64 years agoS&W got it right!

ZVP · April 27, 2013, 01:00 AM

64 years ago the Model 36 Chief's Special came out and other manufacturers have been trying to re-invent it ever since!
I can't think of a more strictly business design that carrys, shoots and reliably works as well as this model!
Strengthening the revolver to shoot +P Loads was about the only needed improvement aside from a grip change if so desired.
I waited far too long to buy mine, always putting food or school clothes for the kids first but now that I finally bought mine, a no dash Model 36 and it's a 24/7 companion not soon to be replaced.

ZVP

Glock20/460long · April 27, 2013, 01:40 AM

t's got to be true, I read it on the internet.

PawPaw · April 27, 2013, 06:21 AM

In 1965, they got it right again, when they introduced the Model 60. I'm a big fan of J-frame revolvers, especially the older ones.

wnycollector · April 27, 2013, 07:04 AM

I have a 1966 vintage M36 that gets quite a bit of carry time. My only upgrade was to swap out the stock wood grips for a set of Uncle Mikes boot grips. I carry it IWB in a FIST kydex holster and it just disappears.

shouldazagged · April 27, 2013, 09:24 AM

And then another fine variant, the 40/640 Centennial series. I've carried a dashless 640 for years.

Hell, J-frames are just great little guns!

Dondor · April 27, 2013, 10:38 AM

Inherited a pre 36 from my Father in Law.

I think I looked up the year.. sometime in the 50's... just STD .38. Came with it's big brother ) a pre 10 )

Wonderful gun, I just can't shoot it for anything with the original grip. Just got a Hogue for it and the 10 last week, waiting to go shoot them both.

RedBowTies88 · April 27, 2013, 10:48 AM

They didn't get it right until the model 37

Mine is a 1956 vintage..and gets carried a lot

KyJim · April 28, 2013, 09:39 PM

Quote:

64 years ago the Model 36 Chief's Special came out and other manufacturers have been trying to re-invent it ever since!

Actually SW tried to reinvent the Colt Detective Special which came out in 1927.

Ferretboy · April 28, 2013, 10:26 PM

I recently bought a no dash M36, with a 3 inch barrel,square butt, its my EDC. Trying to get some pachmayr compacs for it. I have an IWB Pro-Carry.

Airman Basic · April 29, 2013, 05:51 AM

Sorry, guys, the extra round in my Colt Cobra seals the deal.

Winchester_73 · April 29, 2013, 01:44 PM

+1 KY Jim. The Detective special was first, although the chief's special is a tad smaller and a tad lighter AFAIK.

As for the extra round that D frame Colts have (Diamondback, Agent, Cobra, Det Spec): if you fire 5x, and you need a 6th shot, you're probably in some really hot water...

shouldazagged · April 29, 2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

As for the extra round that D frame Colts have (Diamondback, Agent, Cobra, Det Spec): if you fire 5x, and you need a 6th shot, you're probably in some really hot water...

Was it Bill Jordan who said, "If you don't get it done with the first six, six more probably won't help much"?

I think it's about right with five as well, though if somebody wanted to give me a really nice Detective Special I certainly wouldn't turn it down.

No offense to civilians who feel the need to carry five spare mags for a .40 or .45, but I don't see it. My intention is to be able to save my elderly butt if a last-ditch, red alert situation occurs, not fight a sustained gun battle. My J-frame and maybe one Speed Strip make me feel pretty safe.

jhvaughan2 · May 2, 2013, 05:01 PM

I'll side with RedBow. The Chiefs was a compromise piece who did not "need" to carry a full size. Making it light (M3) made it right.

xcpd69 · May 2, 2013, 10:37 PM

Another Colt man here. My 70s Agent fills the snubby carry slot. In my hands, a J frame Smith draws blood.

Mine.

Cylinder latch bites my thumb unless I put Pachmayers on it, which defeats it's compactness. Not a problem with the small standard grip of the Agent.

