Model 36 3”

[BB57]

I walked into my favorite local gunshop last week to see if anything interesting had come in. With the more or less panic buying since COVID started there haven't been all that many interesting guns showing up.

Jerry stated nothing that would really interest me had come in. We were discussed the current gun drought with hopes that once the panic buying is over people will start selling off the stuff they don't really want.

That's when Jerry said…"oh I forgot about this 3 inch revolver that came in" and he went over a pulled a 3" Model 36 out of the case.

It was pretty much sold before he finished clearing it. Looking at the 36 no dash model number, the lack of diamond grips and the serial number placed it around 1968-69, and I've been looking for one of these in 3" in nice condition for years.

It's now my favorite J frame for $536 out the door.

 

[GSP Fan]

Congrats on a nice find

 

[Pantherclass2004]

Great price on a classic

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Congratulations.

My favorite Chiefs Special -- 3" lightweight barrel and square butt.
'bout perfect.

 

[diyj98]

I had a 3" 36, and it was a neat little revolver, but it just didn't fit a practical need for me. In a j frame, I want a shorter barrel. Although I wish I'd have kept it just to have in the collection.

 

[robertrwalsh]

You done good.

 

[mojave30cal]

Nice. Does it have a sister?

 

[jbtrucker]

Nice. Does it have a sister?

sister is here with me

 

[JW5400]

Congratulations, nice find!

Must be 3" M36 day! I picked this one up today too. Box and papers but no tools, stock numbers match too.

I just took a quick pic to add to this thread.

 

[StrawHat]

When I was a LEO, we carried revolvers chambered for the 38 S&W Specials +P. For plain clothes and off duty, mine was a Model 36-1. I also used it in PPC competition. Great revolver!

Kevin

 

[cmansguns]

Xtra "Likes" for the Model 36-1

I like (and EDC) the family of J Frames, mostly snubbies, but have the two (one blue, one shiny) Model 36-1, both 3" HB. Got to admit the "extra" barrel length helps tremendously with getting POA and POI to align at 10 yards & out (at least...for me!), hence the "extra" likes from me.

The blue guy is 1976, the shiny guy is 1982. Both guns classic and iconic and I feel every J Frame fan needs at least one in their collection/accumulation.

From the posts it sounds good that these are appearing for sale again, and prices stated seem reasonable....maybe there's hope.

 

[BB57]

I took it out shooting yesterday during and after mowing the yard, orchard and blueberries.

I put 50 rounds through it during a rain delay on the mowing and put another 50 rounds after I finished.

My overall impressions were two fold.

First, I like it a lot better than my 1 7/8" Model 36 no dash.

Second, why can't S&W still make revolvers of this quality. I like it significantly better than my Model 36-10, Model 60-14 or Model 60-15. They just are not the same level of quality as the older S&Ws.

It's perfectly regulated for 158gr standard pressure .38 Special and shoots to the top of the front sight at anywhere from 10-25 yards.

The trigger is superb, and it's also the most stage friendly double action trigger I've ever tried. There's a distinct shelf that makes it extremely easy to stage on a slow DA pull, and it's still butter smooth. The single action trigger is superb.

Accuracy is excellent. 15 yard 5 shot groups on an 8" plate were about 1 1/4". Some of that is due to the smallish rear sight north and narrow front blade. They are not ideal to pick up for rapid combat shooting, but that said the front ramp shows up well and once you have that you can center it in the more of less half moon shaped black hole that is the rear sight well in poor light.

In short, it's a superb revolver.

 

[kennicka]

Good buy on a great revolver! Glad it is a shooter for you. I have a snubby and a 3" 36...both from 1964. Havent shot the 3" yet but I will get around to it someday! Lots of other Smiths currently getting shot at my house!

 

[Igiveup]

My first S&W was a 36-1 bought used back in the '80's. Great little revolver, 3". I gave it to my daughter this past winter to protect her from ANTIFA and BLM that showed up in her Oregon town. I miss it, but feel that at my age I shiould shed some of them somewhere, and where better?

 

[saemetric]

They make great HD or carry guns.

 

[H Richard]

3" 36's make really good shooters.

 

[haywood]

I've had mine a couple years traded a 2" for it. It's mint from the floating J years. I'm carrying it in my waist with a bobbed 37 in my pocket.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

My overall impressions were two fold.

First, I like it a lot better than my 1 7/8" Model 36 no dash.

Second, why can't S&W still make revolvers of this quality. I like it significantly better than my Model 36-10, Model 60-14 or Model 60-15. They just are not the same level of quality as the older S&Ws.

The 3" J-frames have a different balance and feel compared to their 1-7/8" counterparts, especially the 3" models with heavy barrel or full underlug.

As for the loss of craftsmanship and quality, that is due to much lower labor costs in previous decades. Many labor-intensive steps and procedures were required to produce the old revolvers. The same revolver would be insanely expensive today using the old procedures. So they saved labor where they could, transitioned from forged to molded parts and eliminated much of the hand-fitting previously required. The new designs may be superior in some aspects, but for many they have less soul and less aesthetic appeal. It is what it is. There are plenty of older models still available for traditionalists to enjoy.