...in my new Model 36-1.

Longer barrel equals longer sight radius. Longer barrel means, maybe, more velocity, less unburned powder, perhaps better internal, external and terminal ballistic performance. Longer barrel means more weight out front...maybe better for balance, recoil management.

So the wisdom goes.

Of course, longer barrel means it's a bit more difficult to conceal, depending on the method used. More weight means somewhat less comfort, when carried all day.

I dropped by one of my local gunshops, Greta's Guns,in Simi Valley, California, on Friday. Greta is the owner's dog, by the way. The owner, a retired LAPD copper, runs a very nice shop.

I was not in the market for anything. Well then...what did I see but a very new looking Model 36, square butt, blue steel, fixed sights with a pinned three inch barrel. Its serial number puts production between 1976 and 1977, as does its Bangor Punta blue box.

The gun looks very lightly used. If the seller had cleaned it, it would appear almost NIB. Faint turn line and that's about it for visible wear. The wood grips, correct for this model and its vintage, looked brand new. The box had some damage, but included paperwork was like new. Clearly, no one read the manual!

Bore looked very clean. No wear to the finish at the muzzle, just a little on the thumb piece (cylinder release latch). Gently testing the action, I decided it was an awfully nice little J frame. In addition to the box, the seller was including an old half empty box of Western ammo...mid range wadcutters. According to the salesman, the owner fired half a box worth and called it a day.

Asking price was $650. I offered $600. A truly new in the box gun should be $650, plus an extra $20 for the three inch barrel, according to the latest blue book values. A 98 percent gun should fetch $535, plus $20 for that three inch barrel.

Ok, we're in California and used guns go for a bit more than blue book here, given some of the limitations...private party transfer only of guns not currently on the California DOJ roster of guns approved for sale in California.

So, I offered $600, splitting the difference, more or less, between 98 percent and 100 percent. I figured I'd offer a price where the seller would get pretty close to his asking price. The reduced price would off set the usual fees, taxes and such a little.

The salesman called the seller, who immediately accepted and I bought the gun. Now, for the 10 day wait.

I've often thought it might be interesting to compare a three inch Model 36 to its 2 inch (well, 1 7/8 inch, really) counterparts. Plus, any fancier of Smiths needs only a hint of a rationalization to add to the accumulation, er, collection.

I hardly NEED another J frame: I've got a like new Model 40 (blue steel frame Centennial with grip safety); a very clean flat latch, blue steel Model 36, stocked with the original grips (with that "diamond" around the grip screw escutcheon): a factory refinished and tuned Model 49, stocked with Spegel boot grips ; a first generation Model 642, stocked with Hogue Bantam grips (it came with Uncle Mikes grips that had finger grooves and covered the backstrap, a bit bulky for such a gun, though I've got them somewhere); a recent production, "no lock" 442, stocked with linen micarta VZ grips; a Model 60, stocked with Pachmayr compact grips; and a four inch Model 63, stocked with Pachmayr grips, complete with finger grooves. With the exception of the .22 caliber 63, all are .38 special and all have the 1 7/8 inch barrel. The 442, 642 and 49 were all purchased new. The rest were acquired used.

So, this new gun fills a clearly much needed niche in the J frame collection! That's my story and I am sticking to it!

It seems like a really handy little revolver. I'm curious if that extra barrel length really makes it significantly easier to shoot. The J frames are wonderful guns, but tough to master. One day, this might make a viable self defense gun for my daughter (she's only 8 now!). I bought that Model 63 to eventually teach her to shoot a revolver. The three inch 36 might make a good defensive gun for her, when the time comes, depending on her interest, with similar feel and manual of arms to the Model 63, if she doesn't fancy a semi-auto by then.

I will post pictures once I get this new gem home...I look forward to hearing anyone's experience with the three inch J frames!

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

Bought that same gun for my wife in 1978. Still have it, box and all. Recoil is lower because the 3" barrel is more of a target and a good bit heavier than the 2". Barrel length does make a good bit of difference with a 38 Special, or any cartridge for that matter. Go on line and look up "ballistics by the inch" for the 38. Then buy some Buffalo Bore ammo for it. You will be somewhat amazed at the power.

