Scored a "nice" 2" 36 this morning

[BAM-BAM]

Wife left early to go "plant shopping" with her Mom and Dad; both in their 90s.
So I took the opportunity and went to BS at a little LGS that's part of another business this morning.

I've had my eyes open for a 2" "carry" J-frame...... well on the bottom shelf in the back was a nice looking 2" 36 wearing a set of extended uncle mike rubber grips!

A 36 no-dash but no pinned barrel; BATxxxx serial number. So figure 1980.

Some cleaned up rust damage under the rubber Uncle Mikes. The only bluing wear is on the left side of the frame under the cylinder and above the .3 smooth trigger; about 1/2-3/4" on the flat and into the radiused area going under the cylinder????? It looks just like holster wear but at the strangest place! Other than that the gun looks new!

NO muzzle wear or ring on the recoil shield. No sign of powder burn on the face of the cylinder. Tight lock up and good trigger.

What the H--- looking for a shooter/carry gun not a safe queen.... the best part $420 or $460 with tax and background OTD.

Got it home and added a old set of factory Target Grips I cut down to "Boot Grip" length in the 80s which cover the issue on the grip frame nicely and ........I'm

 

[MetalMan]

Congratulation on your “score”!!

Photos are always appreciated……

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Congrats on finding the Chiefs Special you've been wanting.

You might be surprised to discover it likely shipped in '88, last production year for the Model 36. S&W didn't integrate J-frames into its 1980 3-letter, 4-number serial number system till '83, and the 36-2 replaced the Model 36 in '88/'89. The earliest I've documented is a Model 37 s/n AAM11xx.

Sounds like you got a very good one at a great price.

 

[AJ]

Need pictures or it didn't hapen

 

[BAM-BAM]

Congrats on finding the Chiefs Special you've been wanting.

You might be surprised to discover it likely shipped in '88, last production year for the Model 36. S&W didn't integrate J-frames into its 1980 3-letter, 4-number serial number system till '83, and the 36-2 replaced the Model 36 in '88/'89. The earliest I've documented is a Model 37 s/n AAM11xx.

Sounds like you got a very good one at a great price.

You might be right I was looking in the "all other models" serial # listing in SCS&W 3rd......misread the serial # BATOxxx as ATOxxx as "O" not zero!

Forgot to mention above "no turn line"

Did a bit of a touch up with a Birchwood Casey Presto touch-up pen.... maybe not perfect but pretty close ....looks real good for a 34 year old gun!

I've got a couple of other J-frames a 12oz. 337PD a 60-10 3" micro-686 and my Dad's first year 640 no dash....... so this was just an itch that needed scratched

 

[Bald1]

Bam Bam…… after 13k post u know better than to post about a new gun and not post pictures. Shame on you.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... Did a bit of a touch up with a Birchwood Casey Presto touch-up pen.... maybe not perfect but pretty close ....looks real good for a 34 year old gun!

Hadn't heard of Birchwood Casey.

Looked 'em up. Lots of great stuff. Thanks for mentioning them.

 

[heeter3]

Good job BAM-BAM.I love my 36's.

 

[ralph7]

Might have been a Kydex holster like a Fobus that put the weird holster marks in your 36.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Do they (the LGS) have anything that I may be looking for? Okay, you can't read minds! For example, I bought my Natasha a 442-1 for her up-coming 34th birthday and now I want one for me! I'm really surprised how nice it shoots; especially the "super powerful" .38 Specials out of a 15 oz. single action revolver. (OK, forget I said that!) Is that gun shop nearby? I'm finding out there are a lot of local shops nearby that I never knew existed! I paid $400 plus tax & background for the one I bought for her. I think I did okay considering the new-looking condition it is in. I like visiting "new-to-me" gun stores.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Do they (the LGS) have anything that I may be looking for? Okay, you can't read minds! For example, I bought my Natasha a 442-1 for her up-coming 34th birthday and now I want one for me! I'm really surprised how nice it shoots; especially the "super powerful" .38 Specials out of a 15 oz. single action revolver. (OK, forget I said that!) Is that gun shop nearby? I'm finding out there are a lot of local shops nearby that I never knew existed! I paid $400 plus tax & background for the one I bought for her. I think I did okay considering the new-looking condition it is in. I like visiting "new-to-me" gun stores.

It's in your backyard ;over in Etna on Rt 8 in the back of A-Advantage Truck and Trailer call ahead for an appointment on Sat mornings 412 781-RICK.

Rick's a nice guy and lots of stuff.............

 

[robertrwalsh]

Sounds like you got as good shooter at a very fair price. Congrats.

 

[Mark 40]

BAM-BAM, nice find and a morning well spent. Enjoy your 36.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Thanks for the info. I drive past there almost every day to play numbers at the S&S or get beer across from McD's. I'll have to make a call to go visit soon.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Thanks for the info. I drive past there almost every day to play numbers at the S&S or get beer across from McD's. I'll have to make a call to go visit soon.

We should meet up there some Saturday!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Thanks for the info. I drive past there almost every day to play numbers at the S&S or get beer across from McD's. I'll have to make a call to go visit soon.

What am I thinking ... I'm just up in Hampton we ought to meet at Primanti's for lunch and a beer some day!!!

 

[yugolovr]

I hope you enjoy your 36. They are one of my favorite J frames. I know if I had the extra cash I would have one.

 

[bigmoose]

Maybe a bit off topic here, but…. In the past few years I’ve noticed a high level of joy when my wife spends time with her 93 year old dad in all aspects of plants, gardening etc. He gets such a kick out of her help and companionship. Kudos to your better half.