I bought this model 36 in the middle 70's from a retired Missouri State Patrolman (served near Stockton MO). It was his backup piece. It's been in my family safe all this time. Any info/advice about this gun would be appreciated. I think it was made in the middle 1960's?
Would it be OK to shoot this gun or should I keep it retired? If I shoot it, could anyone recommend ammo type and grain size.
I'm on the fence with this, I would like to shoot it some but I'm reluctant. If I shoot it, it would be only occasionally.

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Standard 38 spl. Will be more fun. It will handle + P. But I would not feed it a bunch. +P hurts my wrist in my J frames and not worth the pain.

I am not seeing how it was his back-up piece in that condition. I would shoot and carry it without question. Model 36's are not rare.

I'll leave it up to someone more well-versed on such things to opine on the age, but that looks, whatever its age, to be a brand-spanking new revolver. Personally, I would shoot the heck out of it with any .38 Special load currently on the market, +p included, and never worry a whit.

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Pisgah

Hi Pasgah, Have any advice about ammo for this jewel? I read that this does not take 38 special rounds, but it will shoot .38 Smith and Wesson rounds (.38 colts?). I'm a little confused about what exactly to get. I read that this gun was designed to shoot 158 grain wadcutters. Looks like there is a big difference between .38 special and .38 Smith and Wesson.

If its a Model 36, it takes 38 Special. A Model 32 Terrier takes .38 S&W.

It's made to be shot and unless it is dangerously worn there's no reason why it shouldn't be. They were made to last and last. They are also fun with standard ammo. Being an all steel frame, I put some Pachmehrs on it so now hotter loads are fun, too.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

If it is a M36, it is a 38 Special. I would get a box or two of 148 grain wadcutters and try it out. After that, you can move on to other loads but I would reserve +P loads for serious social engagements only.

The right side of the barrel is stamped “.38 S & W SPL.”

I would see no problem with shooting it. It will be most likely to shoot to the sights with 158 gr lead (either round nose, semiwadcutter or similar) or 148 gr full wadcutters.

If you can post the serial number we can tell you it’s age. From the style of wood stocks I would guess it is from the mid-late 1960s as you suspect, and probably has a serial number in the 600,000 range or so. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Why are you reluctant to shoot it?

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Merle, retired
western PA

Welcome to the Forum

Based on the serial number your revolver would probably have been manufactured in 1967 or 1968

I have to agree, that does not look like a firearm carried as a backup gun. The finish looks too good

More likely, that was a spare revolver.

Forget about +P, I do not know why everyone is so obsessed with wanting to talk about +P. If you need more power, just get a bigger gun.

You can shoot all the 38 Special you want out of it. You will not hurt that revolver in a lifetime of shooting.

Whoever told you that is wrong.

All model 36s are chambered for the .38 Smith and Wesson Special cartridge, more commonly known as 38 Special

The barrel should be clearly marked on the right side with ".38 S.&W. SPL."

Damn fine looking "backup" piece!
Most likely shipped around June 1968, or thereabouts!

I wasn't sure if it's rare, but it sounds like it's not all that rare from other posts. The gun is in excellent condition, so I'm not concerned about the thing blowing up. I really want to get that right ammo for it. Not wanting to use any +P rounds. This isn't my carry gun, 5 shots in a bad situation might not be enough!

The serial # is 663623.

Hello Forum Friend,

This being the internet and all, I will give an opinion.

The firearm is in great condition, but I can tell simply by the lack of sheen on the grips/stocks that it was occasionally carried or held...but very little. This coupled with the very light ejector rod wear and light cylinder line would have me think it has been shot under roughly 500 times or cycled that many. I would not hesitate to periodically use it, as it is a family heirloom and I understanding wanting to keep excess wear from it. Truth is, you could probably carry it and shoot it a year or two--after doing routine maintenance each time (oil)--and it would be no less for wear.

Take it out once or twice a year and put a cylinder through it. Not going to hurt it or the value one bit.

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Rather be outdoors

Nice gun, enjoy it, shoot it.

Walt

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

I agree with the summer of '68 assessment for a shipping date.

I put either 148gr wadcutters or 158 lead round nose in my Chiefs.

Go enjoy that nice looking Chiefs. You won't wear it out.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Thanks for the excellent responses. I feel better about shooting it occasionally. I think I'll get some 148gr wadcutters and shoot it. Great posts, thanks so much!

Welcome to the forum, great looking little Chiefs Special. My first S&W was one just like it only a couple of years older, and with a tiny bit more wear.

Shoot it and enjoy it. No sense using +P ammo to kill paper, but if you wanted to use it as a carry weapon, an occasional cylinder full of +P isn't going to hurt it, and that's probably what I'd load it with for self defensive carry.

It is a common belief that if a Smith is model marked it is +P rated. Having said that, I believe it is plenty strong enough for +P ammunition, but I wouldn't give it a steady diet of it. Since you don't plan on using it for defense, its a moot point. There is plenty of non +P stuff out there nowadays that still serves well for self defense. For practice, stick with the 148 grain wadcutters. Much more pleasant for practice!

