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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 09-01-2018, 01:32 PM
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DOUBLESHOT DOUBLESHOT is offline
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Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36  
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Default Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36

I have a Smith & Wesson model 36 revolver (Circa 1960) that is chromed. I have kind of avoided shooting it much because of the punchy recoil from most factory ammo. I am 65 and have a little arthritis in my shooting hand. Years ago I would shoot 38 special wadcutters out of a K frame but I haven't used them in years. While on the internet last night I discovered that most factory 38 special wadcutters are loaded lighter than standard 38 special loads. Lucky Gunner even did ballistic tests on some and they stand up pretty well for SD. So I thought they might allow me to put this gun to good use.

I went to my local indoor range this morning and they had some reloaded 38 special WCs so I bought 100 rounds and they are easier to shoot. My problem is that this gun is nickeled and it is very hard (for me) to line up the sights. I have trouble seeing them. I just got a new pair of prescription shooting glasses and they work great. The only thing I can think of is to paint the sights. Does anyone have a better idea? If not, what color(s) should I paint them. Please help. I did not buy this gun but inherited it from my dad.
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Old 09-01-2018, 02:19 PM
ABPOS ABPOS is offline
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Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36  
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Paint works. I painted the front sight on my 442 white, so I can pick it up in low light better. But you may want to paint yours red or something bright. Or maybe paint the front a color and then paint black around the edges of the rear channel. I just used testors model paint. Cleaned it real good first. I only used a clorox wipe.
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Old 09-01-2018, 02:29 PM
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Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36  
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That's what I probably will do if I don't get any other ideas. I was shooting today in single action mode, I'm not ready for double action at least not until I can see the sights. I did find that the gun (at least with these WC loads) was shooting to the right. Good groups when I took my time and could place the sights, but all shots were to the right of center. Maybe after I paint the sights and can align them better that situation will rectify itself.
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Old 09-01-2018, 03:01 PM
kthom kthom is offline
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Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36  
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Painting the front sight works very well for me, nickeled or blued gun. My preference for color is florescent green. What works best for me is to hold the front sight lined up well with the top of the front exactly even with the top of the rear sight and mark that spot on the front sight with this alignment. I then take a toothpick and apply a coating of white Testor's model paint to the front sight from the marked location upward over the top of the front sight. This after completely degreasing the metal of the front sight, of course! I allow that coat of white to dry and cure for 24 hours or more, depending on temperature and humidity. Then, again with a toothpick, I apply the green paint over the top of the white. The toothpick with a small amount of paint on the tip (not a blob!) allows me to touch the paint into place so all the area I want covered has a solid coating of paint that is as thin as it can be while still providing full coverage. Allow the second coat to dry and cure in the same fashion very well. Having the well defined line across the front sight that lines up with the bottom of the rear sight notch when the top of the front sight is level with the top of the rear sight lets me see if I'm holding the front sight higher than level very easily.

If the paint is allowed to cure well after application, this paint will last for a very long time without needing reapplication. And the paint allows me to quickly align my sights correctly both vertically and horizontally. Best part is, if the paint needs changing, it is relatively easy to just remove the paint and do it again, making any adjustments to the paint location as you choose. And if the paint needs touching up inbetween times, a small bit of paint on the toothpick will also allow you to do that.
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Old 09-01-2018, 05:12 PM
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Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36 Need help w/sights on Nickeled S&W model 36  
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This sounds awesome! If I use some painter's tape it might keep me from making a mess. Painting the sight from the top to the bottom of only what will be visable from the rear sight sounds perfect. It also may take me many tries to get it right. I already have the white enamel paint from painting the front sight of an old Ruger. I just need to buy the green paint. I could make it even easier and ask my son to do it for me!
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