Model 36, Detective Special or Model 10 snubs?? What's Your Favorite??

[Etalksalot]

I want a model 10 but haven’t found one local. I did get a screaming good deal on a nice 36. With the 36 AIWB and a 442 in my pocket, it makes up for not having a six shooter.

Yup! I sometimes carry both of my Model 36's.

The nickel one is the same, I just got pearl grips and haven't taken pictures of the two together with the pearl.

 

[blasterp7]

Whatever gun you like best and can handle best, and which performs best for you is the "best" gun for you.

Best Regards, Les

Pretty much sums it up - my DS just shoots better for me than my 36. I also have a first generation Cobra that is great. That being said, I have never carried any of them!

For pocket carry the revolvers are just not the right feeling for me. If I am carrying on the belt - I go for a much larger weapon and the advantages that gives me.

Every day for the last 7 years the Sig 238 has graced my pockets - slimmer profile - way better (and bigger) night sights - a dream to shoot - easy to carry two extra magazines rather than bulky, more troublesome speed loaders.

 

[6string]

Given the choice of these three, I go with the S&W 36.
BUT!!!
You forgot one other cool option:
The S&W 49.... J frame, all steel, 38 special, with the humpback frame to protect the small hammer spur.

If it was good enough for Maxwell Smart, it's gotta be pretty good!

Best Regards,
Jim

 

[clang444]

OP - It is SFVI which stands for small frame 6 shot. It became the DSII (det special 2) and was beefed up to become the Magnum Carry.

The story I heard is Colt came up with the SFVI name in order to differentiate from the Det Special which was still being sold until all stock was depleted when it was discontinued. The name was changed to DSII when the original DS were all gone.

I have an SFVI with factory bobbed hammer and a couple of 3rd gen Det Specials and the SFVI has the best trigger. No stacking, very smooth and light weight. It's also stainless steel, which is a better option for those of us that sweat.

My uncle was a copper that couldn't speak highly enough about thr model 36 and his preference for it over a det special. For him it was all about the thinner cylinder making it easier to conceal. He carried a nickel M36 off duty. But he was a little guy so maybe the difference was more significant to him.

For me, I like both the J frames and the Colts. For K frame carry I prefer my 3" M65. I prefer stainless steel for functionality, but blue looks best to me.

 

[mg357]

S&W Model 36 & the Colt Detective Special.

 

[les.b]

You forgot one other cool option:
The S&W 49.... J frame, all steel, 38 special, with the humpback frame to protect the small hammer spur.

If it was good enough for Maxwell Smart, it's gotta be pretty good!

Best Regards,
Jim

I almost forgot!! here's my 49:

It is certainly a viable option!!

 

[DD357]

Of the 3 I'd take the 10 every time. Don't like the trigger on the Colt at all and I shoot the 10 (or any other snub K for that matter) much better than either of the others

 

[Etalksalot]

I have always loved snubbies. I started with J-frames and still have a couple but years ago I discovered that 2" K-frames were not that much harder to carry (sometimes, depending on the pants, they can be pocket carried!) and were so much easier to shoot that I just carry a J frame now under limited conditions. I carried a M642 every day for years until I made the K frame decision. I am thinking about retiring the 642 in favor of a M649.

My jogging/dog walking/biking-fits-into-a-fanny-pack snubby is a very old Colt Cobra. That's the only time I carry it. I disliked the Colt grips so I replaced them but I kept them for the future collectors.

Some group pictures:

Customized Model 64 - started life as a 4". It is my usual K frame carry gun.

This Model 10 is the second revolver I ever bought and was my EDC before the above mentioned Model 64.

I like the wood grips because they look good and I don't shoot this lightweight M642 enough to worry about the checkering bothering me.

That's an awful nice collection you got there. I especially dig the Model 10 nickel SB, the RB blued 10, the 15 and I believe I see a 19 in there.

