andyo5
Member
My favorite is my Model 642. I carry it in my front pocket, sans holster. It is so easy to conceal.
What has become my preferred carry piece...
- Thread starter No Quarter
- Start date
Texas Star
US Veteran
It sort of amuses me that when a guy posts about his favorite gun, some members jump in to tell about their choices instead of discussing what he pictured. Human nature, I guess.
I like the design, but much prefer stainless construction, hence the Model 60. But until stainless became an option, I faithfully chose the Model 36, which has been a huge success in many countries. I preferred it to nickel, although blued guns require more care. Choosing the right holster and proper care help to limit bluing loss and rust.
I must say, nickel and pearl are not my cup of tea. I'm afraid that I agree with Gen. Patton about that. But the world allows for choice, and one could sure do worse than a blued M-36.
What are the pen and the canoe-shaped knife? I gather that the other item is a cigarette case? Hmmm...never know when you might need a cigarette to get a campfire going.
Nice gun. I think it beats a Colt because the cylinder holds timing longer and the Smith is more likely to shoot to the sights without gunsmithing. I once almost failed to qualify on a USAF range when I was handed a Colt Official Police. It wouldn't group to the sights. I changed to a Victory Model S&W and still managed to achieve a Sharpshooter level.
Colts often need the barrel turned a fraction to center the sights. I was very lucky to have a New Service .45 and a SAA with 4.75-inch barrel that were exceptions, but every other Colt revolver I've owned or shot needed help. I could adjust the sights on a Trooper and three Pythons, but a Diamondback wouldn't center with all the sight adjustment used. The Colt PR woman told me to just use Kentucky windage. I haven't bought a Colt since! Their .45 autos shoot better.
What one carries is based on a variety of considerations, and if the OP likes the M-36, I'm happy for him. But I don't think it's awful to prefer a Colt or something else and say so. I do like his photo, and am a fan of good pens and good knives, too.
I like the design, but much prefer stainless construction, hence the Model 60. But until stainless became an option, I faithfully chose the Model 36, which has been a huge success in many countries. I preferred it to nickel, although blued guns require more care. Choosing the right holster and proper care help to limit bluing loss and rust.
I must say, nickel and pearl are not my cup of tea. I'm afraid that I agree with Gen. Patton about that. But the world allows for choice, and one could sure do worse than a blued M-36.
What are the pen and the canoe-shaped knife? I gather that the other item is a cigarette case? Hmmm...never know when you might need a cigarette to get a campfire going.
Nice gun. I think it beats a Colt because the cylinder holds timing longer and the Smith is more likely to shoot to the sights without gunsmithing. I once almost failed to qualify on a USAF range when I was handed a Colt Official Police. It wouldn't group to the sights. I changed to a Victory Model S&W and still managed to achieve a Sharpshooter level.
Colts often need the barrel turned a fraction to center the sights. I was very lucky to have a New Service .45 and a SAA with 4.75-inch barrel that were exceptions, but every other Colt revolver I've owned or shot needed help. I could adjust the sights on a Trooper and three Pythons, but a Diamondback wouldn't center with all the sight adjustment used. The Colt PR woman told me to just use Kentucky windage. I haven't bought a Colt since! Their .45 autos shoot better.
What one carries is based on a variety of considerations, and if the OP likes the M-36, I'm happy for him. But I don't think it's awful to prefer a Colt or something else and say so. I do like his photo, and am a fan of good pens and good knives, too.
ogilvyspecial
Member
Nice 36 No Quarter!
I have a 36-2 that is always an "on-deck" carry gun, sometimes carried alone, or as a back-up to my 66-2.
The 36 is truely one of my favorites!!
I have a 36-2 that is always an "on-deck" carry gun, sometimes carried alone, or as a back-up to my 66-2.
The 36 is truely one of my favorites!!
You cannot go wrong carrying a Model36, or for that matter, any other of the fine J-frame models. Many of us have carried J's for so long that it is hard to imagine carrying anything else. Currently I am carrying a Model 351C on my nightly walks and carry a Model 60 on my forays into the city. The Chief was my first and set the tone for a lifetime of S&W's for serious as well as fun for the rest of my life.
samandglove1
Member
Nice choice
I like your style. I carry the same gun, mine is from 1965.
I like your style. I carry the same gun, mine is from 1965.
donniedee
Member
folks might think im alittle strange, but i carry a pre 27 3.5 loaded with glassers in the house then full house rem mag when out and about in a lobo iwb holster with a untucked shirt, here in texas, when she gets over 100 degrees i drop a 1946 i frame 38s&w in the pocket of my cargo shorts and feel well armed, people talk alot about the lil i frame 38s&w but she sure beats a pocket full of flat rocks... she aint no target pistol but would you wanna run up on me with it? id think not
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Ashlander
Member
Darned nice looking handgun. Love the grips.
semperfi71
US Veteran
Nice one.
