Model 36 adjustable sights?

[Rev Dr]

Hello,
Though I've been reading for a while, this is my first post. I have much appreciated the expertise on this site.
I have a couple of Model 36's that I'd love to add adjustable sights to and am hoping to hear suggestions as to how/who can do the work?
I've searched this site and called a few places, even tried to get my local smith to drill a hole for a "wondersight," but he wouldn't do it.
I'm not interested in lasers. And am willing to pay more than is wise. I just find these little revolvers so accurate (when the light is right) that I'd like to adapt them for general hiking/camping use. Plus one would make a fun little target shooter. And as a right handed/left eyed shooter who likes to use a couple different loads, adjustables would really help.

Thanks for all your assistance,
Rev Dr.

 

[29aholic]

Why dont you take them and trade for a newer model J frame that already has adjustable sights?

 

[Rev Dr]

Sentimental attachment more than anything. I like 'em. They're trusted and familiar. I like the oldsters....

Rev Dr

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! Practically speaking, Curtis is correct; you will pay a lot more to have a gunsmith alter an original model 36 to add adjustable sights than to find one from the factory. There are such guns, called Chiefs Special Targets or model 50s, but they are rare. There is a 2" stainless CS that is more available.

However, if practicality is not an issue, several custom gunsmiths can tackle the job for you. Hamilton Bowen comes first to mind, but I'm sure there are others. Hope this is helpful.

 

[ar15ed]

there were 660 of the ashland stainless cst, but they seem to still be relatively easy to find.

i tend to agree with the others. i think it would be pretty straight-forward to just buy a stainless gun with adjustable sights already on there. there are a couple on g-b right now, actually. one of them is not exactly perfect, and i think its starting bid is 300.00, or something. i think there was one on this forum's classifieds a few weeks ago, for a very reasonable price. (650-700, maybe)

i'd say you could tie that up at a custom gunsmith in a hurry!

good luck!
ed

 

[H Richard]

Other than those, there are a couple other models, such as the Mod 36-6, which is a 3" with adjustable sights, and it's stainless counterpart, the Mod 60-4. There is also the newer mod 60's in .357 with adjustable sights.

 

[Rev Dr]

I'll check out the offerings, but I'm pretty stuck on getting these two 36 no-dashes fixed up if I can. I've had both a while and they have nice smooth pulls and are silly accurate. The uglier one is a darn tack driver when I can see the sights well enough. They seem to me to have a little more soul than the newer stainless offerings, and if cost wasn't too much more to fix up, I'd stick with these....

I appreciate all the responses and would love to hear from anyone who has upgraded to adjustable sights on a fixed model j-frame.

I see Bowen offers better fixed sights....

 

[hotrod150]

Nothing wrong with the newer versions, but they're just not the same as a vintage model 36. IMHO a newer longer-barrelled model 60 357 looks more like a baby 686 than it does an old original circa 1965 model 60 stainless Chief. Somewhere along the line S&W should have issued it a new model number. The lines of the IL framed newer guns in the area behind the hammer just don't look as good either- again IMHO.
So just go for it, Reverend Doc! And post some pics when you get 'er done.

 

[GerSan69]

Hi Rev, I did this mod 30+ years ago.
It's going to be a lot harder to find a j-frame adjustable sight these days, but I'm sure there are a few still around. I know of one guy, "Magnum Mark," on Gun Broker, who seems to have a ton of Smith parts. His prices are a little high, but the parts are good quality (I purchased an unused barrel from him earlier this year.) There are other parts dealers that I'm sure are just as good.

I don't remember exactly which front site we used, but I seem to recall that it resembled a k-frame ramp-style.

As for a gunsmith, I recently used TJ's in Aurora CO (TJ's Gunsmithing). They are well-regarded locally.

Sounds like a fun project. Hope to see pictures!

 

[TSQUARED]

I had one of the Model 36's produced by S&W with factory target sights. Mine was from a run ordered by S&W's Chicago distributor - H. H. Harris. That was ca 30+ years ago.

 

[Rev Dr]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll call TJ's and see if they're interested. I looked on GB for Magnum Mark and didn't find that seller name, but I'll keep an eye out.

Anyone else had this done--recently even? Seems like there'd be some demand.

Would be happy to put up some photos when I get something figured out.

Rev Dr

 

[Elroy]

It's going to be a lot harder to find a j-frame adjustable sight these days, but I'm sure there are a few still around.

A .22 LR model 34 would indeed yield the adjustable sight. That's the easy part.

Don't forget that the front sight that's incorporated as a forged integral element with the barrel also needs to be addressed. Now you're looking at a barrel change as well.

It's our understanding that a small run of adjustable sight "chiefs" were indeed produced.

I'd like to have one

 

[Frank237]

I'd look into a M 36-6 and be done with it. You would also have an all original gun that is appreciating in value.

FN in MT

 

[GerSan69]

Rev, I just PM'ed you with Mark's info.

 

[beemerrider]

Back in my "Bulls-eye" shooting days, I was all about shooting my only 2" Charter arms, but alas, it always was 1 1/2 inches right of the center at 25yds. Oh, yeah, I forgot 2 inchers are generally considered 3-5yard pistols. So, I traded something for one of the stainless mod 60's and actually dialed it in on an 6" target at 100 yards, and it worked! If you don't like or can't find a good mod 60, call Grant Cunningham who is nationally known as a very good revolver gunsmith and customizer. He's in Oregon near Hillsboro I believe. First though; really think through how you are likely to use this revolver; are adjustable sight really needed for your intended use?

 

[Rev Dr]

GerS, thanks for the link. That is real helpful.

beem, I'll add Grant Cunningham to the list of folks to talk to.

(I'd use an adjustable M36 for any and all purposes for which an adjustable M36 ought to be used! Long(er) range target plinking w. a snubby wouldn't be too far down the list either....)

And I appreciate any additional suggestions and resources.

Rev Dr

 

[GerSan69]

No need for a new barrel, unless you wanted to replace a 2" with a 3". A good 'smith can either take an existing sight or fabricate a new one, which might be the better choice.
Another parts source: Numrich has parts and basic schematics for most S&Ws. The adjustable sights are part 10 to q18 on the diagram. The ones under the specific J-Frame revolvers, like Mdl 34, etc., are sold out, but there's one sight assembly under "J-Frame Accessories"... it has a .122 leaf instead of the .086 that's listed in the J schematics. Not sure about that, a call to Numrich might clear up the discrepancy.

 

[Rev Dr]

Well, I snatched up that Numrich sight assembly, figured at that price I couldn't lose. But I'm also considering another possibility. Updates to follow. Thanks for everybody's help.