Heck of an entrance, jimacheson. Welcome aboard the best gun forum on the web.

I would shoot that nice 36 a lot, and probably carry it as well. That's what it was designed for, and it's a classic of the J-frame breed.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Thanks, missed that last photo (obviously) .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

What murphydog said. I would shoot it all day long with no hesitation, they were making them right back then, just don't go overboard with +P, no need to anyway. And if you work at it, you will find it to be surprisingly accurate. And the more you shoot it the smoother the trigger will get. So get out there and shoot it. :-)

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Ed

That is certainly a nice little revolver. I would agree that it was likely his spare revolver, not a back up gun, due to it's condition. My actual back up guns were not in such nice condition after carrying them for a while

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

I carried the exact same revolver as my off duty gun back in the late 60's and early 70's in Kansas. Excellent piece. I would not use +P ammo altho maybe it's ok. I'm no expert on that. S&W can give you a yes or no. +P ammo had not yet been invented in those days. I like .38 Special wadcutter for range shooting also.
If S&W made it - it will last forever. As another member said, if you need more firepower, buy a bigger gun.

My first Chief special was from an estate sale in '72, and it was a .38 S&W caliber......didn't realize it until I got home:

Had the "same gun" made in early 60's.
Always used "standard" ammo, accurate but does kick a little.
Had read somewhere (supposed to be accurate) years ago that all S&W 38's made after 1957 was "OK" for +P. Of course not "rated" since +P came out much later.
So, I called S&W. They advised against +P. Might be their lawyers talking but sounded like "do it at your risk".
It was kind of bulky and hard to CC. Liked the gun but not the carry.
Traded it in on a Beretta Pico. Half the weight loaded, 2 extra rounds, half the thickness and rated for +P (whatever that means with 380) but that makes it about equal to standard 38 special. Like it better.
On the other hand years ago NYC police used target wadcutters in 38 special because they were more lethal (tumbled).
Great gun, you will love it, would recommend standard 38 loads.

I have a slightly older Chief like yours. I shoot mine and enjoy it. I prefer to shoot standard 38 Spl ammo. I did find my groups were too wide when shooting with the factory grip stocks. I replaced the factory grip stocks with Altamont boot grips. These Altamont grip stocks are not expensive and don't look bad either. The boot grips helped me tightened my groups up considerably.

As a side note, you may want to take the grips off and look to see if the right panel has the serial number of your revolver. Another interesting note, jimacheson, your factory grips appear to have the wider area of checkering like mine. After the diamond in the grip was removed, for awhile the checkering covered a larger/wider area than later grips also without the diamond.


S&W Model 36 "Chief's Special" in 38 Special (factory grips)


S&W Model 36 "Chief's Special" in 38 Special (Altamont Santos Rosewood boot grips)




Thanks for looking at my Chief.

God bless,
Birdgun

According to Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson the only non-38S&W Special was a one off in 22LR Serial#29800 shipped in 1963. Also, a "small quantity" were shipped to Japan in 1950" without reference to cylinder chambering.

If the pistol only has 38 S&W on the right side of the barrel, I would guess BUBBA replaced the original barrel with a cut down 3" barrel which could account for barrel stamp deviation.

Suggest you slug the barrel 38 S&W is 0.361" and 38 S&W Special is 0.357". Also, 38 S&W Special will drop in 38 S&W cylinder but not 38 S&W drop in 38 S&W Special.

I have my M36 of the same era. The official S&W statement at the time was that any MODEL MARKED steel frame revolver in good condition was safe with +P.
That said, you have had good advise that there's no need to shoot up self dense ammo just to put holes in paper. 146 WC or 158 RNL or SWC will be absolutely fine. They are easiest to shoot well & most likely to shoot point of aim. She's made to shoot. Enjoy.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

Or perhaps it's actually a Terrier instead of a CS?

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Merle, retired
western PA

Having a 36 no dash myself I find it shoots to point of aim better with 148-160 grain bullets.

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Front sight and squeeze

The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued 2 handguns during the 1960's, a S&W 4" Combat Masterpiece service revolver in 38 caliber and an off-duty S&W 2" Model 36 aka Chief's Special. Troopers by statute were required to be armed at all times. I don't know of any Trooper who carried a "backup" gun which would have been awkward to conceal based on uniform design. It seems a little unusual that he would have had a "backup" revolver identical to his off-duty issue gun when his off-duty Model 36 could have served the same purpose. S&W also made the Model 36 in an alloy frame known as the air weight. The Chief Special, aka Model 36 is a sturdy, well designed, revolver and should handle any ammo put through it.

