Looking at a 3-inch Model 36

[Watchdog]

This little gun caught my eye earlier today.

This is not a good photograph of it, it doesn't do the gun justice, believe me. I'm not that enthusiastic about 3-inch J-Frames, but this one looks almost too good to pass up. And the stocks number to the gun.

Anyway, the serial number of 689956 has me thinking late '68 or on into '69. Anyone pin it down any closer than that for me?

 

[KalamazooKid]

These 3" J frames just balance and shoot so freakin nice. I've been runnin lead through this one on a nightly basis lately. [emoji41]

 

[shouldazagged]

That little beauty would tempt me seriously.

 

[flagman1776]

I've always been fond of mine. It's a good shooter... easy to shoot well. The additional barrel length isn't an issue if you choose a proper holster though might not fit a pocket.

 

[loeman]

Watchdog,
If the price suits you, I would highly recommend purchase. You can get a 2 inch Md 36 almost any day of the year, but 3 inchers are not so common. I found my 3 inch 36 about 5 years ago and I'm really happy I bought it. Let us know what you decide.

I don't shoot mine so much but when I do, I totally agree with what Kalamazoo said above.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Sold the 36-1 I had many months ago.
Just was not my cup of tea for CC.
Regrets? No.....

 

[Ingramite]

This one is from 1956.

 

[Watchdog]

Watchdog,
If the price suits you, I would highly recommend purchase. You can get a 2 inch Md 36 almost any day of the year, but 3 inchers are not so common. I found my 3 inch 36 about 5 years ago and I'm really happy I bought it. Let us know what you decide.

Thank you for the advice and input. I'm going to look at it again tomorrow. I keep telling myself I don't need another gun, don't need to spend the money.

I know, I know, need's got nothing to do with it. I feel myself getting sucked in.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Nobody ever told me "need" had anything to do with it.

I'd put the one you're looking at around mid-'68 (seems the numbers get a bit jumbled about then).

Here are a few 3" Chiefs through the years...

 

[shell627]

A three inch j frame on the hip is very comforting on a hike in the woods.

 

[Zipdog]

A 3 inch and square butt 36 is almost impossible to sell around here unless the price is under $400.00. Even then it may take months. I would't get too excited. Not much going for it unless you like it.

 

[dr. mordo]

FWIW, there's one in my LGS in minty condition (no box) for $550, which is too much IMO.

That said, if it was $100 less I'd have bought it already.

 

[GerSan69]

I wouldn't mind picking up a nice standard barrel 3" like that. I hope you get it and enjoy it!

 

[Skeptic 9c]

Either show some sense and grab it, or tell the rest of these scruffy rowdies where to find it!

Geoff
Who helps out when he's too poor to do the grabbing.

 

[TMan51]

This little gun caught my eye earlier today.

I have the exact twin to your prospective 3" "J", square butt. According to my papers, which I always keep, it came home in 1972. I used mine as a carry gun on western bow hunts, in case I needed to make noise when I'd taken a fall, etc. I've zapped a couple coyotes with it, a testy rattle snake, a few ground hogs. It's very accurate and shoots to point of aim with the Speer and Hornady lead bullets over a medium charge of Red Dot or Unique. I never used max loads in it, and it's as tight as the day it came home.

The 3" barrel is just enough longer to make a difference when taking a longer shot. Out to about 50yds in a couple cases. It's not enough longer to make carrying it a problem.

I recently found a 3" M60 .38 Pro Series from Talo, stainless with adjustable sights, nicer grips. $700. It was cheaper than the old 3" "J's" I was seeing, several in very good shape were going for well over a $K. I put the old girl back in it's soft padded safe case, as an heirloom.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Mine is a 3" 60-10..... micro-686.

It's a .357...... but generally loaded with +P.38s..... my "Penn's Woods Kit Gun"........ not to big/not to small...... just right for just in case!

Don''t leave home; or the cabin, without it!!!!!!!


Had a 3" 37 for many years...... just too nice to carry into the woods.....fragile finish on the alloy frame.

 

[GT_80]

I have a similar one, 3" heavy barrel, pinned barrel, and mine had Herretts grips on it when I got it, I bought it from the original owner who worked in a gun shop. I paid $475 for mine, and in Massachusetts thats a good price- he regretted selling it when I was signing papers. I have seen similar ones locally for at least $50 more than I paid, and they are holding value. I shoot my wont out looking snubby more to keep mine nice.

 

[Watchdog]

A 3 inch and square butt 36 is almost impossible to sell around here unless the price is under $400.00. Even then it may take months. I would't get too excited. Not much going for it unless you like it.

I appreciate your thoughts. You're up there in Ohio, though. I'm down here in North Carolina. Three-inch 36s might be a fairly common sight up there, I don't know. But this is the first one I've seen at any of the LGSs I frequent in a year or so. There may have been a few at some of the so-called "gun shows" around here, but since I stopped going to those, I haven't seen them, but I doubt they'd be selling for under $400. Not around here.

 

[old tanker]

Another vote for the three inch!

Shooting that extra inch of barrel should convince you it is worthwhile. That inch between 2 and 3 does more good than the inch between 3 and 4.

3 versus 2

 

[-db-]

Great little guns that balance and point well. I consider it a beefed up Kit Gun, perfect for the tackle box or pack.