The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Dissassembly of a S&W Model 36

Tatume · January 25, 2013, 10:23 AM

Mike is absolutely correct about not trying to pry off the side plate. Don't do it.

However, he stopped short of telling you how to remove the side plate. With the screws removed, hold the gun in one hand with the side plate down in your palm. Smartly rap the gun on the other side with the handle of your gunsmith's screwdriver. The sideplate will start to move. Rap it again if necessary, until you can turn the gun over and lift off the side plate with your fingers.

Be careful about how much the side plate moves when you tap it. Stop tapping when you can lift off the side plate. You don't want all the action parts to come out in your hand. You want to be able to see them all in place in the gun so you can observe how they inter-relate.

January 25, 2013, 10:23 AM	#7
Tatume Junior Member Join Date: January 20, 2013 Location: Gloucester, Va. Posts: 9	Mike is absolutely correct about not trying to pry off the side plate. Don't do it. However, he stopped short of telling you how to remove the side plate. With the screws removed, hold the gun in one hand with the side plate down in your palm. Smartly rap the gun on the other side with the handle of your gunsmith's screwdriver. The sideplate will start to move. Rap it again if necessary, until you can turn the gun over and lift off the side plate with your fingers. Be careful about how much the side plate moves when you tap it. Stop tapping when you can lift off the side plate. You don't want all the action parts to come out in your hand. You want to be able to see them all in place in the gun so you can observe how they inter-relate.