Once upon a time I bought my first hand gun, an M&P 40c. The gun felt great in my hand and it handled exceptionally well too. One day, while visiting a local shop, I tried out a few revolvers and fell in love with the way they felt in my hand and the sheer beauty of the hardware. On my home one day, I stopped at another shop along the way and found a little beauty in the used revolver section. Being on a tight budget, I had a tough decision to make. Keep my M&P or trade for the M36. Needless to say, I love my M36.

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Fair warning here. J-Frames are highly addictive. Even as recently as five years ago, I'd never have considered buying a "little gun". I grew up using big bore large revolvers and pistols. Then I got my first Chief's Special. I was pleasantly surprised. I found that it fit in my pocket! It fit in the palm of my hand! I could conceal this revolver just about anywhere on my person. What's not to like?

I'm sure it won't be too long before we'll be seeing photographs of your next J-Frame purchase.

Welcome to the revolver section. Glad you came to your senses.

M60 is on my list.

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Just wish I would have made my first handgun a revolver.

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There are few better combinations of simplicity, concealability, ironclad reliability and power than a J-frame.

Not to knock the gun you traded at all, but I think you chose well.

Of course, the J's do tend to multiply like Tribbles.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Same exact scenario here!

About a year ago I acquired my first and as of yet only J-frame... A 36-7. Just like you Watchdog, the desire for a Mini-Smith kind of hit me unexpectedly. There was a time I had zero interest.

I carry it in a Taurus Leather (not to be confused with Taurus firearms) 3-slot belt holster. I often forget it's there when I carry it. The only other "small" handgun I own is a Walther PPK/S. The 36 gets a little more carry time. I'm just a wheelgun fan.

And OP: Not only will you end up with other J's, I predict you will find yourself looking to build a collection..modest at first (the stage I am at) but you will likely wind up scheming a way to have at least 1 example of each frame size... I only lack an L-frame in my small collection... A little time and it will be done... Then it will be barrel length "sets". Something I wish to accomplish one day is to add a 4" M57 to go with my 4" 19-3 and 4" 29-2.

Then there's blued/stainless... it never ends!!

Congrats on a nice little wheelgun, it's a great way to start.

If your -7 is anything like mine, you may find it likes lighter bullets. Experiment with it with different bullet weights and see which group best for you. With the fixed sights, that's about the only tool at your disposal to getting POA and POI on the same page. If you reload, you have numerous options and bullet/powder recipes to find what your 36 likes.

Enjoy!

Understand that a model 60 is just a stainless steel model model 36.

Before you get a model 60 see if you can get your hands on a K frame revolver. They are definitely a size of gun you would holster. However you would notice much less felt recoil and gain a sixth round but loose pocket-ability. It is a trade off. I feel better protected when I am carrying a K frame and a J frame bug.

Where you live usually gets factored into one's choice. Where I live a K frame and a back up gun makes the most sense. One is none.

I know exactly what you mean. I also have my eye on the 686 which just happens to be the first revolver I held and made me fall in love with revolvers in the first place.

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Welcome to J frame madness! Ditto on the K frame suggestion! Can never have too many revolvers!

Congrats!

Great little gun you got there.

I have its big brother, a 2" model 10. You can pocket carry it, but it's a much better belt gun.

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Already trying to decide which caliber and model to purchase next, and yes I do want a collection of both pistol and revolver. Pistol choices: 1911-45acp, .40 S&W, and maybe a 9mm. Revolver selection to add to my .38 are: .357, .44 mag, and the .500 to just simply have it.

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