Carrying an older gun a bad idea?

[BabaBlueJay]

I bought my 1960s era Model 36 a few months back for an easier carry option than my 686 which admittedly was not carried enough due to weight and size. I have been extremely pleased with this old little gun, and shoot better with it than any handgun I've tried. I was so pleased that I ordered a milt sparks VM-2 and two belts for it, and was bragging about how well it performed to my buddy at the LGS. That's when he gave me a bit of side eye and seemed to be disappointed I was shooting and carrying it, calling it a museum piece that should be kept pristine. I told him I thought guns were meant to be shot and have had good performance from it, but he is convinced I should get a more modern J frame if I want a carry gun. What do you guys think?

 

[C Islander]

My 1954 Colt Cobra gets shot and carried.

 

[Artyldr01]

I would only be concerned if it is so old that you might question the metallurgy and safety. As to museum pieces, well, if you want to collect it as such, then maybe, but if you bought it to use, well, that is their purpose! That is why I generally don't buy safe queens. I had a NIB Model 49 that was gorgeous... too gorgeous for me to use, in my opinion, so I sold it, but I can't justify buying something to just sit there and never fire, but I don't blame someone who will shoot theirs.

Here are two of my favorites to carry. My Manurhin PP in 32ACP and my Colt Diamondback I carry.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

[ralph7]

For God's sake use the thing and shoot plus p ammo in it as well!

 

[Rubone]

I would absolutely carry and use it. In fact I would trust it far more than any new gun of any brand. Something from the '60s is a "modern" gun.

 

[StrawHat]

I have carried this frequently.

Built in 1934. It packs well and the 45 ACP is comforting.

Kevin

 

[kev74]

I carry my early 70's Model 36 on a regular basis.

I think I'll be worn out before it is.

 

[Oldengineer]

And your buddy at the LGS is a qualified gunsmith who can evaluate reliability using objective criteria? NOT. You have made an excellent carry choice with decades of solid performance data.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I figured it was fine, but as a greenhorn thought I'd at least confirm with the experienced members here. I'm 34 and only been shooting for 3 years, and I know some on here have owned and shot guns longer than I've been alive so I always like to get your perspective here. I figured it was fine and like one of you mentioned I don't do safe Queens either. I've always thought it was built to be shot, and it shoots beautifully. I carry it because I shoot it better than the SIG P365 I owned and don't want to carry either 686 regularly. Even my 4" 686 is a brick on the hip and much harder to conceal.

 

[Miracle Man]

As has been said it's probably better than the modern stuff.

 

[Muley Gil]

I bought my 1960s era Model 36 a few months back for an easier carry option than my 686 which admittedly was not carried enough due to weight and size. I have been extremely pleased with this old little gun, and shoot better with it than any handgun I've tried. I was so pleased that I ordered a milt sparks VM-2 and two belts for it, and was bragging about how well it performed to my buddy at the LGS. That's when he gave me a bit of side eye and seemed to be disappointed I was shooting and carrying it, calling it a museum piece that should be kept pristine. I told him I thought guns were meant to be shot and have had good performance from it, but he is convinced I should get a more modern J frame if I want a carry gun. What do you guys think?

Tell your buddy that you would be happy to sell him your M36 for $1200 and then you can go out and buy ANOTHER '60s era M36 to carry and a bunch of ammo.

 

[dsf]

The gun functioning wouldn't be my concern. It would be getting the thing back from PD if I ever had to use it, or getting back after having been stashed and handled in a less than ideal manner. I did switch from older Model 40 and 38 to a modern 638 for that reason.

 

[rct269]

If you sit and stare at the opinions of old vs. new here, you'll very likely come to the conclusion the old stuff is good---and the new stuff is not so good----"good" defined any way you choose.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[mrchick]

I think he wanted to sell you a gun…

 

[RobertJ.]

I wouldn't hesitate to carry it. I have a 36 (although not quite that old) and I carry it as a back-up-gun as needed.

I carry a 3" 65-3, which, according to some, is too valuable to carry as an EDC. I've always believed one should carry the best thing they can afford.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I like my model 36 a lot and would not sell it. Drives tacks for such a little gun, and I agree with most the old is often better than the new. Especially the gun locks on the new models annoy me.

 

[Rpg]

Where in the world did OP's LGS get the idea his M36 is too old for EDC? I don't think I'd rely on their opinion on much since they're so far off the mark here.

I suspect the guy at the gun store was looking for a sale.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I have carried this frequently.

Built in 1934. It packs well and the 45 ACP is comforting.

Kevin

Your gun is beautiful, that is an amazing gun for carry nearly 100 years later. Simply amazing!

 

[BE Mike]

Any mechanically sound S&W revolver should serve you well no matter the vintage. The older ones are the "gooder" ones. You say that you shoot it very well. Well, that is another deciding factor. Carry it and train with it often.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Any mechanically sound S&W revolver should serve you well no matter the vintage. The older ones are the "gooder" ones. You say that you shoot it very well. Well, that is another deciding factor. Carry it and train with it often.

I shoot it better than the SIG P365 I traded to get it. I am a revolver guy at heart and as a greenhorn appreciate their simplicity. I practice 2-3 times a month but I want to eventually go once a week. I use one box of defensive ammo every month on top of FMJ to ensure my training involves my carry ammo of choice which is standard pressure Hornady FTX.