Model 36 Chief's Special

[JulesMaximus]

Ive carried one since the 60s. (Yeah, Im old) Great compromise gun. Easy to carry in pocket, purse or Uncle Mikes in waistband, accurate enough for the purpose and if you need more than 5 shots you are probably in more trouble than you know. Hydra-Shok +Ps FTW.
Ive got 2 Barettas also but usually grab this one still.

Try putting those through one of the Airweight Smiths. Not fun.

 

[olds]

Ive carried one since the 60s. (Yeah, Im old) Great compromise gun. Easy to carry in pocket, purse or Uncle Mikes in waistband, accurate enough for the purpose and if you need more than 5 shots you are probably in more trouble than you know. Hydra-Shok +Ps FTW.
Ive got 2 Berettas also but usually grab this one still.
Had a Taurus hammerless for a while but I like the cocking sound too much to live without it.

She might like a trigger shoe also.

Do want...

Try putting those through one of the Airweight Smiths. Not fun.

Ya, we are staying away from the Airweights.

 

[thebestMAX]

Try putting those through one of the Airweight Smiths. Not fun.

Agreed but we are talking carry not target. Lots of people say a .38 doesnt have enough stopping power but I wouldnt want to get hit with a Hydra-Shok. They look mean in the chambers too.

 

[alkemyst]

Agreed but we are talking carry not target. Lots of people say a .38 doesnt have enough stopping power but I wouldnt want to get hit with a Hydra-Shok. They look mean in the chambers too.

plus .38 is pushing the limit for many females and being able to fire the second shot accurately.

My wife doesn't like autos...the brass ejection freaks her out.

Another wife in the group though uses a hammerless .44...the gun is not fun to shoot, but she is pretty accurate with unloading all 5 rounds and it fits in her tiny purses.

 

[The Heater]

Just get her a Taurus with good grips, save some cash and apply it towards real defense ammo.

If she'll be getting her CCW go with a hammer-less design.

It's nice to have the option of the hammer, but it does snag on clothing at times.

Not a DAO fan.

Like I said, I like the option...but only for longer range shooting.
Up close and personal, DA is all you have time for...point shoot... as quick as you can... and you keep shooting until the threat has ceased. Practice is good!

I have an older Model 60. Same wood grips, J-frame, but stainless.
Great gun for backup but not a great gun for range duty or fun. Jules nails it.

Has your wife tried the S&W yet?

Well, in my 36 years of being a firearms instructor, I've come to learn that most guns will out shoot the shooter.
A good percentage of them, when put in a Ransom Rest, will be much more accurate then most people think.

As for the S&W Model 36/60 and all similar small revolvers, they can print pretty well on a silhouette(man) target. I can keep them in the chest or belly area consistently from 25 yards....and they will print at 50 yards on occasion. For self defense that's as good as anyone needs and most self defense will be between 2 feet and 14 feet. These guns are ideal for that purpose, as long as you can stop your attacker with 5 shots.
I've seen perps continue to advance with more rounds than that in them.
As for Bullseye shooting, at 15-25 yards, these guns are not designed for that. They are a belly gun, for defensive purposes, when somebody at the table is cheating at cards!

 

[The Heater]

Try putting those through one of the Airweight Smiths. Not fun.

No they aren't.....not in a practice session, with little to no stress.
But, in a real self defense scenario, under mucho stress, when you are in fear for your life or that of a loved one, the last thing you are thinking about is the recoil, the sound or how much your hand hurts. Most people that haven't been through that, and even some that have, don't realize any of the negatives as you try to survive.
There is a HUGE difference between plinking, target shooting....and survival.

Agreed but we are talking carry not target. Lots of people say a .38 doesnt have enough stopping power but I wouldnt want to get hit with a Hydra-Shok. They look mean in the chambers too.

A .38, with the right ammo, is a good stopper. I recommend CorBon or WW Silvertips.

plus .38 is pushing the limit for many females and being able to fire the second shot accurately.
This is very true!
My wife doesn't like autos...the brass ejection freaks her out.

Another wife in the group though uses a hammerless .44...the gun is not fun to shoot, but she is pretty accurate with unloading all 5 rounds and it fits in her tiny purses.

Good choice if she can handle it.:thumbsup:

I always advocate that my students use the largest gun that they are comfortable in shooting. Comfort translates into confidence. Confidence and good marksmanship are key to survival.
Dumbest thing a guy can do is force his significant other into shooting some gun that is too much for her to handle. If she likes a .38 or .380... and is proficient and confident with it......so be it.

 

[olds]

Found one but I haven't seen this finish on a 36. What it is? The gun was supposedly produced between 1957 and 1962. The seller is selling it for a friend and doesn't know what finish it is but based that date range on the serial number.

It looks like a 637?

 

[The Heater]

Found one but I haven't seen this finish on a 36. What it is? The gun was supposedly produced between 1957 and 1962. The seller is selling it for a friend and doesn't know what finish it is but based that date range on the serial number.

It looks like a 637?

Yes it does.
If it was manufactured in those years, it would be blued or nickle.
btw....the 3 inch barreled models are nicer to shoot.

 

[olds]

Yes it does.
If it was manufactured in those years, it would be blued or nickle.
....

That's been my experience.

 

[twinrider1]

Olds, if you're still in the market, you might be interested in this deal I saw on Fatwallet. S&W Model M642 $300 shipped

 

[olds]

Olds, if you're still in the market, you might be interested in this deal I saw on Fatwallet. S&W Model M642 $300 shipped

Thanks, I'll check it out.

It's an airweight model. Probably too much kick for her.
But thanks.