I recently came across an older model 60 on Armslist. It was a late 80’s model with the box and papers in like new condition for $550 off a local guy. It had spent the last 30 years in a cabinet only fired once, cleaned and put away. I felt like I hit the mother load!
I just bought a 1976 nickel Model 36 w/3" barrel. It looks like it was "grandma's nightstand gun" spotless with almost no rotation ring on the cylinder.
I love the Chief Special, I bought one a few months ago from Smith & Wesson's Classic line. Model 36-10. It is rated for + P. Your Air Weight is rated for +P because the frame has more support than your model 36. At 6:25 in your video, you can see the difference in the way the frames are designed. On your Air Weight look at the frame between the cylinder and hammer, you can see it has more support on the frame compared to your model 36. That's why it's rated for+ P. Anyway, I always enjoy your video's.
Nice Mod. 36. I have a blued one and a nickel one. I have found I like the square butt ones better than round butt. They give me just a little more to hold, but I'm glad to see you got the original style grips on it. Those old stocks are just as classic as the gun.
A classic for sure. An honest gun, too. Not pretending to be a bear stopper or anything sexy. Just an easy to own, easy to carry revolver that (with the right ammo) will do the job if the owner does theirs. Steve Mcgarrett's choice of gun, too. Buy a navy suit, an evil handling 74 Mercury and get a blow wave and you'll be good to go 😆
Mine was made in 1982. No dash, Non-pinned. Yours has the exact plum color effect on the barrel as mine does. Mine has some plum color on the cylinder as well. Adds a very classic and unique touch to it. It's one of my main carry pieces.
Chief's Special is the dream side arm. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to get a permit here in Europe. Maybe one day I'll get one, across the ocean.
David-----love that #36, especially with the provenance...........good job my friend. I have a S&W 442 and pocket carry with the same holster .Have a great weekend
Revisiting your excellent video because now, to go along with my 36 I now own a 60-3 (1989) S&W snubbie. This one is in real good shape just a little holster wear on cylinder from those damn plastic holsters. Gezzz I hate those! It now resides in a Galco Horsehide.
I’ve been carrying & shooting J frames for over 50 years but I DO NOT like the new models w/that ugly keyway above the cylinder release, and will not buy one. Also, I agree w/the retired cop you met b/c as a survivor of three gunfights it IS all about shot placement. My issued .38 served me well in all three instances as long as I was able to keep my head and put shots where they needed to go.
it may not be IDed as a +P model but it does have the beefed up top strap so it really could be used with them. I have a good number of J frames made at different times and have one just like yours made about the same time. after the '82 they began beefing up the top strap to take +Ps.
Nice, very nice evaluation of this model. I have one that has a 3 inch barrel. It is quite nice. Bought a snub nose for my wife, that’s the one I carry, when I carry in my pocket.
I also own a m36 1965 in perfect condition no drag line at all shot once by old owner to much kick sat in her closet for over 50 some yrs then we met became friends and one day she just gave it to me. Said she had no use for the thing. I took one look and said oh no I can't take this I offered her $$$ nope just wanted me to have it. So needless to say I'm now the proud owner of a perfect m 36 no dash flat latch very sweet thanks
Like stated the biggest problem with +p in these old revolvers is the wear and tear over time. People get these ideas in their head of guns exploding and that simply isn't the case
For a min I thought that was a target trigger on it. I forgot all 80's and newer Smiths have the wider trigger. I really want a target trigger to put on my blued Chief's Special. One day I will buy one.
I presumably have a permit for a 36 in the mail but have been waiting for it for 10 days. Over 2 months since I applied and paid for a license. I'm in a slave state of the soviet EU where you need permits for guns.
actually you will wear out the internals anyway because that just happens when you shoot it alot. what happens to a non +P rated revolver is that you will see cracks on the frame just where the top strap meets the frame . ( the frame joints as I call them). when that happens the gun is done. but your has the beefed up top strap so I would be all that concerned , although it is never a bad thing to baby the gun a bit.
@@scooterbob4432 No, his good friend was and he gave that to him in the 80s, when his dept switched to .357 magnum. The 36 was standard issue for detectives for many years too, mine was given to me by a mentor of mine who used it on the job until the 1990s when they switched to sig sauers.
I just picked one of these up used the other day (born date of 1979-80) though i think i paid $100 or so too much. It has some pitting along the top shroud and was missing a screw, which I didn’t notice until getting home. And didn’t come with original grips, had the black rubber Pachmayr grips, which is why I didn’t see the missing side plate screw as the grip hid half of it. But the gun functions great, tight lockup and all! Anyhoo, have a screw coming and a new set of original looking wood grips so it will look pretty good when i get all that installed.
