What sights for Model 36?

K

knightkrawler00

New member
I just bought a Chief's Special this weekend for a BUG. It was made in the early 70's, I beleive, It had a warning on some of the paperwork that came with the gun that there would be a price increase on S&W products in 1974. It appears to have had less than a box of ammo through it. Plans include a set of Laser Grips, bobbing the hammer, and making it double action only. I also want to put a different front sight on it, though I don't know which. I would like to have a tritium insert. Also, what gunsmith would you recommend, since the front sight is not pinned? Thanks for the replies.
 
I agree with the earlier posts in principle. I assume it is a 3in barrel with the groove rear sight? This little gun was never intended to be for more than close range self - defence. While it will shoot straight with the right load out to 25yds and more it won't be competitive with it's bigger brothers.
I suggest you will get more benefit from smithing a bigger .38 than this little gun (one of my favorites too). Perhaps you could try it out as is on targets up to !0yds. It should work well at that range.
These M36's are a very handy concealed carry gun and one doesn't want sights that will catch on clothing when drawing.
Anyhow - Good Luck.
 
I didn't intend to be short in my earlier post. What I intended was to suggest you keep that M36 as is. If you want a CCW/HD revolver, look around for something that already has what you want. There are varied S&W, Ruger and Taurus products that have just what you want. I suggest visiting some websites and shops to find what you want. Layaway for Christmas and enjoy!
 
BUGs have SIGHTS!? LOL I carried a H&R 32 as a BUG for years. It had no front sight. I have a family heirloom H&R that is a antique BUG. It has NO sights. If you need a big Gloworm front sight, the BGs aren't close enough to be a threat. Why not a snub 45 ACP? Taurus or S&W.
 
I bobbed my old model 60 and put a red ramp insert in the front sight and regretted later, since I picked up an internal hammer 642 for a BUG. It is lighter, no hammer to snag, no finish wear, and +p rated. If money isn't too much of an issue and the 36 is in gret shape, I'd leave it stock and pick up a true pocket gun. but that's just me....
 
Actually changing the front sight will require milling the sight off, milling a slot in the rib, and installing a new sight.
This is expensive, and hard to find someone with the skills to get it done right.

Done improperly, the gun will often shoot off to one side or the other.

For a luminous sight, most of the night-sight makers offer installation service for fixed sight revolvers.
You send the revolver in to them, and they machine the existing sight for a Tritium insert.

This works VERY well, and is cheaper than changing the entire sight on a non-removable sight gun.

For details, contact the companies who make the sights.
 
Knightkrawler,

Thought I would share a similar experience. In '97 I decided I needed a 2" .38 for a BUG and bought a Model 36 (it was made in the late 50's). It was in rough shape but I got it for a good price and planned to have it worked over to meet my needs so I did not mind.

Part of my plan involved having a night sight installed in the front sight. I called several companies and ended up sending it to one to have the front sight machined for an insert. Unfortunately, the front sight blade was too narrow to be machined and there was insufficient metal in the barrel to mill a slot. In short, the consensus was it could not be done.

I have no idea whether your M36 has the same front sight as mine does. I would presume it does, but it is possible that they changed it. If it does, I think you may be out of luck.
 
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