Hi everyone, I've been looking for a snub J frame for a while, clean and at a good price. I was in a local gun shop today and found this Model 36. It's got a pinned barrel, square butt which I don't recall seeing on a lot of the ones I've looked at. Not much of a turn line. It might have been a night stand gun as it doesn't look carried but who really knows? Under the yoke it's stamped Mod 36, no dash and numbers or anything else. The serial number is 75003X. Any idea what year this gun was produced? I paid $495, no box or tools. I wanted a nice clean gun that I can pocket carry and shoot. How did I do? Also, it's surprisingly accurate for such a short barrel. Is this gun safe for +P ammunition? Here's are some pics, with a group shot at 21 feet. It's more shoot-able than I would have ever thought. I'h happy with it.

My book shows 1962–295000 to 1969–786544

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Two Handguns every day

While I wouldn't give it a constant diet of +P, an occasional cylinder-full wouldn't hurt it.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Love love love. You got yourself a beautiful gun.

Was that single action? If that's double action, I'm going to cry.....

Back in the 1970s... S&W officially stated that all steel framed Model Marked revolvers were safe with factory +P cartridges. That said, it's understood that +P ammo will wear the gun faster than standard velocity which it'll digest practically endlessly. Tuneups for older models may be difficult as parts are scarcer.
I have always done so with my M36 of the same vintage.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

Thanks APBOS,...what that group? Oh that was double action from the hip! LOL.. No, that was single action, taking my time. Ammunition is Blazer brass 125 grain ball. It's an accurate little gun for sure. I really like it!

I am totally jealous. I love the square but 36's.... Although to be honest, I've never handled one. I gotta start hitting more stores to fondle all of these models that I like. LOL.

How is your Double Action trigger?

Nice looking Chiefs! Congratulations.

From my perch you did fine price-wise. I'd put it somewhere near the summer of '69 for a ship date.

Enjoy.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

The double action trigger is nice and smooth. I try to hit this particular shop often, just to see if any older Smiths have come in. This one, the guy tells me arrived late Thursday and I grabbed it on Sunday.

You got a good buy on that one!, nice very nice!
Those things can become very addictive!

Thanks! They really are. I have lots of handguns...revolvers and autos but have never had a short snub like this. I honestly cant believe how nice it is to shot. My 11 year old son was shooting it again this am, he's hitting plates with it with all 5 shots from the cylinder. Now he says he wants one! LOL.

...my square butt no dash 36 from 1970...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

You stole it boy! I never find s#i l@t like this for $300.. If I did I'd be broke for buying 7 of them at a time though; so at least I have that going for me! In all seriousness OP; I'm happy for you! I'm a "J" and "N" frame snub junkie. To me, there isn't any better Revo!

Nice gun, are the stocks numbered to the gun?
Walt

You did fine! very clean looking. Just fire everyday 38 special in it.

Nice find!

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

The cautions abut shooting +P ammo in these guns are way overblown. What S&W says is that use of +P ammo will increase the rate of wear on the gun. So, let's say a Model 36 in as-new condition is good for, oh, 15,000 rounds of standard-pressure ammo before major service becomes required by wear. Okay. What S&W is telling you is, shooting +P you'll likely see the need for some work in maybe 10,000 rounds instead of 15,000. Rare is the shooter who will ever put even half that many rounds through a Model 36 in a lifetime.

In no way, shape or fashion is +P ammo dangerous to shoot in your revolver, either to you or the gun.

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Pisgah

Enjoy your little revolver. Sweet gun!

I enjoy my little "Chief" which has a round butt. I do a lot better with the boot grips.


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


with Altamont boot grips




Thanks for looking at my Model 36

God bless,
Birdgun

A Model 36 will take more +P than most shooters can stand. Thanks to the 5 shot capacity the bolt cut is between the chambers, and there is essentially no forcing cone. They are small, but bull strong.

I used to qualify with mine using duty +P+ Hydra-Shoks, and it is as sound as the day it was made.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Most likely shipped Feb - Apr time frame 1969

Very sweet. If you want to carry it for self defense, Buffalo Bore makes a standard pressure 158 grain LSWCHP ballistically identical to the older, hotter +P FBI load, but advertised as safe in any S&W revolver.

But +P in moderation sure won't hurt that little beauty, and I'll bet it won't be your last J-frame.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I wholeheartedly agree! I won't shoot +P+ out of my "J" frames but that is strictly because I'm just not as accurate with it.. It reminds me of low medium-light .357 Mag pressures. It's just a preference. I shot and still shoot Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWHP +P's out of my "J's" and they are still Fort Knox tight. That is spread over more than a couple of J's though. The only Revo I won't shoot +P's in is my D frame Colt "Agent" but that is because it's an aluminum alloy frame AND Colt won't even contemplate a factory refinish on her due to the risk of cracking the frame upon disassembly/assembly. I figure if they are that serious about it, and being that I love the lil' girl.. it just isn't worth it. That is why I carry the "J's" and the wifey carries the Colt with standard full wad cutter 150grains from Buffalo Bore. A couple or 3 of these pills to the pelvis/groin area are just as nasty as any +P loading that I know of..

Wife's purse carry "Colt"

(My concealment conscience NY Reload "J" frames)

Wood's Carry Combo/Rig

Congratulations on aquiring one of the nicest little revolvers ever made!! I have a few myself, and carry a variation of the Chiefs daily.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Agreed! Speaking of nice little revolvers... I'm on the hunt for a pristine "I" frame. Good luck to myself!!

Very nice 36 and great pictures. I have found that a Tyler T grip can improve both comfort and accuracy (not that you need help there) without compromising concealability. If you are not going to carry the gun, you may consider larger grips, even using rubber ones to mitigate recoil. Have fun with your new acquisition.

WOW, Very Nice Mod 36. Looks to be pristine, I have 2. A 3in bbl 36-1, RB, and a nickel 36 no dash SB. Both pinned bbls. Love em both!

For many many moons I thought that the epitome of a revolver was the K-frame 38. I had owned a couple of J-frames that I regarded as too small to be really good shooters... they were "last ditch" self defense weapons. Then I started shooting my little I-frame 32 HE snub and my Baby Chief a fair amount since they were my EDC guns and I needed practice with them. I started to come around to feeling natural with them. Then I got a stainless J-frame and fitted it with custom combat style grips. This gun just feels the most naturally right that any gun I've ever handled has felt (including pure target guns with fitted grips. ) It sounds like you are well on the way to reaching the same conclusion I have. Enjoy!!

Froggie