I just got the exact same gun as you with the black packmeyer grips. It’s blued and it’s made in 81’. I took mine home and noticed lots of rusting and some things were loose. Does your serial number start with j?
Jimmy731b np..yes, mine does start with a J. My rust wasn’t as bad as I had originally thought, took a steel cleaning brush to it and it cleaned up just fine. Will just have to make sure to keep that area oiled.
I have been entertaining the thought of buying a .357 caliber and getting away from my semi-auto's. I have a Ruger Security Six but is too big to carry.
My brother has the most recent version, the model 36-10 Classic. As far as I know it's the only model 36 that is +P rated. And yes, it has that absolutely ridiculous key lock. If you can get past that stupid lock, it's a nice little gun.
The dash usually indicates a change in the production process/design, sometimes that change is internal and can't be seen without disassembling the firearm.
They manufacture it in their "classic" line. Is it the same model?...yes.....the same gun?....no. The ones they manufacture now are rated for plus P, contain the internal lock mechanism (Hillary hole) and the frame is a little larger than the older ones. You can find them around 600 to 700 dollars. If I had the choice between a used pre-lock m36 and a new production "classic" one... I would definitely take the used pre-lock one.
I have one of the new Dash-10 Model 36 Classics that Smith is still making. It has the ugly internal lock hole but in a blued finish it isn't as noticeable. Honesty the grips that came with it were the cheapest looking and feeling wood grips I've ever seen. I put some original Model 36 grips on it and that helped tremendously. As far as function it has been flawless and extremely accurate. It came dry as a bone from the factory and needed oil, but after a few drops of Ballistol it was ready to roll. I carry it every day as a pocket gun and I love it. I also agree the original old school Model 36 would be worth tracking down if you're a collector. However, if you're buying it to shoot or as a duty/carry gun, the ability to carry +P loads in the new version is nice.
@Patrick O'Brien BINGO !! Dry fire until the cows come home...it will not harm the firing pin. Too many myths still floating around about revolvers, especially older revolvers. I own a 1969 Model 36 square butt...shoots well.
@Patrick O'Brien Great guns...mine has the original grips. In those days the handgun serial number was impressed on the inside of one of the grip panels. I bought a set of Pachmayr grips for it, and I can still pocket carry, if I desire. Mine had a bobbed hammer and I replaced it with an original spur hammer purchased from Hoosier Gun Works.
@Patrick O'Brien Sorry if I misled you, Patrick. Yes, the serial number is located on the bottom of the grip frame as S&W has for decades. However, in the early days the factory stamped the serial number inside one of the grip panels to show the grips were shipped with a specific revolver. I was fortunate to find a Model 36 with the original grips still intact, which can be difficult to find. Often time, the grips are replaced and lost over the years.
I recently came across an older model 60 on Armslist. It was a late 80’s model with the box and papers in like new condition for $550 off a local guy. It had spent the last 30 years in a cabinet only fired once, cleaned and put away. I felt like I hit the mother load!
I have a Chief's Special that was manufactured in 1956. Love it!
I swear, every time I see this video pop up and see the thumbnail, it reminds me of Norman Reedus in Boondocks Saints. Cool picture.
I carry a 1962 Chief. She’s got plenty of honest wear on her but functions 100%.
I have a 65 model and love it, I'm ol school,
I have a 1979, 10-no dash and have had it by my side or holstered everyday since i bought it in 1981!
I just bought a 1976 nickel Model 36 w/3" barrel. It looks like it was "grandma's nightstand gun" spotless with almost no rotation ring on the cylinder.
I love the Chief Special, I bought one a few months ago from Smith & Wesson's Classic line. Model 36-10. It is rated for + P. Your Air Weight is rated for +P because the frame has more support than your model 36. At 6:25 in your video, you can see the difference in the way the frames are designed. On your Air Weight look at the frame between the cylinder and hammer, you can see it has more support on the frame compared to your model 36. That's why it's rated for+ P. Anyway, I always enjoy your video's.
Nice Mod. 36. I have a blued one and a nickel one. I have found I like the square butt ones better than round butt. They give me just a little more to hold, but I'm glad to see you got the original style grips on it. Those old stocks are just as classic as the gun.
A classic for sure. An honest gun, too. Not pretending to be a bear stopper or anything sexy. Just an easy to own, easy to carry revolver that (with the right ammo) will do the job if the owner does theirs. Steve Mcgarrett's choice of gun, too. Buy a navy suit, an evil handling 74 Mercury and get a blow wave and you'll be good to go 😆
What a gem. I have one in excellent condition considering it dated back to 1964 no dash. I absolutely love it what a great piece of Americana 🇺🇸
Mine was made in 1982. No dash, Non-pinned. Yours has the exact plum color effect on the barrel as mine does. Mine has some plum color on the cylinder as well. Adds a very classic and unique touch to it. It's one of my main carry pieces.
