what would you do!?

[Nickjc]

Assuming you can only take one.

Would you pickup a 90% model 36 with numbered diamond around the screw grips to the gun square butt frame.....no box....etc..

Or,

95% model 36- numbered grips to the gun, round butt frame.... original box, papers, cleaning stuff and the box contents are in nice nos shape.

Both appear to be early serial ranges...I don't have the numbers handy...

I am leaning to both but is the square butt any more desirable or rare than the round butt...I always see the round butt...lol

Thanks for any insight !

[arjay]

There are more round butts than square.Is it a 3"?


Duck!

[g8rb8]

Welcome to the S&W Forum.
The answer to such questions is always both.

[jack the toad]

From a production number standpoint, I can't comment. Personally, I'd prefer the RB but as mentioned, getting both is the simple solution to your question.

[Jingles]

Square butt for a shooter; round for carry. For me probably the no-dash square.

[gmborkovic]

Hello Nick, do you plan on carrying them? Have to agree, buy them both, if you want them. The SB is a nice carry. Best

[ParadiseRoad]

...just bought a square butt...wouldn't mind having a round butt too...so I guess both...

[Nickjc]

Originally Posted by arjay

There are more round butts than square.Is it a 3"?


Duck!

2" as I recall

[haywood]

I like the round but.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Generally speaking, the answer is both.

AFAIK, the RB you describe is worth more in dollars. In fact, I suspect that in most circles, everything else being equal, a round butt is worth more. But not to me. A couple of years ago, I found a SB 37 which was nearly unfired (the factory does test them), no box. I grabbed it iummediately. I wouldn't have even looked closely at a RB 37. The SB with a Tyler fits my hand well, yet is still quite concealable, which is not always true with aftermarket grips.

For collecting or "investing," the 95% RB with box, etc. For shooting, the SB. You should pay much less for the SB, which IMO is a better gun.

[murphydog]

You didn't mention what the intended use (carry, collecting, shooting) or the price of each would be. Presuming they are the same price, for collecting and finding different stocks, the RB. For just having an older SB, no fair guessing . Good luck in your decision.

[Nickjc]

Originally Posted by gmborkovic

Hello Nick, do you plan on carrying them? Have to agree, buy them both, if you want them. The SB is a nice carry. Best

I have a 37 with a bobbed hammer....... and the original... the hammer was from a donor 36parts bin... the funny thing is the hammer on the 37 IS different than the 36.... the hammer has a bevel on it that the 36 didn't have and I had to add it....

I carry the 37 when I can...the 36 I'll probably relugate to a safe queen and keep the sb as a shooter. ....so it seems I have to get both..... may state makes it very hard...one every 31 days single permit per pistol..it's painful

[Nickjc]

Originally Posted by murphydog

You didn't mention what the intended use (carry, collecting, shooting) or the price of each would be. Presuming they are the same price, for collecting and finding different stocks, the RB. For just having an older SB, no fair guessing . Good luck in your decision.

Good points. Collecting and shooting....and when I can, carry.

The rb I can snag for 390 and the sb for 225....

[jack the toad]

Dunno your gun money situation but make him a reduced offer on both.
Price wise, the SB ain't bad. But the RB can be a SB with changing the grips if that appeals to you. Buy them both and sell the one you don't prefer. If it's the SB, you should be able to peddle it easy enough at that price.

[murphydog]

They are both at good prices - if one or the other and you intend to eventually have a return on your "investment", I'd opt for the RB. The SB sounds as if it would be a good shooter.

[jack the toad]

Originally Posted by murphydog

They are both at good prices - if one or the other and you intend to eventually have a return on your "investment", I'd opt for the RB. The SB sounds as if it would be a good shooter.

+1
What he said.
There ya go, buy the SB for carry and the RB for future use, sell, etc.

[GerSan69]

The only "problem" with the square grip Chief is far fewer options for grips/stocks. That said, I'd get the square - great price! - and try to talk the round down enough to get it, also. You can never have too many handguns.

[Jbearwebb]

Can you folks help me with this one? Inherited from my uncle when he passed away. I know it is a 5-screw but forgot to get a pic of that. I'm a little puzzled about the model because I am accustomed to locating a model # on the crane, but I see "2" and that dose not seem correct. What you guys tell me about this old timer?

Also, I removed the grips that was fixed on it because they are not original and there is what appears to be an "S" forward of the serial number on the butt.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1473033256.165005.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1473033277.087988.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1473033294.151598.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1473033311.067183.jpg


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[BC38]

Originally Posted by Nickjc

Good points. Collecting and shooting....and when I can, carry.

The rb I can snag for 390 and the sb for 225....

At those prices I'd be all over getting them both. I'd about dislocate my shoulder reaching for my wallet so fast.

The rb is below market for one in collectable condition by at least $100, and the sb is below market for a shooter by about the same amount. At least in my area anyway.

can't go wrong either way OR by getting them both.

And FWIW, the concealability of the rb is only nominally better than the sb and the sb is MUCH better for shooting - at least in my hands...

[Arik]

I have both. Prefer round butt

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[franzas]

Both.

SBs look nicer with factories and fit me well, RBs are pretty good with rubber boots and look better with them IMO. RBs with rubber boots conceal better, SBs open carry better.

In the situation you describe, the RB is probably more valuable as a collector piece. It all depends on what you want to do with it. If it was for carry, I'd go square. No sense in potentially ruining the RB that has all the goodies with it. my 2c

[DD357]

I'd probably get the round butt.

[Muss Muggins]

I would take the square butt, because I already have a very nice round butt, and my mission the last few years is to not have two of anything . . .

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

There are a lot more grips available for the RB, although there are quite a few available for both. For concealability and shootability, many folks (including me) find it hard to beat factory SB Magna grips with a Tyler. AFAIK, you cannot duplicate this with a RB, and I am quite sure that you cannot do it easily.

I think that BC38 is about right on prices. Both are excellent, especially the SB.

[hardcase60]

If it wasn't to short to post my the answer is BOTH! hardcase60

[sandspur6]

Originally Posted by Jbearwebb

Can you folks help me with this one? Inherited from my uncle when he passed away. I know it is a 5-screw but forgot to get a pic of that. I'm a little puzzled about the model because I am accustomed to locating a model # on the crane, but I see "2" and that dose not seem correct. What you guys tell me about this old timer?

Also, I removed the grips that was fixed on it because they are not original and there is what appears to be an "S" forward of the serial number on the butt.
Attachment 249292Attachment 249294Attachment 249296Attachment 249297



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You are posted in the wrong forum, but you have a Military & Police (Pre Model 10) made in or about 1948. Model numbers did not appear until about 1957.

[S42N8]

I know this doesn't help, but I'd be working the seller to see if I could buy both.

[Kinman]

For me personally the earlier the better, a nice diamond gripped square butt would fit my preferences better. As far as an investment I suppose getting all the goodies with the later round butt probably makes good sense, especially if your younger and want to put it away. If you have the funds and the prices are good get them both, shoot the square butt and put the investment away for another day. I had a square butt 36 I bought for my wife, later given to my father in law which came back to me after he passed. They are nice little .38's but I was tempted by the owner of a very nice 60's vintage Browning Hi-Power to part ways, I always love those Hi-Power trades.