I love J frames a lot. I love the Detective Specials as well, but I love the smaller size of the J frame. I know it's not much different, but it still is a little smaller. I agree with you on the K frames, I would love to carry them, but as on now the only K frame I own is a Model 15-3 snub, and seeing that you own one you probably already know it's not as easy to hide with that square butt. It will slip down in my pocket on my cargo pants and disappear, but I can't carry it IWB because the corner pokes out too much. Also in my pocket, it leaves just too much of a bulge.

Once I finally get me a K frame RB (which I'm trying to make my next S&W purchase) I plan on carrying it all the time. I am really into the Model 10's. I love square butt 10's as well, but i want a RB 10 to carry regularly. I also want a 19 and an 80's 686 with magna grips on it as well to carry. One day it will all come true.

 

[Etalksalot]

Got one of each and love 'em all three. Preference depends on how and where I'm carrying on any given day.

I plan to be in that category myself one day. Working on it currently!

 

[Etalksalot]

I agree that the DS looked better than the new Cobra. However, if we compare it with some of the recent polymer-frame revolvers, it is a beauty!! Actually, I don't like too much the looks of the recent production Smiths, with the lock, and the enlarged frame, that seems less gracile than the older models. One thing I don't like of the Cobra is the fiberoptic sight, which looks a little fragile, and out of place in a revolver with relatively classic lines.

I agree, I don't like the new Cobra, but I don't care for the new Smiths. I guess when I wrote this, I just assumed everyone would think old guns. No idea why I thought that, but I did. The only new one I'd like to get is a snub Model 69. I like the 44 mag in a carriable size. Other than that, I wouldn't buy any new Smiths.

 

[Etalksalot]

The Glock 26/27 does fine as a belt gun but decidedly inferior as a pocket piece. In my view, it doesn’t completely replace the snub .38.
My work revoked all permission to carry anything off duty that wasn’t a Glock many years ago. Finally got a regular CWP which enables me to carry any legal handgun when off the clock. I immediately bought a new 442-2 to pocket carry when a belt gun was not practical.

They can tell you what you HAVE to carry even off duty?!?!? WOW! That's kind of, well messed up.

 

[Etalksalot]

Since I have a few different guns to choose from, let me show a few!!

How about this early ("Baby") Chiefs Special with a Tyler T Grip (bottom), or the Regulation Police .32 S&W Long riding in it's new "Threepersons" holster from El Paso Saddlery? (The knife is one that I carry every day, an old Shrade "Uncle Henry" from back when they were very well made knives with excellent steel.)

How about my tried and true Colt Detective Special...solid and dependable!!:

Or this later Agent with the shrouded barrel that I occasionally carry in my pocket?? Well worn, but still tight and reliable:

Or...How about a gun on the D frame that the Detective Special uses with a little embellishment?? Here's my Diamondback with Detective Special stocks, alá Steve McQueen in Bullitt:

Here's the 640-1 that is hot during qualification for my LEOSA this year (and shot a perfect score with...it's an incredible little gun!):

Oh, and here's a K frame...from April 1949:

Best Regards, Les

Ooooooooooo, Steve McQueen is my all time favorite actor, mind you I'm only 36 and he died the year before I was born. I actually have an episode of Wanted Dead or Alive paused on my DVR as I'm typing this! I want a Diamondback just like that mostly because of Bullitt!! That is incredible! I like the other too mind you, but that DB is gorgeous!

 

[Etalksalot]

I do not think I have seen a snub that I do not like! Too many Sherlock Holmes movies as a kid.

I like all 3 choices I posted about. I don't have a DS or a model 10.....yet!

 

[dr. mordo]

I love snubbies. They tend to multiply - I guess I own 7 now. 3 J frames, 2 K frames, 2 L frames.

That said, I almost always pocket carry, so the J frame is the most useful size to me. My favorite is either my 637 PC or my LCR327. Both are just brilliant pistols. The 637 is a classic beauty, but the LCR is such a brilliant piece of engineering.

When I leave the house, I add a larger gun on my belt, but the J's get the most use in my pocket.

 

[Etalksalot]

Well, I gave you all "likes" because you are all correct!! Whatever gun you like best and can handle best, and which performs best for you is the "best" gun for you.

