

What's a "strain screw"?

DF

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,966
S
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
S
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,966
If you can find a 631 S&W. = 32 H&R mag / 32 Long... in stainless 4” they are really nice.

I love mine.

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
D
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
D
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 36,822
Originally Posted by Dirtfarmer
Originally Posted by Savuti
Differentiating I from J frame:

I Frame - 5 screw frame, short cylinder (1.25- 1.26), strain screw on frame

Improved I Fame - 4 or 3 screw frame, short cylinder, no strain screw

J Frame - 5, 4 or 3 screw frame, longer cylinder (1.525), no strain screw

The new design hammer block was instituted in post war production at S/N 536685.

Thanks for that info.

What's a "strain screw"?

DF

OK, looked it up. Strain screw is the adjustment screw for leaf hammer spring Smiths.

Coil spring guns don’t need one.

DF

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,900
D
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
D
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,900
Originally Posted by Spotshooter
If you can find a 631 S&W. = 32 H&R mag / 32 Long... in stainless 4” they are really nice.

I love mine.


Me too! wink


Ken
Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
214 members (257 mag, 12344mag, 300jimmy, 10Glocks, 300_savage, 2UP, 22 invisible), 1,552 guests, and 878 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,592
Posts18,397,917
Members73,815
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.115s Queries: 15 (0.003s) Memory: 0.8991 MB (Peak: 1.0528 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 10:16:28 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS