Smith & Wesson Model 36 Reviews

[John_Doe]

I have a bobbed hammer 1982 model in nickel. Paid $235.00 for it at a gun show in 1996 . Has fired every time I shot it. A definate keeper.

[Will_Carry]

I bought a used model 36 in nickel with a 3" barrel recently. It was born in 1977. This is a great little revolver. It has a case hardened hammer and trigger. The cylinder has no wobble and locks up tight. When I bought this gun I sold my Taurus M85.

The pistol carries well and the small grips are easy grab making it a quick pistol to draw and fire.

[kcmitch]

I have a 1976 model 36, 1 7/8" barrel. Wonderful carry gun. Nice balance and very accurate. Very tight lock up.

[GOANRA]

I had a blued Model 36 during the 80s with the 1.87 in bbl. It was a decent 5 shot, J-frame snubbie with the very small wood grips and fixed sights. Just a bit heavy at 19+ ozs. compared to today's 5 shot snubbies. Some like the weight and there are endless choices of grips.

Gave mine to the wife as I preferred carrying a Charter Arms .357 Mag "Pug" with a full 2 in bbl and factory bobbed hammer (22 ozs) for off-duty carry. It took me 12 years of heavy use to wear it out. (that was before it was known that a 3 in bbl was required to get any benefit of the .357Mag round over the .38 spcl)

Now, I like the Charter Arms "On Duty" model for a 2 inch, 5 shot, 38 spl, snubbie with 'shrouded hammer' for snag-free use, SS/alum at 13 ozs.

After carrying 24/7/365 for almost 40 years now, I am VERY BIASED toward lightweight.
I have spent 99.99% more time carrying, than I have shooting.

[Will_Carry]

Goanra,
I have my model 36 on my hip right now. I'm really diggin this revolver. Since I have been carrying it, I have also been training with it. I feel comfortable that I can get off 5 "accurate enough" shots, with either hand or both hands. I am using Glazer Silver Dots right now, until I can find something better. It's hard finding 38 special SD loads around here.

[GOANRA]

I like Glasers & Corbon +P Pow'rBalls for my snubbies, same round with jacketed, compressed, 6 or 12 shot.

The JHPs aren't going to open with +P ammo from a 2 in bbl, so the jacketed prefrags are ideal.
I tested them and others on 300 lb hog carcasses and became a believer.
The polymer balls ensure penetration and A+ feeding in semis.

Some of the Model 36 'J Frames' were branded "Chief's Special", some 3 in bbls were made, too.