New S&W Model 36

[Ribkick]

Just ordered a new 36, with lock. Lock is no worries to me as I have many pre locks and a new 327 with lock. I don't intend to use the lock feature so it seems useless in my case other than an ugly hole in the side. Are there any concerns? How is the blued finish on the new Smiths? I just thought a 36 should be a blued gun, not stainless. Many of my older blued Smiths have an excellent polish/blued finish.

Replies greatly appreciated...

[Marquand]

Smith is one of the few gunmakers still putting out a quality bluing job so I wouldn't be concerned about the finish. Just treat it properly and you will find it as lustrous and elegant as your other blued Smiths.

Technically a Model 36 has to be blued or nickel as a stainless 36 is known as the Model 60. ;-)

Congratulations on your new acquisition!

[GMG]

I have an older model 36, the bluing is still in great condition. It was carried by a NY policeman. Bought it from a member on this board some time ago.

attachment 37.jpg

[Twiki357]

[Carcassonne]

How is the blued finish on the new Smiths? I just thought a 36 should be a blued gun, not stainless. Many of my older blued Smiths have an excellent polish/blued finish.

I had a model 36 from mid 1990's. The finsih wasn't a traditional blue: It was more of a black.



.

[tmh1]

Mine is new production as well, with the infamous Hillary Hole. Finish is very nice, but is definitely more black than blue, as said above. Even with my XL sized hands, it is very comfortable to shoot with boot grips.

[Ribkick]

Thank you all for very great responses. You guys have some pretty nice 36's. Any more on the newer models?

[gixer1k]

My 36 is a few years old and it has a really nice deep blue shiny finish. Its exactly like my 586, so if you have seen any of the new blue finishes, its the same.

[Ribkick]

It came in to my LGS and DROS'd it yesterday. It's a beauty. Perfectly polished, blued finish like my older Smiths and a perfect double and single action trigger. I won the lottery.

Thanks for all the input.

[sakosf]

It came in to my LGS and DROS'd it yesterday. It's a beauty. Perfectly polished, blued finish like my older Smiths and a perfect double and single action trigger. I won the lottery.

Thanks for all the input.

I wouldn't mind finding a older Mod 36 on consignment at a LGS

or one like this

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/smith-wesson-60-38-s-w-special-caliber-revolver-pr34530/

[Ribkick]

I wouldn't mind finding a older Mod 36 on consignment at a LGS

or one like this

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/sm...olver-pr34530/

There you have it. What's the problem?

[ACfixer]

I have the 36's nekkid cousin.

[sakosf]

There you have it. What's the problem?

The problem is the rooster in regard to that gun for sale at a TX dealer

[dfletcher]

Just ordered a new 36, with lock. Lock is no worries to me as I have many pre locks and a new 327 with lock. I don't intend to use the lock feature so it seems useless in my case other than an ugly hole in the side. Are there any concerns? How is the blued finish on the new Smiths? I just thought a 36 should be a blued gun, not stainless. Many of my older blued Smiths have an excellent polish/blued finish.

Replies greatly appreciated...

The photos is post #3 and post#6 will illustrate what I reference.

Lock hole aside, the profile of the gun from rear sight down to the top of the grip is markedly different. This is to accomodate the lock hardware. I don't like it. If folks say "who cares?" that's fine, they probably think the Porsche 924 looks as nice as the 944 or that the Mustang II looked as nice as a 1967.

The bluing on the new Smiths can be very nice, but it is thin and more susceptible to scratching than the older models. I had (note past tense) a Model 21 and while the polish was great the bluing seemed very shallow - not "into the metal" but rather just on top. A rub or two resulted in distinct scratching rather than rub marks we're used to and blue touch up didn't blend well at all.

While the internals have a lego land look to them my bet is the new Smiths have closer tolerances and are more consistenly the same than when I started buying in the 1970s. I'd expect functionally they're top quality as always.

[Ribkick]

The problem is the rooster in regard to that gun for sale at a TX dealer

Call me stupid (and feel free) but can't you PPT it here?