I have a stainless model 60 and wouldn't be afraid to carry with + P. That stainless is very strong.
I enjoyed seeing those guns side by side. The Chief's Special is a classic to treasure and pass down. Besides - it might save your life one day.
I own a 1953 chief special with the flat latch I was lucky to get my hands on it.
Chief's Special is the dream side arm. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to get a permit here in Europe. Maybe one day I'll get one, across the ocean.
The old bodyguard is a better choice, check it out.
David-----love that #36, especially with the provenance...........good job my friend. I have a S&W 442 and pocket carry with the same holster .Have a great weekend
Revisiting your excellent video because now, to go along with my 36 I now own a 60-3 (1989) S&W snubbie. This one is in real good shape just a little holster wear on cylinder from those damn plastic holsters. Gezzz I hate those! It now resides in a Galco Horsehide.
The firing pin does NOT contact the primer when the hammer is at rest. Smith has used an internal hammer block for decades that prevents this.
I love looking at that Model 36. Such a classic!
That was my first handgun and I bought it back in 1971. Still carry it today! However I did change the grips for better control.
I’ve been carrying & shooting J frames for over 50 years but I DO NOT like the new models w/that ugly keyway above the cylinder release, and will not buy one. Also, I agree w/the retired cop you met b/c as a survivor of three gunfights it IS all about shot placement. My issued .38 served me well in all three instances as long as I was able to keep my head and put shots where they needed to go.
it may not be IDed as a +P model but it does have the beefed up top strap so it really could be used with them. I have a good number of J frames made at different times and have one just like yours made about the same time. after the '82 they began beefing up the top strap to take +Ps.
She's a beauty!
I miss my 36. Was a very sweet little gun. Love you intro music BTW.
My favorite pistol of maybe all time.
Old school, love it....
Nice, very nice evaluation of this model. I have one that has a 3 inch barrel. It is quite nice. Bought a snub nose for my wife, that’s the one I carry, when I carry in my pocket.
Nice acquisition ! Just bought one of these myself.
I also own a m36 1965 in perfect condition no drag line at all shot once by old owner to much kick sat in her closet for over 50 some yrs then we met became friends and one day she just gave it to me. Said she had no use for the thing. I took one look and said oh no I can't take this I offered her $$$ nope just wanted me to have it. So needless to say I'm now the proud owner of a perfect m 36 no dash flat latch very sweet thanks
Like stated the biggest problem with +p in these old revolvers is the wear and tear over time. People get these ideas in their head of guns exploding and that simply isn't the case
They still make the 36 and the 10. My 2 favs
Also the 64 is a good one.
@Jake Stockton Yes, they are.
That is one sweet rig, nice score Mr. Drake.
Iconic.....God Bless America
For a min I thought that was a target trigger on it. I forgot all 80's and newer Smiths have the wider trigger. I really want a target trigger to put on my blued Chief's Special. One day I will buy one.
I presumably have a permit for a 36 in the mail but have been waiting for it for 10 days. Over 2 months since I applied and paid for a license.
I'm in a slave state of the soviet EU where you need permits for guns.
actually you will wear out the internals anyway because that just happens when you shoot it alot. what happens to a non +P rated revolver is that you will see cracks on the frame just where the top strap meets the frame . ( the frame joints as I call them). when that happens the gun is done. but your has the beefed up top strap so I would be all that concerned , although it is never a bad thing to baby the gun a bit.
Ask Lee Harvey Oswald if he likes the 38 Special. It is a great round in a great gun. I have 2 of them.
I carry and love my 36, though I do want a 37 because it will be easier to pocket carry in my Mika holster.
I carry my Model 60 occasionally but my bedroom gun is a 36 with a 3” barrel. Love them both.
@@scooterbob4432 my nightstand gun is my model 10 4 inch, I inherited it from my father, it's the gun I learned to shot with.
@@infjintegrityvsnarcissism7295 Was your Dad a police officer? The Model 10 was a standard police gun for quite sometime. Very accurate and reliable.
@@scooterbob4432 No, his good friend was and he gave that to him in the 80s, when his dept switched to .357 magnum. The 36 was standard issue for detectives for many years too, mine was given to me by a mentor of mine who used it on the job until the 1990s when they switched to sig sauers.
