|
|
09-28-2010, 06:02 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
New (to me) Model 36 - Conversion Grips Available?
I just picked up a blue Model 36 no-dash. Finish is nice, a couple spots on it but nothing noticeable. Got it for $375, which I thought was fair considering the prices I've seen on Gunbroker. The guy had a square and a round butt 36. I liked the feel of the square better, but went with the round because the finish was better on that one. Another reason for that was you can make a round butt a square with grips but you can't do it the other way around.
Well, silly me for not checking around first. I thought I'd find factory conversion grips all over ebay and gunbroker but I can't find any. Can anyone offer any assistance for a factory source of these? When these grips are on do they duplicate the feel of the square frame guns or are they larger? I am hoping they'll make the round frame the same size as the square frame.
Also the serial number is 77911. I have the s&w book, but I moved recently and I can't find it right now. Can someone look this up and tell me when my gun was made?
|
09-28-2010, 06:27 PM
|
SWCA Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Enterprise, Alabama
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
Liked 1,166 Times in 346 Posts
|
|
S/N is approximate to 1955-1957 time frame. Probably 1956 is closer.
If you find a set of J frame Square butt target grips they will go over the RB frame and completely cover it. They will not let the gun move once the grip screw is tightened and give the feel and appearance of having a Square butt.
I have a set of smooth presentation grips available, but they also came in checkered finish.
Your gun would have come with diamond center grips which will add to the cost if you want the older type.
[email protected]
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474
|
09-28-2010, 07:37 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Thanks a lot, I appreciate the lookup. I had no idea it was so old. It came with factory S&W grips, but not the diamond ones. I'm looking for a set of factory checkered grips with medallions. It doesn't matter if they have the diamond or not, but I'd like the factory checkered ones. Thanks for the offer though.
I found a seller on Auction Arms who is advertising 3 sets of conversion grips. These all are the "football" type on the left panel. Are these the same ones you have, except for the checkering or did Smith make more than one size of conversion grips throughout the years?
|
09-28-2010, 08:44 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Massachusetts USA
Posts: 9,593
Likes: 3,710
Liked 8,947 Times in 3,555 Posts
|
|
Try fleabay.
__________________
James Redfield
LM #497
|
09-28-2010, 09:11 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Ok, now that I know what they look like I'm seeing a few on Ebay and the other auction sites. Not many and they are not listed as conversion grips for the most part. Guess you've got to know what to look for.
|
09-28-2010, 10:38 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 180
Liked 2,270 Times in 285 Posts
|
|
Hi,
Congratulations on a nice little Roscoe! I think you'll discover pretty soon that you'll want the correct type of original stocks for your nice vintage Model 36 . . . and that means the "diamond" stocks that were standard until the mid-60s on the Model 36.
Ditto with the distinctive "square" cylinder latch. Both are pictured on my 1964 era Model 36 below which should be quite similar to yours in looks.
BTW, a Tyler T-grip (also pictured) was a hot accessory back "in the day," and it really makes for one of the most comfortable ways to grip and shoot the J-frame.
A vintage look, yet also very practical.
In any event, I hope you enjoy your M36 as much as I have mine!
Tom
PS: If you go the Tyler route, the gloss black one looks great on the blued Model 36 (pictured below on my 1971 Model 37, on which I've put a set of Grashorn Gunworks (formum member Patrick Grashorn's) marvelous custom Elk Stag grips . . .
Last edited by tom turner; 09-28-2010 at 10:42 PM.
|
09-28-2010, 10:46 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
I wonder if the date provided based on my serial number could be wrong? I don't have the square latch or the diamond grips. Makes me wonder if my 36 might be a bit younger. I double checked the serial number and that is correct, however. And it is a no-dash with a pinned barrel.
I really like that Mitch Rosen holster. Is that from their Express line or did you have it made for you? Also love those grips on that model 37!
|
09-30-2010, 01:22 PM
|
SWCA Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Enterprise, Alabama
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
Liked 1,166 Times in 346 Posts
|
|
If it is Marked "Mod. 36" it was made after 1957. I suspect you quoted the assembly number rather than the serial number, a common mistake.
The square butt target grips are not specifically a conversion grip, but because they completely encase the grip frame they will work on either configuration. And as the grips are held in place both top and bottom the gun will not move in the grips.
The ones I have are just like the checkered grips, but specifically made in a smooth configuration with medallions.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474
|
09-30-2010, 01:37 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
You know, I could have messed that serial number up. I took it from inside the crane. I'll check the number on the bottom of the grip frame when I get home.
|
09-30-2010, 06:26 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Yeah, I was looking at the wrong number. This is the number on the bottom of the grip frame: J353427. Sorry for the confusion. An online list has it as being made between 1975-1976.
Last edited by zenner22; 09-30-2010 at 10:49 PM.
|
10-01-2010, 07:02 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Just got my new conversion grips in. I put them on and they look kind of ridiculous. They look huge on such a small gun. I was afraid of that, actually. Now I'm thinking I should have just gone with the square butt even if the finish was not quite as good as this one...
Maybe I'll fall in love with it after a trip to the range.
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|