A new member, with a few questions.

Shrike · #1 10-09-2010, 10:21 AM

Good Morning to the group. Just purchased a Model 36.
Serial number 288xxx. In spot on shape! Live in gestapa Md,
so she can't come home till Saturday next.

Want to start a collection of the stubbies. Models 34,37,60,etc.
What should be the first book I should buy?
Was given a box of Winchester 38 SW.Can they be fired in the 36? Live close to a wally world,"Doesn't everybody!"
And a small gun shop in the county seat. So ammo selection will be a tad limited.
Your thoughts?
A great site, any addill' help much appreciated.
Bud.
Retired USMC
Aviation VMF-321

Rugskipper · #2 10-09-2010, 11:04 AM

I can't help with the 38sw-38spl question, though I'm sure that others here will chime in. I will state that I'm not a fan of putting ammo through a gun that is in any way different than what's called for on the side of the barrel. You can mail order appropriate ammo quite easily.

As for reference material, the best (and for many of us the ONLY) place to look is the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wessons by Supica and Nahas. It is commonly referred to here as SCSW, or THE book.

In your pursuits, don't neglect the old Bodyguards (models 49 & 38) and Centennials (models 40 & 42). IMHO, they are the quintessential snubbies.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum.

ps If you are in western Maryland, you are very close to a free state. The quicker you establish an address there, the easier your collecting and shooting will be.

P&R Fan · #3 10-09-2010, 12:49 PM

Welcome to the forum.
No, don't try to shoot .38 S&W in a .38 Spl.

murphydog · #4 10-09-2010, 02:36 PM

After the SCSW, History of Smith & Wesson by Roy Jinks, the current factory historian and President of the Collector's Association. Welcome to the addiction

.

MP1983 · #5 10-09-2010, 03:12 PM

don't ignore the many K & L frame subbies!!! you would be depriving yourself of great pleasure! (particularly the K-frames)

once mastered, the trigger pull & balanced weight of a K-frame provides endless shooting fun...

go after the pinned barrels when ever you can...

p.s. welcome to the forum!!

jpwhel · #6 10-09-2010, 05:07 PM

Welcome to the forum. The Mod 36 is a .38 special gun, only shoot .38 special through it. The Mod 36 is a nice little J frame. I think you will find all the J frame snubs are nice guns. Also look at the K frame snubs too, they handle the recoil better than the Jframes do.The trigger pull of the K frames is a bit smoother than the j frames also.

Happy shooting and post a picture of the 36 when you get it.