I'm getting the appeal of the J frame!

[Mbrgr1]

After handling my model 51 for a few weeks, I was intrigued enough to get a model 36 to see what it was like.


The little feller showed up today and I can't wait to get it out to shoot. It should be a fun little companion. Looks to be shot very little, clean and tight.



Floating 3J from 71-72

 

[geen]

looks to be in great condition enjoy

 

[heysox]

I'm awaiting back surgery and the only pistol I can tolerate to waist carry is a 442. Comfortable and comforting. My 3953 sleeps in the safe awaiting its turn.

 

[S-W4EVER]

It really is a well-designed firearm. I have large hands, yet I can easily draw and shoot my J frames accurately (w/ boot grips) and they're easily concealed.

 

[hyena]

Nice gun! I'd have to change those grips. My 642-1 came with grips like that, and they just killed my hands and trigger finger. I switched to Uncle Mike's rubber boot grips years ago - what an amazing difference! It now wears altamont rosewood boot grips.

 

[JH1951]

Mbrgr1, your picture reminded me of the old S&W "Centennial Catalog" of 1952, when the Baby Chiefs was relatively new on the market and being touted as 'the smallest and lightest to handle the .38 S&W Special'. Although your Mod. 36 is a tad bit larger, the message and function remain about the same. Here is a picture from the Catalog:

 

[Mbrgr1]

"Mbrgr1, your picture reminded me of the old S&W "Centennial Catalog" of 1952, when the Baby Chiefs was relatively new on the market and being touted as 'the smallest and lightest to handle the .38 S&W Special'. Although your Mod. 36 is a tad bit larger, the message and function remain about the same. Here is a picture from the Catalog."


That is so cool!, it was my first impression when I picked it up for the first time. It's a handful in a handful! I actually think the small round grips work well for larger hands, my pinky gets a break!



Thanks for the reference, it's going in the archive.

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

Bought three 36's about two years ago. Glad I did! Bought a well used one for $279. Now the beater J's are over $550! Just did a search. I've never seen so many priced over a $1000. Even $12-1300!

 

[Mbrgr1]

Bought three 36's about two years ago. Glad I did! Bought a well used one for $279. Now the beater J's are over $550! Just did a search. I've never seen so many priced over a $1000. Even $12-1300!

This beater J came in right at $550, hard to believe when I think back 40 years, but I felt it was OK by today's prices.


Good job on your pre crazy purchases!

 

[Bhfromme]

I'm no sharpshooter by any means but I can shoot the Js as well and sometimes better than the Ks. People say the extra weight of the Ks makes them better shooters but I really like the the way the J frames fit in the hand. And I'm told I have big hands with long fingers. I'm a big fan of the J frames.

 

[rickbaales]

Very nice, congrats!

I like J frames, but I would love to see SW bring back the I frame!

 

[Mbrgr1]

Very nice, congrats!

I like J frames, but I would love to see SW bring back the I frame!

Yep! in a 5 shot 44 special!

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the club. I have only one, to date, a 640-1.

 

[S-W4EVER]

This beater J came in right at $550, hard to believe when I think back 40 years, but I felt it was OK by today's prices..

You didn't do too bad. I bought my M-36 new in 1976 for about $123 + sales tax (which is evidently worth about $577 today). My revolver has a little more holster wear than yours (and I'll never sell it, it's like an old friend).

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

This beater J came in right at $550, hard to believe when I think back 40 years, but I felt it was OK by today's prices.

Good job on your pre crazy purchases!

You did good. That not a beater!

Here is my nice one.

And my $279 "beater".

 

[peterdeb]

Got a couple myself. One's a safe queen and the other follows me around like a dog with a leather diaper no matter where I go.

 

[JH1951]

I have found the little J-frame stinkers to be addicting. Most of mine were picked up a year or two ago. I thought the prices were high then! Glad that I got them when I did.
Here are most of them. I have since added a nice early Centennial, and my EDC 649 somehow missed the glamour shot...

 

[S-W4EVER]

^^^ That is a beautiful collection.

 

[Major 2]

I'm quite fond of mine ( circa 1982 pre Clinton lock )
I replace the OEM Rosewood, with the S&W new later classic walnut.

 

[tenntucker]

Fastest reload for a J frame is a 2nd J frame.