S&W Model 36 Bobbed Hammer Or Not??

[Kahr carrier]

I have a chance to buy a used 36 from a friend the only problem is that he dropped it and part of the Hammer spur broke off. Is it ok to remove the remaining piece of Hammer spur thus creating a bobbed hammer -possible do it yourself project?? It is a Case Hardened Hammer. Or should I just send it to Smith & Wesson and have them put a new hammer on it ??

 

[M58]

Can bob it; just check for light strikes afterwards. We used to do this a lot in the 60s and 70s.

 

[Kahr carrier]

What would you use to protect the metal on the freshly bobbed part of the Case Hardened Hammer??

 

[Alex]

If it were mine I would polish the cut area to about 320 grit and than use a bit of instant blue to protect the metal and dull the area. Alternatively you could just polish it and either let it oxidize with time or put a clear coating on it, either way it's not going to cause any problems. Any fall that the gun had that was bad enough to break the hammer spur probably should be checked out though, that sounds a bit strange to me.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Not an uncommon problem - - -

I've smoothed off at least two revolvers that were likewise accidentally altered. Both worked fine. Then, there's perhaps six or eight others which I de-spurred intentionally.
I kinda like bobbed hammers. I use a Dremel cut off wheel to cut through the case hardening. Regular grinding wheel smooths off the nub nicely. Leave as much hammer metal as possible.

I have a reference handy, for a change. What is serial number of the 36? I wonder if there is some pattern - - -guns produced around a certain year being more prone to hammer spur breakage?

Besst,
Johnny

 

[Lone Star]

Skeeter Skelton popularized the bobbed hammer in his writings. Personally, I think it's an accident waiting to happen. Best not ever cock that hammer after it's bobbed! (With a loaded gun.)

Lone Star

 

[rhedley]

love bobbed hammers

"Accident waiting to happen''

Some people shouldn't drive cars either

With care, cocking is fine, it's the uncocking that's the problem..

If you cock it, shoot it..

Rj=

 

[Kahr carrier]

I was wondering if you guys had pictures of the finished product the BOBBED HAMMER???

 

[rhedley]

Here you go

 

[rhedley]

 

[Archie]

Cock it?

After all the trouble to make the best DA pull in the world?

Why cock it?

I've had several 36s with bobbed hammers. All fired very well after surgery. Just even off the back with a Dremel polishing wheel. Maybe some 300 sandpaper.

But you shoot the thing double action.


Cock it?

 

[Kahr carrier]

Rhedly thanks for posting pics thats exactly what I had in mine . What was your method for bobbing the Hammers?? Are you the one that makes pocket holsters for the 380 Guardian with the printing flap ?? And Johnny Guest which part of the serial number do you need to determine the year the 36 was made??

 

[rhedley]

hammer bob job

Kahr carrier

Yes, I make the pocket holsters, visit my site..

To bob the hammer, remove hammer from gun, grind down to the profile you desire. Leave as much weight as possible, smooth out, then reblue or polish to suit. Reinstall and test gun..

 

[Johnny Guest]

Kahr carrier - - -

which part of the serial number do you need to determine the year the 36 was made??

All of it. Prefix, suffix, if any. If you don't want to make public your serial number, change it thusly: AB 123456 becomes AB1234XX.

Also, some gun smiths and talented amateurs either knurl (check) the top of the hammer, or at least cut transverse grooves on it, to facilitate thumbcocking.

DE-cocking, if you decide not to take the shot, requires a LOT of attention.
1. Move away from other people.
2. Point in SAFE direction
3. Hold revolver in strong hand, finger OFF trigger.
4. Grab hammer with thumb and finger of weak hand and HOLD IT BACK.
5. Press trigger and allow hammer to move forward about 1/4 to 1/2 inch, and HOLD IT THERE.
6. STILL HOLDING HAMMER FIRMLY, allow TRIGGER to move forward and remove finger from trigger. Now, if hammer slips, gun will not fire.
7. Ease hammer forward.

The above should be practiced with an empty piece until it becomes second nature. DON'T do it twice and then figure you have the procedure down. PRACTICE this many times before ever trying it with a loaded revolver.

Best,
Johnny

 

[rhedley]

notches in top of hammer

Johnny Guest
Look closely at the second photo..

good points on de- cocking

 

[Kahr carrier]

Rhedley Nice website your Holsters look good . You will be seeing an order from me soon.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Thanks guys got the 36 last night and Bobbed the Hammer using a combination of the methods described above . It came out great .I used blueing paste to cover the exposed metal on hammer it came out so good it looks factory , I would post pics but I dont have a camera . Thx guys for sharing your knowledge.

 

[Al Thompson]

KC, you really need to test fire that M36 prior to trusting it. I've bobbed several and only had one too light, but that's one too many.

Grab a box of Speer ammo - they tend to have the hardest primers. If that runs fine, your set.

FWIW, I take the full cock notch off as well.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Hi guys took the Model 36 out to the range today to try it out after the Hammer Bobb. I fired 250 rounds of Hsm ammo thru it without any misfires and 25 rounds of ammo from different guys at the range after they found out I was trying out the reliablity after the Hammer Bobb still no misfires.Mr Thompson I will have to get a box of that Speer ammo next time Im at the gunshop and run it thru it next time Im at the range an see what happens .Thx guys for the help and info again.

 

[Al Thompson]

Sounds to me like you have a winner!

 

[Kahr carrier]

THX Mr Thompson ,I think so too ,But I am still going to get a box of that Speer ammo to make sure.