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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 08-06-2017, 11:29 PM
wrearick wrearick is offline
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Default New guy just inherited a Model 36, need info please

Hi,
I recently inherited a Model 36 from my father and am looking for info on the handgun and things to watch out for.

I have searched through the threads and think what I have is a Mod 36, no dash, round butt, that I should only use factory 38 special ammo in (no + P or +P+) but would really like to have my analysis confirmed.

Serial number is J27XXX. I am basing my 38 Special only ammo on the stamp on the barrel.


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Old 08-06-2017, 11:38 PM
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Welcome to the forum, and yep, you're pretty much right on.

The gun is from 1969/70. It'll do just fine if you want to carry +P in it for defensive purposes, but don't shoot hot loads just because. No reason to. It should serve you well.
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Old 08-06-2017, 11:42 PM
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Swing out the cylinder and look on the frame there for model marking. If present, we can begin there.

And a full photo of the gun in reasonable size will tell us much, even if the gun was too early (pre-1958) to have an assigned model number. The exact shape of the cylinder release, for instance, says much. That has varied over the decades the gun has been made.

NOTE: Absalom was posting as I typed. I guess he nailed the date by serial no.

Don't fire a lot of Plus P, or you'll get premature cylinder endshake. Carry that ammo only when you may need the added power. Plus P and .357 Magnum ammo is not for routine range use. It 's for killing. (I know your gun isn't a .357, but threw that in for those reading this who do own .357's.)

DO NOT fire Plus P Plus. Don't have time to say why,but don't. It wasn't meant for .38 guns, really, but for use in .357's.

Last edited by Texas Star; 08-06-2017 at 11:56 PM.
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Old 08-06-2017, 11:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Absalom View Post
Welcome to the forum, and yep, you're pretty much right on.

The gun is from 1969/70. It'll do just fine if you want to carry +P in it for defensive purposes, but don't shoot hot loads just because. No reason to. It should serve you well.
Thank you for the info.
I wish I knew why tinypics keeps removing my photo....I hope they haven't gone anti on us.
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Old 08-06-2017, 11:48 PM
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Welcome from the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey.

Thank you for your service!

I would agree that you should limit your ammo selection to standard 38 Special ammo. I have a 36-6, made in the 1980s, and Smith doesn't recommend +P for mine, and I would doubt that they would recommend it for an earlier model.

While you could push light bullets, such as 110gr and 125gr bullets, I would suggest a heavier bullet. For range practice, you can't go wrong with 148gr wadcutters. If you are packing for self defense, you can't go wrong with the old FBI load of a 158gr LSWCHP.
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Old 08-07-2017, 12:05 AM
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Welcome to the forum. The Model 36 was previously known as the Chief Special and still often referred to as such. At one time it was a widely carried gun by law enforcement as a back-up by uniformed officers, also as the primary carry weapon of plain clothes officers and commissioned administrative personnel. It's alloy frame sister was the Model 37. Both came in nickel and blued finish. The Mdl 36 was manufactured on what S&W called the "J" frame. The revolver is great for personal protection 'cause it's easily concealed and even with wad-cutter ammo is great for up close and personal work. The second gun I purchased in '72 after the academy was a Model 36. I have acquired a few more, any one of which is still my favorite EDC weapon. A word of caution, if you have a wife, girlfriend or both don't let them shoot with that gun. It can very quickly end up being carried in a purse. hardcase60

Irrifleman is correct in his assessment of the 148 gr. wad-cutter and 158 fr. FBI load. There is some ammo now on the market that advertise to be made for short barrel, small frame revolvers allegedly with less felt recoil.
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Old 08-07-2017, 12:07 AM
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Thanks for the replys and for the recognition of my service. Thank all of you who have also served in whatever capacity to make America great.
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Old 08-07-2017, 01:31 AM
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Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

You've inherited a dandy. The Chiefs Specials in a host of different guises have become my favorite Smiths. Hope you enjoy yours a bunch.

Slàinte,

Bob
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Old 08-07-2017, 01:51 AM
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Managed to get some photos to upload
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Old 08-07-2017, 02:12 AM
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That's a nice Model 36 you have there.

Welcome to the forum, and thank you for your service.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
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Old 08-07-2017, 06:47 AM
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Welcome from North Dakota
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Old 08-07-2017, 09:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star View Post
Swing out the cylinder and look on the frame there for model marking. If present, we can begin there.

