S&W model 36

[whm1974]

I just picked up a S&W mod 36 from a friend who inheredid it from a friend of his who died.

My buddy doesn't think his friend shot very much if at all. After examining and oiling it I agree with him. Very little handing marks as well.

On the frame it says Springfield Mass.

-Bill

 

[Old Fuff]

I expect that the serial number (a series of letters and numbers, or numbers alone) are stamped on the bottom of the butt. If you post that number, but leave off the last two (for exmple: 345xx in place of 34572) we can probably tell you more about your revolver.

 

[whm1974]

Ok, I'll bite:

5817xx

I'm thinking that this gun is older then I am.

-Bill

 

[whm1974]

I forgot to ask this, but can use +P defence loads in this? I'm not planning on shooting this much, and when I do it will be mild loads. But I will keep it loaded at home.

-Bill

 

[Ithacaman]

Model 36 Smith a keeper

Not so long ago I was presented one as a gift. It took me awhile to master the simple sight picture. Since then I shoot it well. I put Pachmyer grips on it and it has a prize place in the safe.

 

[whm1974]

Not so long ago I was presented one as a gift. It took me awhile to master the simple sight picture. Since then I shoot it well. I put Pachmyer grips on it and it has a prize place in the safe.

I take it that you would recamend Pachmyer grips then? My S&W Model 10 has them.

-Bill

On anothere note I was going to dry fire and I can't pull the DA trigger. Funny I was dry firing earlyer today. SA works fine. So I put some lubecating oil down the hammer well, and then cock and release the hammer. Now I can dry fire it DA.

This is strange. My Model 10 has never done this. For that matter nether has an revolver that I have dry fired.
So do I have a problem or revolvers need oil on the sear parts?

-Bill

 

[FPrice]

whm1974...

5817xx

Well, if your screename is any indication, you are probably right. Assuming that there is no letter in front of these numbers, your gun was made somewhere in the mid-60's.

year-1962, serial number 295000 (beginning)
year-1969, serial number 786544 (ending)

Now, I was born in 1949. Finding guns older that me is a real chore!

 

[whm1974]

So my snubnose was made in the 60's then?

The gun was kinda dry when I got it. I guess it needed some oil...

-Bill

 

[Old Fuff]

You young whippersnappers are going to make me feel old. I was around when they introduced the model 36 in 1950 when I purchased one of the first ones.

Concerning +P ammunition in these early guns. S&W does not recommend it because substantial use may loosen the gun, mess up the timing and cause cylinder end-shake. Occasional use probably won’t hurt a thing. However don’t practice with one load and use something else for serious purposes. An emergency is not the time to go through a learning curve. You will probably shoot better with Pachmayr grips because you’ll have more to hold on too.

 

[sm]

I was around when they introduced the model 36 in 1950 when I purchased one of the first ones.

Yeah Old Fuff said he was around when my 1928 Det Spl came out too.

Model 36 - great gun. Mine liked the standard pressure 158 gr LSWC , so I carried that for "serious" situations. I prefer wood stocks myself.

Me, I shook hands with JFK when I was in the 2nd grade, I was in the 3rd when the tragedy struck in Dallas , November of '63.

 

[Lone Star]

The Pachmayr Presentation Compac grips are about right for the Chief's Special, whether its in blue, nickel, or stainless (Model 60).

Great little guns,

Lone Star

 

[BluesBear]

Over the years I have come across several S&W revolvers that had been laying unused for several years that wouldn't fire double action.

In each case it was a result of the hammer sear either being bone dry or the lube had solidified to the point where it wouldn't reset to allow the trigger to move the hammer.

 

[whm1974]

Concerning +P ammunition in these early guns. S&W does not recommend it because substantial use may loosen the gun, mess up the timing and cause cylinder end-shake. Occasional use probably won’t hurt a thing. However don’t practice with one load and use something else for serious purposes. An emergency is not the time to go through a learning curve. You will probably shoot better with Pachmayr grips because you’ll have more to hold on too.

Well problem is I already have a box of +P ammo. On another note, due to my hearing lost and the small size of my house, if someone did break in and gave me no choice but to shoot, the perp will most likey be no more then a few feet away - contact discant.

I will however put some Pachmayr grips on it when I get a chance.

