Model 36 Round or Square?

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zenner22

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I'm looking at 2 Model 36s. The bluing is 95%+ on both of them, I'd say they were pretty equal in condition, they are almost the same price too, about $385, no box or papers. Been thinking about a 36 for a long time and thought this was a good price. I was going to buy one.

But when I was handling them I noticed one had a square butt, one had the round. I didn't realize there was such a difference in the grip frames. Also didn't realize Smith offered both frames for awhile? Until today I thought J-frames were all round butt. I'm wondering if it really matters which one I buy (aside from individual feel, of course)? Is one more valuable than the other or one less desirable for some reason? Both are 36 no-dash with pinned barrels.
 
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Just get the one that looks/feels the best to you. If you're going to pocket carry it, the rb is probably better. Both types were offered on jframes for many years.

I've seen no real difference in values of rb or sb 36's.
 
Now, this sounds like a perfect pair for me and my best shooting buddy. We both love J frames, but he swears by the square butt while I am in love with the round butt!
 
zenner,

I have both rb & sb, I like the feel of the sb, it might show a little if you cc it.

The biggest issue I have found is that none of the big manufacturers make replacement grips for the sb these days.

You can get grips that will have the effect of enlarging the rb, some that will make it feel like a sb, but no one makes anything that goes the other way.

So, if you are only going to have one, you might be better off with the rb.

Tony
 
The thing to consider is there are a lot more grips around for RBs, and therefor less money. With a SB, you need to get a T-Grip or, spend a lot more money to get a comfortable grip.
 
Just buy both of them. You can always sell the one you like the least. If you do buy both of them I'm betting that you end up keeping them both. Sweet little revolvers.
 
Several grip makers make a conversion grip RB to SB for the J frame. If you are not happy with the RB or need the extra grip in your hand this would solve the problem. I like the round butt for carry and all my J frames are RB but sometimes I want more grip for target shooting, For this, either the tyer t or conversion grip works.

You can't go wrong with the Mod 36, it is a nice small revolver. Good shooting.
 
I prefer the round butt with a 2" barrel as it is easier to conceal and the square butt with a 3" barrel as it is more of a handful.
 
Sq butt, 3" barrel, Tyler T.
Bob

DSC_1071.jpg
 
Model 36 square butt with Collins Craft grips & Tyler T. A very comfortable combo IMO.

It is true though, there are limited options with aftermarket SB grips.


Tech23

IMG_3475.jpg
 
The square butt with a tyler t-grip on it is very comfortable to me and shoots better I think. As of now I only have a round butt though.
 
I have both, love 'em both. The only grip option needed on either sb or rb is the combo of factory magnas and a Tyler T-grip. That combo makes for a very pleasant shooter, and doesn't affect concealability one whit. I recently did some range work with the Buffalo Bore heavy .38 special loads. To me, the load is actually more comfortable in the j-frame guns with the magnas and T-grip than in the k-frames.

In your situation, if I couldn't buy both, I would probably opt for the rb gun because of (1) a very slight advantage in concealed carry and (2) the "coolness" factor.;) I believe the rb Chiefs is about the "coolest" and classiest little gun ever built.
 
Interesting that this came up ..... I saw a 36 no dash at the local shop. It's the only 36 that I've seen with a better finish than the one I have. He's asking 350 for it, and would like to get mine on a trade. The one at the shop is a round butt, and the one that I have is a square butt. I like the feel of the square butt, but I'm thinking that a lot of that is that I'm more used to it. I'm going to kick it around til Saturday and then IF he still has it we'll talk a trade.
Around my neck of the woods 385 would be pretty high ... also around here anyway round butts will be a little higher by maybe 50 to 75.
Either way you decide to go, you're going to like the 36. great little gun and even my square butt disappears under a summer shirt that isn't tucked in.
P.S. ........ check Jim Badger for grips. Really nice grips at reasonable prices.
 
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