Best path moving from an old S&W 36 to a new one?

[ABTOMAT]

An older friend of mine has a Smith 36 from the '60s. Beautiful thing, barely even shot it. But with his eyesight now he wants to get a set of Crimson Trace grips, and his 36 is a square-butt which none are made for.

Any suggestions for the best option in a new J-frame (or maybe another brand?) that takes CT grips? He could probably get $400 for his 36 and the LGS has a used 637-2 with CT grips for $450 so that might be the most cost effective, but I'm not sure how he'd like the alloy frame.

 

[Haywood]

Let him rent or barrow a alloy frame gun and shoot it. If it's too light get the heavier frame. If I were you I would by his 36.

 

[ABTOMAT]

I'd buy it if I didn't already have a 638 that I carry.

 

[hAkron]

I think the alloy 442 & 642, which have a fully enclosed hammer, are a pretty slick package. There is 640 stainless in 357 is a great choice if you want something a bit heavier. Great pocket carry guns.

 

[Haywood]

Where are you located ?

 

[WestKentucky]

I would look at automatics if he is willing to. Slides are tough to rack but it is achievable for most, an older hand may have weaker fingers that may have trouble managing a DA trigger pull. Even if he's fine now he may have trouble in the future. As much as I dislike a lot of them I would suggest a smaller striker fired gun that is not an LDA only gun. SA guns would be my first choice. No clue what to suggest though. If he wants to stick with a revolver I would most certainly stay sa/da so that a man can use 2 hands to cocktail it if the need ever arises.

I say this because before my grandma passed she tried to shoot her little revolver and absolutely couldn't do it. Shaking hands from the effort she was putting into it. She tried my phoenix arms 22 and was able to cock the hammer, then work the slide, then operate the trigger accurately enough to put a man down at 4 paces (from the recliner she spent 90% of her time in to the front door). We "borrowed" each others guns until just before she passed on when she told me to come get mine and keep hers.

 

[ABTOMAT]

He already has two Glocks with CT grips. He's not very comfortable with semi pistols and he can barely pull the slide back. I think the 36 is the only gun he really trusts.

 

[Jim NE]

Best wishes to the OP in his attempt to help his friend. It's nice to help older folks out.

Now, I mention this as someone who who had cataract surgery a couple of years ago; some of us with vision problems try to modify our guns rather than fix our eyes. Of course, his problem may be more permanent than mine, but I bought a rifle scope or two I now don't use since I got my eye problem addressed. Just a thought. Good luck.

 

[Evil-Twin]

I can offer some feed back...Not knowing how old he is.. before he buys Crimson Grips, see if he can find someone who has them... the reason I say this is even though I am old.. I shoot every week. and keep my edge and my muscle " Tone " and muscle memory... just about every old guy who tries my Crimson laser grips Hates them....and they don't even have to squeeze off a round.. the reason is many old guys have very nervous movements and the laser jumps all over the target.. and most do not like that it makes them look very much out of shape and with very poor hold discipline.
Now if your friend rarely shoots, the Laser grips are good, especially at night or in a dark room ( home invasion ).. it allows the shooter to keep his eye on a target ( bad guy ) and actually see where the barrel is pointed..



here is a 38 revolver with crimson trace grips... also FYI CT offers free batteries for life..

http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperst...5402/ruger-lcr-38spl-revolver-w-crimson-trace

 

[WestKentucky]

If he is stuck on a revolver then I would get as close to what he has as I could, then get the CT grips. I would certainly let a good smith smooth up the action, and probably lighten the springs a bit. User friendly for aging and arthritic would be my goal.

 

[J-Bar]

Keep the old 36. It's a classic.

Find another 36 or its stainless twin, a model 60 that accepts Crimson Trace grips. I carry a 60, my wife carries a 36, and both have CT grips.

My wife does not shoot often. I took her to the range for a practice session. I asked her to practice double taps by picking up the revolver off the table for each pair of shots. She acclimated to a double action trigger pull and the bouncing red light pretty quickly. We are both retired and have some arthritis in our hands.

Her target from that 30 minute range session:

 

[bannockburn]

ABTOMAT

Maybe see about getting a set of CT grips and trying them out on your Model 638. If he doesn't care for the alloy frame then probably look for a used Model 36/60/649 to put the grips on. I have both a Model 649 and a Model 638 and the stainless gun is more controllable and comfortable to shoot between the two of them.

 

[VA27]

+1 on try before you buy. My 90 year old father has CT grips on his gun. Recently I had to build up the pressure switch (in the middle of the grip) where it's activated by the middle finger. He can still pull the trigger but his fingers have gotten thinner and he was having trouble getting the laser to come on.

Also +1 on the model 60. The alloy guns may be too light for him to control.

 

[Jim K]

I have not used it, but Lasermax makes a laser sight for the J frame that does not involve the grips; you and he might look at it.

Jim

 

[Waveski]

J-Bar --

Very impressive target!

 

[ABTOMAT]

As it turned out he decided to put his 36 on consignment and just stick with using his Glock 26 with the CT grips as his home gun. I'm kinda wondering about the whole thing since he only knows how to shoot a revolver and doesn't know much about the Glocks (he also has a 17 with CT grips) plus I don't think he can pull the slide back easily.

 

[bannockburn]

ABTOMAT

Interesting decision on your friend's part. Guess he must feel capable of working the slide on his Glocks (well at least once to chamber the first round), to go ahead with his decision to sell his Model 36. Hope everything works out okay for him.

 

[Waveski]

"As it turned out he decided to put his 36 on consignment " .....

Abandoned a Chief's Special for a Glock ... sigh......

 

[Drail]

That meets the definition of "tragedy" in my book.

 

[lincen]

It may be a tragedy but as we all grow older we do need to consider where our guns go. I for one have made my intentions clear and will not wait to the end to place my guns where I want them. We just hold them for a time and we should be just as responsible in their disposition.

 

[Hondo 60]

Yes, it's tragedy!
Reminds me of the 70's Bee Gee's song

Tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul
It's tragedy
When the morning cries and you don't know why
It's hard to bear
With no one beside you, you're
Goin' nowhere