My Roommate dropped my model 36 20 feet to the concrete

[daaaveman]

So my idiot roommate had my 1974 Nickel Model 36 in his coat pocket walking down the deck stairs. It slipped out of his pocket, bounced down the deck stairs to the second floor then over the side to the concrete below. The only good thing is that it didn't go off. It was fully loaded.

Now what to do? It's broken. The little button on the back of the pushrod is broken off. We got it open, unloaded it, and then closed it again. Now it doesn't want to open. Other than that, the trigger guard has a beat-up edge. I think it will mostly buff out. Bottom line - that's one tough little pistol.

I need a gunsmith. My question for my learned forum buddys is do I send it to S&W or go to a local gunsmith? Or a great S&W gunsmith somewhere else. I'm in St. Louis. Does anyone know a great smith here? I don't think it's a huge job, I just want it done right.

 

[daaaveman]

So my idiot roommate had my 1974 Nickel Model 36 in his coat pocket walking down the deck stairs. It slipped out of his pocket, bounced down the deck stairs to the second floor then over the side to the concrete below. The only good thing is that it didn't go off. It was fully loaded.

Now what to do? It's broken. The little button on the back of the pushrod is broken off. We got it open, unloaded it, and then closed it again. Now it doesn't want to open. Other than that, the trigger guard has a beat-up edge. I think it will mostly buff out. Bottom line - that's one tough little pistol.

I need a gunsmith. My question for my learned forum buddys is do I send it to S&W or go to a local gunsmith? Or a great S&W gunsmith somewhere else. I'm in St. Louis. Does anyone know a great smith here? I don't think it's a huge job, I just want it done right.

 

[pownal55]

well the first thing you do is slap your roomate in the head, twice. then call s&w, ask for gene, he will give you a ball park figure over the phone on repairs. the tough part is overnight shipping with fedex, about 60 bucks. sorry i can't help you with a local smith.

 

[ColbyBruce]

well the first thing you do is slap your roomate in the head, twice


This is very good advice.

 

[sceva]

Tell your room mate that he just bought a model 36 (at it value before dropping it) and find yourself another one.

 

[daaaveman]

Originally posted by sceva:
Tell your room mate that he just bought a model 36 (at it value before dropping it) and find yourself another one.

Wish I could. It was my Grandpa's though. It's a gun I need to have forever. He will, however, be paying for the repair!

Here's a pic pre-drop. Not much to see post-drop. Did break my nice pearls....

 

[38-44HD45]

Originally posted by daaaveman:


Now what to do? It's broken. The little button on the back of the pushrod is broken off.

Since there are no buttons or pushrods on a Model 36, I'm trying to figure out what broke.

Did it break the threaded stud off the bolt plunger? The bolt plunger is what the thumbpiece nut screws onto. The thumbpiece is what you push on to release the cylinder for loading and unloading.

Since it sounds like it needs a refinish, sending it back to Smith is probably best, but replacement of a bolt plunger is not a big task for most any gunsmith, if that is what is broken. Or is it the back end of the center pin that sheared? The center pin protrudes through the center of the extractor star. That's a pretty easy fix, too. Yep, those are tough little guns.

And by the way, the advice given by others with respect to what to do to your roomie, so far, is way too kind.

 

[VM]

The gun didn't go off and your roommate will be repairing gun but why was he carrying your loaded gun in his coatpocket unprotected/unholstered?

 

[Spotteddog]

There's only one thing to do then?
See if it still works?
ON HIM!

 

[daaaveman]

Originally posted by daaaveman:
I wish I could say why the bonehead did not have it in a holster. I loaned it to him with a desantis. "he was just running down to the car". We live in the hood so never go out unarmed.

Here's a pic of what broke (in blue). At least all I've identified so far that is broken. It's the back end of the center pin.

 

[Guest]

I'd be amazed if this is actually broken. It may have been forced forward or the whole Ejector Rod might have gotten bent. The bend Ejector Rod would keep this part from moving properly which is what it sounds like is happening.

The Stocks are what appear to be J. Scott Brand(I think) that are actually plastic. You might do a little shopping on FleaBay for a replacement set. I've seen them on there in the Past but can't speak about the current crop.

I think the best thing you can do is talk to Smith about taking a look at the gun and seeing what they suggest about refinishing and repairs. Once the surface of the Nickel has been broken, I'm guessing it has been, it will likely begin coming off.

I hope you and your friend have learned a good lesson. You not to loan him any more guns and both of you that carrying without a holster is an accident waiting to happen!!!

 

[38-44HD45]

A few years back, a Model 29 I got through Gunbroker came to me with a badly bent center pin, along with deep peening on one side of the center pin hole in the breechface. It had either been poorly packed and the package abused (not likely, since the box was in relatively good shape) or dropped before it ever shipped and landed on one side of the cylinder. I've seen this kind of damage a couple of other times, with both sheared and bent center pins. Takes a lot to shear one, though, and either way, if the impact was on the side of the cylinder, there will be peening one one side of the pin hole in the breechface. If not, then Mike is likely right, and the ejector rod or center pin or both may just be bent. I would not be surprised if the yoke is also bent some. It needs a going over by a good gunsmith, for sure. Sorry for your loss.

 

[all5x]

Sorry to hear about the accident..and I agree with others who say the center pin is just caught up in the ratchet and probably not broken off..having had to repair several dropped guns, Model 10, 681 amd 686 I would suspect that the center pin is damaged beyond repair..send it back and it will be as good as new..but get a deposit if you loan it to anyone..for repairs if necessary..a very nice gun indeed..all5x

 

[Muley Gil]

So my idiot roommate had my 1974 Nickel Model 36

Don't you mean your EX-roommate?

 

[Duke426]

After pistol whipping your former roommate with the aforementioned nickel model 36...

As was recommended already, call S&W and ask for Gene. He will get you squared away.

 

[il Padrino]

First off, I'd like to offer my condolonces to you for the loss of your roommate. (if it was my gun he'd be sleeping with the fish by now)

Next I'd also suggest sending it in to S&w I'm sure they'd make it as good as new.

 

[toocool]

Originally posted by ColbyBruce:
well the first thing you do is slap your roomate in the head, twice


This is very good advice.

I think you should double it.

 

[n4zov]

I just want it done right.

In that case, send it to S&W. They have the parts on hand and experience to fix it right. It probably won't cost you anymore in the long run than trying to find a local gunsmith who might fix it like you want.