A pair of Chiefs reporting for duty (Model 36 and 36-1)

[Big Mak]

Wife fell in love with my 6" S&W 357 magnum but it was a bit much for her. (That sounded weird, but I'll go with it)

So I picked up two S&W 38 spl Mod 36's, one in 1-7/8" made in 1971 with Tyler grip and the other made roughly in the mid 80's.

We're planning to hit the range every Wed night after work as a "empty nester" date. (Our youngest heads to college this fall)

Sweet little revolvers SHould be fun!

[Green Frog]

The 3" square butt version will probably be a little easier to sight as well as to control... the 1 7/8" RB is somewhat easier to conceal, of course but most will find it more difficult to master. Both should be lots of fun at the range, though. I love my little 2" Baby Chief and with a reasonable amount of practice time find it easy to achieve minute-of-bad guy accuracy out to 15 yards or so.

Enjoy!
Froggie

[JeffG]

Yep, the wife has a mod 36 too and likes it.

[KCSO]

My old Sheriff carried a 3" gun like that for over 40 years. I cleaned it one time for him and had to pound out the green bullets after that every time we had range for the rest of us I cleaned his gun too. I shot it a few times and they are a nice little gun. When he got his they were listed as the NYPD model. He gave IIRR $46.50 through a Police Supply.

[EMC45]

Beautiful little J Frames!

[John Allen]

I always like the 3" chiefs. They are just sharp

[Big Mak]

Agree John Allen! After hold the 2" snub in my hands I had to buy the 3" model!

[Scharfschuetze]

I had a duplicate 3" Model 36 back in the mid 70s. The Colorado Highway Patrol (now the CSP) supervisors all carried it at that time in cross draw holsters, although theirs were the RB variety.

[Outpost75]

My Model 36 (no dash) is a favorite.

Attachment 195349

[Big Mak]

I like the looks of the powder coated Tyler T Grip. I'll pick one up for the wife's revolver.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Many years ago I bought a 3" model 36 in in a yard sale for $125. It had a square butt. I found it one of the easiest pistols to shoot that I have ever fired. Of all the guns I regret selling, that one is near the top. I actually let it go in a trade for a seven gun collection of single shot rifles. When S&W brought it out as one of the classics the price was close to one thousand.

[Big Mak]

The new classics can handle +P loads. These old girls can't.
But these are range bang sticks and .38 spl is easy on the hands.

I picked up a nice S&W holster for $35 too!

[opos]

I've owned several 36's over many years...I'm old now and have arthritis and the "flat latch" square butt 3" from the '60's, I have is the most punishing little piece of devil spawn I have shot for a long time...I put on a Pachmeyer rubber grip but just couldn't stand the ugly look so put the original grips back on it...I shoot it with a weighlifter's glove on my right hand and it helps ... a little..but it's here to stay.

.

[Big Mak]

That's in great condition opos!
I reload my own range stuff so it should be light on the wife. She handed the .357 warm magnum loads like a pro. Of course that was in a larger K frame 66

[FergusonTO35]

Is it just me, or does the original 36 look and feel smaller than the equivalent current Airweight?

[EMC45]

I have to admit that my J and I frame guns are my favorite Smiths.

[Char-Gar]

You and your wife will enjoy those revolvers. I have both a 3" and a short barrel Chief Specials. They are both of the square but variety which I find easier to shoot due to the extra distance between the back of the grip frame and the trigger.

About a year or so ago, I fitted both of them with old Mustang grips. They add a little bulk but no so much as to have much effect on their ability to hide on my body real well. These grips do allow MUCH better control and therefore ability to hit what I am shooting at.

[bedbugbilly]

Congrats on your 36s - you are going to love them!

I have a 36 snub and a 36 3" - often CCW them. Both are excellent shooters and the 3" is a nice little "kit gun" for walks, woods, etc.

Enjoy and have fun!