I do not carry concealed but when the day does come I have a finish-worn, but tight M36 that I de-horned the hammer spur on.
It shoots to POA with 158 grain lead bullet loads and that is what I will carry.
I do not carry concealed but when the day does come I have a finish-worn, but tight M36 that I de-horned the hammer spur on.
It shoots to POA with 158 grain lead bullet loads and that is what I will carry.
Stophel
Member
For most guns, I would be very opposed to cutting off the hammer spur, but on something like this, I think it's ok 
Mine had to come off, it's a pocket-snaggin-son-of-a-gun. Plus, I've gotten pretty good at double action shooting. I bobbed it, smoothed the action, and smoothed off the serrated trigger (serrated triggers HURT my finger!), and made the handles for it. And the now-well-worn pocket holster. ;-)
Mine had to come off, it's a pocket-snaggin-son-of-a-gun. Plus, I've gotten pretty good at double action shooting. I bobbed it, smoothed the action, and smoothed off the serrated trigger (serrated triggers HURT my finger!), and made the handles for it. And the now-well-worn pocket holster. ;-)
semperfi71
US Veteran
Without the grips an exact match to mine. If one has to shoot, the federales will confiscat the weapon. Even if a legal shooting you may not get your weapon back.
Hence a beatup but reliable handgun is, for me the best "carry". It will get rubbed, worn, sweated on, and who knows what if it is carried a lot.
Plus if lost, it's not missed.
Hence a beatup but reliable handgun is, for me the best "carry". It will get rubbed, worn, sweated on, and who knows what if it is carried a lot.
Plus if lost, it's not missed.
jhvaughan2
Member
- Joined
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NQ; I like those pearls. I keep coming back to the old chief's too but in my case it is a '71 37.
torrejon224
Member
A few years back I found a Mod 36 from 64 stamped Mass State Police on the backstrap. Looked like it was fired less than 100 rounds and finish was 100%. Stayed in my safe till recent rotator cuff surgery forced me to be a southpaw. Stoked with SafeStop 148+Ps, it is deadly accurate and a joy to shoot!
dscampbell
Member
Great picture. I also love my model 36 (1972). I just put crimson trace LG-105 grips on it. In a uncle Mike's pocket holster it is very comfortable. It served me well as a LEO and continues to in retirement.
cpeblue
Member
The 36 is a great gun, my 360 is my constant companion. I have a pre 36 3 screw square butt made in 1954 and its still going strong. Other than the single action army and new frontier I don't think Colt makes any DA revos any more, makes me wonder why ???
OP
No Quarter
Member
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- Feb 12, 2011
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- 184
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Thanks for the kind remarks folks!
The case is a sterling silver business card case I got from my wife and kids for Father's day once upon a time. The pen is a Krone Sterling Silver fountain pen. The knife is an old German Eye Brand pocket knife with pearl handles.
I just have a soft spot for nice things like that, thus the beautiful old Smith. Nice thing about the gun is that it does not sacrifice function for form. They are both perfectly blended together in these little guns.
I am on the prowl for a nice model 60. That one will get ebony grips with sterling silver inlay. One of these days!
NQ
The case is a sterling silver business card case I got from my wife and kids for Father's day once upon a time. The pen is a Krone Sterling Silver fountain pen. The knife is an old German Eye Brand pocket knife with pearl handles.
I just have a soft spot for nice things like that, thus the beautiful old Smith. Nice thing about the gun is that it does not sacrifice function for form. They are both perfectly blended together in these little guns.
I am on the prowl for a nice model 60. That one will get ebony grips with sterling silver inlay. One of these days!
NQ
I suppose now would be a good time for me to jump in and say your gun is great but I prefer my Kahr PM9... ?
Just kidding.
I have a 36 just about like yours I have been saving for a rainy day. I don't know why, but I have it in my mind that when I retire, it is going to come out and replace the "modern junk" I have been fiddling with over the last 20-30 years. I started my gun toting (in public places, not in the field) with this Model 36 and will probably return to it, for sentimental reasons. Nothing special about 'em - just great little guns.
Just kidding.
I have a 36 just about like yours I have been saving for a rainy day. I don't know why, but I have it in my mind that when I retire, it is going to come out and replace the "modern junk" I have been fiddling with over the last 20-30 years. I started my gun toting (in public places, not in the field) with this Model 36 and will probably return to it, for sentimental reasons. Nothing special about 'em - just great little guns.
