[D-Man]

I'm looking to add a classic snubbie to my collection, and right now I seem to be focused on either the Colt Detective Special and the S&W 36 flat latch model.

Any others from these companies that I should look at?

My preferences are for it to be blued, steel (no lightweight models), and be something that could be shot on a semi-regular basis (i.e. this will be a shooter, not a safe-queen).

[SnWnMe]

Both.

[absolute0]

Both nice guns but it's hard to beat a Detective Special for cool points :)

[Will5A1]

I think the coolest looking snubby is a post war M&P/pre-Model 10 with the half moon front sight - but I think the best carry gun is a 3" M65 RB.

[Diamondback]

If you're a hard core snubbie man you will want to eventually get both. Buy first whichever you can find in nice condition at an acceptable price. I just bought this to replace a model 36 I let go last year becuse of financial difficulty.
http://i16.tinypic.com/2cxyd95.jpg
If you are really hard core you will begin to want to collect varriations on a theme. Colts :1st issue Detective Special, Second issue, 3" models, Agents, Cobras. S&W's : M37 Airweights ( 2" and 3"), 3" 36-1's, 60's in more than several configurations.....Bodyguards...gotta have at least one Bodyguard. That's just the tip of the J frame family...we haven't even discussed K Frames.

It's a life time of pleasure collecting the snubs....we all love the whole process !

-regards

[D-Man]

Diamondback - Did you get that from the S&W Forum Classifieds? Looks like a great pick.

I was watching your post (if that was you), and might go ahead and either piggyback on it to ask the other guys what else they have, or put a new one in.
At this point I just don't know what to get.

And of course now I'm looking at Model 10 snubs too.......

It's never easy, isnt' it?

Edited to add that I currently do have a 642, but with no CCW license (and not sure if I plan to get one), I'm thinking for a heavier piece to enjoy (or somewhat enjoy) shooting at the range along with my forthcoming S&W 19-3.

[gaucho1]

Carried a blue smith 36 2 inch for 18 years.
Gave it to a friend,replaced with flat auto.

Picked up a detective special,first issue.
Felt just right,barely larger than the 36.
I now have two cobras,very easy to conceal and carry.

If you can,do a side by side.I would choose what fits and feels right.

Enjoy.:D

[Huddog]

I am a self confessed S&W snob, so I'b buy a 36 but I wouldn't turn down a Dick Special if a good deal fell into my lap. The Model 10 and other K frame variants are my favorite just fun to shoot guns.

[Diamondback]

Diamondback - Did you get that from the S&W Forum Classifieds? Looks like a great pick.

I was watching your post (if that was you), and might go ahead and either piggyback on it to ask the other guys what else they have, or put a new one in.
At this point I just don't know what to get.

And of course now I'm looking at Model 10 snubs too.......

It's never easy, isnt' it?


There are lots of options...that's for certain. However, they are all good options, so you can't go wrong in whichever direction you turn first !

Yes I did ! Everyone who contacted me was wonderful to deal with and within 24 hours I had plenty of nice options. I ended up spending a bit more that I had planned...don't we always ? ...but I am very happy with my choice and appreciate having found someone "stand up" to do business with. Please feel free to use my posting over there in any way that might be helpful. I am wishing you the best of luck !

-regards

[D-Man]

^ Diamondback - thanks....though think I'll try to figure out my options over the next few days so will just go ahead and post a new thread.

The S&W 19 I am getting was from a forum member on those boards, and agree that the ones I've dealt with have been great.

The only thing scaring me away from the Colts are the talk of the potential work they may require to keep running.....seems like the S&W models are much more common and simpler to repair if needed.

[SJshooter]

I vote for the 36.

http://www.cypresscollectibles.com/misc/Model36_2.jpg

[norfdet893]

I am a self confessed Smith and Wesson snob. However, every snubbie collection needs to have at least 1 Detective Special and 1 SP-101.

[Diamondback]

The only thing scaring me away from the Colts are the talk of the potential work they may require to keep running.....seems like the S&W models are much more common and simpler to repair if needed

This may be true if you are going to fire thousands and thousands of +p rounds through your snub. However, a standard pressure target wadcutter/round nose is benign. Save the "brisk" ammo for the "occasion". Yet I will admit, generally speaking, a Colt will experience timing issues quicker than a S&W...but not necessarily. I wouldn't let that fact deter me from going in that direction if so inclined. Remember....the Dick Special has been around for EVER.....and not because it is temperamental ! They do not need to be babied....just looked after.

-regards

[wundudnee]

I like the S&Ws, but I wouldn't turn down a Colt. It seems that the 36s are a lot more plentiful and affordable. This is my pre 36

http://www.fototime.com/{C95E3382-1B04-4DA1-B047-F68CC01DE89F}/picture.JPG

[wcwhitey]

Both are great. If its a collection, gotta have one of each. If you can have only one, I would say the Colt. They don't make em anymore and are not as easy to find, especially with a thin barrel. So if you got a really nice one it is a keeper. My favorite is the Model 38 in S&W and the Agent for a Colt.