And a full photo of the gun in reasonable size will tell us much, even if the gun was too early (pre-1958) to have an assigned model number. The exact shape of the cylinder release, for instance, says much. That has varied over the decades the gun has been made.

NOTE: Absalom was posting as I typed. I guess he nailed the date by serial no.

Don't fire a lot of Plus P, or you'll get premature cylinder endshake. Carry that ammo only when you may need the added power. Plus P and .357 Magnum ammo is not for routine range use. It 's for killing. (I know your gun isn't a .357, but threw that in for those reading this who do own .357's.)

DO NOT fire Plus P Plus. Don't have time to say why,but don't. It wasn't meant for .38 guns, really, but for use in .357's.
Thanks,
The frame beneath the cylinder arm just has MOD 36 on it. Finally got some full photos to post. Thanks again for sharing you knowledge.
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Old 08-07-2017, 09:51 AM
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One other question that I came up with that I turn to those more experienced for clarification on.....Any problem carrying with 5 rounds in the cylinder (as long as I stay double action vice cocked? Some revolvers you need to leave an empty cylinder to protect from accidental discharge if dropped but I don't think that is the case with this firearm (not that I plan on dropping it mind you)
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Old 08-07-2017, 10:19 AM
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wrearick,

The S&W model 36, as well as all of their modern (read 20th and 21st Century offerings) are safe to carry fully loaded. For lack of better terms, the Smiths have a hammer block that drops down to allow the hammer to hit the primer (or the newer ones, hammer to hit the firing pin to hit the primer).
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Old 08-07-2017, 10:34 AM
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[QUOTE=hardcase60;139696855]Welcome to the forum. The Model 36 was previously known as the Chief Special and still often referred to as such. hardcase60. When did the name change? It was and still is called the "Chiefs Special".
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Old 08-07-2017, 10:41 AM
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Welcome to the Forum, you have one of the best self defense weapons ever. I still carry a J frame b/c I know it will protect me when & if I ever need it. The only advise I can offer, FWIW, is find a range and practice often.
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Old 08-07-2017, 01:25 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
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"When did the name change? It was and still is called the "Chiefs Special"."

Don, I was all set to agree with you. But then I checked the S&W on-line catalog. This is what I found:

"When Smith & Wesson adopted model numbers in 1957, the Chiefs Special became the Model 36."

Model 36 Classics | Smith & Wesson


The times, they are a changing. And I don't like it.
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Old 08-07-2017, 08:01 PM
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I understand what you're saying, Muley Gil, but here's the end of a box for a 1977 Chiefs (not sure why some boxes include the apostrophe) so the name didn't die in '57.
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Old 08-07-2017, 08:51 PM
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Quote:
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Welcome to the Forum, you have one of the best self defense weapons ever. I still carry a J frame b/c I know it will protect me when & if I ever need it. The only advise I can offer, FWIW, is find a range and practice often.
Absolutely - I often give the same advise to those who I mentor into owning their first firearm.
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Old 08-07-2017, 09:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy View Post
I understand what you're saying, Muley Gil, but here's the end of a box for a 1977 Chiefs (not sure why some boxes include the apostrophe) so the name didn't die in '57.
I think we may be taking these precise semantics a lot more seriously than Smith & Wesson ever did

As a general practice, there can be no question that the company, the advertisers/retailers, the literature, and most users have tended to treat the model number as an addition, not a zero-sum replacement for the name. When I first got into S&W handguns in the 1970s, as a user, not a collector, we talked about the Chiefs Special (the first S&W I fired) and the Combat Magnum (the first I owned); the model numbers were for nerds.

The best case in point that S&W did not necessarily intend the model numbers to be replacements for the model name is the 586, which was introduced around 1980 with both a model number AND the "Distinguished Combat Magnum" name; I seem to remember the marketing making quite a fuss over the name.
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Old 08-07-2017, 10:45 PM
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Quote:
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I think we may be taking these precise semantics a lot more seriously than Smith & Wesson ever did

As a general practice, there can be no question that the company, the advertisers/retailers, the literature, and most users have tended to treat the model number as an addition, not a zero-sum replacement for the name. When I first got into S&W handguns in the 1970s, as a user, not a collector, we talked about the Chiefs Special (the first S&W I fired) and the Combat Magnum (the first I owned); the model numbers were for nerds.

