Isn’t it how it always goes? You find yourself out half looking for something and then one day while looking for something else you find it?

I’ve been wanting a J frame to go with my 10-5 and 38/44 HD. I like fixed sights on blued steel guns. I’ve always thought the original chiefs special was the best looking J frame but I’m not opposed to a centennial either. I missed out on a clean model 40 (for more than I really wanted to spend) earlier this spring and had decided to give up looking for a while.

I went to the LGS shop today to look for LR primers, and found this lil guy in the case with its older brother:



While I hemmed and hawed over not really being able to afford either, let alone both like I wanted, another customer helped me to my senses and purchased the 1917 with the wrong size shoes. The Model 36 was the cheaper of the two anyway so I took the sign and picked it up for $500. Hell it’s my birthday next week and isn’t it Memorial Day too?

If it ever bothers me enough I’ll get a side plate off eBay to get rid of the engraving.




Home with the rest of the gang (I have the original grips for the other two in a box btw, maybe I’ll get them back on again for a more proper group photo)



Hoping to get to the range soon.

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Thank You!

Good price and a pinned barrel to boot. I have an old colt agent that has number scratched into it too, was told they were a police case number as they had the gun at one time.

I would have got the 1917 but that is just me.

You ever seen a revolver with a replacement side plate? A 60+ year old revolver with a 40 year old side plate will never match. You should have saved the $500 for something nicer. JMHO, YMMV

Model 10 and model 36. Oh and the 686.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Fair enough. The 1917 was quite a bit more expensive and also isn’t what I’ve been looking for. The airman who bought it almost immediately after I put it back was very happy with his fortunes, as am I for finding a good clean (except for the side plate) 36 that I won’t feel bad about ‘ruining’ by carrying and shooting it.

I have not seen a revolver with a replacement side plate, but I’ll know what it looks like shortly as I found a clean looking replacement for $15 shipped. I also have a hammer missing half its spur coming for a DAO conversion.

Neat 36! I wouldn’t care too much about the engraving. Great shooter grade gun. Not every purchase has to be of an heirloom. Besides sometimes a gun with a colorful past are more interesting the ones that haven’t seen the light of day since the Nixon administration. I like the bobbed hammer idea. I’d carry it without hesitation once reliability was established.

Nice find. Please post pictures after doing your updates.

I'd say your newly acquired Chief has character and will be perfect for carry. $500 is pretty much the starting point for older J frames.

You did alright by my areas going price. I would leave the original side plate on. It is a part of the history of the gun.

A better family picture. Original grips on all. The 38/44 has a mershon grip adapter and the 10-5 has a BK. The 36 needs one too I think.

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I have 3 model 36s all 2” blue , one square butt, two round butt.
Square butt is from 1968 and has been in my family since new. The RBs are from 1971 and 1977 and I got both at a good price from my local gun store. The factory can still do some repairs on guns this age so I have sent both of them back for minor work. I sent the SB in last year for BC gap and and a slight trigger hang up when shooting DA. They did a great job at a reasonable price. It now has a really slick DA pull. I expect to have the the RBs back soon. I also have a 34-1 RB 2” , Pre model number 30 RB blue 2”. The .32 S&WL is a ball to shoot. My 38-44 is a very early one with a 5” barrel. It may be a refinish but if it is it is a good one.

That is a nice 36 you have. They are great guns. I have a Cobra also from the late 60s. Both guns are fun for plinking with a 148 gr WC and a charge of Unique or Bullseye.

Good luck with yours

I have 3 model 36s all 2” blue , one square butt, two round butt.
Square butt is from 1968 and has been in my family since new. The RBs are from 1971 and 1977 and I got both at a good price from my local gun store. The factory can still do some repairs on guns this age so I have sent both of them back for minor work. I sent the SB in last year for BC gap and and a slight trigger hang up when shooting DA. They did a great job at a reasonable price. It now has a really slick DA pull. I expect to have the the RBs back soon. I also have a 34-1 RB 2” , Pre model number 30 RB blue 2”. The .32 S&WL is a ball to shoot. My 38-44 is a very early one with a 5” barrel. It may be a refinish but if it is it is a good one. I