I must have this J frame 3" S@W now over 40 plus years this was my off duty 38 cal. and still prints outstanding groups it have some bluing removed from holster ware and a small spot of rust otherwise still in excellent condition

What a great carry gun.

Nice Carry indeed. That one has character for sure. Do you know how many rounds through her? Is that a heavy barrel? Thanks!! John

I worked for a small municipality in the 80's, a dinky PD with about 25 troops. One of the Defectives knew I was a gun guy, and asked me to clean his off-duty gun.....a 3" M-36.....after I shot it (of course). I fell in love instantly, and begged him to sell it to me. He was two years from retirement, and agreed. Then he came to work one day, and gave me a sheepish look. His wife had shot the 36, loved it, and claimed it as her own. I was crushed, but never forgot about that gun, even with most of the finish missing.

Fast-forward 23 years or so, I'm at a local indoor range to do my semi-annual qualification, and I started looking in the pistol case out of boredom. LOTS of semi-auto 9's, a bunch of 40's and.........wait, what's that, hidden in a dark corner? Holy Moly........it IS!

It came home with me that day, and we've been very happy together. I expect the same is true with you and yours.





Mine now wears a set of Square-butt Spegels, that fit me like a glove.

Old friends are forever, and never let you down. You have a great old friend!

Someday when the money and timing get just right together I will own one of these. I hope.

very nice pistol sounds like its given you a lifetime of service and at this rate a lifetime of service to your children. I love to add one of them 3inch J-Frames to my collection.

I snagged this M-60 several years back...one of the mid 1980's runs by RSR? Lew Horton? Forget which one.
A three inch heavy barrel with the larger SQ butt frame...Win/Win.

Way back in the mid 70's as a new cop I of course HAD to buy a two incher so bought a 2" RB M-60. Within a few months I got to shoot my gun side by side with another cops three inch SQ butt M-36. The far better sight picture with the larger sights, and the added velocity SOLD me on three inch J's.

Good thread topic Gentlemen.

FN in MT

Yep: heavy barrel
I say lost count in the last 40 plus years 158 Gr. lead 38 cal to the lead HP +P nyclad
I put just about any type of ammo threw it from dept issue to last speer gold dots +P HP

I have the 2 1/2' 638 and it handles like a dream.
Mine doesn't have quite the class as your j-frame but it gets the job done.
Thanks for the pic. :]

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

I had some one offer me 360.00 for the gun a few weeks back but I hate to sell it : seem sentimental value to me after carrying it for 20 years on the job as my off duty and retired now 21 years

Not trying to start an argument, but the gun in the pic does not have a pinned barrel, therefore it was not made prior to 1982, or 29 years ago. The box is also the style from the eighty's, not the early seventys.

In any event, it is a fine little carry gun, one that is on my wish list.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

i was thinking the same thing

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

I think thats a 36-1

Here is one of my favorite Smith's 36 No dash. I wish it was a Heavy barrel, but just the same one of my favorites. John

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That is a fine looking revolver.
I sure would like to have a 3" J frame, especially a 940.

My first handgun was a 3" model 36 square butt....sadly long gone. Great little revolver though....I love that 3" 60.

After reading the praises sung to the M36, 3", I had to find out for myself. If I didn't have a 642, the 36 would be my last keeper.
It came from G-B, and is as good as the seller said it would be.
Might have waited for a cheaper one; glad I didn't wait.
Has a BKGRIPADAPTER now. Hard to think of any improvements to
make it better. Still haven't shot it in SA mode. Can hardly wait for my Lobo holster! TACC1

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love my 36 3 in. made in 1971. goes everywhere i go.

I really, really, really want a 3" M36 in the worst way.

I got super lucky a couple years ago and nailed this tapered barrel 3" 36 RB that was advertised as being like new. First time I ever bought a gun on the computer. Turned out I am sure it was NIB with unopened tool bag, all the PW etc. Figure it was made in 1970. # 61J385. Only thing is wife shot it and said this one`s mine. I still pack it some though.
It is a joy to carry compared to others I occasionaly pack. In the picture of 3 guns its the top one.

wow. looks like mine. 1971 3" rb also. cool.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

Did someone say 3 inch J frames?

/c


Bottom to top mod. 36-1, mod. 37, mod. 43



60-4 36-6

My two favorite J-Frames
36-1


60-15

funny how when they were produced they didn't seem that popluar but 3 inch guns seem to now have a cult following- my only one is the current production pro series mod 60. great little woods gun. I looked at a pair of them at my local dealer yesterday- an earlier model with the 1/10" fornt sight and later model with the bigger 1/8" front- whta a difference in sight picture! May have to make one mine some day.
Also looked at a 3 inch model 13- i guess I like those too!

I just bought a 36-3 factory DAO this week. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet...

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Centennial Every Day

I have had several S&W J frames over the years, but the 3" M-36 is my favorite....

Back in the late '80s or early '90s I bought a 3"Mod. 60 with adjustibles for a "yard gun" [poisonous snakes abounded and an occasional rabid 'coon was not that unsual]. When I got home, my wife decided she liked it better than her daily carry 6906. So, back to my local gun shop to order another one. It cost more than the first!Well,10 or 12 years later the wife decided to retire[she was a banker all her working life]So, now I have two identical guns,until last year when I spyed a 3"Mod.60 w/adjustibles at the LGS But,what, low and behold it is now a .357Mag!!I trade one .38 special for the .357 Mag and now have one of each.The maggy has a lock[drat] but so far no problems and I have a "button" in my parts just in case.A very versatile go to the woods gun. Nick

hawgleg and I seem to have the same taste in M36-1's. Here's mine, and the op has a great Smith with many stories to tell.

I bought this 1970ish RB tapered barrel still NIB about 5 years ago. Wife shot it and proclaimed it hers! I have taken to packing it some lately. It`s light and handy. Thinking about it, I have a 66-3 3" and a 2 1/2' python that I usualy carried .38 ammo in. This is lighter, cheaper and shoots the same ammo! What was I thinking?

Very nice guns you all have there. Here is my 36 no dash 3" RB. I won a matching box today on e-bay and is very close to my serial number with spec sheet. Happy Holidays.

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73'74' unfired 60-1, serial R571xx,box and all goodies. Just bought from the original owner, cylinder unturned by the action-no line present. I have a 60-4 thats is my favorite revolver, do you have any idea how tempting it is to want to shoot this? Pick up date is 17 Dec. am. I might try to trade this for a shooter of an auto I regret selling 2 years back. Just thought I would post here in this mini tribute to "J's" still going strong.

Mt 3" J Frame

36-6

60-4

/c

Have a couple in my collection,,, You Gotta Love'em!
Just recieved a Lobo Leather holster for my 2 1/2 and ordered up some nice grips for it, will be my regular carry!

The Mdl 36 3" heavy barrel was the first gun issued to me as a new Special Agent with AFOSI (Air Force) in 1974. The hand receipt I signed for it said it was worth $55 which would have been what the Air Force paid for it. I loved that gun but we shot them to pieces shooting duty loads for qualification 4 times a year. I have one in my collection of duty guns I carried over 41 years and from time to time get the urge to make it my carry gun again. Ah to be young again.

The box arrived today. Merry Christmas to all forum members.

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