The best case in point that S&W did not necessarily intend the model numbers to be replacements for the model name is the 586, which was introduced around 1980 with both a model number AND the "Distinguished Combat Magnum" name; I seem to remember the marketing making quite a fuss over the name.
When I was toting a badge, most cops referred to handguns as "my Model 19, my Model 66, my 686, etc". Now the Chief Special usually was called that, not the Model 36. But most referred to their "Model 60".
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Old 08-07-2017, 10:59 PM
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...great little revolvers...I have J864xx...

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Old 08-08-2017, 12:59 AM
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Quote:
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I think we may be taking these precise semantics a lot more seriously than Smith & Wesson ever did
Ah, ha. Man, do I agree with you -- nearly ripped my spleen when I read that.

Then I considered the scores of other subjects and names we toss around here like it's always been that way.

My 14 Chiefs are Chiefs, and each one is Special. Some are even Model 36s, too.

OCD much? Well not as much, yet, as that guy with three times that many X-frames or that other guy with twice as many pre-war N-frame .357 Magnums and -- dare I say -- Model 27s.

All in good fun,

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File Type: jpg Mod. 36 Navy overrun.jpg (110.5 KB, 77 views)
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File Type: jpg '89 Target Chiefs 36-6.jpg (74.9 KB, 70 views)
File Type: jpg S&W 36-3 LS 1989.jpg (117.1 KB, 72 views)
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Old 08-17-2017, 03:55 PM
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...great little revolvers...I have J864xx...

Wow! that looks brand new!
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Old 08-17-2017, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy View Post
Ah, ha. Man, do I agree with you -- nearly ripped my spleen when I read that.

Then I considered the scores of other subjects and names we toss around here like it's always been that way.

My 14 Chiefs are Chiefs, and each one is Special. Some are even Model 36s, too.

OCD much? Well not as much, yet, as that guy with three times that many X-frames or that other guy with twice as many pre-war N-frame .357 Magnums and -- dare I say -- Model 27s.

All in good fun,

Bob
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Old 04-11-2018, 04:41 PM
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Default Range time and a new question

I finally got my Model 36 to the range and was surprised how accurate it was at 7 yds. It will do the job. Fired a number of different types of ammo through it, some of it older ammo that was stored with the gun by my dad from his time with US Customs. It ran like a champ and had much less kick than I feared.

I did notice a new "feature" that I am not sure I understand or even if it is supposed to do this.

I can not get it to consistently do this but best description would be it "appears" to have a half-cocked mode. I will take a picture and post it tonight but I can only get it to go into this position by cocking the hammer back, holding the hammer with my thumb while squeezing the trigger and while I slowly let the hammer move forward, release the trigger. It will sometimes lock up in around a 60% cocked position (picture to follow).

From this position if I pull the trigger, the hammer resumes it's forward travel vice going to a fully cocked position before releasing and striking the primer (pull of trigger does not cause a "double action" of the hammer)

Anyway, it would be tricky as heck to try and get the hammer to lock in this position with the firearm loaded as any slip of the thumb off of the hammer would/could result in a ND. It does not seem to fulfill a drop safety function but it might be. (hammer firing pin is not normally visible protruding from the rear housing and only comes out enough to strike a primer if the trigger is fully squeezed.

Any thoughts? Should it do this? If so what purpose does it serve? Is it a sign of wear on the sear and I need to look at replacing a worn part?

Any thoughts/insight would be appreciated.

Bill
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Old 04-11-2018, 04:55 PM
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Default Delta style grips

Thinking about carrying my Model 36 more frequently and was wondering what folks thought about the small "delta" grips for concealed carry? Has anyone tried them?

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Old 04-11-2018, 05:05 PM
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Manipulating your hammer into a partially cocked appearance serves no purpose. I doubt it will hurt anything, but I just wouldn't play with my pistol. Dryfiring is fine, though.
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Old 04-11-2018, 05:16 PM
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Quote:
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Manipulating your hammer into a partially cocked appearance serves no purpose. I doubt it will hurt anything, but I just wouldn't play with my pistol. Dryfiring is fine, though.
Just didn't know if it was supposed to do this (don't have a manual on this firearm yet). If it was supposed to I wanted to understand what function it provided as it was not obvious to me
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Old 04-11-2018, 05:23 PM
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Sounds like you manage to get the trigger nose balanced between the double action sear and the single action sear of the hammer - maybe?
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Old 04-11-2018, 05:33 PM
Jim Watson Jim Watson is offline
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I thought so. A guy here was so proud of his trigger job. He had stoned away hammer, sear, and trigger until the "full cock" was the DA sear balanced on the trigger nose.
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Old 04-11-2018, 07:19 PM
yep380 yep380 is offline
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I have a Model 36, from '76 - it's probably my favorite S&W. My opinion, and please regard it as such, is that the the stock grips look best, and work best. I can front pocket carry the M36 easily, and draw it easily - partially due to the narrowness of the grips.

