Aussie Bruce
Member
I have recently come across an unfired Model 36 serial number J360036 with a 4" barrel that appears to be original.
Is this possible?
Is this possible?
Model 36 with 4' barrel. Is it original?
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There is not a regular production factory 4" model 36; one possibility is someone put a model 33 (.38 S & W) barrel on a model 36 frame. What is stamped on the right barrel?
cgt4570
Member
With S&W, hardly anything is impossible. There are a few earlier ones (less than 10?) that had 6" barrels. The factory did a lot of experimenting and some parts or entire guns made it out. A more likely answer to your 4" gun would be that someone swapped a Model 33 barrel onto it (.32/38 Regulation Police Model). If that were the case, then the caliber roll mark would say '.38 S&W' and not '.38 S&W Special'. Plenty of surplus K frames have been converted from .38 S&W (aka .38-200) to .38 Special while retaining the original barrel. The only concern would be a possible reduction in accuracy. The .38 S&W is a .360" bullet while the .38 Special is a .358".
mkk41
US Veteran
Weren't there a run or two of 4in barreled Model 36s built in the late70's- early 80's for a large police dept order (NYC?) , for issue to small handed women , now being hired in greater numbers?
I seen to recall them in Jovinos flyer way back when.
I seen to recall them in Jovinos flyer way back when.
Texas Star
US Veteran
Could be an Aussie rebarrel job, due to limited supply of proper M-36 parts. Might just be a mismarked Model 33 to begin with.
Are you certain that it isn't marked as Model 33?
Are you certain that it isn't marked as Model 33?
And I believe those NYPD guns were among the first with the 3" heavy barrel and were designated the Model 36-1.
I've never heard of a 36 or a 36-1 with a 4" barrel but would love to see pictures.
Russ
Texas Star
US Veteran
Russ-
According to gun writer Massad Ayoob, you are correct about the M-36-1's, but they later became a normal production item. I've owned one and liked it very much. Hated having to sell it when I needed the money. Later got the stainless version.
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I have never seen a 4-inch Model 36, but it is something S&W should have made for all us woods-loafers, preferably with adjustable sights.
I wonder if Texas Star did not hit on something when he asked if the OP was sure it wasn't actually a Model 33? Would be an easy mistake to make.
I wonder if Texas Star did not hit on something when he asked if the OP was sure it wasn't actually a Model 33? Would be an easy mistake to make.
OP
Aussie Bruce
Member
This is definitely a Model 36 and so marked (not 36-1 etc) and the esrial number is correct for that model.I have now established that the calibre stamped on the RHS of the barrel is" .38 S&W Special CTG"
OP
Aussie Bruce
Member
I will post photos if I purchase it but this may take some time as we have all sorts of hoops to jump through over (in Oz) here before we can take possession.
I have 2 of those, paid $61 bucks for them. One is NIB, the other I carried on and odd, but looks new. Such a deal!
OP
Aussie Bruce
Member
Many thanks to you all for the info. No doubt you have saved me from making a decision I would later regret. The gun and the barrel in particukar still seems to be a bit of a mystery though and I will follow it up
Pisgah
Member
Here I was all eager to here about the 36 with the four foot barrel, as your post title promises -- only to find out it's only a lousy 4"! very disappointed ... 
removed PC
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Robinett_11B
US Veteran
I saw (what was tagged as) a nickeled 4" Model 36 at a gun shop out here in WA last year. I thought it was a stainless Model 63 at first, but when I looked at the tag it said "Mod. 36 - .38 SPL" and it was obvioulsy NOT a .22 by looking at the bore. Could of been a .38S&W, but I didnt look at it closely.
If I'd of known of their scarcity back then, I'd have asked to look at it more closely. Could still be there for all I know.
If I'd of known of their scarcity back then, I'd have asked to look at it more closely. Could still be there for all I know.
OP
Aussie Bruce
Member
I have now seen a 4" barrel on a Model 10 and I reckon that is the same as the barrel fitted to the Model 36 I saw. Live and laern
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