Model 36

That MagTech load is at 807 FPS ....so its a little faster than I would prefer...but its not too heavy a load for a J frame.

Whether you like shooting it in a J frame or not ...vs something a little slower is another issue / but it sure won't hurt the gun.
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Hitting your buddies up for reloads is a bad idea...it makes them assume all of the liability for you shooting their ammo. I won't load for -- or sell -- any reloads to my friends ...I don't want the responsibility or the liability.

Just buy commercial ammo ....or invest in your own reloading setups down the road...you'll be a lot better off in my opinion.
 
I myself am putting together a hand press reloading kit (Accidently bought 2 hand press's though.) just having trouble finding materials.

I am pretty much sure i am gonna hold out for a .357 snubbie for now. ones gotta pop up eventually. I think I am set on a Ruger SP101 first choice, and a S&W second choice. now I just gotta find one.
 
THE S&W M36-1 3" 38SPL is one of the greatest snubbies of ALL gun history. Mine would literally outshoot all three of the COLT PYTHONS I had with any 38SPL load you cared to test. For some reason I cannot explain the 3" BBL's on the S&W snubs were head and shoulders above the 2" snub barrels, far more that an inch of rifled barrel would leed you to believe. My 3" M940 is the same way, No fooling.
And so it goes...
 
mrflash said:
I picked up a Mod. 37, 3" used in exc. cond.
My question is: what ammo. do you/does she shoot in it? I've heard & read the "horror stories" about the lightweight guns.
Click to expand...


She practices with gunstore-bought .38 Special lead RN reloads, but keeps it loaded for business (and occassionally practices) with Glaser Safety Slugs.

She's not an LEO, and has no intention of shooting through car doors, walls, whatever - just putting 5 in dead center mass as fast as possible, which she does pretty well.
(She's a gunclub member, shoots weekly)


.
 
Right now with the gun craziness going on it might not be so, but when it settles down the Rugers 3 inch .357 should be found everywhere. Not so with the S&W 36 with a 3 inch barrel. I own more that I should admit to but I think the 3 inch 38 spl J-frames are great. Great size and balance for the 38 spl. and the 3 inch barrel really helps with the longer sight radius. Try to talk them down to $400 or $450 and pick up a really fine revolver.

And try to find a S&W 60 .357 with a 3inch barrel, you won't be sorry.It's the model 36's big bad brother.
3145038472_659ee05597.jpg
 
Bossman, I have already started looking for it. I definetly want the .357 for versatility, including full house loads when I am in the car to shoot through the door if I have to. so down to an SP101 or Model 60.
 
I like the 3" J-frames, but consider the ones with the full underlug a bit too heavy for carry. The M36-1 the OP is considering is a nice size and weight, is concealable, and very pleasant to shoot. The Chief Special is a classic and $500 is not too much for a nice one if that's what you're looking for.

IMO, a .357 in a concealable revolver is a lot of power for the size, but if the recoil is not too much, the 3" .357 K-frames were used successfully for many years by FBI and LE. The 3" M13 in blue and M65 in stainless were considered to be the best gunfighting K-frames made.
 
$500's pretty steep!

Todays escillating crazy market has driven any form of reason from the marketplace. Prices are generally in the $400 range for very nice models still. I would need some proof of the specialty of this certain revolver that would justify the high price.
I would shop around and find a nice, basic, "Stock" revolver for comparisons sake and then decide if the additional cost is justified?
HTH,
ZVP
 
I wouldn't take less than $500 for my M36-0. The 3" barrel gives a nice balance. Most 36's I see have a tapered barrel or bull barrel

This 1975 revolver has a pinned standard barrel and is in 99%+ condition.

smithM3601.jpg
 
This one's a Model 36-6, that I bought for my wife here in KY, December of '92...the price was $325 + tax. That flat satin finish, very rare on a revolver at the time, plus adjustable sights, and a full lugged 3" barrel sold me as soon as I saw it. I was betting that that little 'bit of extra barrel, with some weight from the full length lug would make make an contol & accuracy difference. I was right on both counts.

It's been my wife's carry piece since then, until just recently. (I bought her and my daughter-in-law matching M-637's for that purpose, a year ago). The three incher is mine now, and I've made it a part of my regular CCW rotation, as well as a 'never leave home without it', fishing companion.

The grips shown were bought at the same time, fit both of our hands, hers and mine and do not make any real difference in concealability. As to grip size, unless you've got out-sized paws, I'll bet you can find a pair that make it comfortable to shoot even with heavy 158 grainers.

My only regret is that it's not certified by S&W for +P rounds, like the M-637 Airweight. I carry standard velocity 125 gr JHP's in it now with confidence, but some extra punch would be nice. But even with standard pressure loads, my chrono says I get over 900 fps with some of the boutique SD offerings.

Best Regards, Rod

3inchChiefsSpecial.jpg
 
A stainless steel model 65 in 3 inch (s&w) is probably your best bet if you can find one. I found one in a pawn shop maybe 3 years ago. One of the best guns I have. I say that because if you like the Ruger SP101 I think the 65 is closer to the SP101 than any J frame. J frames are small and not nearly as beefy as a K frame or the SP101. I came very close to buying a SP101 even after I found the 65. And that's saying a lot because the only revolvers I own are S&W. But I am that impressed with it. Short of lucking out on a K frame 357 you may as well look at the Ruger. I haven't looked for them at gun shows in quite a while but they were always around for good prices if you can pay cash at a gun show.
 
I am thinking a .38 now, and a .357 when I can save some money. Who knows I might get lucky, gonna make the LGS/Pawn shop rounds tomorrow.
 
Dont mix aluminum J framed revolvers with +p ammo. Or aluminum K framed revolvers either. Nor aluminum D frame colts either.
 
Per S&W and the marking on the barrel, S&W's M637 Airweight is proofed for +P ammunition. Granted a steady diet of higher pressure ammunition will eventually result in a looser gun, and probably faster than it would with a steel framed one, CCW with +P rounds chambered in that model is authorized by S&W. Rod
 
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