I have been thinking about buying a M60 or M36 to use as a carry gun (I own a M66-4, 4" now). I just talked with a guy on the phone about a model 36 he has for sale for $500. Can any of you guys help me with your opinion on what this gun is worth and how it would compare to a later issue? I have not ever shot one of these yet and I have not seen this gun yet.
The owner tells me it's in fantastic shape with the original wood stocks and 3" barrel. He says it does not have the high gloss blue, but more of a matte finish (is that factory?) with no holster wear marks. He said he got it from another guy who carried it in a holster for 30 years as a prison guard and shot it very little.

Model 36-1 pinned/recessed
S/N J33728
Thank you...

Well, a M36-1 with a 3" barrel wil be 38 Special. I own one. It might have a pinned barrel but only magnum calibers had recessed chambers, so it would not have them. I really doubt that a gun could be holster carried 30 years with NO holster wear. It might have been kept at home but rarely carried. In my opinion these are desireable guns... but today most of the value is as a collecable, IMHO. As soon as you start carrying it regularly, the blue will begin to wear. I have a blue M19 that I carried until I could get a M66 & even with a lined holster a bit of blue wear happened.
For carry use, I feel a SS M60 is superior because the appearance will not be harmed significantly. Even SS Police duty trade ins clean up very well...

If this gun is as you say, it's a very nice gun but probably not ideal for your intended use. Your investment would be better spent on a M60 or other stainless J frame.
Russ

$500 is significantly overpriced IMHO. I bought one a few months back, that is 95%+ easy, 1 7/8 inch barrel, with box, all paperwork, and tools still sealed in the plastic, not a scratch on it for $369. I agree that it would not be recessed, and I am unaware of any factory matte finish on these guns.

If I were you, I would keep looking...

Agree, $500 is about $100-150 above current values if it has any appreciable wear. The seller is probably referring to the fact that it does not have a highly polished blue finish. The standard blue of this model gun is not very shiny.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I'd skip that M36 too unless you really got a close look at it. For carry get a 2" M60 or one of the new series 6 airweights. I like the M638 and the M642 is popular.

Well, for a price comparison I picked up a Mod 60 38spl 17/8 " S/S police trade in from a dealer almost 2 years ago for $300. Very clean gun.

A lot has changed in the past two years. You can definitely find a mint model 36 snub with box and tools for about $450 to $500 easy though. I've seen a couple online recently.

I paid $350 for a lightly-used M 36, circa 1968, square-butt on New Years Day, at a gun show. You can do better.

there are 3" barrel 36s with a matt finish.the ones i have seen have adjustable sites.i have seen asking prices in the $500 range.very few made

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Jim McGhee

If it was carried for 30 years, has no finish wear, and the finish is matte, then it was very likely re-blued. I would also say $500 is high. I recently picked up a model 36 with 3" barrel and about 90% original finish for $385.