I have most of the guns that you guys talk about... But I mostly pocket carry my 340 PD. But sometimes I carry one of my Co,ts, a DS, an Agent, or the Cobra. And sometimes I carry my pre model 10, a 1949 snub M&P. Sometimes I carry my 649-1 Pro Series. And I could go on. But day to day, it's the 340 PD.

Best Regards, Les

I agree with the "what works best for you" concept. I just hope you don't think I was trying to have people tell me which is actually better or worse. I hate thoe arguments because there is no right answer. I was just curious as to what each person prefers to carry out of the 3 with other models an option too. I like to know what people prefer themselves. I would gladly carry any of the 3 I posted about along with many others. I have a nickel and a blued Model 36. I love the Shaft movies and I like in the first one he had a blued DS the first half, and a nickel one in the second half. I switch it up and carry one or the other. Finally got my pearl grips for my nickel one as Shaft had pearl on his nickel DS. I want to find a bright polished brass T grip for my blued j frame, but haven't gotten around to buying one yet. Money has been tight lately. My dog has had a lot of health issues. She's a pretty healthy dog, but ever since I moved 6 months ago it's been one thing after another and a lot of money wasted at vets who apparently don't know what they're doing until I found my current vet. I love all these old guns, but my dog is more important to me, so I have to wait a little bit before buying a bunch of stuff I want, including another old revolver. Model 10 RB snub is hopefully my next gun, or an 80's 686 with magna grips.

I added pics of my Smiths, of course they'll probably be rotated the wrong way once posted, that happens a lot to me. My model 15, and my 36's. I also added a pic of my mean ol vicious Pit Bull.

 

[Etalksalot]

For me the best snub nose revolver is a RB Model 12. Lighter than a steel J frame, easier to shoot, and carries an extra round.

These are nice. I'm not a fan of Airweight guns, but I wish I was. I finally got to see a Model 1w RB snub at a local gun show last weekend and it's cool, I just feel weird with guns that light. It almost feels like a toy replica. I like the K frame AW better than the J frame AW. I want to buy a Model 12 and make myself get used to it. I probably will one day.

 

[Etalksalot]

I like my Model 36 over the DS because of the trigger but I like the six rounds a DS gives me. I'm still learning my Model 12 and it may become my new favorite snubby.

Chiefs Special


Detective Special


Model 12-2

Not sure if I commented on this or not, but is that a DS or a Police Positive snub? I'm sure you'd know, I just ask because the Police Positive snub has that kind of sight from the ones I've seen and they have that shorter ejector rod. Although I know the DS can have the shorter rod as well. All 3 guns look beautiful.

 

[Etalksalot]

They all about the same. They're all one-bad-guns at very close range. An extra .38 Special round probably won't be definitive.

I'm a committed Chief dude. It's light, fast, and very quick to battery.

The Chief is lightweight. It's a breeze to carry all day.

Years ago I had come across info that indicated that Detective Special was prone to experiencing issues with +P ammo. But that might have been opinion more than fact.

The reality is a good semi is a better option. I'm almost there, which is going back to my Model 60. But my P239 .40 S&W is much superior to my Model 60, especially were I to suffer the gave misfortune of encountering more than one bad gun who want to room temperature me.

I'll cop to being enamored of The Chief. But I wouldn't mind owning a Detective Special.

I am an S&W guy myself. I love my Chief's. They are beautiful guns. I like the DS's as well, but I just don't own any yet. I'd like to have a shrouded ejector rod DS and one without the shroud.

I used to carry an auto, and I was never a fan of revolvers my whole life. I've been around guns and shooting them for about 20-25 years. So I have had experience with revolvers but didn't like them because of low ammo capacity and longer reload time. Then one day I said to myself, I have never had to shoot anyone, chances are I never will (most likely) and if I do the person isn't likely to be more than 10 yards away, maybe a little more. If I did encounter more than one, it might be 2 or 3,but 5 rounds should help me get cover and I always carry 2 speed strips or loaders with me, so that's 15 rounds. I mean any situation can happen to anyone at any time, but if someone walks up and points a gun at me, I won't have time to grab it regardless of what kind of gun it is or how many rounds it carries. Chances are however, that it will most likely be one person, at close range (as most people don't rob you from 50-100 yards away) and a 5 shot 38 should do the trick. If I use all 15 rounds and have not resolved the issue, it's time to get the hell outta Dodge. That's just how I feel about it, and that's what made me make that change from auto to revolver. I also don't think that one extra round in a DS or Model 10 would be likely to make a real difference. It could, I understand that, but I'm not worried about needing to use my gun, I just carry it because I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