With standard grips and a bobbed hammer, I'm good to go with a pocket pistol I can shoot without spilling my own blood.

P.S. Now Smith K, L and N frames I can and do shoot.

April 27, 2013, 01:00 AM	#1
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	64 years agoS&W got it right! 64 years ago the Model 36 Chief's Special came out and other manufacturers have been trying to re-invent it ever since! I can't think of a more strictly business design that carrys, shoots and reliably works as well as this model! Strengthening the revolver to shoot +P Loads was about the only needed improvement aside from a grip change if so desired. I waited far too long to buy mine, always putting food or school clothes for the kids first but now that I finally bought mine, a no dash Model 36 and it's a 24/7 companion not soon to be replaced. ZVP

April 27, 2013, 06:21 AM	#3
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	In 1965, they got it right again, when they introduced the Model 60. I'm a big fan of J-frame revolvers, especially the older ones. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

April 27, 2013, 09:24 AM	#5
shouldazagged Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2013 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 273	And then another fine variant, the 40/640 Centennial series. I've carried a dashless 640 for years. Hell, J-frames are just great little guns! __________________ "Don't let macho be your epitaph." ---Ed Lovette

April 27, 2013, 10:48 AM	#7
RedBowTies88 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2011 Location: 609 NJ Posts: 705	They didn't get it right until the model 37 Mine is a 1956 vintage..and gets carried a lot __________________ "...with liberty and justice for all." (Must be 21. Void where prohibited. Some restrictions may apply. Not available in all states.)

April 28, 2013, 10:26 PM	#9
Ferretboy Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2012 Location: Longview, WA Posts: 214	I recently bought a no dash M36, with a 3 inch barrel,square butt, its my EDC. Trying to get some pachmayr compacs for it. I have an IWB Pro-Carry. __________________ There is no such thing as Overkill, Dead is Dead!

April 27, 2013, 01:40 AM	#2
Glock20/460long Member Join Date: April 23, 2013 Posts: 68	t's got to be true, I read it on the internet.

April 27, 2013, 07:04 AM	#4
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	I have a 1966 vintage M36 that gets quite a bit of carry time. My only upgrade was to swap out the stock wood grips for a set of Uncle Mikes boot grips. I carry it IWB in a FIST kydex holster and it just disappears.

April 27, 2013, 10:38 AM	#6
Dondor Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2006 Posts: 226	Inherited a pre 36 from my Father in Law. I think I looked up the year.. sometime in the 50's... just STD .38. Came with it's big brother ) a pre 10 ) Wonderful gun, I just can't shoot it for anything with the original grip. Just got a Hogue for it and the 10 last week, waiting to go shoot them both.

April 29, 2013, 05:51 AM	#10
Airman Basic Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2013 Location: South of Interstate 20 Posts: 219	Sorry, guys, the extra round in my Colt Cobra seals the deal.

April 29, 2013, 01:44 PM	#11
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	+1 KY Jim. The Detective special was first, although the chief's special is a tad smaller and a tad lighter AFAIK. As for the extra round that D frame Colts have (Diamondback, Agent, Cobra, Det Spec): if you fire 5x, and you need a 6th shot, you're probably in some really hot water... __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

May 2, 2013, 05:01 PM	#13
jhvaughan2 Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 87	I'll side with RedBow. The Chiefs was a compromise piece who did not "need" to carry a full size. Making it light (M3) made it right.

May 2, 2013, 10:37 PM	#14
xcpd69 Junior Member Join Date: April 1, 2013 Location: State Of Confusion Posts: 3	Another Colt man here. My 70s Agent fills the snubby carry slot. In my hands, a J frame Smith draws blood. Mine. Cylinder latch bites my thumb unless I put Pachmayers on it, which defeats it's compactness. Not a problem with the small standard grip of the Agent. With standard grips and a bobbed hammer, I'm good to go with a pocket pistol I can shoot without spilling my own blood. P.S. Now Smith K, L and N frames I can and do shoot.