How good is a M-36? I'll tell you.

ckpj99

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I recently traded my wonderful little Bersa Thunder CC plus too much money for a Model 36 from the early '70s.

It came with nothing, but the required gun lock. It has the original crappy stocks, and has the sensitive and fragile nickel finish.

I will be CCing it, and didn't exactly remember until I got home that I've had a lifelong allergy to nickel. I have to buy stainless steel belt buckles or my skin rots off.

Did I mention it's the 3 inch barrel version that is incompatible with practically every commercial holster on the market?

A custom holster with the added option of complete hammer shields to protect my dumb skin is in the mail.

I took it to the range today with a whole box of Ultramax, which if you don't know, is the Pall Mall of ammunition. It gets the job done, but you immediately have lung cancer after using it.

On the way out, I had to buy some nickel-safe cleaner. I got two shot glasses full of CLP Breakfree for $20. Top shelf tequila is cheaper than that stuff.

The webbing of my hand was still sore from the bad grips when I got home. Luckily, I got to soothe it by gripping on to a bore brush for an hour after I got home to remove the lead deposits all over the gun. And my lung cancer was cured by the noxious, but medicinal, qualities of the LCP skunk spray liquid.

After I finish typing this I'm going to give my fingers a tomato soup bath.

Despite all this, the 36 performed flawlessly. My groups were tight, and it is easily tied with my model 10 for my favorite gun. I can't wait for my rosewood grips and my new holster to get here. That's how good the M-36 is.
 
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Good for you!

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with that 'lead awareness' thing going. If you see somebody wearing a respirator-mask at the indoor range, that might be me.
 
I'm glad you all appreciate the humor of the situation.... lol
 
I love my Model 36. It's a blued, 2" dao with a bobbed hammer. My department issued it to me for off-duty carry, and it is one of my very favorite carry pieces. I can shoot singular ragged holes at 7 yards with it, mostly by virtue of the square butt grips. Stone-cold dependable and tiny to boot. The two most important traits in a good carry gun. Welcome to the club!
 
My rosewood grips came in. They look awesome on the gun. I was worried about the Bantam style because they look so small. I'm used to a K frame. But they are very comfortable and hand-filling. I haven't shot with them yet, but just handling the gun makes me happy with them.

I'll post a pic in a new thread soon.

@Old TexMex - no, not selling it. I think it will be just about the perfect carry revolver. The extra inch on the barrel makes it supremely easy to hit with.

@66snub - mine is a round butt, but I'm getting the same impressions. I took the gun out to 10 yards, and wasn't having trouble keeping them in the red.
 
What I wouldn't give for a cancer-causing, skin-rotting Model 36. All mine does is punch holes in stuff...luckily it does that very well.
 
Actually, a 3" M36 SB is what I've got. Amazing what that extra inch does for accuracy. Regarding holsters, there seems to be an agreement between all holster makers to never, ever, make one for a 3" M36.

So I'm getting by with a Bianchi thumb snap Black Widow. 1" protrudes from the bottom and in order to not snag the front sight during a draw cycle I'v had to modify my draw to a more straight up movement. At least it's a holster.
 
Great story...I like the 3", too. Here's mine, set up with some old coco-bolo S&W stocks. Fun shooter that does double-duty as a night stand buddy. Holster-wise, it rides in an old Lewis Leather (LA, CA) crossdraw rig I bought awhile back in Los Angeles when Lewis Leather was still in business.
Bob

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Here she is with some Hogue "fancy" wood grips. The rosewood is a little flashy, but I think it complements the nickel.

Despite usually not liking finger grooves, these fit my hand.

Still waiting on leather, but it will be worth it.

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this is my model 36 I bought used from my watch commander. I just added crimson trace LG 105 grips to make up for aging eyes.


Scott Campbell Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The best little 5 shooter ever made IMO!

I took possession of my Moms old 36 when she passed away. The nickel finish was/is terrible but the revolver is 100% reliable.

When my daughter graduated from the police academy on her way to becoming a detective I cleaned it up inside and out. The trigger pull difference was amazing afterwards, so I started cleaning my innards on all of my heavyily shot revolvers annually. Bought a Bianchi ankle holster and gave them to her as a grad present. Took some serious range time to get her qualified to carry it ,but the time and money were worth it. She always has it on her, which makes me feel a bit safer when she's on the job.

Congrats and hope it stays in the family.
 
That was the best more torturous entertaining review I think I've ever read.
 

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