S&W Model 36 in .32 S&W Long? *Update*

[Dump1567]

Update:

Got a new trigger/hand I order off ebay and dropped it in yesterday. At first it seemed like it was hanging up on something, but then started working 100%.

I shot it today with .32 S&W Long (round nose and WC). Ran 100% and hit to POA.

I'm happy. Thanks to all those that participated in this thread.

I picked this up today from my shop after finding it on GB. Per the serial number, it should date to 1969? The seller confirmed that it was marked "MOD 36", and sure enough it is. But as a .32 S&W Long, I'm assuming it should be a 30-1?

I've seen other mis-marked S&W's, but has anyone ran into one like this?

 

[FPrice]

WAYYYYY outside my scope of knowledge but it sure does look like the pictures in the book. Will be interested in reading what the more knowledgeable folks say.

 

[JH1951]

^^^ What FPrice said! ^^^
I have seen the caliber mismarked several times, so I assume they have mismarked the model at times as well.
This one, being a six-shot, sure isn't a Model 36.

 

[M29since14]

Seems possible someone ordered a Model 30 and the factory put one together with a Model 36 frame, but who knows? Maybe an employee-built gun for his own personal use that eventually found a home with you? Or it could have been put together in the field? Without a letter, it’s hard to say.

 

[Model19man]

It deserves a letter. Most likely it shipped as a 5 shot Model 36 and someone converted it to a 6 shot 32 Long. Or it is a (unfortunate) factory mistake.

 

[steelslaver]

I converted a newer J frame 38 +P into a 327mag and believe it of not the hand works fine

Could be a factory mistake or a conversion.
J frame 32 barrels and cylinders are easy to get

 

[Toyman]

The serial number is in the range of post was 32 hand ejectors. I think the frame was miss marked.

 

[Alk8944]

S&W revolvers are model-defined by features, therefore this gun is a Model 30 regardless of the model number stamped in the frame.

There are several possibilities as to how this came to be as described in other posts. The only way of knowing is to request a factory letter if this question is worth $100 to you to find out, and this is only a maybe as the shipping log may contain the same error.

 

[GerSan69]

Mismarked for sure if that's not a parts swap. Doesn't improve the value but personally I wouldn't care. I'd love to have one, period!

 

[ColbyBruce]

I am going to step up and be the first to encourage you to rid yourself of that oddball thing. .32 guns are addictive, and if you don’t part with it now it will be the beginning of the end of every spare nickel you can scrounge up. By the MLK, JR. holiday, you most likely will be posting photos of your second .32 or asking for advice on its purchase. By Valentine’s Day you will own number three, or possibly four, and may own six by Easter Sunday.

Good luck with this.

 

[Dump1567]

Probably not worth spending $100 for a letter. I'll just shoot and enjoy it.

 

[JFthunder]

I would love to find a “Model 38” with that “mistaken” configuration.

 

[Hondo44]

Well there’s something to check that may give us a clue to what happened.

Open the cylinder, push the extractor star to the rear and read the serial number on the backside with a flashlight and magnification if you need it. If it matches the number on the butt of the grip frame, it likely came as a .32 from the factory and the model number is mistamped.

If it is a different number, the gun was likely converted to .32 after it left the factory.

 

[Dump1567]

Well there’s something to check that may give us a clue to what happened.

Open the cylinder, push the extractor star to the rear and read the serial number on the backside with a flashlight and magnification if you need it. If it matches the number on the butt of the grip frame, it likely came as a .32 from the factory and the model number is mistamped.

If it is a different number, the gun was likely converted to .32 after it left the factory.

Thanks. I don't recall seeing a serial number, but I'll go double check.

 

[Dump1567]

Hard to make out. Looks like it may have been scrubbed? And the cylinder holes may have been reamed to .32 H&R magnum. I also noticed a few dings around and on the barrel pin, that you wouldn’t expect on an original barrel pin.

And it wasn’t mentioned in this post, but the cylinder rotation is a little stiff. Which could indicate things not going together as well as a factory build.

I thinks it was someone’s project. I’m fine with it. I just want a .32 shooter. And kicked around the H&R Mag conversion myself.

 

[steelslaver]

No matter, till a great little gun and being reamed to 32H&R is an improvement IMHO

 

[Green Frog]

The first thing that struck me when I saw the first picture was that the finish of the barrel appears darker and more shiny than the frame. I’m leaning toward the parts gun theory. If the chambers have been reamed to H&R specs, that old be more evidence that it was somebody’s project gun.

Regardless of its prior history, that is, IMHO at least, a very desirable shooter. Even if you just use 32 Longs, it will be fun, but the H&Rs will take it to a whole other level. My love for the 327 FM is long a matter of public record, but the J frame and the 32 H&R are a match made in Handgun Heaven.
Froggie

 

[raljr1]

I am going to step up and be the first to encourage you to rid yourself of that oddball thing. .32 guns are addictive, and if you don’t part with it now it will be the beginning of the end of every spare nickel you can scrounge up. By the MLK, JR. holiday, you most likely will be posting photos of your second .32 or asking for advice on its purchase. By Valentine’s Day you will own number three, or possibly four, and may own six by Easter Sunday.



Good luck with this.

I agree, and to save you the cost of the letter, I will give you $100 if you ship the gun to my FFL.

Robert

 

[CH4]

Trade ya a cherry 3” for your mismarked 2”

 

[Hondo44]

Does the cylinder rotation still feel stiff when it’s open or only when closed?

Since the cylinder and extractor star have been changed, the most likely cause is the star rubbing on the breechface. A little stoning on the star ratchet teeth maybe all it needs.