Through some unforeseen circumstances I ended up taking possession of my FIL's firearms. The one I'm most interested in is this Mod 36 no dash. I'd like some help dating but I can't get the grips off, the screw just spins. Any one have any tips that can help me? Also, while speaking of the grips, I don't think they are stock, is that correct? And if I wanted to replace them with something else, can you help me in the direction I need to look? I've been around firearms most of my life but have only recently really dove in and my little knowledge is limited to semi autos and shotguns. From what I can tell, this might be a J frame with a round butt?? Is that correct?

I appreciate all the help and look forward to your replies!

PS - Here's a picture, hopefully worth a thousand words!



Thank you,

Nick

Unfortunately you are going to have to stick something on the nut side of the grip screw either a screwdriver or a small pair of needlenose plyers to get the screw to unscrew. I can see by the wear on the sideplate they may be the wrong grips for the model whether round or square. Not sure

Good Luck Pete

Good advice <above> on getting the grips off to read the serial number. You want to get them off anyway, because rubber grips can trap moisture and cause corrosion.

Yes, it's a round butt J frame. Those are Pachmayr Compac grips and they are aftermarket. Without knowing the serial number, all I can tell you is that it was made sometime between 1966 (elimination of the flatlatch) and 1982 (elimination of the barrel pin).

The original stocks would have looked like these if it was made before 1967-68:



... or these if made later.

__________________
"I also cook."

Thank you both! I'll try the needlenose pliers as I wasn't having any luck with the screwdriver. How bad did I mess up by putting some PB Blaster in there last night (I made sure to wipe everything up quickly and only used a small amount)?

Thank you for clarifying they are round butt grips, any good places to look for a replacement pair, any idea what an average cost should be?

Try eBay. They show up there pretty regularly. You probably want to ascertain the serial number first, so you know whether to buy stocks with or without the diamond.

It is probably fine.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I agree with Chad, you want to get those grips off soon because there is already evidence of corrosion around the top edge.

Put a drop of that PB Blaster (or Kroil or thin oil) on the threads that are visible on the nut side and let it sit first. If that doesn't work, don't hesitate to ruin that pair of grips to preserve the grip frame.


They are Pachmayr Compac grips but could be either square or round butt. I have both and can't tell the difference without seeing the inside. I'll try to take a picture and add it.






Russ

Man, you got a tough one here. Do you want to save the rubbers?
If so, keep playing with it. If not, you may have to destroy the grips to get them off. Its your call. Getting the nut secure is the key. Needle nose down between the rubber and the nut may be the way. You are going to deface the rubber a bit. It may work. Next step is yours. I know what I would do. Best.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

They are Pachmayer compact rubber grips. No loss if you destroy them getting them off in my opinion. They are still in production and relatively cheap.

Since they're not original I don't mind doing some damage to them. Thank you again to those who have replied. I won't buy anything till I have the SN.

Thanks much!

A 3/16-1/4" punch tapped from the nut side will drive the screw & nut out , the rubber grips are $15- 20 used, good wood grips are $25 & up

I finally had a chance to remove the grips, and with the needle nose pliers it was easy work.

The frame looks like the gun on the left, and was marked with an "S" as well. I also got a chance to get the SN as well, J374xxx. So it looks like it's an square butt J frame?

Last question I have is, what do I use to clean this gun? I'm used to polymer autoloaders so this is new territory, and being blued really throws me for a loop (but I do like the blued guns the most!)!! The gun was very dusty on the inside!!

I'll have some pictures up soon!!

Pictures:

That's great.

You do indeed have a J-frame square butt . . . but the "S" is more likely an inspector or fitter's mark and doesn't signify Square butt. The J374XXX serial number suggests manufacture in early 1976.

Start with a soft (retired) toothbrush and remove most of the dirt and dust. Then I would completely disassemble and soak the frame in Kroil or other suitable penetrating oil to soften any rust or buildup that doesn't brush off.

If you're not comfortable disassembling (there are good U-Tube videos available to do the job), simply spray the gun as best you can . . . inside and out . . . let it sit overnight and brush or wipe clean. Then, we can see what you have and go from there.

Russ

1976, so no diamonds. It looks a lot better under the stocks than would have been expected, you lucked out. Too bad it's a square butt.

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

Square butts are good for shoot'n . . . round butts are good for hide'n

Russ

I noticed S&W had grips on their website for this gun, is there anything wrong with buying new grips for the gun? They weren't that expensive, $37.50 if I recall.

Thank you again for the cleaning tips. I'll get on that soon!

Nothing at all.

Russ

Thread update!! I had a good friend clean the gun for me as I have little to now knowledge in blued guns. Safe to say, the guns looking great. The surface rust is mostly cleared with minimal scarring and obviously the dust is cleared and it's well oiled now. I scored some used stocks on eBay and can't complain about them. Thanks for all the help in this thread.

Looks Great! Amazing what a little elbow grease can do. I'm glad you added the factory stocks and kept that factory look. Good friend I might add. I hope you had the opportunity to watch him clean your pistol. Congratulations on having one of the best CCW. Be carful they have a problem ? of reproducing in you safe.

It only looks about a thousand percent better . . .

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Looking good! A most excellent transformation.

And my personal opinion is that brand new grips would've just looked wrong on that gun. The slight scarring and wear on the grips you have now fits better with the gun's age and overall appearance.

if you are going to use this as a carry gun...I'd shoot it with
both sets of grips & see which feel better/ ones you shoot
better with them on... & put those on it for use. My guess
is that you will like the rubber Pachy's better. In any case
keep those wood grips thrown back.

My congrats to you & your friend on how nicely he got it to
look..From the 1st photos you posted.. I did not expect it to
look anywhere near that nice. I urge you to get a can of
Breakfree CLP... & to keep an old clean white cotton sock
sprayed down with the Breakfree (in a ziplock bag) to wipe
all your blue guns down with periodically & to wipe your daily
carry guns down every time you get them exposed to sweat...

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be safe,enjoylife,journey well