I'm really wanting a S&W antique, but have decided to take my time and read up & learn a little more before I make a decision on what to get.

In the meantime, I'm considering a 36-1 Chiefs Special with the 3" heavy barrel. Seems like a nice little package. Anyone have one of these?

Any idea what would be a good price for a 1970's model, in the higher condition grades?

Thanks, Josh P

I have a 36-1 3" RB in LN condition that I "stole" in an auction a few years ago for $240. I would guess that in LN condition $400 would still be a very good price. Mine is amazingly accurate for such a small piece. Much easier to shoot accurately than a 2" snub. I carry it in an El Paso IWB.

Here's a photo of my son's M36-1..a recent purchase,3".. in nickel..He paid $425 and called me before he bought it..I counted the nickel at $50 and thought it was a good buy..He says it is a sweet shooter..

I've got a couple of M36,older in 2"...they are my favorite guns..

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To each their own, but 3 inch J frames always looked kinda "funny" to me.

Of course, I don't care for the shrouded ejector rods on the .357 Magnum J frames either.

IMHO, the mighty J frame should be a 2 incher and chambered in good ol' .38 Special.

Buy! I waffled a day too long on a 36-1 nickel 3" and it disappeared. If you are just catching the S&W bug, be aware that they don't lie around very long waiting for you to decide...

Guitar,

I am a big fan of the 3" heavy barrel 36-1. Have had one with square butt since October 1966 (shortly after they were introduced) and it remains my primary CC gun to this day. It is a pleasure to shoot but, more importantly, provides better balance and control.

I have and occasionally carry 2" RB 36s. They are great when concealability is paramount, but the 3" SB is my pick. (I do confess to using rubber grips for maximum control . . . but I'm in therapy now and hope someday to recover!)

Good luck in your search,

Russ

edited to add: can't help you on current value but I'm pretty sure you don't want to know what I paid for mine in 1966!

The only 36 I have is a 2", but the 3" is a nice design as well. They are not as frequently seen. I've seen a few for around $500 in mint condition with box and papers from the time range you're referring to. The model 36 2" or model 10 2" saw more use during this time period, and honestly they're holding their value just as well. If I were looking for one representative piece as an S&W antique, a 36 3" probably would not be it. The 36 2" would be pretty high on the list. The single most recognizable S&W design may be the pencil barrel model 10 4".

I'm happy with my model 36, 2"........but, just bought a nickle model 34, 22 LR, 2" bbl. big bucks now days. $550

Thx for the info folks... and too clarify, when I mentioned getting an antique, that will be a tip up or top break, a little later down the road.

The 36-1 is really to fill my "barrel length" gap in my more modern collection. I currently have 1 1/2", 2", 4", 5 1/2", and 8" length revolvers.

I've been wanting a gun with a 3" bbl, and I think the .38 J frame will be a nice all around gun ... maybe a little more accurate and shootable than the snub, yet still small enough to be a pocket gun, while still able to pack a punch.

Haha, I know exactly what the poster above means about certain guns looking "funny" or odd. I feel that way about the shrouded hammer Bodyguard model, but I think the 3" Chiefs Special looks sweet and balanced in the 3" size. Just my 2 cents.

Josh P

Specifically for 3", the model 36, 13, or 60 would be at the top of my list for 3". Model 13 in 3" would be a nice find, but tough to get ahold of and $$$. The modern model 60 with the factory rubber grip in 3" I have always thought looked really bad a**, but I haven't yet bought one. For shooting, the J frame round butte on the 36 can be a bit unstable in the hand. Of course, there's always square butte too.

If pocket carry is your preference, you might consider the lighter 3" regular barrel model 36. Here are some comparison pics of the differences - heavy on the top or left of picture.







Russ

Thanks Russ, that's interesting info. I didn't realize the 3" came in the lighter barrel.

JP

I gave $350 OTD for my 95% 36-1 about a year ago. No box, tools, or papers. I think the 3" barrel is highly practical.

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Georgia On My Mind

Now see there? I think the humpbacked "Bodyguard" is the sexiest Smith & Wesson J frame of all three configs!

I reckon it's a to-MAY-to...to-MAH-to kinda thang.

I love my 3 inch chief when I hold it, or shoot it, or just look at it. It's the perfect little gun... until you have to carry it. At 3" the barrel is too much for a pocket (Mostly) and if you're going to carry a 3 inch J frame IWB, you could easily carry a bigger gun. I do like it for a little hiking pistol, kit gun with a kick sort of.

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S&WCA #2018

Cherry's in Greensboro, NC had 4 of them for sale NIB last time I looked, maybe they are still there. You can Google it.

I bought a 3" 36-1 nickel with the heavy barrel about three years ago at a local show - $325 without grips in 95% condition. I was looking for a small gun to carry on woods hikes and while bicycling with my wife. I wanted something that could double as a carry piece while it would still offer some accuracy as a plinking gun when in the country.

On the first trip to the range the gun was printing everything almost a foot to the right at 25 yards. Closer examination showed the the barrel was not in correct alignment with the frame. You had to hold the front sight all the way to the left in the rear notch and then some if you wanted to hit the target. I couldn't think of any practical fix for this situation so it became trade material.

Last summer, my local dealer had available a 60-4 3" 38 spec with full lug barrel and adjustable sights. After showing him the 36-1 and explaining this disfugelty, a trade was made and I have what I want and he rather quickly sold the 36-1.

I was just out last Sunday shooting my 60-4 again and was very pleased with it's performance! It carries very securely in an El Paso Threeperson rig and seems to do everything I want it to do!

I believe that if the 36-1 shot to point of aim, I would have been very happy with it as well - but so it goes....

Ward

Wow that's a bad stroke of luck to end up with one that shoots way off. I wonder how often that happens?

I guess one never knows when buying used guns. Seldom does a person have a chance to test fire, in my experience.

JP