Look what followed me home!

[AZAndy]

Can I keep it?




1993 Model 36 with 3" barrel. Not sure if I want to keep the grips the way they are or not. I don't think it's been heavily used; not much of a line on the cylinder and the trigger is a bit stiff at 15 lbs. Lockup very tight. Shoots very well-- maybe I'll remember to bring a target home next time for posting purposes...

 

[stevekozak]

Nice! What did you give for it?

 

[AZAndy]

Nice! What did you give for it?

Probably too much, but I hardly ever see one. $639.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Very nice.

The coil mainsprings for them tend to run a bit stiff.

If it wuz me, I would keep the grips and add grip adapter such as a Tyler T grip.

 

[25-5]

Really nice. Keep the grips, of course, but don't glue plastic on the pistol. Get some nice grips at Ahrends. Maybe Moradillo wood. You've spent good money for what you want, don't cheapen the piece.

 

[dh1633pm]

That obviously is one of those supposed excellent revolvers. One that shoots nicely, has nice form, function, and quality. One day in the not so distant future its gong to break. Say in 120 years or so. Because you can't take that chance, you should let it follow me home where I will never use it and in 120 years it won't make a difference.

You made a nice buy AZAndy. Should be a good shooter for you.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Must be nice... All that ever follows me home is hired men and kids and they all expect to be fed.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Very nice Chief's Specials, both of them. Of course the Chief's Special is one of the most classic revolvers ever made. A few years back I came across one at a local shop that was hardly fired. I cured that problem by firing 200 rounds through it the next day. Mine came in the original box with papers and I paid only $300 when the common local price was $500 or a little more. I like the look and love the revolver.

 

[AZAndy]

Howdy

Very nice.

The coil mainsprings for them tend to run a bit stiff.

If it wuz me, I would keep the grips and add grip adapter such as a Tyler T grip.

I do like those! The old-school walnut looks so good on my 438 that I think I'll let it have them. For now, the 36 will wear these:

Bird's eye maple, from Badger Grips. I'll shoot with them tomorrow and see if they're the ticket or not.

 

[AZAndy]

Very nice Chief's Specials, both of them. Of course the Chief's Special is one of the most classic revolvers ever made. A few years back I came across one at a local shop that was hardly fired. I cured that problem by firing 200 rounds through it the next day. Mine came in the original box with papers and I paid only $300 when the common local price was $500 or a little more. I like the look and love the revolver.

Your box looks a lot classier than mine.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My box might be older but you have a nice 3" barrel on your revolver. You made a good find.

 

[Gun Master]

3" Chief's Special (Model 36)

I wish S&W would revive the 3" Model 36.
I have one made in 1967 or 1968, but mine has a square butt.
Sorry, but I can't do pics.

You've got yourself a sweet deal and really nice gun !

 

[Zaydok Allen]

That's a sweet revolver. Congrats.

 

[horsemen61]

Very nice

 

[red rick]

Very nice find .

 

[Twiki357]

Very nice. I love the 3” J frames.

 

[gbran]

I would not just keep the original grips, I'd leave them on the gun.

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

At quick glance I thought it was my model 51 (22mag), but then realized how thick she was around the middle

 

[AZAndy]

I would not just keep the original grips, I'd leave them on the gun.

I like the way they look, but they're unpleasant to shoot with. They put the web of my hand in the way of the hammer and the joint of my thumb too close to the cylinder release. The band-aid budget is already strained. ;-)

 

[StrawHat]

I have a M36-1 with the magna grips and a Pachmyer grip adapter. Tyler also makes one as does BK. The easiest and least costly way to improve the original grips.

Kevin

 

[bannockburn]

AZAndy

Back in the day when just about all we really had to choose from in a J frame snubby was the Model 36 or the somewhat hard-to-come-by Model 60, a 3" barrel Model 36 was very easy to find (often at a discounted price too). I had a couple of them, both round butt and square butt configurations, and with the addition of a Tyler T-Grip adapter to the factory stocks, was good to go with them.

 

[aarondhgraham]

I have the 3" in square butt,,,

I have the 3" in square butt,,,
It's one of the revolvers I'll never sell.

I'm very fond of my 1 7/8" snubbie,,,
But I hit much better with the 3" gun.

I'm making a "book" case to hold it,,,
And a 4" nickel plated Model 34.

In eight years (or sooner if I kick it),,,
The 13 year old daughter of my best friend will get them.

If you're not a sport shooter,,,
And are only concerned with self defense,,,
That one revolver could easily be all you will ever need.

Congrats on your find.

Aarond

.

 

[RainDodger]

Definitely, congratulations on a nice find. I recently had an unfired 3" left to me, along with an unfired 36 2" and a Model 14, all in their original blue boxes! There's nothing like the old Smiths in my opinion. Enjoy yours!

Here's my 3":

 

[fausto]

great revo! good on you!

 

[Waveski]

I love my 1 7/8 Chief , but the 3" is high on my bucket list. You paid a good sum , but I'd say it was worth it - given the desirability and rareness of the 3" Chief.

I'm with Mr. Johnson - keep the original grips and try a Tyler T Grip. I'd hate to see you put some after market grips on that classic!