Why the 36 Bull Barrel

[stoffer]

Just curious. Why was the 36-1 made with a bull barrel? Is it desirable? Were any J frames made without the J in the serial number?

 

[murphydog]

Some prefer more muzzle weight. You may or may not but 36-1s are popular.

J frames only had that letter in the SN from 1969 to about 1983; before this only a number and after three letters and four digits.

 

[gmborkovic]

Why a heavy barrel? Because all of us S&W people wanted one and they sold a lot of them.

 

[Garintheair]

Just curious. Why was the 36-1 made with a bull barrel? Is it desirable? Were any J frames made without the J in the serial number?

I wondered the same thing...until I bought one! My S&W revolvers were always .357 or larger, or snubby J frames. I saw no use for a J frame 3" barrel...

...until I bought one...!

One of my more fun, and accurate, guns to shoot!

Gary

 

[Cal44]

A little more muzzle weight makes the gun more stable when you point it.

Improves accuracy for most people.

 

[Alk8944]

Because market research indicated there was sufficient interest/demand for the heavy barrel variant to justify putting it into production! Simple as thet.

 

[Lt JL]

a 3" heavy barrel makes it easier to modify the unacceptable behavior of some rapscallion with a brisk thwack above the ear.