Over the years I have come across several S&W revolvers that had been laying unused for several years that wouldn't fire double action.

In each case it was a result of the hammer sear either being bone dry or the lube had solidified to the point where it wouldn't reset to allow the trigger to move the hammer.

How often does this happen?

-Bill

 

[Old Fuff]

One box of +P ammunition won't harm the gun so don't worry.

Leaving a revolver sit for many years with no attention or lubrication can have adverse effects. Now that you have oiled the insides it should work fine. I trust that you will occasionally oil it and not neglect it for almost a half century ...

 

[wundudnee]

Here is my pre 36 that I got last month. Made in 1954, still unfired. Yet!

 

[jdl357]

My 36 ser#3483xx anyone want to look up date for me?

 

[Old Fuff]

Will since you were good enough to post a picture ...

Can't hit the exact year, but I would say late 1950's or early 1960's. To get the exact information check the Smith & Wesson web site (www.smith-wesson.com) for instructions on getting a factory leter from Roy Jinks, the company's historian. Cost is a reasonable $30.00.

 

[wundudnee]

jdl357

Starting serial #s in 1962 were 295,000 to serial # 786544 in 1969.

No letter prefix on #s until 1969. Marked as model 36 after 1957.

This is from Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

 

[whm1974]

One box of +P ammunition won't harm the gun so don't worry.

Leaving a revolver sit for many years with no attention or lubrication can have adverse effects. Now that you have oiled the insides it should work fine. I trust that you will occasionally oil it and not neglect it for almost a half century ...

Well when I go to the range I'll be shooting mild loads only. I'll only load +P for HD.

And yes I will oil my guns occasionally.

-Bill

 

[BluesBear]

How often does this happen?

Not very often. Especially with todays improved lubricants.

It was common in the 40s & 50s for people to buy a nice revolver like your model 36 and lay it in the sock drawer. Often it would lay there for years gathering dust and lint.

A good cleaning is all that I have ever needed to do to get everything working again.
With the lubricants in use for the past 25 years or so this shouldn't become a problem unless you live in an extremely high dust environment.


As for shooting +p in your gun. My recommendation is to shoot a couple of boxes of standard loads to get yourself well aquainted with it. After you become familiar as to how your gun shoots, then fire 25 rounds of +p so you will know where it will shoot. And how you will react to it.

After shooting a box or two through a J-frame at the range I always run at least one cylinder full of +P just5 to remain familiar.
If you fire a box or two or three of +p in a good Model 36 every year it will still out last you.

 

[one45auto]

I own a Model 36 manufactured sometime during the Christmas season of 1982. (November-December) Since I don't like Pachmayr's I slipped on a set of Uncle Mike's boot grips. Sweet!

I've shot the occasional round or two of +P without incident, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. I prefer standard hollowpoint for home defense anyway. The only problem I've encountered with the gun is that it shoots a little low compared to my Model 642. At 25' the 642 is dead on, but the 36 is several inches lower than point of aim. Of course none of this matters much, as snubbies are close range weapons and therefore intended for distances significantly shorter than that. Still, I'd like to know that I could accurately reach out a little farther if need be, you know?

 

[whm1974]

I own a Model 36 manufactured sometime during the Christmas season of 1982. (November-December) Since I don't like Pachmayr's I slipped on a set of Uncle Mike's boot grips. Sweet!

I have Pachmayrs on my model 10 and like them. If possable I'll say if can try out some snubs with both grips.

-Bill

 

[bjbarron]

I've had my 36 snubbie since '75. It's been a favorite old friend. Recently my youngest came of age so I fixed it up for her. I had the barrel and cylinder swapped out with stainless and got ivory grips. I've also got nice big rubber grips for her to use at the range, and a fancy pocketbook with a holster built in.

It's really pretty cool looking...two-tone stainless and blue, and I enjoyed passing it to another generation. Shoots better too, I think the old barrel was getting shot out.

 

[whm1974]

It's really pretty cool looking...two-tone stainless and blue, and I enjoyed passing it to another generation. Shoots better too, I think the old barrel was getting shot out.

That's rare for a barrel on snub to get shot out isn't it?

-Bill

 

[Old Fuff]

Very unusual, but some other unrelated factors could effect accuracy, including the user aging. I know ...