@@infjintegrityvsnarcissism7295 Take good care of your Model 10 because it came from your Dad
The 60-7 is rated for plus p even though not marked...don’t know about the 36-7 series. The metal was heat treated to make them stronger...
I just picked one of these up used the other day (born date of 1979-80) though i think i paid $100 or so too much. It has some pitting along the top shroud and was missing a screw, which I didn’t notice until getting home. And didn’t come with original grips, had the black rubber Pachmayr grips, which is why I didn’t see the missing side plate screw as the grip hid half of it. But the gun functions great, tight lockup and all!
Anyhoo, have a screw coming and a new set of original looking wood grips so it will look pretty good when i get all that installed.
I just got the exact same gun as you with the black packmeyer grips. It’s blued and it’s made in 81’. I took mine home and noticed lots of rusting and some things were loose. Does your serial number start with j?
Jimmy731b np..yes, mine does start with a J. My rust wasn’t as bad as I had originally thought, took a steel cleaning brush to it and it cleaned up just fine. Will just have to make sure to keep that area oiled.
Dave , which one of these do you tend to shoot more accurately with ?
And I think they both look great . The bluing on the 36 is sharp.
It’s pretty much a tie. I don’t shoot snubnose pistols very accurately to begin with.
I have been entertaining the thought of buying a .357 caliber and getting away from my semi-auto's. I have a Ruger Security Six but is too big to carry.
Which one you think is better, honestly
Nice vintage smith without the Clinton hole. Love Smith wheel guns no fxxxin hole.
Had one many years ago for off-duty and let it get away. Regret that move today...A grip adapter works very well w/o taking the originals off.
How/Where do I get my grips refinished on the model 36?
I was surprised to see the wide trigger on it. My 36 no dash has the narrow trigger.
'80s and up have the wide trigger.
My brother has the most recent version, the model 36-10 Classic. As far as I know it's the only model 36 that is +P rated. And yes, it has that absolutely ridiculous key lock. If you can get past that stupid lock, it's a nice little gun.
You would think the classics line wouldn't have the lock
How much you get it for
LEOs today dump a mag and mostly miss.
Oil my 40 year taurus revolver in hammer hole & barrel works like new. Nice Smith! 🔫👍
no dash ? or -1 what is the difference is the dash models
The dash usually indicates a change in the production process/design, sometimes that change is internal and can't be seen without disassembling the firearm.
Does anyone know for sure if SW still manufactures this pistol? Some say yes some say no.
They manufacture it in their "classic" line. Is it the same model?...yes.....the same gun?....no. The ones they manufacture now are rated for plus P, contain the internal lock mechanism (Hillary hole) and the frame is a little larger than the older ones. You can find them around 600 to 700 dollars. If I had the choice between a used pre-lock m36 and a new production "classic" one... I would definitely take the used pre-lock one.
I have one of the new Dash-10 Model 36 Classics that Smith is still making. It has the ugly internal lock hole but in a blued finish it isn't as noticeable. Honesty the grips that came with it were the cheapest looking and feeling wood grips I've ever seen. I put some original Model 36 grips on it and that helped tremendously. As far as function it has been flawless and extremely accurate. It came dry as a bone from the factory and needed oil, but after a few drops of Ballistol it was ready to roll. I carry it every day as a pocket gun and I love it. I also agree the original old school Model 36 would be worth tracking down if you're a collector. However, if you're buying it to shoot or as a duty/carry gun, the ability to carry +P loads in the new version is nice.
Today is August 2, 2022, I currently have my on now!
Arthur Fleck used this gun in the 2019 Joker movie.
Don’t dry fire older ones with hammer mounted fire pins.
@Patrick O'Brien
BINGO !! Dry fire until the cows come home...it will not harm the firing pin. Too many myths still floating around about revolvers, especially older revolvers. I own a 1969 Model 36 square butt...shoots well.
@Patrick O'Brien Great guns...mine has the original grips. In those days the handgun serial number was impressed on the inside of one of the grip panels. I bought a set of Pachmayr grips for it, and I can still pocket carry, if I desire. Mine had a bobbed hammer and I replaced it with an original spur hammer purchased from Hoosier Gun Works.
@Patrick O'Brien Sorry if I misled you, Patrick. Yes, the serial number is located on the bottom of the grip frame as S&W has for decades. However, in the early days the factory stamped the serial number inside one of the grip panels to show the grips were shipped with a specific revolver.
I was fortunate to find a Model 36 with the original grips still intact, which can be difficult to find. Often time, the grips are replaced and lost over the years.
Ive got a 36-10 its got the Hillary hole😅
I shoot +p in my no dash
Volume to low