Model 36 3" Brl. Need input

[MrSmithers]

I located a Model 36 w 3" Brl. Ser #5J24xx. $550. LNIB. Looks unfired. Ok price?. Is this an early '70's model? Thanks for any input.

 

[saemetric]

A little high for blue, OK for nickel

 

[kaaskop49]

I agree with Saemetric, but I have a hard time passing up NIB or LNIB Smiths of that era. Perhaps you can bargain with the owner. Hard to turn down $450 or $475 cash. Do not see a 5Jxxx serial listing in the Supica book, but 1Jxxxx seems to begin in 1982. Hope this helps.

 

[murphydog]

It is a 1971-'72 gun (5 digits with the letter J). Agree it is $75 high or so but what's your money going to be worth in the next 4 years?

 

[dlidster]

Just about a year ago I paid $471.70 for a Model 36-1 just as you describe. The odd-ball number comes from the fact that the seller was asking $500 and I was going to have to pay 6% sales tax. He fiddled with the price so I could have it for $500 OTD.

Not meaning to highjack the thread, but . . . I've had trouble dating mine according to Supica tables, too. My Model 36-1 has a serial number of 18J9xx. Is there a another date table somewhere for interpolating manufacturing dates? Or, will someone be kind enough to let me know when mine (and the OP's) was made?

BTW, this little puppy is as accurate as it is cute. But it really bites during an extended shooting session.

 

[hotrod150]

Page 399 of the 3rd edition SCSW, J Serial Prefix:
1971-1972 J1- 999J99
Both of the 5-digit "floating j" serial numbers mentioned fall into this range. I agree that the SCSW doesn't spell out that clearly at first glance.
MrSmithers, is the 3" model 36 you're talking about a 36-1 with the 3" heavy barrel, or a model 36 no-dash with the 3" tapered barrel?
I'm curious as to what people think the value is of one versus the other, given the same gun condition. It seems like there's more 3" heavy barrels out there than 3" tapered barrels, plus I think the tapered barrel looks better. I've owned one of each & think that the tapered barrel feels better & is a better match for the small j-frame-- at least for a 38 spl as opposed to a 357.

 

[tom turner]

If the price is a tad high this year it will be the price next year. That seems to be what happens to vintage Smiths in fine condition.

I surely wouldn't lose the gun over that amount of money . . . but I'd surely make the seller think I would!!! Try to get it down to the fair price. Heck, print out this page and show him. There are a lot of very experienced S&W collectors on this site, and the prices that are both fair to the buyer AND seller are what you were given above. It's worked for me before to do this!

Good luck!!!

 

[MrSmithers]

I don't know if it's tapered or not. I haven't even seen it yet. I called on another gun-36 with 1-7/8" brl and it had been sold. The guy at the store said he had this 36 w/ 3" brl. It wasn't even listed yet. I told him to ship it to store here and I'll decide after I see it. I'm sure I'll get it. I'm addicted. Bought a nickel 586 no dash last week. Picking up a 15-6 tomorrow, and probly have a 36 next week. Now to just keep my wife from finding out.

 

[murphydog]

There's a typo in the SCSW, it should read 1971-1972 "1"J1- 999J99.

The 36-1 bull barrel came out in 1967, and I don't think 3" heavy barrel 36s were made afterward. This one is likely a 36-1.

Don't worry about your wife; I think MrsSmithers is already a Forum member .

 

[feralmerril]

I got lucky and bought a old blue one still new in the box a couple years ago for around $350s but I sure wouldnt sell mine for that.

 

[dewey]

MrSmithers

Just but them all in rugs and stick them all around your gun closet. Put the boxes in a trash bag in the attic.

If they are getting too much, PM me....

 

[MrSmithers]

I wish I had asked the guy on the phone more questions about it. I was just excited about finding it after the other one got sold. I'm still not sure about the year of it. I tend to lean towards the '71-'72 due to the floating J with 5 numeric digits, and from the input on here. Buuuut....I sent S&W an email, and they replied that it was a 1983 model. If it had 6 numeric digits with a floating J, I would agree with them. But it doesnt, so I dont. I guess when I go look at it next week I'll know. If it has a pinned barrel, it shouldnt be an '83 since they stopped in '82. Oh well, if not what I want, I'm only out $25.00 for having it shipped.

 

[MrSmithers]

The floating J is pretty confusing. Pretty sure they started with either 1j1, 1j2, 1j3, 1j4, etc., up to 1j9999. Or it may have been 1j1000, 1j1001, etc. Then 2j1, 2j2, 2j3, etc., up to 2j9999 and so on. When they got up to 9j9999, they moved the j down one, and started over again. When they got to 999J99, then the J100000 ser # sequence started in 1973.

 

[waffles]

I had a like new one with box and papers I traded an SKS for. Put it on sale for $450, no bites. 550 is way too high.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[PeterCartwright]

I bought a LNIB 36-1 Round Butt about a year ago for $450. The current climate doesn't make for many gun bargains.

PC

 

[chief38]

I have "stolen" some guns and I have over-paid on others so I guess it kind of equals out in the long run. If a gun is 100% NIB then I can justify spending a few dollars more - but I will NOT grossly over-pay.

Like some have said, what is priced $50 - $75 buck too high now will seem like a bargain next year, so if you have been on the hunt for while and you have found what makes you happy, a few bucks here or there shouldn't break the bank.

 

[beemerphile]

I would say that $550 was too high only because I listed one similar to that (but later mfg) here and it was widely viewed and equally ignored. So it is now suffering the indignity of a "popular internet gun auction site" where the consensus value (hopefully subject to change) is currently $240.