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Dr. B

I like the Model 36s with the 3-inch barrel. I don't really believe the 3-inch offers any advantage in ammunition performance over shorter barrels. That's my opinion, for whatever it's worth. I like the 3-inch for aesthetic reasons, and it does seem a bit easier to point for me than a shorter barrel. And round butt or square...makes absolutely no difference to me.

It also means that the ejector rod is long enough to drive empty cases clear of the cylinder.

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Eccentric old coot

The 3" barrel to me is a bit more concealable s long as it is the standard barrel and not the heavy barrel. Just doesn't work as well in a pocket holster. The longer barrel makes retention in a holster a bit more secure. And, as Iggy said, the longer extractor rod allows more sure extraction.

There is a definite performance advantage, a bit more that the difference between a 3" and 4". If there truly was not a difference in performance between the 2" & 3" as WATCHDOG alleges, then there logically would be no difference going up to a 4", 6", etc, either, would there!! All it takes to find out that barrel length makes a difference is a chronograph.

The only disadvantage to the 3" is pocket carry, otherwise everything else is benefit!

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Very good point!

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

I have shot a two inch model 64 alongside a four inch model 67...and found a very significant difference in ease of shooting. These were K frame .38s, of course. Even at close ranges, the extra barrel length and sight radius of the 67 (not to mention the adjustable sights) made accurate shooting easier then the two inch 64 with its fixed sights.

I don't recall that much of a difference between a three inch K frame .357 and four inch. I have Model 13s in both barrel lengths, and plan on trying them out with the same ammo, to see what difference it makes with two guns identical but for barrel length and the profile of the grip (square for the four inch, round for the three inch).

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

I look forward to pictures and a range report!

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Miss Buddies crsides & fat tom

You, and your daughter, will love it!

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But then, what do I know?

I have one and love that extra inch of heavy barrel. Guns shoot well and point naturally. I carry mine in a Lobo pancake and a Don Hume IWB #715.And a set of square butt oversize wood grips from Altamont. No pocket carry, but it's a great concealed weapon.

Go on Buffalo Bore's webpage and look at the difference between a 2 and a 3" barrel on velocity. I carry the 20C NON +P 158 LSWCHP. Buffalo Bore does their velocity testing with real weapons.

Buffalo Bore's website lists the above load at 854fps out of a 2"bbl. It lists the velocity of the same load out of a 3" barrel at 930fps. I've tested BB ammo over two different chronographs and found them to be whistling along as advertised.

I once owned a 3" 60-15, but found the extra inch to be nothing but a hindrance in the context of personal defense and concealed carry. Harder to carry, conceal, slower to bring into action and weapon retention was compromised all for being minimally more shootable and insignificant gains in accuracy at defense distances. Plus I had absolutely no need for single action capability and see it as a liability in a gun intended solely for defensive purposes.

The Buffalo Bore figures above are representative of the difference between snub and three-inch barrels that I obtained from other ammo makers. Generally, depending on the load and the gun, look for 60-80 feet higher velocity from the longer barrel.

The guns are also easier for most to shoot well, especially as distance increases. A target-sighted small gun like the M-60-4 is a good trail gun where you want relatively light weight and there's no need for vast power. But the Buffalo Bore 158 grain loads, esp. in hotter Plus P form, do provide considerable power, and the M-60-15, etc. and the Ruger SP-101 in .357 are even more potent, if difficult to shoot well for many rounds at once. But they are not target guns. They are practical emergency and food gathering guns.

The 3” J frames shoot real nice. I have three 3” 36’s and a 3” model 37. Most people seem to prefer the square butt. I like the round butt better, but that’s just me.

Sorry about that 10 day BS.

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I own a slew of 2" (or thereabouts) J frames but once I picked up a new 60-15 3" barrel version it seems that's all I shoot. The other J's are looking at me askance wondering when they will get their turn. I also carry it in a Lobo, but use his belt slide style.

Congrats on your newest!

Should be a sweet shooter from what I've read.

I find the 3" J-frames to be much easier to shoot well. As I usually carry IWB, the extra inch doesn't bother me. It makes a nice revolver for teaching new shooters, as well.

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Because of the metric system?

I'm with Twiki357.

