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.

 

[Bald1]

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?

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.

That's funny. I'm the opposite. I carried a 60s vintage 36 RB up until 18 months ago when I could no longer see the sights very good. I now carry a P365 and shoot it better because of the sights. The 36 is actually easier to pocket carry I think. With 158gr FBI load I felt well armed.

 

[Drm50]

Clerk spoke like a true knob head that knows nothing except cheerleader for newest stuff out.

 

[Rubone]

I never worry much about sights on a carry gun. I am a firm believer (and am quite good at) point shooting in close quarters. If I am actually aiming the threat is likely far enough away to get away from...

 

[A10]

I think he wanted to sell you a gun…

I think he wanted you to sell him Your gun...

 

[Jack Flash]

By and large the comments here are very good. However, the advice from the clerk in the OP is not without merit.

A gun used for home defense or carry is bound to receive some finish wear, dings and scratches, and so on even in the best of conditions. The longer you use it in these roles, the more likely it will endure less than optimal treatment. It may start out pristine but it will not stay that way long.

Then there is also the possibility, heaven forbid, that you actually need to use it in a defensive situation. Even if you are totally justified, your gun may be taken as evidence. And circumstances are not always clear cut, especially to some prosecutors, and certainly your adversary will tell a different version of events, unencumbered by any sense of ethics about confining oneself to truthfulness and honesty.

If the trial drags out, you may not see your gun again for years, if ever. And don't expect it to be babied while it is out of your custody.

So that's why many of us opt for a mechanically excellent but finish challenged handgun for home defense or carry. Also, it helps if it is easily replaceable. So buying one that's currently in production is not a terrible idea, and the clerk shouldn't be judged too harshly. You can certainly make a case for his advice.

 

[M29since14]

If the gun is in really nice shape, maybe he meant it would be nice to set it aside for occasional use/future heirloom item and buy a newer gun for carrying around on a daily basis? If that's the case, he may have a point, but of course it's purely up to you. Is the gun suitable? Sure it is. I wouldn't want to face a man armed with a Chief's Special, old or new, who knew how to use it.

You sound like you enjoy the gun and getting the use out of it, so I think your decision is already made.

 

[RobertJ.]

Then there is also the possibility, heaven forbid, that you actually need to use it in a defensive situation.

If the trial drags out, you may not see your gun again for years, if ever.

I've considered this as well, and is certainly something to think about. That's why I don't have a single carry gun that I'm unwilling to part with, especially if it's done its job by saving my life.

 

[Rubone]

A good friend was driving across the western US a few years ago and asked if I thought he should take his 3" model 36 or his XD45. I told him to take whichever he was OK with losing to theft/confiscation/or??
He took the XD..

 

[BabaBlueJay]

If the gun is in really nice shape, maybe he meant it would be nice to set it aside for occasional use/future heirloom item and buy a newer gun for carrying around on a daily basis? If that's the case, he may have a point, but of course it's purely up to you. Is the gun suitable? Sure it is. I wouldn't want to face a man armed with a Chief's Special, old or new, who knew how to use it.

You sound like you enjoy the gun and getting the use out of it, so I think your decision is already made.

It didn't even have a turn ring when I got it, so I think that's what he meant. I hear what people are saying about it being confiscated and that would be rough, but better to have lived to get to that point than have the gun in my coffin . It has performed magnificently and I shoot incredible groups with it even when shooting as fast as I am able in training. I was just letting paranoia get the best of me and thought maybe he was implying it was more at risk of catastrophic failure. That if I needed it because of the age of the gun, it might have issues, but the comments here have alleviated that concern.

I think it's the most beautiful gun I own, and probably the one I shoot the best. I've been told to carry what I shoot best and this is it for me by a good margin, at least in terms of carryable handguns. I posted some pictures of it, it has some wear and minor rust that's visible under bright light but with some CLp/G64/ Ballistol aerosol to soak in, and TLC it's cleaned up nicely after the past few range trips.

 

[dsk]

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.

In the aftermath of a shooting getting your gun back will be the last thing on your mind. Dealing with the ramifications of what you had to do will be first and foremost. I'd say you should act as if you'll never get it back. If you do, great, but it won't be until after you've endured a very long and tortuous process to keep your freedom, finances and reputation.

I carry a firearm that is easy to shoot and effective, but I also have no emotional attachment to it. I also have a duplicate in the safe so that I'm still able to remain armed in an identical fashion following the incident (never know if your assailant was popular and had lots of vengeful friends). If the first firearm goes down or ends up as evidence I'm prepared to be without it for as long as necessary.

That being said, to answer the OP as long as the gun works and you're confident with it, its age is irrelevant. Old guns kill just as dead as the new ones do.