Saw Two Smith J-Frames With 3 inch barrels.

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ACP230

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I have only seen one or two of these before in my area.
A local Gander Mountain had two in the case. They were blue M36s with pretty crude markings from a Georgia PD on the side. One was pretty worn, the other was nicer and tighter. Both had Pach rubber grips the beat one with finger grooves and the other a Presentation grip. If I was to buy the good one, I'd want to shift the grips from the other. (Some people are never satisfied.)

I found the little guns intriguing. They seem like they'd make a good house gun, or a trail or small game gun that would be a bit easier to shoot than the two inch snubs.

The counter guy at Gander Mountain said the were, "a corporate buy..." so more could be out there if you are interested.
 
A few months ago, I picked up a 1971 nickel-plated 3" Model 36 with a round butt. The nickel was in great shape, but it needed a little work inside, having apparently spend the last thirty years in someone's sock drawer. I cleaned and polished all the internal parts and replaced the rebound and main springs with lighter Woolf springs. I put on a set of Craig Spegel grips, and I got a Milt Sparks Summer Special II from Lightning Arms Sports (great people to do busy with) and it's now one of my favorite carry guns.

Ron
 
I have a 3" HB SB 36-1. It's an adorable little gun; it looks like a 4" Model 10 that somebody left in the dryer too long.

NYPD and other agencies often issued these as substitute-standard for folks who were too small of hand to manipulate a square-butt K-frame well, and it seems they're finally finding their way out into the used market. I've seen more of them in the past two years than I have in the previous ten.
 
I traded a Detective Special for a nickle plated 36 square butt with a 3" heavy barrel.

I liked the gun, but I just couldn't come to love the shiny surface, so I ended up selling it to a friend whose father wanted a house gun.

I've been looking for a blued version for some time, but so far no dice.
 
I just bought a super nice blued 3" Mod. 36 with a high vis front site on it. I don't know what year it is but it is of the older variety.

The trigger is very nice and it's equipped with Pachmeyer grips.

I paid $250 for it here in the Rep of California. Probably too much but I just had to have it. Only 7 more days to wait before I can pick it up--Rob
 
I usually don't gloat but what the hell....here's the 36 that I brought home today. It was unfired (no drag line, carbon etc) until I put a box of shells through it, thus preventing me from re selling it as new at a profit. It's kind of a shame that the original grips aren't with it.

It is absolutly immaculate. The trigger feel is great. Does anybody have any idea when it was produced?

I do believe that I am in love-Oneshot
 

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Mike; I had the wife carrying the Chief's special target for me in her hand bag on a vacation to No. Kali coastal resort area (Mendocino) last month. An old gangster trick : get the woman to pack the (illeagally) concealed heat. I am keeping it well covered in a custom Kramer Pocket Holster , and only put a couple hundred rounds (150 Midrange wad cutters and 30 158LWCHP+power) with her at range first of last month to sight in. Great trigger , shot wonderful with wadcutters : 3" at 15 yards and stout but usable in emergency +power load shot into 5" at 15 yards double action for me , single action for her. :cool: :cool:
 
I have a really nice brushed stainless Model 60-3 with a heavy three inch barrel. I bought it last year, used, but in exellent condition. The little J frame is DAO, with a factory bobbed hammer. It is my understanding that this was first purchased by the NYPD, but possibly not issued. Paid $300.

The previous owner must have liked an ammo choice I could not discover, as I could not make it shoot to point of aim at all. Finally, I gave up, settled on the 129 grain HydroShock JHP, and had my gunsmith make the gun shoot with that load. Now, at ranges up to 25 yards, it is right on target, as long as I do my part.

I carry this Smith often, in an OWB cross draw holster by Sam Andrews. A great combo. Right now, I have Hogue rubber grips on it.

Did I mention, that I REALLY like this gun? :what:
 
I'm fond of my older ("pre-traitorous") 3" Model 60.
Shoots to POA, and has only modest felt recoil even with 125gr +P .357 Magnum because of the steel frame.
I can't carry it in a front pants pocket like the 340PD or 642, but that's OK.
 
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