A fast way to identify a Model 10 snub from a Model 36 snub (especially in photographs or at a distance) is that the locking notches on the J-Frame Model 36 are situated at the cylinder's rear, directly behind the cylinder's flutes. On the K-Frame Model 10 they are situated at the rear between the flutes. This means that the notches are directly over the chambers on the six shot K-Frame revolvers. They are cut between the chambers on the J-Frame revolvers.

Some say the J-Frame cylinders are stronger because of the way the notches are positioned. Either type will handle any reasonable .38 Special load and even some unreasonable ones.