Smith and Wesson Model 36 Clone, A Rossi Model 68 Imported by Interarms

[lordhelpmeseewithtrijicon]

Morning folks. I have a tiny issue. I have a Rossi Model 68 imported by Interarms. My understanding is it is a S&W M36 clone. I changed the springs out to a Wolff Spring pack to reduce the crazy 18lb DA pull. Worked fine. I then pulled internals out and cleaned, polished, cleaned, and oiled them. Now, occasionally the hand doesn't rotate cylinder when revolver is tilted back. It functions other than that, plus trigger pull in DA/SA is awesome. I bought this gun used as a yard gun, fishing gun. It isn't my EDC. My question is what could the deal with the hand? The hand spring functions properly. I did lube well, possibly the issue? Thanks folks.

 

[lordhelpmeseewithtrijicon]

Ideas from some revolver experts.

Any ideas folks, especially from you wheel gun masters or old timers who have learned more than ever will. Thanks!

 

[kaaskop49]

You refer to this Rossi as a Model 36 "clone." Outside of it being a snub-nose, 5-shot .38 revolver, I don't know how much of a "clone" it really is. The one Rossi snub I have handled seemed to be functional, but not as finely finished as a Chiefs Special. Also heavier.

You could, of course, replace the original springs, see if that remedies your problem, and learn to live with that 18lb pull. At least the gun functions and you said it was more of a knock-about gun anyway, not an EDC.

Or, you could take the gun to a qualified 'smith and have him examine it and suggest a solution. It's a gun and deserves to function properly (I've never said that before) .Good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Bruce51]

Your handspring is probably not correctly installed.

Go to this link and scroll down to post #8 to see the correct position of the spring when properly installed.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/94072-faqs.html

This is not the first time this has come up so you're in the right place.

BLM

This is a Rossi 88 to help you see the internals. Pretty much a S&W clone.

 

[kaaskop49]

Your handspring is probably not correctly installed.

Go to this link and scroll down to post #8 to see the correct position of the spring when properly installed.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/94072-faqs.html

This is not the first time this has come up so you're in the right place.

BLM



This is a Rossi 88 to help you see the internals. Pretty much a S&W clone.

That does look an awful lot like Chief lockworks. I stand corrected, but I still wouldn't change the springs. Hope you get it sorted out. Extra snub can always be useful.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[lordhelpmeseewithtrijicon]

Figured it out ealier. just now remembered to look online to check this.

Dang hand spring kept moving out of the way of the hand as I was installing it. 200 rounds functions perfect, no issues. Thanks for the replies, spent most of my day fiddling with it, should have checked back here lol.

 

[lordhelpmeseewithtrijicon]

Side by side

The particular gun I have is in very good shape, great shape actually. It's a 3" blued variety. Set the M68 and the S&W M36 side by side and cover up the names, or open one up and it is hard to tell a difference. That being said I dont put Rossi as a whole in the same category as S&W. Most of the time you get what you pay for but what I bought will serve a purpose and not worry me should something happen on the river or doing yard work. As far as leaving something alone and learn to shoot it, I dunno. If there is room for safe, reliable improvement, why not if it's reasonable, safe, reliable, cost effective, ect. Thanks for your time and God Bless. BTW, the Interarms varieties seem better than the Braztech stuff, anyone agree?

 

[kaveman]

That seems to be the general consensus. There's a 'sweet spot' of Rossi production and people actually search out the Interarms guns. I've got a 68 and an 88 and they're both beautiful revolvers,.....tight, smooth, well finished. Not quite up to Smith standards, but not far off,.......and they were $125 each, both 3"ers. Lotta gun for that money.

 

[shouldazagged]

I owned an 88 bought new, years ago when I couldn't a Smith J-frame. Paid around $200 for it.


I had a smith bob the hammer, polish and radius the trigger face, and polish the innards. It was quite a nice little revolver, almost as good as to fit and finish as a Model 60. I liked and carried it, but sold it to buy a dashless 640.

 

[Big E3]

I picked up a Rossi 68 about a year ago for $71 at my local gun shop. I use it as a loner to family when a little extra protection is necessary. Not worried about it going missing if something should happen. That said I would sure miss it.

It is very similar to my 36 square butt, they each have 3" barrels. I put the Hogue grip on to make it a little easier to shoot. It also has a small adjustable rear sight. I think they are very well made little guns, enjoy yours.