[Nematocyst]

I'm looking to add a classic snubbie to my collectionThe SW 642 may not be quite "classic" yet, but it will be,
judging from the size of this thread (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=138658) [note: 57 pages now].

Here's mine pictured with Uncle 870. (http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=49201&d=1165916922)

I will soon purchase Mr. 642's big brother - a SW 620 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=14804&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=) or 686+ (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=12762&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15705&isFirearm=Y).

Big ba-dah boom. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fifth_Element)

[Cosmoline]

The Colt Detec. Special or short barrel PPS will be a lot more collectible right now, and their prices are going up and up. The M36 are all post war and don't have nearly as much collectable value, so their prices are still reasonable though they're also going up.

So if you get a chance at a DS, BUY IT NOW.

[medmo]

Everyone needs at least one DIC Special. The old debate of the Colt over the Smith for the +1 cylinder capacity still holds true. How many guys do you KNOW wore out a .38 Spec Colt DA System because they shot it too much? Me neither.

[Ala Dan]

Smiths and Colts that is~!

[GaryP]

I have a 4th series Colt DS that I purchased NIB in late 1993 and have owned several S&W Model 36's over the years. Both are excellent revolvers but the Colt is a six shooter opposed to 5 in the M36 and the 4th series DS will handle +P .38Spl per the manual that comes with it. The extra round in the Colt DS is the tie breaker for me. :)


:evil:

[DAD31392]

i have a colt ds and a model 36 i'm more partial to the colt i also have a smith model 19-5 2 3/4 inch i carry alot also

[CZ.22]

Get one of the new production "classic" S&W M36.

[Ric]

Gotta love the classic Det Spc.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a258/D-Ric902/ColtDetSpl.jpg

[Autolycus]

I been looking for a nice snubbie.

[slick6]

I certainly like my post war(1946 vintage)"Transitional", pre-Model 10(.38 special)snubbie, pictured as follows:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/shootit/fa1c66fa.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/shootit/4c4b6e44.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/shootit/b6f12969.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v631/shootit/e9c57e0d.jpg

[Jaybo]

I'd have to say "both", but I say that knowing that the purchase is the top of the slippery slope. That's how I wound up with a Taurus 605, a Charter Arms Undercover, a Colt Agent, a Smith 36, a Smith 649, a Smith 637 Airweight, another Colt Agent and I'm eyeing a Colt Dick Special and a Colt Cobra.

And I'm pleased. :D

[Dr.Rob]

pass on the Colts...



that leaves more for ME!

[norfdet893]

the ONLY (and I mean O-N-L-Y) complaint I have about the DS is the thin trigger. Their trigger is noticeably thinner compared to the Smith however, the triple lock system on the Colt definitely beats the Smith. Although owning both, I daily carry my 638 (pre-lock) bodyguard on a daily basis.

[Peter M. Eick]

I collect S&W's.

But I carry a Colt Detective Special.



My only regret is mine does not have the front sight serrated. Next one will have that fixed.

[Skofnung]

I've owned both, and I like the 36 better. It just seems to fit my mitt better.

[Diamondback]

That sure is a handsome "Transitional", pre-Model 10, slick6 !!

I will alternate, for carry purposes, between an older pinned nickel model 36 and a third issue Dick. Honestly....I like them both equally and would not want to be without either.

-My best regards to everyone.

[PX15]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_5058.jpg

or:

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_4769.jpg


You pays your money, and takes your choice.. You won't go wrong with either.. Better yet, get one of each!

I just read where S&W will be mfg a NEW Centennial grip-safety in '07.. I might get one of those just for fun.

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

[Skofnung]

I like the looks of that bottom one PX15!

[PX15]

Skofnung:

Thanks. A gun dealer friend of mine on GunsAmerica (Holly Hamilton) found this pre-40 Centennial for me.

I didn't have a clue as to what was "special" about these old snubby's, but I was fortunate in that the pistol Holly got me was a 1955 pre-40, high horn grips, flat latch, with the grip safety pin safely hidden under the grips.

I sorta like old snubby's, Colt or S&W. :D

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_5040.jpg

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

[Diamondback]

A very handsome "stable" of "fillies" Mr. Pomeroy !

-Regards

[jibjab]

Well PX15 is alot of help, He seems to have some kinda balance of power thing going on :) I have a S&W 36 nd and really like it, but I would trade it for a Colt DS and I would trade two for a Colt Lawman snub.

[Diamondback]

....speaking of Colt Lawman snubs...............:)

http://i3.tinypic.com/2gtxefm.jpg

-regards

[jibjab]

Ah geese that hurts, nice gun Diamondback wanna sell/trade????

[JMag]

Colt Detective Special without a second thought...I love mine!