Model 36-2

Formula3

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I inherited this pistol when my father passed away.
It's in excellent condition with good bore and 100% finish, but I guess he didn't retain the box or keep the factory grips when he put the Pachmayr on. I have a receipt for a $60 'trigger job' from 1993 which I presume was a pull weight adjustment.
Could anyone tell me a current general value and the best resources for selling it?

Type = Hand Ejector
S/N = BFP0xxx
Ctg = .38 Special
Barrel = 1.875"
Sights = Fixed

Thanks so much for looking for me.
 

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I agree with 99bob. The gun is priceless as it once belonged to your father and obviously he cared enough about the gun to have it improved. I would take it out and shoot the shot out of it in honor of your father. My father was not a gun guy and all he left me was a huge set of Craftsman tools which are priceless to me, but who wouldn't swap an old set of wrenches for a mint condition model 36
 
I'm especially blessed because he left me all his 1960s Craftsman stuff too. I hear you. But I don't take my revolvers to the range, and would rather someone have it that *will* shoot with it. I'm covered on defense weapons and I don't want it to just sit around.
 
Dear Formula3:

First of all, condolences on your father's passing.

I agree with the previous posters' comments that you should keep and enjoy this Model 36 as a legacy from your father and, hopefully, to pass down along the family line.

If you are intent on selling, I would first consider posting in the Classifieds Forum - Guns for Sale and Trade. You will receive responses from reputable people and guidance on a fair price.

Good luck with your decision.
 
Condolences on your father.

I wouldn't sell that gun, but that's up to you.

My opinion (and I'm no expert) on the value would be anywhere from $350 to $450. Again, that's my opinion.
 
Welcome to the Forum from Virginia;

usually very hard to put a value on family inheritances, simply because the sentimental value is always greater for the Seller, but I have gone to estate sales where the Seller has no interest in either the gun, or the shooting sports, and is not interested in going to auction, or doesn't really have a clue as to current pricing in that particular Model.

With the above said, and assuming you also have no interest for sentimental reasons, and just want to sell it, I would value that gun alone as between $300 to $350, maybe $400 if you are located in one of the "higher price" non gun friendly States.

Below you can see pics of my Model 36 - no dash which is also a 1-7/8" round butt (1965) all original with box, documents and all what we call "the goodies". Sell value around here (central VA) on this 98% package is about $600 in my opinion. My other Model 36 is a dash 1 (1976) with 3" barrel and "J" Frame "target" grips (SB) also all original but no goodies. Sell value right around $500....probably less. These values are what I may be willing to pay if I really wanted either version and from a private seller. Local LGS will offer you considerably a lot less - maybe 40% of Blue Book). None of my Model 36's are rated +P, but yours maybe...check the roll stamp on the right side of the barrel. Looks to me yours is dated pre 2000/2001 (no Internal Lock), but probably mid to late 80's based on triple alpha serial number. I don't have my SCSW 4th with me at work, but someone may come along with a better (closer) date for you.

With yours a potential buyer would need to evaluate first the condition (looks used, but not abused), then the grips, some like rubber, some don't, collectors will deduct the price of J frame non diamond Magna's if RB, more if SB, then any buyer may balk at the "trigger job" regardless of the fact you have a receipt.

Again my opinion only (no disrespect meant) is you could ask $350 on a local site (there are several in each State) and probably get it, but you may get less if someone applies the above deducts. The "big Box" auction sites do eventually settle at "fair market value" but that is sometimes a long way away from "reserve", or "buy-it-now" listed prices, and the seller has to pay the sellers premium, and the buyer has to pay for paperwork, FFL transfer fees and shipping and insurance so most will deduct for that.

I don't believe your gun is in that "rare" or "special" category where you would have collectors and shooters alike in a bidding war.....but only you know that particular guns history and have some provenance to back it up. Was your dad a lawman, or other agency where the gun was his duty gun, or back-up? Do you know if the gun has it's own history known to you or other family members, was it ever part of an incident that was documented?

All these things might mean something to someone who collects and specializes in former police guns and may be willing to pay more for your gun.

There is also the classifieds on this Forum (Want to Buy, Want to Sell) however I am NOT SURE of the RULES on membership and posts before attempting to sell so please address one of the Moderators about the rules, and read them very, very carefully if you decide to post here.

Finally.........please do not take this post wrong. I am not discrediting your gun and any value "guestimate" based solely on photographs is worth basically nothing in lieu of personal hands-on inspection and verification of finish, mechanical integrity.

If you do have (or expect to have in the future) ANY interest in shooting sports, collecting or accumulating firearms, I have to vote with the other posters.....keep it....it was your Dad's, and can NEVER be replaced with another gun....no matter what.

Hope some of the above helps you with your decision and good luck with whatever you decide.
 

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Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

I'll add my suggestion to "keep your Dad's gun," but I'll also tell you that I see the asking prices on 36-2s at $400 - $500 every week. I don't see many sell at that.

The factory likely shipped your Dad's gun in 1991.

