My first gun a model 36

[mayo]

So this is my first gun, I picked it up a little over a month ago.. I bought it used.. Its got kind of a shady past, as you can see it has a police case number on it.. other than that its got pretty normal wear on it, it was apparently manufactured in '76-'77. I've only put 150 rounds through it since I got it I haven't been able to take it too the range much, and I actually got hit by a car and broke my foot after the last time I went to the range so it'll be a while till I go back. But it shoots like a champ. My groupings are pretty good when shooting single action, definitely need to work on my DA shooting.. but here are some pictures...(I haven't been able to clean it since I broke my foot so its not exactly lookin its best, though I did give it a quick polish with my tshirt)

 

[kscardsfan]

For me the fact it has a case number would make it more appealing lol. One of the magazines for my glock has evidently been in court somewhere in its past and it is probably my favorite magazine to use lol.

 

[RobertJ.]

I'd take a well used Mod.36 over a brand new Hi Point, which is what I've seen a lot of first time gun owners buy. You got a nice gun!

 

[ect1222t]

Nice model 36. Great first gun. I sure wouldn't mind having that myself. I'm sure that someone has told you to keep it waxed so that the case number etching doesn't start rusting. Also, I noticed in the pictures that the case number is only on the side plate, which can be replaced if it ever bothers you. Personally, I think it adds mystique to the gun. I would try to track down the case number and get all of the information I could, including copies of case files. Hope you mend soon. -Ed.

 

[RHINOWSO]

Nice first gun. If you find that your hand hurts after shooting it (not from the recoil, but from just gripping the gun), you might want to get a Tyler T-grip - it is a shaped piece of metal that fills in behind the trigger, giving most a more comfortable and natural grip.

 

[redlevel]

Affirmative on the T-grip. J-frames and T-grips go together like bacon and eggs, or peas and cornbread, or chicken and gravy.

I'm making myself hungry.

The Model 36/60 are some of my favorite S&Ws. I have to just stop myself from buying more of them. It takes a firm hand and a lot of practice to be proficient with them, and I consider the two-inch guns to be ten-yards-in guns. I have some other guns I have bought over the years intending to replace my Chiefs Specials as carry guns. Guess what gets carried? Yep, the Chiefs. Perfect combo of reliability, caliber, firepower, weight, and ease of concealment in my opinion.

Yours looks like a nice'un. The case number is an authentic extra touch.

 

[sw44spl]

very nice it looks great.

 

[mayo]

I'm sure that someone has told you to keep it waxed so that the case number etching doesn't start rusting.

actually nobody has told me to do that, what kind of wax should i use for that?

Nice first gun. If you find that your hand hurts after shooting it (not from the recoil, but from just gripping the gun), you might want to get a Tyler T-grip - it is a shaped piece of metal that fills in behind the trigger, giving most a more comfortable and natural grip.

thanks for the input, but actually the stock grip works just fine.. I find it to be quite comfortable, and since I have small hands, I can fit my whole hand on the grip which actually allows me to control the gun better. but i sure do appreciate the input.

and thanks everyone else for the comments/complements, i truely love my gun.. although I kinda want to get another already!! the smith wesson bodyguard 438 has caught my eye! I sure do like snubbies!!

 

[John Wyatt]

Just a thought, but it looks like the top letters are CA and under that are one letter ( Y ) followed by seven numbers. It may be a California driver's licence number. The bottom letter / numbers has the right number of characters for this.

 

[marinevet]

diamond grips?

76-77.....didn't S&W discontinue the diamond grips in 1968...
this may be an older gun than u think

 

[Rolando]

check the serial number and see if the grip has a matching serial #. Could be older stocks on a newer gun?

 

[Black_Sheep]

76-77.....didn't S&W discontinue the diamond grips in 1968...
this may be an older gun than u think

Assuming the grips are numbered to the gun, it would be a little older than the OP thinks. It's a nice clean looking 36 except for that engraving on the sideplate, it would be interesting to know the story behind it...

 

[mayo]

76-77.....didn't S&W discontinue the diamond grips in 1968...
this may be an older gun than u think

check the serial number and see if the grip has a matching serial #. Could be older stocks on a newer gun?

Assuming the grips are numbered to the gun, it would be a little older than the OP thinks. It's a nice clean looking 36 except for that engraving on the sideplate, it would be interesting to know the story behind it...

ok so I looked at the grips, and the serial numbers do match the gun, which i guess means my gun is older than i thought it was..

the number is 454xxx

I actually asked on this forum when I got the gun and was told 76-77, but since its got the diamond grips which Marinevet says were discontinued in 68, I really have no idea, so if anyone can help with that that would be awesome.

as for the story behind the case number on the gun.. according to the gun store that I bought the gun from, the previous owner took their own life using the gun.. apparently that fact bothered everyone else who considered purchasing this firearm, including the employees at the gun store (they didnt even like handling the gun or bringing it out of the case). Although this guns past is a bit sketchy I don't mind it too much..

but back to my concern.. serial number 454xxx. How old is my gun?

 

[Engine49guy]

According to SCSW,
1962 295000
1969 786544

So somewhere in between the two.
Maybe someone with a close relative to it can narrow it down a bit more.
Congrats on your first diamond grip J frame !

 

[Black_Sheep]

When did S&W discontinue the flat latch on the Model 36? Knowing the answer may help get a more accurate estimate of the DOB since the OP's 36 has a standard latch...

 

[swman]

I have a 1991 SW 36. I frequently carry it in the summer months over the Glock using Gold Dot 135 grain HPs. I usually use 130 grain ball or 158 grain lead for practice. The main thing is to become proficient with hitting close-in targets (1-5 yards).

 

[kennyb]

i have found the very best wax is renaissance wax...museums etc.protect guns with it as well as many other items

 

[mayo]

i have found the very best wax is renaissance wax...museums etc.protect guns with it as well as many other items

Ok cool ill look into that