You'll have to make up your own mind as far as changing out the grip though. I just prefer that classic look. You might want to look into a "tyler-t" style grip adapter; I think the black ones look acceptable on the little J frames.

Pic of mine attached.
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Old 04-11-2018, 07:26 PM
Double-O-Dave Double-O-Dave is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wrearick View Post
Thinking about carrying my Model 36 more frequently and was wondering what folks thought about the small "delta" grips for concealed carry? Has anyone tried them?
Hi Wrearick:

My EDC (Every Day Carry) consists of a Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1. I almost always pocket carry them in DeSantis pocket holsters. Both of my revolvers wear CT LG-405 laser grips. They are as close to as I can get to identical revolvers for consistencies sake. I conducted an experiment where I put the Delta grips on my Model 638 and left the LG-405 grips on the Model 38 (the laser was turned off) and fired both at the same distance (7 yards) using the same ammo to see if there was a significant difference (advantage) in one grip over the other.

The results were pretty much a tie. I like the way the Delta grips felt, but they don't fit well in my pocket, so the LG-405 grips are still on both of my revolvers.

Also, even though the factory says it's okay to dry fire your Model 36, I'm not a fan of this. Though fairly unusual, I have heard of situations where revolvers were damaged by dry firing. Instead, I use snap caps, which aren't very expensive, and are also advantageous in that you can get practice in loading and reloading your piece. As an example, by practicing in this manner, I found that reloading with speed loaders was very difficult for me (I've since switched to speed strips).

Good luck,

Dave
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Old 04-11-2018, 07:28 PM
Birdgun Birdgun is offline
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Just last year, I bought my second "Chief's Special" since I sold my first one back in the early '70's. I did put Altimont boot grips on it. I can't hit worth a hoot with the factory grips. The boot grips tightened up my groups considerably.

S&W Model 36 "Chief's Special" in 38 Special.




Thanks for looking at my Chief's Special.

God bless,
Birdgun
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Old 04-11-2018, 07:33 PM
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I liked the Ergo for pointability, comfort and accuracy. Its shape did not lend itself to the weapon retention tactics I was taught back when revolvers were standard police issue. It was also a little harder to draw from a pocket than the Uncle Mikes boot grips I had been using (and now am again). If you are not planning on pocket carry and are not concerned about fighting somebody for your gun it is probably worth a try.
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Old 04-11-2018, 09:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lrrifleman View Post
I have a 36-6, made in the 1980s, and Smith doesn't recommend +P for mine, and I would doubt that they would recommend it for an earlier model.
That isn't actually true. The "official" statement from the company says that any model-marked steel frame revolver chambered for the .38 Special can be safely fired with +P ammunition.

That doesn't mean the guns will not suffer from lots of it being used, but it does mean a Model 36 is safe to use with +P cartridges.

The fact that earlier revolvers were not stamped for +P use means nothing, except that lots of them were made before there was any such thing as commercial +P. Tons of .38 Special cartridges produced in the 1950s were as hot as the +P stuff now on the market, and those cartridges were used in M&P and CS revolvers for a long time.

To be clear, I am not advocating heavy use of +P in any gun. I'm just trying to correct the record on what the S&W revolvers from 1958 onward can handle.
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Old 04-12-2018, 02:02 AM
Frank46 Frank46 is offline
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I have an older model 36 that I carry with the Speer 135 grain gold dot bullet for use in short barrels.Have practiced with this load and am confident with it. Now it's strictly for personal defense. My shooting ammo at the range is either Winchester White box 38 special with the 130 grain bullet or Geco with the 158 grain lead bullet and sometimes the yugo made 38 special also loaded with a 158 grain lead round nosed bullet. Never messed with the strain screw or replaced any springs. When the time comes (God Forbid) I want it to work as it was intended. The Model 36 as I see it was a purely defense revolver. Frank
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Old 04-12-2018, 08:46 AM
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[QUOTE=wrearick;139997212]Thinking about carrying my Model 36 more frequently and was wondering what folks thought about the small "delta" grips for concealed carry? Has anyone tried them?