 

[lordhelpmeseewithtrijicon]

Younger Generation

I am 31 and this is my 4th revolver. I am I guess a part of the fantastic plastic generation BC of having 5 times that in polymer. Actually owned three revolvers but gave my mom and stepdad a model 60 3". They lived out in the boonies with my youngest sister and didn't have anything for protection. Wished I would have kept it but am glad they finally had something. The other revolver was a LCR that my father-in-law ended up with. It killed me to see him get his permit and carry a pop-up .22 that he couldnt hit a barn with if it didn't jam. Guess I bought this knowing Smith & Wesson Parts would fit, that I can tinker with it to make it how I wanted, and that it would be easier to clean and no real money lost from mowing and fishing. I like it, but not quite as nice as the model 60 I had. Next revolver, a 686 I think. I know something in .357 or maybe .44. I loved a Ruger Super Blackhawk I had but that 7+ inch barrel wasn't realistic for my needs.

 

[H Richard]

The problem with the hand is you have evidently removed it from the trigger, and when you put it back you didn't get it under the spring tension with the hairpin spring inside the trigger cavity. This will necessitate you taking out the trigger and remove the hand, then looking inside the trigger cavity compress the spring before you put the hand back in the trigger. That is if it is like a S&W. You may think you need three hands to do it. Securing the trigger in a vise helps.

As far as quality goes, my recent experience was a friend that attempted to take the state CCL course, and couldn't get through 30 rounds of required shooting with his Rossie. He asked me to see what I could do with it. It bound up after just two rounds fired. After checking everything I concluded both the barrel face with the cylinder and the face of the cylinder were out of square. I filed and stoned enough that I could get the gun to reliably fire 50 rounds without binding up. I told him to get rid of it and get a S&W as this was his only defense gun.

 

[lordhelpmeseewithtrijicon]

Hand and hand spring.

H Richard, yeah that was it. In a previous post finally realized one of the hand pins kept slipping off. Finally got it yesterday before checking my post. 200 rounds through it yesterday no issues. Will serve it's purpose. Most Braztech firearms(Rossi and Taurus) are just not up to quality standards. But I have also had issues with other manufacturers as well. Most of the time you get what you pay for and I have certain brands I might buy for plinking or something but wouldn't carry. My guns have to go thru my "testing" before being carried.

 

[gman51]

I have a model 68 and an 88 and the triggers on mine are not bad at all. So much so that I see no need to have any trigger work done on them. The reason they are considered clones is because back in the day S&W and Rossi were under the same parent company umbrella. At that time S&W engineers and gunsmiths designed and built these guns copied from the S&W model 36.
I consider both my guns very good quality. I have owned the 68 since around 1990 and it still is like new condition.

 

[indie_rocker]

I picked up an M335 a few years ago that has been a great little 5 shot. A little stoning and a spring kit for a J-frame has the action smooth as glass. I don't have any reservations about carrying it.

I don't know what the differences are between the M68 and my M335, I've always wondered. They look very similar.

 

[lordhelpmeseewithtrijicon]

Only other is is sights.

The only other thing I want to do to it is "bubba up" the sights. My biggest issue with revolvers that I have owned are the sights, no contrast between the front and rear. I have read of folks taking nail polish(or whatever else I guess) and paint the front blade and rear sight. Any ideas on what to use and best application method? I use to paint at a job at an old job. I assume I scuff up the sight, clean it real well with a degreaser or thinner or something, then paint. Repeat coats as necessary. Anybody done this? I can't remove the front sight so changing it out isn't an option and the rear blade can come out but no point as it's not replaceable with anything but what's on it.

 

[Cyrano]

The only other thing I want to do to it is "bubba up" the sights. My biggest issue with revolvers that I have owned are the sights, no contrast between the front and rear. I have read of folks taking nail polish(or whatever else I guess) and paint the front blade and rear sight. Any ideas on what to use and best application method? I use to paint at a job at an old job. I assume I scuff up the sight, clean it real well with a degreaser or thinner or something, then paint. Repeat coats as necessary. Anybody done this? I can't remove the front sight so changing it out isn't an option and the rear blade can come out but no point as it's not replaceable with anything but what's on it.

I experimented a lot with the sights on a stainless Model 638. I used nail polish as it's cheap, available in an amazing variety of colors, and doesn't come off. If you want it off, then there's always nail polish remover. I finally put matte black on the rear sight, which you may not need to do with a blued gun. You may want to try white on the rear sight. I used a fire engine red on the front, the eye picks it up quickly.

Be prepared for some odd looks from the overly made up young lady behind the cosmetic counter. When I bought white, I told her 'It matches my hair" (I'm 82). She didn't know which way to look. When I bought red, I restrained myself, with difficulty, from telling her "It matches my eyes".