Why did office staff choose M36 over Airweights?

[rockquarry]

Another downer afflicting the Airweights is apparently you can't use Hoppes No. 9 on them. Or at least it's not recommended.

That's wrong; Hoppe's #9 is fine for cleaning and will do no harm to alloy-framed guns, just as it will do no harm to nickel-finished guns. What is the source of this information?

 

[Scott_HM1000X]

Maybe the old Hoppe's #9, but the new stuff is different. I clean my wife's Smith Air Weight all the time with it.

As far as recoil of an AirWeight, I've shot my wife's quite a few times (38 special factory loads) and it's not bad at all. It could be the good grip design S&W chose for this gun, but it's comfortable to shoot. I also love the laser integrated into the grip.

 

[sigp220.45]

Some 'jobs' specified steel-frame revolvers...

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Very true. The FBI authorized steel frames only. You could have a Model
36 but not a 37. Other agencies may have followed suit.

 

[jimmyj]

One qualification I used a S&W Model 642 on the 60 round course. NEVER AGAIN !

 

[majick47]

I'd qualify the S&W Airweight like the model 38 as a good choice for deep concealment either in pocket or ankle holster due to minimal size and weight. Will kick like a mule but the design was never intended to fire hundreds of rounds from it all day at the range.

 

[Miami_JBT]

I find my 342Ti to be comfy to shoot. A 642 is a gem. I find my Model 36 to be a pig.

 

[jerry52]

Chicago pd had a reg that all revolvers had to take +P ammo airweight back then didn`t
But when airweights were rated for +p there were tons of trade in 36`s office staff and backups all switched

 

[message_board_expert]

That's wrong; Hoppe's #9 is fine for cleaning and will do no harm to alloy-framed guns, just as it will do no harm to nickel-finished guns. What is the source of this information?

THE SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
Hoppes Number Nine-Curse or Salvation

Your post could not have been timed better, rockquarry.

 

[rockquarry]

THE SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
Hoppes Number Nine-Curse or Salvation

Your post could not have been timed better, rockquarry.

Anything from Hoppe's or a reputable source ?

 

[78bagger]

Dang, I don't get it. I carried a 36 for a few years until I tried the 442. I'm not a big guy and the 442 was easy to shoot even with +P, which the 36 wouldn't take. I'm giving instruction to my step daughter for her CCW and let her try both. she chose the 442 and still liked it after 50 rounds.

 

[rincar]

I have carried the S&W Model 36, Model 38, Model 042, Model 637, Model 640. I have found the all steel guns easier to shoot. The Airweight guns easier to carry. But for all around use a Model 36 or a all steel colt D frame gun. Just my humble opinion.

 

[GerSan69]

I don't know about the shooting part.... if things are going south, I'd grab anything with bullets in it.
The bigger issue where I was, was availability and price. Choices at a good price were limited unless you were a good horse trader, so most folks I knew went down to the Gart Bros. Sports Castle down on Broadway in Denver to see what they had. Then, as now, there were only certain brands, models and calibers approved (anything you want, as long as it was .38 special), which the bigger dealers tried to keep in stock or at least on order. I don't recall prices or what we were paid back then, but suffice to say there weren't many custom off-duty or backup guns among patrolmen, even among the more gun-savvy. Even so, those were the "golden days" of firearms, before polymer and hidden metal "chassis" turned it from developing a real "connection" with your duty gun to the cold, clinical, "cookie-cutter" sameness they have now....

 

[gwpercle]

Money ... I would bet a bucket of bananas the model 36 was cheaper than any of the light weights... Cost plays a big part in decision making ... Ain't much changed since the 80's , Money , money , money... these were office cops ...they didn't shoot a whole lot .
Most likely the Office Staff didn't get to choose anything ... the bean counters choose the cheapest revolver and issued them.
Look for the obvious answers .
Gary

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... there weren't many custom off-duty or backup guns among patrolmen, even among the more gun-savvy. Even so, those were the "golden days" of firearms, before polymer and hidden metal "chassis" turned it from developing a real "connection" with your duty gun ....

Thanks for sharing your perspective. Several of my pre-'70 Chiefs belonged to patrolmen. Your thoughts add an extra appreciation for the revolvers and the folks who carried them.

 

[rockquarry]

Thanks for sharing your perspective. Several of my pre-'70 Chiefs belonged to patrolmen. Your thoughts add an extra appreciation for the revolvers and the folks who carried them.

You may want to look at the "American Cop" magazine article "When the Cops Carried Revolvers" from some years ago. It should be available online, or maybe an abbreviated version of it.

 

[Cal44]

One qualification I used a S&W Model 642 on the 60 round course. NEVER AGAIN !

I shot my 340pd to qualify for my ccw.

30 rounds, 38 Special.

It wasn't too bad, but just as I finished the instructor said.

"Do you know you are bleeding?"

Sure enough, I somehow smashed my trigger finger.

Wouldn't have mattered, though, if someone had been shooting back.

 

[malph]

I shot my 340pd to qualify for my ccw.

30 rounds, 38 Special.

It wasn't too bad, but just as I finished the instructor said.

"Do you know you are bleeding?"

Sure enough, I somehow smashed my trigger finger.

Wouldn't have mattered, though, if someone had been shooting back.

Same thing happens to me. I'll get nicked up when practicing with the thing.

As you point out, it is not something that would stop me in a defensive encounter.

 

[Old cop]

Same thing happens to me. I'll get nicked up when practicing with the thing.

As you point out, it is not something that would stop me in a defensive encounter.

The 340PD is my EDC and I do limited range time w/it, usually around 50 rounds. For anything more extensive, 100 + rounds, my Model 60 gets the call. They both shoot to the same POA.

 

[lkabug]

My old department issued our S&W Model 10, 4 inch revolvers . There were also some Colts thrown into the mix. We could only carry what was issued. A snub nose Model 10 or Model 36 were issued to officers in administrative assignments. Those officers could carry a 4 inch Model 10 if they wanted. Backup guns were not authorized for carry. However on the squad level, it was a don't ask don't tell in most precincts.

 

[Old cop]

My old department issued our S&W Model 10, 4 inch revolvers . There were also some Colts thrown into the mix. We could only carry what was issued. A snub nose Model 10 or Model 36 were issued to officers in administrative assignments. Those officers could carry a 4 inch Model 10 if they wanted. Backup guns were not authorized for carry. However on the squad level, it was a don't ask don't tell in most precincts.

We may have served on the same department. I graduated from the academy in '68 and was assigned to the old Second Precinct, Fifth &the NY NE.

 

[Jackal11]

Thank you all for providing insight to the details that are hard to find in print! Your perspectives and experiences are invaluable at capturing the details of history - much thanks!