I agree with most of the posters here. Enjoy the little gun, it will make a fine shooter. I would just use standard velocity ammunition, and shoot as much as you like. There were many of these made, and although there is some collector interest in them, they are mainly desirable as shooters. Smith and Wesson will never make another just like it, but that is no reason not to shoot it. I have a small collection of different vintages of Chiefs Specials, and all are shooters. It also makes a fine self defense gun, which is what it was made for in the first place.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Wow, thanks for the pictures!

if you don't get somebody off you with 5 shots you ain't tryin hard enough! please shoot that thing,,,,,,,,,,

It says 38 S&W Special on the barrel. Your good with about any 38 special your hands can take. I put Pachmayr Compacts on mine to make it a fun shooter for a full hour of range time.

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Two Handguns every day

I have a good friend who was a Missouri state trooper in the 1970's. He was issued a Model 36 as an off duty weapon. He and other troopers seldom carried their Chiefs even though it was policy. I think that accounts for the lack of wear.

My wife has a Model 36 with a 3in barrel. It is rough looking but mechanically very good. I reworked the action and it is a slick little shooter. Very accurate. I put the compact Pachmyers on it so it is comfortable to shoot.

jimacheson, first let me add my welcome to you to this forum. The mere mention of S&W brings out all sorts of interest among shooters and collectors, some excellent and well thought out, some not so much. The Model 36 you have been fortunate enough to acquire is one of the more popular and numerous examples of S&W revolvers out there, and the one you got has the additional advantages of being an early one in the model numbered range and being in excellent condition to boot.

You asked for advice on whether to shoot it and what ammo to use... first, if the head stamp on the case says "38 SPL" or some variant of that (S&W Special, +P, etc, etc) it should be safe to shoot in your revolver. Various self proclaimed experts will tell you what you should or shouldn't use, but in fact, if the ammo is factory (or factory equivalent) 38 Special of any variety, it will be OK.

If you want to get the most out of your gun, you will need to shoot it a lot. This is actually not a beginner's gun since it is small to hold on to and has relatively small, hard to see sights... don't let this discourage you, it just means you have a reason (excuse) to shoot it more! Purely as a matter of cost, I would suggest the ammo called 38 Special Midrange Wadcutter, a very commonly available mild target ammo. You won't live long enough or be able to afford to wear out any steel S&W with this ammo, and it is mild enough in recoil to make shooting it a pleasant experience but is also about as accurate as any handgun round ever made. A bonus is that it also works well for self defense as that flat, full caliber nose has good shock power... not high tech or high performance, just basic good ammo. Some posters have suggested changing the grips... I would suggest just the opposite. If you are "starting from scratch" you might as well learn to shoot it as built rather than trying to change it into somebody else's idea of what it should be.

Sorry I've rambled on so long, but I saw some "advice" in this thread that raised my eyebrows all the way to my receding hairline. Unless there is hidden damage, you have a good solid revolver that will serve you well with any ammo intended for normal usage and last a lifetime with just minimal care and maintenance. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have mine.

Regards,
Green Frog

Been carrying one for 50 years! Just recently switched to a Bodyguard 380 for size reasons only. That 36 has saved my bacon more than once! It is one of the best guns ever designed in my opinion. The BG 380 is an equal gem and the best of all the pocket rockets.

That’s a beautiful piece. Hardly even has a turn line. Like the others have stated before me, I’d have no issue shooting that. I’ve had my eye on a 3” barrel 36 for a couple weeks but the wife would kill me if I bought another one right now. Shoot it, have fun and be safe!

Actually, that was not a Chief's Special, it was a Terrier.

Did you know that J Edger Hoover carried a .32 Terrier exclusively?

Well..... If it was a .32, it wasn't a Terrier. The Terrier was, AFAIK, only chambered in .38 S&W. It was the 2" bbl version of the 5 shot I frame, although as the I frames were phased out, the Terrier was made for awhile on the J frame.

What Hoover carried, IIRC, was the .32 Colt Pocket Positive, with the short barrel. This was an early favorite of many FBI agents, although I don't know whether it was ever an "issue" gun.

So, I agree with Retired Cop (I'm one as well), that Hoover carried a snub nosed .32, but not a Terrier.

One thing we have to remember is that the.32 cartridge was regarded as a suitable police caliber back then. Teddy Roosevelt, when he was the commissioner of police in NYC, chose the .32 Colt New Police as the first issued gun of the NYPD, in 1896. The Pocket Positive (and the Pokice Positive) are direct descendants of that earlier revolver, and use the same caliber ammunition.

Here is my Colt Pocket Positive, in the Colt .32 NP (New Police) caliber (interchangeable with the .32 S&W Long, which is readily available today). This one was made in 1921, according to the Colt interactive website. Hoover's was very similar to this, but had had the hammer spur removed, and I believe had the top of the hammer checkered as well.



We must also realize that Hoover had many other firearms, as for example, Smith and Wesson was believed to have presented him with the first .357 magnum, (a Registered Magnum, as all of the first ones were), but it is doubtful that he ever carried it. I believe that he was also given early Chiefs Special, and other models as they came out. This was good publicity for the firearms manufacturers, and was a tactic pioneered by Col. Colt himself.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064