Week of the Chiefs/M36?

[geotech]

Noted a lot of threads on them lately.

I FINALLY added a 3" Mod 36 (stamped, no dash), flat latch, round butt, diamonds to my collection on Saturday out of a small shop on consignment. Owner kept in the nightstand since purchase, and only put a half box of factory ammo through it - the other half came in the deal!

Sadly, the box was long gone, but for the price, and only minor finish blemishes from moving around in a drawer with who knows what, I wasn't passing it up - $330 to my FFL!

I will throw up a photo when it gets to my FFL and I'm back home.

 

[Jim NNN]

Cool! I bought my Model 36 w/3" barrel about a week and a half ago. I LOVE it. It's the best condition old Smith and Wesson that I own. CONGRATS on a really cool gun.

QUESTION: Is your cylinder release pretty smooth on your 36? It seems that my k frames swing the cylinder out a little smoother than my "new" old 36. The 36 hasn't had near the use that the other guns have, so I don't know if the release is just something that smooths out with use, or if it needs a little work. It's hard to release the cylinder on one chambver in particular. (Requires help from my left hand to push it out. Other chambers aren't so bad.) Just curious if your was the same.

ENJOY your new old gun!

 

[geotech]

I'd say the 36 with the flat latch is on the more "stiff" end of feel if I compare it across my collection of Smiths. While stiff, the cylinder releases smoothly. Any chance your extractor is loose or the rod bend?

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the purchase as I have a pre 36 five screw not in as good as condition but a beauty anyway.

 

[papajohn428]

Congratulations on your latest find! Aren't they sweet? A three-inch 36 has been one of my Grail Guns since the late 80's, I finally stumbled upon one a year or so ago, and pounced like a jaybird on a junebug. Mine's a later version, with a noticeable turn line, and a little holster wear on the barrel, but mechanically it's tight as a drum.

The original grips were a bit dinged up, so I decided it deserved a nice set of Spegels, yet despite the photo, I still can't bring myself to subject it to the rigors of daily carry!

 

[Jim NNN]

Geotech,
I'd say that the other 4 chambers are really fairly smooth now, but, as you say, a bit stiff. Not really concerned about them. All the chambers got easier to release because I worked them a lot. (Don't know if that was a good idea or not.) That final chamber still just needs a BIT of extra help from my left hand...not much. Don't notice anything loose or bent. Could be after 45 years the gun is just starting to get worked in...it really hasn't been used much.

I might have a smith look at it anyway.