My New Blue

[TwoNiner]

I'm a big fan of small guns. They are lightweight, compact, easy to store and carry when needed. There's something to be said about snub nose revolvers and small compact guns in general. Convenience, portability, and ease of handling goes a long way for self defense too.

That said, I bought my first Chief's Special today, a S&W Model 36. The previous owner said it is a '73. It has the most beautiful bluing job I've seen on a Smith. The picture doesn't do it justice. It has been fired very little and is in perfect shape.

This also my first blued gun, is there anything I should know about taking care of this 36?

 

[Steve C]

Keep it free of finger prints after handling as they leave perspiration and body salts on the pistol and cause rust. Wipe the gun down with an oily cloth or silicon impregnated cloth after handling. Don't store in holsters or leather. Muzzle wear from holster insertion or rubbing is usually the first place the blue begins to wear off.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Like Steve said. You can use an old white t-shirt lightly saturated with your favorite gun oil for the "oily cloth"...

 

[bannockburn]

TwoNiner

As Steve C said, keep it clean after using it or after you're done handling it. I have always given my blued guns a light wipe down with Rem-Oil, wrapped them in a silicone cloth, and then placed them inside a gun rug. Been doing it this way for many years and have never had any problems with rust or damage to the bluing on my guns.

 

[rainbowbob]

It's a beauty!

That's what I carry every day (although mine is not as pristine). I wipe it down occasionally with a silicone rag, but I also put it in and out of a pocket holster every day. A little wear is the price I'm willing to pay to carry my M 36. That's what it was made for.

I probably sound like a broken record, or a shill for the company, but I suggest you go www.t-grips.com and order a Tyler T-Grip. I prefer the looks of the polished brass version. It fits in front of the original stocks and gives you a "phatter" grip and avoids the middle knuckle from being banged when you fire. Trust me...you want this for your beautiful M 36.

 

[tekarra]

It's a beauty all right. Just wipe it regularly with an oily cloth and you should be fine.

 

[skoro]

Just to go a bit too far...

I not only wipe my blued handguns with an oiled cloth after handling them, I also wrap them in an slightly oily washcloth when I return them to their cases. Learned that from my grandad. I especially prize his S&W M1917 revolver that he stored this way and then passed on to me over 30 years ago. It was his sidearm in WWI and its bluing is in pretty good shape for a used combat weapon that's 92 years old.