Model 36 question

4011 · #1 02-09-2016, 12:06 AM

Have a 36 I bought off GB. Seems the cylinder is a tad hard to close. Looking it over I see the cylinder spring looks stretched. How long is the normal spring. Would the stretched spring cause hard closing?

Hondo44 · #2 02-09-2016, 12:18 AM

I would not worry about the spring. If it's a problem we'll find it with some trouble shooting. What vintage Mod 36 are we dealing with?

First checks:

1. Be certain the extractor rod is screwed in tight (left hand thread).

2. Verify that the extactor star is fully seated against the cylinder recess with no debirs or gunk behind it, or dings/burrs that can keep it from seating in its recess.

3. Using a hard flat surface, with cylinder open, confirm that the ctr locking pin will push in flush where it protrudes from the extractor star.

4. Confirm there is not interference (rub marks) at the front face of the cyl and the forcing cone end of the barrel.

5. Confirm there is no interference or rubbing at the bottom of the barrel and the top of the yoke.

6. Loosen the yoke retention screw at the front of the sideplate then verify if the cyl closes easier. This screw is specific and 'fitted' to the yoke but is often swapped with one of the other sideplate screws.

7. To eliminate the spring as a potential issue, you can assemble the cyl w/o it and check the cyl closing ease.

4011 · #3 02-09-2016, 08:36 PM

I think I'm in the wrong section as this 36 is pinned 3 screw. That said it looks like the crane lower shaft has a burr on the end. Will try to get in touch itch the retired PD armor who is well versed in Smiths.

Hondo44 · #4 02-09-2016, 11:23 PM

Model 36 pinned 3 screw versions are in this section from 1958 thru 1961 so no matter, they're the same before and after 1961.

I can give you an estimate of its actual vintage with a serial # (or partial, the first 3 digits and Xs for place holders of the rest).

Does it have a flat latch thumbpiece cyl release?

I really can't see burr that well on the yoke shaft, but it could affect the closing effort of the cyl. It's likely caused by the wrong screw referenced in #6 above.

Dress down the burr, reassemble the cyl and the yoke (cranes are on Colt revolvers) to the gun, and try the cyl, WITHOUT installing the yoke retaining screw in the sideplate.

4011 · #5 02-10-2016, 12:37 AM

Thank you Sir. My bad I do know the difference. My armor friend will rap my knuckles.

puma guy · #6 02-12-2016, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Model 36 pinned 3 screw versions are in this section from 1958 thru 1961 so no matter, they're the same before and after 1961.

I can give you an estimate of its actual vintage with a serial # (or partial, the first 3 digits and Xs for place holders of the rest).

Does it have a flat latch thumbpiece cyl release?

I really can't see burr that well on the yoke shaft, but it could affect the closing effort of the cyl. It's likely caused by the wrong screw referenced in #6 above.

Dress down the burr, reassemble the cyl and the yoke (cranes are on Colt revolvers) to the gun, and try the cyl, WITHOUT installing the yoke retaining screw in the sideplate.

Sorry if I'm hijacking but since you mentioned dating a Model 36. I'm wondering if you can answer a question. I was shown a very nice unpinned Model 36 serial # J68xxxx and was told it was one of the first production models. Had a cross hatched (checkered) cylinder release. I didn't say anything to the clerk; I just looked it over handed it back. I had two mid 1960's Model 36's that I swear had pinned barrels. I don't remember the prefixes but the serial numbers were 608608 and 608648. (Both got stolen sadly.) Were early model 36's unpinned? Thanks

BUFF · #7 02-12-2016, 06:32 PM

No. Basically all S&W revolvers had pinned barrels until about 1980.

Hondo44 · #8 02-12-2016, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puma guy

Sorry if I'm hijacking but since you mentioned dating a Model 36. I'm wondering if you can answer a question. I was shown a very nice unpinned Model 36 serial # J68xxxx and was told it was one of the first production models. Had a cross hatched (checkered) cylinder release. I didn't say anything to the clerk; I just looked it over handed it back. I had two mid 1960's Model 36's that I swear had pinned barrels. I don't remember the prefixes but the serial numbers were 608608 and 608648. (Both got stolen sadly.) Were early model 36's unpinned? Thanks

Buff is correct, the unpinned barrels are fairly late, we saw the elimination of pinned barrels early 1980s thru 1982. # J68xxxx is from 1979-80 production. And hardly first production, the Chiefs Special was introduced in 1950 and designated the Model 36 in mid 1957 and stamped as such by 1958.

Your earlier two were indeed from the late 1960s but pre 1969.

puma guy · #9 02-12-2016, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Buff is correct, the unpinned barrels are fairly late, we saw the elimination of pinned barrels early 1980s thru 1982. # J68xxxx is from 1979-80 production. And hardly first production, the Chiefs Special was introduced in 1950 and designated the Model 36 in mid 1957 and stamped as such by 1958.

Your earlier two were indeed from the late 1960s but pre 1969.

Thanks, Buff and Hondo44. That's what I thought, but I'm getting old and don't always remember stuff. The revolver is in excellent condition and a friend was also looking at it. I din't want to give him incorrect info and you guys confirmed what I recall.