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Now go make God proud...

Congrats !
You will love that 3" Heavy barrel,
The 3" SB J frames feel totally different than the 2" snub round butts IMO kinda more like a miniature M&P especially with a nice set of J targets.

36-1 Heavy barrel side by side with a 3" Model 36 tapered barrel.


The Model 37 was also offered with a 3" tapered barrel although it apparently made no sense to offer a Heavy barrel 37,
Perhaps since the 37 is an "Airweight" .

all 3 SB versions for comparison (37 at top, 36 tapered center, 36-1 HB bottom)

Great replies, thank you, all!

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

I like that T grip. Think I will take mine off my Model 40 and put it on my incoming 36-1...

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

Sure you don't want to try an Ergo Grip?



(It actually works great, but it sure isn't as pretty as that other photo I put up.)

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Now go make God proud...

Bet that Ergo grip is comfortable...

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

I think I'm gonna be sick...

I've seen some weird grips, but this takes the prize. Great gun, though.

The 3" J-frames are great, with a different feel and balance. You are actually getting 1-1/8" more barrel over the standard M36. You'll get greater velocity as well as the longer sight radius, less recoil, and the full length ejector rod.

Might be a little heavy for carry, but the SB 3" HB M36 would make a dandy nightstand gun.

In my experience with 1 7/8" 2 1/8" and 3" .38s and .357s the extra barrel length makes a lot more difference than you'd think.

With a fairly light target load (3.2 gr Red Dot, 158 gr LSWC), I'll average 670 fps out of a 1 7/8" Model 36, and just 675 fps out of a 2 1/8" Model 60, but I'll get 727 fps on average out of a 3" barrel.

That compares to an average of 748 fps to in a 4" Model 10 and 794 fps in a 6" Model 19.

So with a light load using a fairly fast burning powder, the 3" picks up about 50-60 fps more than a snub nose, and loses only about 20 fps to a 4" and about 60 fps compared to a 6" barrel.

With a +P self defense load (7.5 gr 800x and a 125 gr JHP), the 1 7/8" model 36 will produce 929 fps second on average, with the 2 1/8" producing an average of 951 fps - not much of a difference.

The 3" barrel in contrast gains nearly 80 fps with an average velocity of 1030 fps. This compares to 1100 fps in a 4" Model 10 and 1186 fps in a 6" Model 19.

The heavier load and slower burning powder reward longer barrels, but the gains in that extra 7/8" to 1 1/8" of barrel are still significant.

Year before last J. D. Jones visited us. He said he had never seen a 8 3/8 29 shoot any load faster than a 6 or 6 1/2. Also said he had 4 inchers that shot higher velocities than than either.

I bought my 3"HB 36-1 RB in 1980... a splendid OD (or when I "drove" a dispatch desk for 8 hours). Concealed just fine Bianchi IWB as the "extra inch" is verticle. Simply fine shooter. There's a reason I still own it.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

After reading your post lew, I'm practically salivating with anticipation of a pic........

Well, the ten day wait is over! I brought the 36-1 Chiefs Special home tonight.....

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

Here's another 36-1 from up here in Northern California.

I find it quite a bit easier to shoot that other smaller, lighter J frames.

Just cleaned and oiled the new old gun---and added a Tyler T Grip. As a nice discovery, the grips are, indeed, numbered to the gun!

What a handy Roscoe!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1435035238.003366.jpg

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Trust, but verify - R. Reagan

Very nice!!!

My son wanted my 36 no dash from the 1st time he saw it. (2") I never shot it too much. Was at gun show with trade material, and found a 3" no dash S.B. with box & papers. Numbers match. Price on it was $425. I shoot it so much better. It is not a carry gun for me. By the way, my son has the 2" now. He got what he wanted. He did not want the R.B. target grips, so I kept them because they feel great to me. Bob

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My 3" Chief's Special (M36) with a Square Butt and Bull Barrel is probably the best shooting J Frame I own. The only negative is that it is a bit harder to conceal comfortably. For someone who wears suits or sport jackets on a daily basis it's a terrific EDC gun. For the 3" J I much prefer the SB version - makes the gun so much more user friendly with minimal extra weight and bulk.