Model 36-2 DAO...?

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acpick11

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I recently purchased a Model 36-2 that appears to have a factory bobbed hammer and is double action only...Also it has more of a satin blue than I have seen on Model 36s...Just wondering if it is factory, or has been modified..?
 
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Photos and serial number may help......

This will help our resident experts assist with the ID...
 
Photos would sure help the model 36 aficionados, who will be looking at your post, with their evaluations and information.
 
I just browsed through my Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson book and it indicated three special bobbed hammer issuances of the Model 36 with bobbed hammers in 1989. The book details didn't say which dash number these were however.

There was no mention of special finishes or them being DyAO. Perhaps someone with one of these models can confirm whether having a bobbed hammer from S&W automatically can assume the Model 36 would have been converted to double action only in some way (DAO).

I also wonder (not ever having seen one) what would make a bobbed hammer appear to be from the factory vs. someone bobbing a hammer in his/her own shop. Another question might be would S&W have sold such a hammer by itself for somebody to install in a Model 36-2 build of their own.

I'm sorry to say I don't understand the intricacies to know what makes a revolver DAO vs double action. I don't have a bobbed hammer revolver to be able to compare with one of my regular hammered version double action revolvers.
 
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A brief sidetrack, hopefully not a thread-hijack, but what is changed in a S&W revolver to make it double-action-only? Obviously, bobbing the hammer doesn't do it.
 
In 1989 the company released a Chiefs Special (Model 36-2) DAO in "glass beaded (satin) blue." There were 2,000, according to reputable sources. They are truly double action only -- you cannot make the hammer operate in single action. Mine offer the best double action triggers of any S&W I own, including more than a few Centennials.

Enjoy yours, acpick11.
 

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I have one of the '89 DAO models as well. It's my favorite carry gun. I'd have to rummage around in the garage to dig out the box and find the number, but they carry a special production code.

KNvEDUk.jpg
 
L-2 said:
A brief sidetrack, hopefully not a thread-hijack, but what is changed in a S&W revolver to make it double-action-only? Obviously, bobbing the hammer doesn't do it.
Click to expand...

Honestly, I've never had my hands on a M36 DAO but I do own a two M64s in factory DAO. The hammers in my 64s have no single action notch ground in them and never did. Also, the hammers don't appear to be modified standard hammers with the spur ground off but rather hammers that were made from scratch to have no thumb spur. I would guess that since the M36 DAO guns use a different hammer than a K frame that the tooling was made to produce J frame DAO hammers too. But I'm just guessing.
 
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I have one and it's my favorite EDC. Found it at a LGS last year. When I first saw it I thought someone had bobbed the hammer and threw a different finish on it,( even the shop owner thought so too), but I went home, looked up the serial #, and immediately ran back and bought it.
 

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Pictures...

Serial # is BDW36xx...The hammer is case hardened, it would be difficult or impossible to make it look this good if it was bobbed by someone...No box, there has been a couple rust spots on the cylinder at one time...I paid $300 for it, I am happy...Thanks for all of the help...!
 

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New 36

Hey guys,
Just picked up this DAO 36-2 with the satin finish and the factory wood grips. It's my third S&W and I was looking for some information on it and this forum pretty much answered all my questions. Thanks
 

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Armadillo18 said:
Hey guys,
Just picked up this DAO 36-2 with the satin finish and the factory wood grips. It's my third S&W and I was looking for some information on it and this forum pretty much answered all my questions. Thanks
Click to expand...

You're welcome. And welcome to the Forum! Awfully nice Chief you have there; I envy you.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
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