I will say, I like that you're auto is a .40 cal. I love that round and have one myself. I had 2 of them, but my Sig 320 I used in a trade for my first Smith, my Model 15-3 blued snub. While I don't miss the Sig, it was a great gun. 14 round .40 cal handgun. I loved it a lot, but my Model 15 is one of my all time favorite guns ever so I'm okay with it.

 

[Etalksalot]

Years ago I had come across info that indicated that Detective Special was prone to experiencing issues with +P ammo. But that might have been opinion more than fact.

I meant to respond to this as well. I hear people saying +p ammo is no good in any of the old revolvers and I hear people say they've shot hundreds even thousands of them through their old guns. I carry my Smiths with +p as I would a DS or a Model 10. I haven't shot my Smiths yet since I have gotten them, but I will shoot a few +p rounds just so I know what to expect should I ever have to, but I won't feed them more than a few a piece. Smith says do NOT shoot them under any circumstance, but I have a feeling it's more to cover their butts than anything, liability that sort of thing.

I've also heard that Colts in general are prone to timing issues and I've never heard this about any old Smith. Now that is not to say it's not possible, but I never hear about it, but I've read about many Colt owners having this problem even after just a few thousand regular 38 special rounds. I still plan on owning a few DS's and a Diamondback, but I like that the Smiths don't seem to have this problem.

One last thing I wanted to bring up is this, I was reading on Wikipedia (yes I know it can't have false information but if you've ever tried to change anything and put in anything that is incorrect, someone will change it back. I even tried to edit a few things that just weren't up to date and it said I didn't have permission to do so) the page on the 38 special and it said in 1975 or so, SAAMI lowered the pressure rating of the standard 38 special to what it currently is, and that the modern +p is the same as the old standard 38 special from the early 70's and beyond. Whether this is true or not, I cannot say but I just wanted to share that. So I don't know if that means any gun produced before that date is fine with +p's and not anything after that date or what. My Chief's are from '71-'72 and my 15 is from '77. I'd like to think my 15 would be fine, it does have a heavy barrel on the snub, but who knows. I still don't plan on shooting more than a couple in each, but I thought I'd pass that along.

 

[Etalksalot]

I kind of agree with the above, "Never seen a snub I didn't like". I have settled on a J Frame, lightweight, 6 round, 32 H&R Magnum. More power than the 38, 6 rounds, lighter weight, what more could I want?



431PD and 432PD.

I will admit, before I found the 431PD and 432PD I did have a preference for K Frames, but wouldn't fit in my pocket the way the J Frames do.

DANG! Those are some nice K frames! 10's or 12's?? I'd imagine the square butt makes it hard to fit into your pocket. I have a snub Model 15 and it will slip into my cargo pants pocket, square butt and all, but it leaves a large bulge. A RB k frame would fit even better, but it would still leave the bulge too. My 36's disappear into my cargo pockets with ease. That is what I love about the Chief's, they are pocket pistols. By the way, when I said cargo pants pocket, I mean the top pocket not the actual cargo pockets though they fit in those as well. But I love having a blued and a nickel pocket size 38 special. It's great. I still carry IWB when I go places, but to run my dog outside to do her business, it's nice to slip in there because no one is around to see it. I have woods behind me and a pack of coyotes, 7 or 8 of them and I take no chances with my dog. But I love the pockwt pistol idea. I also LOVE Colt's Pocket Positive snubs! I want a blue and a nickel one, but they are pretty darn pricey. I don't mind the 32 long colt round and I'll have an extra round as well, but there is one for sale right now in great shape for 1,000 bucks!! I'd rather get several other guns for the same price. One day though, hopefully, I'll get one or two.