I tried a set of those on one of my J frames and couldn't wait to get them off. I can't hold a revolver like that, it seemed to me that it increased the perceived recoil. I believe they claim otherwise.

Stu
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  #39  
Old 04-12-2018, 09:20 AM
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Gawd I love those old blue steel J frames. I've got three Newer J frames with the larger frame (all pre lock) but they just don't have that same look and feel........
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Old 04-17-2018, 04:36 PM
wrearick wrearick is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catadjuster View Post
Sounds like you manage to get the trigger nose balanced between the double action sear and the single action sear of the hammer - maybe?
That is probably what it is. Didn't seem to serve any purpose in that position and tricky as heck to get it to "catch" there.

Thanks,,
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Old 04-17-2018, 04:42 PM
wrearick wrearick is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yep380 View Post
I have a Model 36, from '76 - it's probably my favorite S&W. My opinion, and please regard it as such, is that the the stock grips look best, and work best. I can front pocket carry the M36 easily, and draw it easily - partially due to the narrowness of the grips.

You'll have to make up your own mind as far as changing out the grip though. I just prefer that classic look. You might want to look into a "tyler-t" style grip adapter; I think the black ones look acceptable on the little J frames.

Pic of mine attached.
Nice looking firearm. Thanks for the info on tyler -t. I like that look a lot more than the other. The other grip takes away from the beauty of the piece.
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Old 04-17-2018, 04:43 PM
wrearick wrearick is offline
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[quote=stu1ritter;139997903]
Quote:
Originally Posted by wrearick View Post
Thinking about carrying my Model 36 more frequently and was wondering what folks thought about the small "delta" grips for concealed carry? Has anyone tried them?


I tried a set of those on one of my J frames and couldn't wait to get them off. I can't hold a revolver like that, it seemed to me that it increased the perceived recoil. I believe they claim otherwise.

Stu
Thank you for sharing your experience.
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Old 04-17-2018, 05:11 PM
wrearick wrearick is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdgun View Post
Just last year, I bought my second "Chief's Special" since I sold my first one back in the early '70's. I did put Altimont boot grips on it. I can't hit worth a hoot with the factory grips. The boot grips tightened up my groups considerably.

S&W Model 36 "Chief's Special" in 38 Special.




Thanks for looking at my Chief's Special.

God bless,
Birdgun
Very nice indeed. Thank you for sharing
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  #44  
Old 04-17-2018, 06:08 PM
Ranger514 Ranger514 is offline
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Welcome to the forum from MT. You've inherited a great little handgun. It looks as though it was barely fired. I'm sure it will serve you well.
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  #45  
Old 04-17-2018, 08:45 PM
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Welcome from Southwest Va.
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Old 04-17-2018, 09:11 PM
MetalMan MetalMan is online now
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My 1968 and 1983 Chiefs....

I’d love to have a safe full of these!
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Old 04-17-2018, 10:37 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
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"I have an older model 36 that I carry with the Speer 135 grain gold dot bullet for use in short barrels..... Never messed with the strain screw or replaced any springs."

I would really like to see you mess with the strain screw on your model 36.
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  #48  
Old 04-17-2018, 10:43 PM
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[quote=stu1ritter;139997903]
Quote:
Originally Posted by wrearick View Post
Thinking about carrying my Model 36 more frequently and was wondering what folks thought about the small "delta" grips for concealed carry? Has anyone tried them?





I tried a set of those on one of my J frames and couldn't wait to get them off. I can't hold a revolver like that, it seemed to me that it increased the perceived recoil. I believe they claim otherwise.



Stu

Man, those are just so incredibly butt ugly. I wouldn’t care how well they worked. 🤮 Sorry in advance for my bluntness. New guy just inherited a Model 36, need info please


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Old 04-17-2018, 11:09 PM
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Thank you for the info.
I wish I knew why tinypics keeps removing my photo....I hope they haven't gone anti on us.
try http://postimages.org/
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Old 04-18-2018, 01:23 AM
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Muley Gil, in hindsight I goofed. No strain screw as it uses coil springs to power the hammer. I stand corrected. Frank
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