S&W Model 36 Chief's Special?

[treebeard]

A friend of mine asked me if I was interested in buying his Model 36 Chief's Special that he said was brand new. I said, "brand new?" Yup. So.....I went to the range today and checked it out. There are no marks on the cylinder to indicate it has even been rotated more than 20 times, and it is lightly oiled. It LOOKS brand new and darn is that thing tight! I paid him $200 for it. The serial number is J103757, but I can't seem to find out how to track the production year down. Can anyone provide me with some assistance? Oh yeah....it is a blast to shoot and I got some Pachymar grips for it and it now sits in an Uncle Mike's IWB holster. These are crappy pics, but there they are:

 

[magsnubby]

Some one over at the S&W forum (www.smith-wessonforum.com) might be able to give you a birth date.

Nice gun. Great price. What's not to love about A 36?

 

[treebeard]

Many thanks for the link and the props

 

[Lone Star]

You got an excellent price on that gun if it looks as good in person as it does on the forum!

Classic .38 snub, very good gun.

Lone Star

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Very Nice! You got a steal!!!

 

[joneb]

I paid $300 for mine, and not as prestine as yours That's a great deal, with my Mod. 36 I can easily shoot 2" groups at 7 yrds, free hand D.A. I'm very please with mine.

 

[Srigs]

200 is a good price for a 36.

I'm looking for a K-frame snubby for my needs to match my 15-4 so holsters and loaders can work for them both.

 

[treebeard]

I figured I got a good deal on it. The trigger needs some serious breakin in though.

 

[treebeard]

Here is a better picture.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

That's a nice looking model 36! Carrying it IWB with those Pachtire grips could cause some moisture to build up between the rubber and the steel. I'd keep it oiled really good under that rubber. I've taken rubber grips off too many blued S&W's only to find rust, spots, pits, etc.

It's difficult to determine an actual date of manufacture for a S&W...they go more by ship dates from the factory. The "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" indicates your gun more than likely shipped in 1972. But, there is lots of speculation around actual dates made.

You can call S&W at their toll free number and they will give you the date they shipped it...it may have been actually "made" years before.

 

[treebeard]

Thanks for tip on the moisture issue. I plan on keeping it oiled under the rubber for sure. I may get some nice wooden grips from eaglegrips. They make really nice wooden grips. I think I may just have to contact S&W!

 

[Sistema1927]

$200 ?? You stole it!

A vintage 36 like that needs to have its original grips back on, and have a Tyler T-Grip added if you need help with the grip. While the Pachy's are good for some guns, they look a bit out of place on such a classic.

 

[treebeard]

The original grips "look" good, but I have a difficult time getting a good hold on the gun while shooting it. That is why I was thinking about getting some custom wood grips. I found the link for the Tyler T-Grips. Look pretty interesting.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Tyler T's

Like Sistema1927 mentioned, on a classic gun like your 36, the factory wood is the way to go. Tyler T-grips are of the right era (way back when to now) and will give you the feel you are wanting I'd bet.

Heres a 3" 36-no dash tapered barrel with a Tyler t-grip


and a model 49 J-frame with one


and a 19 .357 with one...


and a 15 with one...


I could go on and on but I won't


try one...you'll like it!

 

[treebeard]

I bought a friend for my Model 36. I picked up a 2" S&W 640-3 today. I guess I am on a revolver spreeeeeee I have never owned a revolver without a hammer, but it looks pretty cool. I will post some pics tomorrow.

 

[magsnubby]

That's the bad thing about those J frames...they're addictive...and they look so purty with a pair of nice wood grips...

Check out:
www.badgercustomgrips.com
www.cdnninvestments.com
www.handgungrips.com
www.eaglegrips.com
www.getgrip.com (Hogue)
www.grips4guns.com

 

[Cosmoline]

Cocked & Locked--those are some VERY VERY shiny J's. I've owned many of them (though not that minty), loved them all. The Model 36 and its offspring is one of the top ten handguns of the 20th century IMHO.

 

[Deanimator]

A few years ago, I payed $200 for one a lot less nice. It's a 36 no dash with a bit of pitting near the muzzle. A lawyer friend had a client who was going to the graybar motel and needed to get rid of it. It's not beautiful like yours, but it shoots straight at 50' with the Federal "FBI" load.

I throw it in my hip pocket every time I get an unexpected visitor.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Cocked & Locked--those are some VERY VERY shiny J's.

Thanks to Prestone High Protection Synthetic Wax...available at your local auto parts store. Works better than most...keeps the rust away on my hunting rifles also.