A .38 for my thirty-eighth: 3" S&W M36-1.

[oregon45]

Turned 38 today so I figured it was only fitting to pick up another .38spl. This little S&W 3" M36-1 was languishing in the used case of my favorite store, with just enough wear on it to bring the price down to bargain level, but not enough to indicate actual hard use. It is interesting to me how much larger this gun feels than my 1 7/8" Model 36; likely the combination of the increased barrel length and the target-style rib. Action is typical old S&W J-frame so it will get an Apex spring kit and plenty of dry-firing after a thorough cleaning. Looking forward to putting it on the timer against my other J-frame .38's next time I take the snubs to the range; it'll be wearing Pachmayr's for that trip. As nice as the factory stocks look, and as fast as they feel in the hand, every time I shoot with them I'm reminded why so many used S&W's are found without their original grips :D

https://i.imgur.com/hgyEUoj.jpg?1

[SeriousStudent]

That is very spiffy. And one like it is on my "to acquire" list.

Congrats!

[rd62]

Very nice looking piece

[Stephanie B]

Very pretty gun,

[peterb]

Nice!
I had a 3” Model 36 and with Compac stocks it was a nice belt gun for my hand size. But the narrow grooved trigger was uncomfortable for double-action shooting and I eventually sold it. In retrospect I should have replaced the trigger and kept it.

[revchuck38]

That would be so awesome to shoot with wadcutters. :) I've found I need a covered backstrap on a J frame, without it the gun's too small to shoot well.

[mmc45414]

As nice as the factory stocks look, and as fast as they feel in the hand, every time I shoot with them I'm reminded why so many used S&W's are found without their original grips
I like these Altamonts


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191217/719f0400293a5fba05301684ca62187f.jpg

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[JHC]

Very nice!
We have a 3" Model 36 with the square butt I got a few years back and it's a great shooter. Steel frame and that 3" barrel seem to really change the little beastie for the better. Ours is mechanically great but the finish if really worn though.

[FrankB]

My LGS has had a 100% MINT 36-1 sitting in the used case for a few months. The tag reads $500, but they’re negotiable. I would buy it, but I already have two snubnose Model 36 revolvers.

[Jeep]

My LGS has had a 100% MINT 36-1 sitting in the used case for a few months. The tag reads $500, but they’re negotiable. I would buy it, but I already have two snubnose Model 36 revolvers.


If it has a 3 inch barrel, but it. Those prices are just going to go up.

I had a 3 inch model 36. It was incredible beat up, but it was one of the most accurate pistols I have ever shot (my view is that most vintage S&W revolvers are plenty accurate, but I routinely outshot a heavy barrel Model 10 with this).

[Jeff22]

I have two 3 inch S&W 36 revolvers and a three inch S&W 60.

I carried one as my primary off-duty gun for 35 years.

I really like the way the 3 inch balances. All my guns have Pachmayr rubber grips. I've always carried them in OWB leather holsters.

I know a lot of people prefer a shorter barrel on a small revolver to allow pocket carry, but I've always preferred to use a holster.

I have a 3 inch heavy barrel S&W 650 in .22LR that I use as a practice gun.

[Grizzly]

I would suggest you don't even fool with +P rounds. I bought one for my wife in the 80's and it may have been one of my favorite handguns. Problem was that even with Bullseye springs in it, she just didn't shoot it as well as my K frame. I finally traded it for a Ruger .44 Hunter when Illinois started a handgun season years ago. I never dreamed Illinois would ever allow CCW.

When we had the 36 I kept +P in it and only shot them on occasion for familiarization. Mostly it shot wadcutters and light hand loads. But when I traded it you could see that it had loosened where the crane closes to the frame. I don't think it takes very many +P rounds to loosen one. Congratulations on a nice purchase. I wouldn't mind having the old pinned 3" back myself. I think I also liked the Compacs on it along with some S&W banana style grips. But the Compacs really felt much better.

[Bucky]

Turned 38 today so I figured it was only fitting to pick up another .38spl. This little S&W 3" M36-1 was languishing in the used case of my favorite store, with just enough wear on it to bring the price down to bargain level, but not enough to indicate actual hard use.

Congrats. What a great idea. I’d borrow that idea, but I’ve reached the muzzle loader caliber ages. :(

[camsdaddy]

Congrats. What a great idea. I’d borrow that idea, but I’ve reached the muzzle loader caliber ages. :(

I had considered committing to my Glock 43 for my forty third year. It didn’t work. Maybe I will commit to Glock 45 in a year and a half.

[Duelist]

Congrats. What a great idea. I’d borrow that idea, but I’ve reached the muzzle loader caliber ages. :(

Nothing wrong with that! I got a .22 when I turned 22, and a .45 when I turned 45. Haven’t really done it with other birthdays, though.

[Jim Watson]

I think a .75 caliber would require a Destructive Device stamp.