I've wanted a 3" Model 36 for a while now. I've been looking for one off and on for the past year or so. I lost several auctions by just a few dollars... that's how things work. I don't usually buy guns; usually I hunt them. It's like the difference between buying meat and hunting meat. I decide that I'm going to pay X number of dollars for a certain firearm, and I pursue it until I'm successful (or give up in shame with my tail between my legs).
Ten days ago or so ago my hunt was finally successful. The pictures showed a dirty and rusty looking 3" Model 36, but it was described as "seems to be mechanically sound" by a large-volume well-regarded seller. I bid on it and won it for a bid of $268. The pictures kind of looked like dogs had chewed on it, so I was ready to see something ugly at the LGS today (other than my friends who work there).
It looks way better in person. Most of the finish is actually nice enough that it's still shiny and reflective. (For instance, the dark area along the top of the trigger guard is actually a reflection of my phone.) It has surface rust here and there, and some mild pitting, but it's really not bad. I think I got lucky in that the contrast of good and bad areas makes it look much worse in photos. I will have the rust off, NP, and a few mild pits just give it character. I wouldn't have been willing to afford it if the auction pictures were better.
It doesn't have holster wear, but it was shot a fair amount. It's not loose, but you can see the turn lines on the cylinder, and the front of the blast shield shows outlines of several of the cylinders. The barrel looks good. The action is smooth, but the trigger is pretty bad for a Smith. A very good cleaning and lubing and some new springs will probably help with that.
I have some medical BS later this week, but I should be able to take this old revolver out to the range in the next couple of weeks. It was manufactured around 1965: the same as me. I'm expecting it to shoot fine. I haven't opened it yet, but can't find anything wrong with it. Maybe some young man shot it sometimes and then it stayed in a drawer and got a little rusty as he got older and stopped shooting it?
I'll have to put on new grips to actually shoot the thing. I have XXL hands and can easily cover the whole thing with one. Those tiny grips will not do. I just happen to have some wooden banana grips that will fit it just fine. I'll save the originals so that my daughter can get more for it after I'm gone.
How do y'all carry a Model 36? Any holster suggestions? I didn't get this one as a carry piece, but never say never. I'm assuming +P is a no-no, because of its age. Any suggestions for possible SD ammo? If I don't like the banana grips after all, does anyone have a suggestion for j-frame grips? The originals look very cool, but a man should know his limitations.