Added after seeing and agreeing with cmansguns' post. The 36-2 was a turning point at S&W. There were many special edition 36-2s in 1989 and beyond. I paid $500 for a 1 of 502 "Second Amendment Issue," $405 for a Lady Smith in the hard purple case, and $470 for a 1 of 2,000 Double Action only that's almost like new in the box with all the goodies. A plain vanilla 36-2 with goodyear grips (not a knock -- I have lots of plain vanilla Chiefs, and I love every one) isn't going to catch a lot of folks' eyes if you price it too high.
 

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Last edited:
Found the walnut grips! Thanks for the tip on the Tyler grip adapter - I hadn't seen that before. I need one of those for my Bulldog - the Pachs I have on it make my speedloaders slowloaders.
 
Dear Formula3:

First of all, condolences on your father's passing.

I agree with the previous posters' comments that you should keep and enjoy this Model 36 as a legacy from your father and, hopefully, to pass down along the family line.

If you are intent on selling, I would first consider posting in the Classifieds Forum - Guns for Sale and Trade. You will receive responses from reputable people and guidance on a fair price.

Good luck with your decision.
Thanks, MetalMan - I didn't even see the classifieds here. Sounds perfect.
 
Found the walnut grips! Thanks for the tip on the Tyler grip adapter - I hadn't seen that before. I need one of those for my Bulldog - the Pachs I have on it make my speedloaders slowloaders
 
Condolences on your father.

I wouldn't sell that gun, but that's up to you.

My opinion (and I'm no expert) on the value would be anywhere from $350 to $450. Again, that's my opinion.
Thanks for the wishes - he passed away in '99 and I was able to be there for him at the end so it's all good. And thanks for taking time to give me your thoughts on it's value.
 
My first question would be what is under those grips? A round butt or a square butt? That could affect value at least a little bit.
Great question... I put on those beautiful original grips I found in the bottom of my bag, and found that the pistol is a round-butt. And man is that a tiny piece of real estate! I am not a small person and that is truly a two-finger grip for me. Which is more desirable in your opinion - the round because of concealability?
 
Sell the Bulldog, keep the 36. You'll thank Me later.
I know! The Bulldog is useless for fun on the range beyond about two yards. Plus I can't afford ammo anymore.... If I want to plink with my P220 I'm looking at 50 cents a round, and the .44 Special isn't any better. I need to trade my whole collection for one great High Standard.
 
.38 special is just a little more spendy than .22LR, and there's nothing cooler than a Chief's Special. Also, get rid of those K frame grips.
 
cmansguns,
I wanted to read your post carefully because I'm so grateful for how much time and thought you put into your comments.
I'm not sentimental about the gun - my Dad wasn't a hunter so we don't have a lot of firearms experiences we shared - he wasn't a LEO (he was a Leo, but not a LEO, yuk yuk), and there's no epic provenance to ascribe to the piece.
This was just a measured purchase when he was about 60 - he bought a J-frame for my Mom at the same time, and I dispensed with that as soon as she agreed - about 5 minutes.
I'm certain this wasn't a shooters' gun - I'll bet it got exactly 100 rounds fired through; and I'm equally certain the 'trigger job' was planned before he bought it - he was an Engineer in the Navy, in civilian life, and in every other respect - and you know how those folks are!
I'm looking for that roll-stamp, but I don't think I understand that term... Stamped, on that left side I have '.38 S.&W. SPL.' but... You're saying if it was designed for +P ammo the '+P' would be a suffix there?
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your kind, informative and thoughtful input.
I'll try to post the gun in the Classifieds here (now that y'all have pointed out that such a thing obviously exists here!) and will hope for the best.
I just want to reiterate, cmansguns, that your post was probably the kindest response in any forum I've every visited - these folks here are absolutely OUTSTANDING, but when I think of all the other forums on computers, security, music, hardware, software, social media, food, whatever, in more than 30 years... just Thank You.
 
Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

I'll add my suggestion to "keep your Dad's gun," but I'll also tell you that I see the asking prices on 36-2s at $400 - $500 every week. I don't see many sell at that.

The factory likely shipped your Dad's gun in 1991.

Added after seeing and agreeing with cmansguns' post. The 36-2 was a turning point at S&W. There were many special edition 36-2s in 1989 and beyond. I paid $500 for a 1 of 502 "Second Amendment Issue," $405 for a Lady Smith in the hard purple case, and $470 for a 1 of 2,000 Double Action only that's almost like new in the box with all the goodies. A plain vanilla 36-2 with goodyear grips (not a knock -- I have lots of plain vanilla Chiefs, and I love every one) isn't going to catch a lot of folks' eyes if you price it too high.
Thank you Bob! Your signature made me laugh.
It is vanilla for sure, and thank you for the great information -
I'm officially calling this a 1991.
I have a Model 2 from my maternal grandfather in the other sub-forum - it would tickle me to death if someone told me THAT year of ship.
 
Great question... I put on those beautiful original grips I found in the bottom of my bag, and found that the pistol is a round-butt. And man is that a tiny piece of real estate! I am not a small person and that is truly a two-finger grip for me. Which is more desirable in your opinion - the round because of concealability?
Round butt is good for concealability. Adding a Tyler T-grip (or similar) adapter allows most people to get a much better grip on the small round butt.
Square butt is better for shooting. They are more uncommon as well, especially on the snub nosed models.
 
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