M-36 SA won't hold lock w/hammer

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Nicksterdemus

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Comes w/box, paperwork & tools

Hammer won't lock in SA.

Any idea on value? I'm clueless and guessing $200-$225?

One side is decent and the other looks like it rolled around, slid in a metal tackle box or old truck glove box.

Don't see much of a cylinder line, yet don't know how much to fix the SA.

36LL2.jpg


36LLU.jpg


36RR.jpg


Thanks for taking a peek.
 
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When you say "doesn't hold single action," do you mean the hammer locks into SA position but can be pushed off with your thumb, or doesn't even hold SA position against mainspring tension? If the former, there is a post in the gunsmithing FAQs that shows you how to fix push-off. If the latter, possibly someone has filed off the SA detente on either the hammer or trigger (or both), in which case you will need to find replacement parts to fix it.

Given its appearance and malfunction, it's hard for me to think of it as more than a parts gun --$75-100, maybe. But if you wanted a DA-only revolver, and if the timing is OK with no endshake or excessive rotational play, just use it as is.

I guess it is possible that things are just really gunked-up and cruddy inside, in which the Mother of All Internal Cleanings might be of benefit. But I would put the possibility of this fairly low.

If you want to save this particular gun, it's probably worth having a gunsmith take a 10-minute look around inside it.

That's what, '70s vintage?
 
"doesn't even hold SA position against mainspring tension"

The hammer goes back and the hammer comes forward. I thought maybe someone tried to slick up the action w/home trigger job and got carried away.

It's a '75 model.

Only a hundred clams, eh? Dang it all I was way off base. I know the 36 doesn't possess any collector value, to speak of, but a C-note sure isn't much.

I thought the box, tools & paperwork might be worth 50. Guess I need to think again.

Now, I know why the seller wants an offer instead of asking for a price.

They've probably already been to a Smith...

Thanks
 
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Sounds like someone made it DAO - which on that kind of a gun wouldn't bother me; but that doesn't help its value and it is certainly beat - if it mechanically is otherwise sound I can't see putting more than $100 in it either - that way you would still have $$$ to get it refinished if you wished.
 
Thanks, I'll pass the information on to my brother. He needs to practice shootin' in DA anyway so he might as well buy it on the cheap.

Maybe he'll save enough to get a bobbed or semi-bobbed hmr...
---------
"What's with that hammer shape ?"

Dropped while leaping tall buildings? No clue...
 
The hammer spur seems to be bent, which would prevent the hammer from going back far enough to allow the trigger to contact the single action notch. Either bob the hammer or get a replacement.

KAC
 
Well, now, you do not own it. The finish is gone. Mechanically, it needs work. The box & tools have value to sell off separately & might as well as this gun is no collector. I wonder what the dealer is not telling you! Has he looked inside? You might get lucky & find that it's something that is easily fixed & you end up with an ugly shooter. There is a place in the world for them. But you are buying a pig in a poke.

I just looked at the hammer on my M36 (it was sitting on my desk anyway) and I don't think thee's anything wrong with the hammer spur... camera angles & shaddows probably. Looking at the piece as a whole, I'd say it is a neglected home or truck gun. I doubt it was messed with internally. It might just be gunked up or a spring failed. Used parts are available...

I'd offer $75 for the package... iffy at $100. It might take some hunting to get any necessary parts... If you are lucky & can handle it yourself you could come out ahead, but ugly guns don't sell well. It would have to be for your own use.
If you do not like gambling, walk away.
Russ
 
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I think possibly it was an old police gun that had been made DAO. Then carried in a tackle box or some other unprotected means for quite awhile. I would be a little more generous, but with box & tools max at $150, (if is is a DAO and not a bubba trigger job).
 
I'm with the "offer $75 and pay up to $100" crowd, but only if the gun is tight, and it might actually be worth more. If I had it, I'd bob the hammer, whether it's been made DAO or not, as I have little to no use for a "cockable" snubby, anyway. Refinishing it wouldn't be all that expensive; I have a gunsmith friend who does some of the prettiest blue jobs you'll ever see, and would likely not charge more than $50-$60 to blue a 36. I think Texas Armament Company does a black Parkerizing that would be about $60, too, and that might even be preferable. I've had TAC black-park several handguns, a Remingto 870 shotgun and an M-1 carbine for me, and they do great work with a short turnaround. Either refinish would certainly add more than that to its value, again, IF IT IS TIGHT. If not, I'd pass on this little beater at any price.
 
Looks like another mystery solved. Thanks guys.
-------------------
Caught cat napping. This is owned by an individual. I've never seen anything other than the pics that my brother took and sent. I looked and the screws didn't appear to be boogered up and the girl that owned it has had it for a while as I understand. Family gave it to her before/after she moved to the big city.

It's my understanding that it works in DA. One side looks decent and the other is fairly well scratched up. I don't notice much of a cylinder line so I was thinking maybe carried & slid around a lot, but not fired much. She let my brother take it w/him to show whoever and assign some value of worth.
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36LL.jpg


36RR.jpg
 
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Hi:
The Model 36 has been "Dropped" thus the bent hammer spur. The front of the trigger guard might be bent also. The bent hammer spur can be corrected and likely be the reason of not being SA. I would give $150.00. It needs a first class detailed cleaning and lub. Correct the bent hammer spur and you have a carry/shooter.
 
Thanks Jimmy. All I have to go on is the pics and what my brother e-mails.

If nothing else I'd lop that spur off so I could carry it in my pocket.
 
I don't think the trigger guard is bent. It looks funny but the image maybe distorted but my M36 guard is that basic shape. I really am not convinced the hammer spur is bent.

I just pulled the side plate off my M36 (still on my desk) & watched the hammer trigger interaction when cocking. I am changing my opinion to think this is a DAO Police trade in. If you want a DA/SA gun then you'd need to assume hammer & trigger would have to be replaced & deduct that cost from the value. If you wanted a DAO gun, I'd still use that to beat them up on price!

In any event, I'd not assume it is a DAO conversion, I'd pull the side plate & check things out. I'm sure it needs cleaning / lube job anyway.
Russ
 
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If it isn't bent then the hammer should go back the full length of the slot in the frame w/o the hmr spur striking the frame.

If the hmr is bent preventing SA then it's coming into contact w/frame not allowing full movement.

As I understand.

Unfortunately all I have are pictures...
 
Convenient having my M36-1 on the desk.
At full cock, the standard hammer spur should be slightly beyond the grip recoil shoulder, so yes, it must clear. In the full cock notch there is ~1/16" clearance between that recoil shoulder & the hammer. If there is interference, then it is indeed bent, simple as that. (If there is intererence, blocking the full hammer stroke, then the sear may not be engaging the full cock notch.
Not very scientific but when I hold my pistol up in front of the screen... aligned with the image... it does appear the spur is bent. I stand corrected & my hat's off to those who spotted it.
I should have thought of this sooner. Sorry.
Russell
 
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I would bet my two cents on the hammer spur being bent.
We had hundreds of these come in when our shop next to NYC PD headquarters was open.

90% of the time we were able to rebend the spur without the hammer breaking
 
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