My nickel 36-1

[Retired W4]

What does your 36-1 look like that you are selling?

Since you asked.

 

[Law-dog]

Whoa, now there is an interesting question. I have both the 64 and 65 in the 3" models, and something like four 3" Chiefs in blue or stainless, so I feel like I'm the target audience of that particular hypothetical.

Since I personally wouldn't feel undergunned with either, I believe I'd carry the 36-1 or equivalent 60 much of the time, and adjust my reload carry according to the dicey-ness of my location. I'd save the K-frame offerings for more formal business and range visits.

The 3"ers are little tack drivers, as many have said in these forums. The weight difference compared to 2" is negligible. Only to real gunfighters (or those who imagine they are) is the 5-round capacity "inadequate."
And really, if I think about it further, I have a couple small semi-autos such as the original Shield, Kahr CM9, and (gasp!) Taurus GX4, the latter of which really surprised me with its excellent finish and quality build, with which I can retain the "small gun" characteristics of a Chief and have lots more ammo available to boot.

The 3 inch square butt model 36 was the issue handgun for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations in the 70s and until they issued us custom commander size 1911s about 1979 or 80. I could hit a gallon jug with them at 100 yards.

We carried the 130 grain ball ammo, referred to as the Air Force load also used in the model 15 which was the Air Force standard handgun until the Berretta M9 came along.

I carried the little gun in harms way protecting foreign heads of state and US dignitaries under terrorist threat. I know of only one case in which the gun was used to kill a terrorist during an attack, it was never a published account but the Special Agent worked for me and I got the first hand report. The terrorist, 2 of them were armed and racing toward 2 of our agents during an attack. The first one was shot twice in the sternum and fell forward. My agent ran and went around a corner and did not see any aftermath but no one followed. So, there was not much to report, he shot, the guy fell and did not follow.

His report is that the 2 rounds to the sternum at less that 30 feet shut the attacker down immediately as the guy just fell forward.

I have also used the 3 inch model 36 to finish a few deer who were still breathing when I got to them. In hunting and law enforcement over 50 years I have finished maybe 25 deer and elk who were roadway injured or still breathing during hunting. The faster the bullet the better in disposing of them. My choice load was the Supervel which we called the 38 mag back in the day.

Depending on the location, I do not feel unarmed with the 3 inch chief. Although, I now have a model 60, 3 inch, which is 357 and adjustable sights, about the best their can be in a 5 shooter. I would have jumped on this 3 inch nickel plated gun in 2 seconds. That is a rare one. The square butt is more common also. And the nickel gives the most striking appearance of any. I rate it equal to stainless on most guns.

 

[Retired W4]

That 130 Gr. FMJ is what we were issued in the RVN. A puny round where shot placement is critical. In a war zone you can vaporize someone with a 500 pound bomb but don't dare shoot any one with an expanding JHP bullet.

 

[Lew Archer]

Hello! My name is Bob, and I'm a Chiefsaholic.

Congratulations. It's a handsome creature.

Hi, Bob!

 

[RKmesa]

Very nice (and shiny) 3"er.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[MikePotts]

Well...look what showed up today



36, nickel, sambars...just happenstance fit this Myres too...what a lucky guy

 

[lkabug]

You did good!
Love those Sambars.

 

[dogkinkead]

" Its my last one, I promise. Really! I mean it this time."
Where have I heard that before?

Think I've might have said that myself once or twice

 

[65-2x2]

I don't like small frame revolvers...

 

[65-2x2]

I was given the opportunity to add a nickel 36-1 to my accumulation. Original grips, serial number J485640,
I just couldn't say no to a 3 inch, round butt with box, tools and paperwork, complete with original hang tag from Watkins Cottrell, Richmond VA. Its my last one, I promise. Really! I mean it this time. View attachment 773917

Yes, dear.

 

[usmcsgt]

Thanks for the post, I could not resist picking up a 3 inch Nickel Model 36 no dash after reading the comments. It's serial 561716 and google says it from the 1960's. Looks like it may have only been test fired. It's going to be my new summer CCW gun. Shot a box of 38's Saturday after teaching a class- love it.

Jeff

 

[Erich]

Great find in great condition, OP! I really think the RB 36-1 might be my favorite of the J-frames. It's certainly the one that I carry the most.

 

[usmcsgt]

I agree, great ccw gun. First gun I ever thought I needed pearl grips lol. Got a good deal as well $605 out the door (included tax and shipping to Hawaii).

 

[Major 2]

I carried a nickel 36 in a pocket holster, a long time.
Just last year it went in the bedside drawer, and now I carry a 642PC in the same DeSantis Pocket holster some things change, but only so much!

 

[usmcsgt]

Funny, I stopped carrying my 642 now that I have the 3 inch model 36, it was my travel CCW gun for years- it probably has 200k airline miles.

 

[Cal. Det. 1989]

Hey Guys! Well, this is my first posting on the site, even though I have been a member for a couple of years. I was just not able to figure out how to comment, as computers are just slightly easier for me to figure out than speaking Mandarin. As I read the comments on the 3" M36, I look at mine (nickel, 3", heavy barrel, round butt, "j" prefix on the s/n) I realize how lucky I am to have this in the line up. Now that I finally ran across this comment box, on the bottom of this conversation, I will join in more often with the most pleasant folks in "social media" (something I generally dislike). Maybe I will even be able to figure out how to add a photo or two of some of my collection…as every gun has a story!

 

[Erich]

Hey Guys! Well, this is my first posting on the site, even though I have been a member for a couple of years. I was just not able to figure out how to comment, as computers are just slightly easier for me to figure out than speaking Mandarin. As I read the comments on the 3" M36, I look at mine (nickel, 3", heavy barrel, round butt, "j" prefix on the s/n) I realize how lucky I am to have this in the line up. Now that I finally ran across this comment box, on the bottom of this conversation, I will join in more often with the most pleasant folks in "social media" (something I generally dislike). Maybe I will even be able to figure out how to add a photo or two of some of my collection…as every gun has a story!

Well, welcome to posting (you're a patient man - joined right when COVID was hitting!); you clearly have good taste in guns, so I sure hope we see more from you!

 

[Jerry in SC]

Well...look what showed up today

View attachment 775138View attachment 775139View attachment 775140

36, nickel, sambars...just happenstance fit this Myres too...what a lucky guy

That Myres is really nice…gun isn't bad either

 

[usmcsgt]

Very nice! I never was a nickel finish guy until I got old lol- now I love them.

 

[GerSan69]

Very nice! I never was a nickel finish guy until I got old lol- now I love them.

You know, I just realized that describes me as well. I avoided nickel guns like the plague - the old wives' tales about the nickel being a fragile finish made me think they weren't worth the trouble. But after retiring, and getting my first more or less by accident, I discovered they're actually no worse than anything else. I have several now, all of them J or K-frames. I ought to take a 'family portrait' some time.