3" model 36

[evan price]

My wife has small hands and a common complaint is most of my guns are for bigger hands. She likes my Model 36 but I know she likes a longer barrel.
Is the 3" barrel model 36 a better balancing revolver than the snub? I don't have a 3" and with the prices they are fetching I don't want to invest in one if it's not better. Is there anything else in J-frame size with a 3" or 4" barrel?

She prefers the square butt over the round butt which was a surprise to me but it's her hand so if it fits it's what matters.

 

[stoky]

I think the 3" is a good trade off. It balances a little better, but more salient is the longer sight radius and quite a bit less muzzle blast and flash than a snubby.

 

[bannockburn]

evan price

Use to be way back when the 3" barrel Model 36 was a bit of a slow seller compared to it's snubnose brethren and was typically available at a discounted price. I liked the 3" barrel, round butt version as it had a nice balance and feel to it. Unfortunately those days are long gone and those slightly longer barreled revolvers seem to be harder to find. A couple of years ago I bought a Model 638 with a 3" barrel for a friend of mine for his wife as she didn't care for small semi-autos. She has it in a specially designed concealed carry purse.

 

[Lucky Derby]

They have even made the model 60 in a 3" heavy barrel with adjustable sights. Very nice pistol.
Or, if you can find one, a M60 with a 5" barrel.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I own both,,,

I have a 3" model 36,,,
And a snubby (1 7/8"?) model 36.

I am much more accurate in aimed fire with the 3" version.

Aarond

.

 

[RainDodger]

I own a 3" as well, and I'd say it is marginally better. Like Aarond said, probably a little less muzzle blast. I think if she likes a longer barrel, I'd go longer than 3" if you can find one. Good luck! I recently acquired this one from a family friend's estate:

Edit: I actually prefer the balance of the 2" M36, myself. Not too much different though.

 

[sappyg]

Stumbled into a 3" square butt 36 some months ago now. Not near as good of condition as RainDodger's BTW. Also have a 642. I like them both. Can't say if the balance of the 3" 36 is better but it is different from the 642. Both are similarly accurate IMO. Firing the little square butt feels a lot like firing a scaled down S&W m10 which I defiantly like.

Personally I'd be more apt to have the snub if the intent is for carry. For just playing around at the range or occasional carry the 3" always puts a grin on my face.

 

[19-3Ben]

Is there anything else in J-frame size with a 3" or 4" barrel?

Ruger now makes the LCR in a 3". It's very light so it might be snappy but with the grip stud, she may have more options for grips.

 

[Gun Master]

I own three J frame S&W's:
1. Model 638 1.875" (AirWeight BodyGuard).
2. Model 36 1.875", round butt (on loan to my granddaughter).
3. Model 36 3", square butt in 99.44 % beautiful blue condition.

I'm not even considering parting with any of them.

I think S&W made a mistake in stopping production of J frames longer than 1.875".
The consumer should have options called choices.

 

[Twiki357]

I like the 3 inch J frames and have 2 model 36s (one square and one round) and a model 37 with a 3 inch barrel. I just bought the square butt 36 on Gunbroker a few weeks ago for $285, so they are out there, you just need to keep looking.

 

[Normandy]

The softest shooting revolver I have is a model 30, 3", in .32 Long. There is basically no muzzle flip, and I like the 3" because it feels like "a whole gun". It's a J-frame, from the transitional time between I and J, as I understand it. It groups well at 10 yards.

 

[stu1ritter]

Current production, if you can find one, is the 60-15 which is a 3" barrel with adjustable sights in stainless.
I have one and love the balance and feel. Great shooting revolver.
Stu

 

[Brian Williams]

I have both a 3" 36 and a 3" 60-4, they are some of the best 38 specials out there.
the Left 2, the top right is a S&W 35-1 and the bottom right 642. I have a 940 9mm cylinder that fits in both the 60-4 and the 642, makes for a sweet and quick reloading little gun.

 

[oss117]

Ruger now makes the LCR in a 3". It's very light so it might be snappy but with the grip stud, she may have more options for grips.

The 3" LCR comes with a Jordan style Hogue tamer grip vs. the 2 finger grip on the original. It should make for a softer shooting gun than any of the others mentioned with hard wood grips. (My experience, YMMV, etc.)

 

[RealGun]

I paid pretty dearly for this nickel 36-1 in prime condition. It now carries the grip I took off my 60 Pro, and that seems just right with the grips better suited to 38 Special than handling the recoil of the 60 Pro. I bet she would love one like it. Of course, the closest might be the 60 Pro, but it too is priced at a bit of a premium.

Here is the 36-1 in 38 Special, 3":



Here is my 60 Pro with nylon Hogues:

 

[eastbank]

my two SS 60,s with 3" SB in 38spl. i gave them to my two son,s after having them engraved. eastbank.

 

[Dframe]

I've never owned a 3 inch J frame. That being said, the three inch barrel is my favorite barrel length. I've owned several three inch Detective Specials and N frame S&Ws I love the balance.

 

[RealGun]

3" may be a bit long for a purse or pocket gun but is a good choice for easily clearing a high riding holster, regardless of caliber.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have a S&W Model 60-15 3" Bbl. & it gets the W&E Adj. rear sight.
I like the balance - it is in .357 Magnum, S&W built up the front (
(forward of the cylinder ) in the late 90s. Also it gets better ballistics
with the extra inch of Bbl. Carry load is .38 Special +P 125 gr. Gold Dot

I've seen some 36's with 3" 4" and a few 5"

The .357 J-Frames 60, 60 LS & 640 snubs have 2 1/8" bbl. len.
J-frames in .38 Spcl snubs are 1 7/8" Bbl len.

Psst, don't tell yer wife about the 63 .22 Lr 3" Bbl. 8 shooter

 

[Jim NE]

I have both 2" and 3" vintage 36's w/original wood grips. My 3" is very very accurate - or at least was when I last shot it 3 or 4 years ago. More accurate than my 2", which is also accurate, but the 3" is minty while the 2" is excellent, so I don't know if a slightly better condition has anything to do with it.

I would guess the recoil of the wood grips would be less pleasant for a lady, but I don't know. Best wishes.

 

[Zendude]

Regarding the grip, there are many aftermarket grips for the most common revolvers, so you should not need to buy a revolver based on its stock grip. If what your wife likes about a longer barrel is really the increased weight, there are heavy snubbies that are available (none are J frames). Ruger SP 101, Rossi, and Rock Island snubbies are all on the heavy side.

 

[Gun Master]

3" S&W J frame on "Blue Bloods" ?

A couple of seasons back, when Tom Selleck (Frank/ Police Com) was confronting the perp who was threatening to kill and etc. Erin (his daughter), correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Tom/ Frank was carrying a blued S&W Model 36 3" square butt, with which he quickly dispatched the perp.

I have seen mention of a Fitz Special and 1911, neither of which I've noticed on this show.

Any input is appreciated.