S&W M36 w/3"bbl... How rare are they?

[wrs840]

...So I ran across a 36-1 with a 3" pinned barrel in a favorite LGS/pawn shop. It's in apparently un-fired condition, with box, all papers, only thing missing was the brass cleaning rod. Paid $500 OTD. I wasn't looking for one, but I'm kind of a sucker for old Smiths in great shape...

Well it's fired now, and Dang I like this thing. It's a joy to shoot and it carries wonderfully IWB for me... All great stuff, ...but I feel it would be a shame to put carry-wear on this "museum piece".

Well I started looking for another one, and found one at another favorite LGS, brand new, blued, 3" barrel, no lock, factory Uncle Mike's grips. S&W's website doesn't have it though, and in fact features exactly zero 3" barrel .38Spl J-Frames, much less a 3" M36.

I realize I could get some iteration of a M60 in 3", but I like the slightly unusual, and I like .38s.

So the question: How rare is a 3" M36? Outside of the thousands produced for NYPD back in the day (with the cosmetic wear to prove it), are clean ones unusual or dime-a-dozen?

Thanks for entertaining my OCD ramblings.

 

[USMC8541]

I got one and glad I did. Very difficult to come by. Expect to pay a premium for any S&W revolver. I n general I am seeing very few revolvers for sale anywhere

 

[camsdaddy]

I have purchased a few guns such as a 19-4 and a 36 that I quickly sold because they were too nice to carry. I recently came across a never fired 3" 13. I decided that I was worth it and as soon as I left my ffl I went and shot it and put in leather ad have been carrying since. Shoot it, carry it enjoy it

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Not rare, but I don't see many of them. They were made with two versions of a 3" barrel...a heavy barrel, and a skinny tapered barrel.

This 36-no dash is the skinny barreled variety. I see fewer of this version.

 

[bannockburn]

I loved the 3" heavy barrel version of the Model 36. Great balance, and with a Tyler T Grip adapter easy to conceal.

 

[lowercase]

I've seen them on Gunbroker, and a local gun selling website a couple of times, but they are usually well-worn.

I only ran across one at a LGS, and I grabbed it. It was in nearly mint condition, had the original box, and cost $500. It was also missing the cleaning rod, so it sounds like we got almost the same exact deal.

Here is my 36-1:

 

[USMC8541]

After seeing this post I stopped in the local gun store and spotted a 3" nickel 36 no box or papers. Not a pinned barrel so I am thinking early to mid 1980s. I offered of 400.00 was accepted. Does anyone know when S& W quit making Nickel guns?

 

[sidheshooter]

I don't see them very often, and I look-since my 3" RB heavy barrel is one of my favorite revolvers.

They also made a 37 airweight with the tapered 3"... an LGS out my way had a minty one... for 6 bills.

 

[Old Fuff]

Scarce? Yes, but not rare. The problem is that those that have them tend to hold on to them. For other then pocket or ankle carry they are much more practical then the shorter length. Be that as it may, the snubbie is more popular. If a determined buyer wants one and keeps looking, one will turn up, but asking prices are not going down.

 

[hhb]

Have a 3" standard pinned bbl, rnd butt.

 

[wrs840]

They also made a 37 airweight with the tapered 3"...

Good to know. Now I'll have to watch for those too.

lowercase: I won't waste bandwidth posting a photo of mine. It'd be the same as yours.

Thanks for the great input everyone. I really get a kick keeping an eye peeled for time-proven gems that the majority of folks have no interest in.
...Obviously I'm not the only one.

 

[Gordon]

Model 37 3" = less than one pound loaded (with 158 grain LSWCHP) pocket close in deer rifle.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

The real rare 3" ones are the ones with adjustable sights, but they might be called a model 50, or something different, for the older ones. The newer adjustable sighted ones also had an underlugged barrel.