Looking at a 3-inch Model 36

[Watchdog]

The 3" barrel is just enough longer to make a difference when taking a longer shot. Out to about 50yds in a couple cases. It's not enough longer to make carrying it a problem.

I actually had a pre-36 4-screw 3-inch. After shooting/carrying large frame revolvers for years, the little 36 felt like a toy in my hands. And I don't have big hands. Frankly, I was surprised at its accuracy with factory loads in single- and double-action. The action was very smooth. I (foolishly) sold it to a forum member last year. I think it was last year.

Anyway, if I get this one, I won't make that mistake again.

Thanks for your input.

 

[BE Mike]

Who says size doesn't matter? That extra 1" on the barrel makes the j frames great shooters. Yea, they are a tad harder to conceal, but worth it IMHO.

 

[Condorcet]

A 3 inch and square butt 36 is almost impossible to sell around here unless the price is under $400.00. Even then it may take months. I would't get too excited. Not much going for it unless you like it.

Whoa! I'd sure like to know who's trying to sell "unwanted" 3" Model 36's!

 

[Watchdog]

I have the exact twin to your prospective 3" "J", square butt. According to my papers, which I always keep, it came home in 1972.

Thanks so much for your thoughts on the 3-inch 36. Good information.

Great little guns that balance and point well. I consider it a beefed up Kit Gun, perfect for the tackle box or pack.

That's a good way to put it...never thought of it that way before.

 

[saemetric]

One of my favorites, a factory DAO with Altamont Altai stocks from S&W.

 

[redlevel]

I love the three inch j-frames. I currently carry an older 3" Model 37-1, and really enjoyed a 36-1 for several years. I sold it to finance a purchase of something else(?). The three inch guns are much easier to shoot well. I carried the 36 with the B.B. "Hi-Test" soft lead wadcutters. I paid $375 for my 36-1 ten years ago. Would expect to pay 50-$100 more today.

 

[flagman1776]

I'm told that at one time, 3" M36's were used to arm NYPD female officers...

 

[rwsmith]

Man, would I.....

Man, would I like to have THAT!

 

[spad124]

I have a blue and pinned barrel 3" Model 36 from, I believe, '71 or '72. It has the SN with a "J" in the middle of the SN. I agree the 3" J balances very well and is easier to shoot than the 2". And it does make a great kit/hiking gun. My only problem is that my eyes are getting too old for the 1/10 front sight!

 

[raljr1]

I wanted to buy one years ago from a coworker....my dad had a friend who was a police lieutenant and I asked him to check the serial number before I bought it....when his reply came back "where did you get that serial number?" I chose to decline the purchase. Turns out a friend of my coworker was doing community service time and had liberated the gun from the PD evidence room....

Long bs to say I really like that 3" j frame....my are all 2"

Robert

 

[brayhaven]

Have had one of those in nickel that I've carried in my truck for decades. Some times forget it's even there. At a friends place last week there was a big diamondback swimming across his pond toward the corral where his horses were. Grabbed the little 38 and put one through his noggin at about 15 feet. The heavy barrel balances really well. I recommend them. For some reason I shoot it better double action. I have pachmayer compacts on mine but still have the originals.... someplace.

 

[ABPOS]

I would love one. Very nice, all of you. I would think a 2.5" one would be ideal. But maybe a round butt.... I've never tried a square butt J to see if I'd be OK with that for carry.

 

[dpast32]

Personally, I just love these little 3" J Frames. They do pretty much everything better than a 2" version, except if course some forms of concealment . I currently have only 1 3" J's left in the stable, but it's a beautiful & very useful little revolver. It's a 3" S&W 640 ( No dash ), & is it ever nice for an IWB piece, especially when utilizing the 'Hip Grip' mode of carry. No snag, no grab, just 5 quick shots for sure. The 3" HB is also very useful towards keeping it down when using the hotter loads. My only real regret about it, is that I'd not a 3" 642 alloy, rather than all steel framed. S 3" bbl'd J, whether an alloy or steel frame makes a very nice 'light duty' carry piece indeed. My advice, if you have the money, never pass up a nice 3" bbl. S&W revolver !

Best, dpast32

 

[TKHover]

If you like it, buy it without hesitation. I bought a 3" 36 in 2008 for my wife. She's a revolver lover and shoots this thing better than me (although I'd never admit that to her). The one I bought was a 1971 build in absolutely mint condition. I doubt there were 100 rounds put through the gun. A guy bought it for his wife, but she didn't like it. You know the story....he thought a girl should have a revolver...well she wanted a semi. I paid $350 with the original box. It's a great shooter and being a real lover of blue Smith revolvers, it became a great addition to my collection. If you decide to buy, I doubt you will be disappointed. I don't have a blue Smith that has not gone way up in value. Good luck.

Tom

 

[RABIDWolf1]

Question?

Got my wife a 637 w/CT Grips, don't want to make her mad, let me tell ya? LOL, Anyway, which model ? I am looking for 357 Mag, J frame , 3" barrel Please??

 

[LT7d103]

I picked up a 1976 3" 36 a few months ago for $375, shipped. No box or papers. Which is too bad because it clearly had never been shot. Its a square butt. I need to either get better grips or a Tyler T Grip as it shifts in my hand too much during recoil.

 

[BE Mike]

Got my wife a 637 w/CT Grips, don't want to make her mad, let me tell ya? LOL, Anyway, which model ? I am looking for 357 Mag, J frame , 3" barrel Please??

I have a S&W model 60-10. It is my favorite revolver. With Crimson Trace grips, it is manageable. I've fired a box of 50 rounds of 158 gr. JSP factory .357 mag. ammo in it, in one session. It wasn't fun, but not torture either. Here is a comparable current product: Performance Center(R) Pro Series(R) Model 60 | Smith & Wesson

 

[schutzen-jager]

many of the old pistolero's preferred the 3" over the 2" - not any harder to conceal except possibly in an ankle holster which most professional do not use at all - the longer 3" go for a premium here + you rarely see them for sale -

 

[iskra]

Just the number of positive responses over five days within this Thread, saying something positive about the 3" Chief Model popularity! Such in my opinion and coinciding with a 'sweet spot' gun. Great revolver, great barrel length for this weapon. Concerning the comment of limited resale value, I'm seldom opposed to learning there are yet bargains out there... Somewhere! In SoCal, seems most guns at premium prices (along with about everything else). Because I've 'got mine', never begrudging someone else's bargain!
My mainstay interest "N" frames, all chamberings, all vintages! Yet... World of other interesting Smiths, just as here! For me and evidently many others, Chief with a 3" barrel, an 'it' gun!
Congrats on some nice pieces here! Happy to count myself among those appreciating this nice model/configuration!
My take

 

[fish4bugs]

My 3" 36 sb

I have an early 70's nickel 3" SB 36 that is MagnaPorted and had a trigger smoothing done. With Pachmayrs it is the PERFECT carry gun. I didn't do the work - I just bought it as is. No one else wanted it.
I have probably 5,000+ rounds through the gun. Cast H&G #51 w/ 4.0gr ww231.
What a wonderful little gun to shoot. Shoots to point of aim and very little recoil. The Pachmayrs fit my hand perfectly making the gun very controllable.
I carry +p's in it but only shoot light cast loads. Every once in a while I shoot a cylinder of +P's just to remind me of the impact. A steady diet of +P's would shake it loose eventually. With the light loads it will last my lifetime and then some.
All in all the favorite of all my shooters.