S&W Model 36-1

[Baklash]

I have a S&W .38 spl Model 36-1. Bought it around 1977-78. Gunsmith did a little polishing, etc. to smooth out the trigger. Have put max 50 rounds through it.
Still looks new. First handgun I ever purchased, and I know nothing about this model. Is it a desired or valuable gun? And is it ok for +P ammo? Any info about this model is appreciated. Thanks.

[muggsy]

What you have is a J frame Chief's Special. I would use standard .38 spcl loads and avoid +P loads.

[CJB]

Dunno, but I don't think they were made for +P back in that era, so I'll +1 that thought.

A blue Chief's Special. Nice!

That deserves the standard tiny wooden grips, and a "Tyler's T-Grip" in brushed natural aluminum color... to complete the "big city undercover" motif.

[kenemoore]

I am not a S&W guru, but I work with one. The Model 36, known as a Chiefs Special has been around since the fifties. I almost bought a 1972 model a few months ago, another gentleman beat me to it, it had a pinned barrel and recessed cylinder. It's a nice gun, but they made millions of them, so they are not rare. If you had an unfired, in the box with papers, might be worth something. For my own pistols, any Smith with a model number is okay for me to shoot +p, you will have to decide for your self on that. I have been told by people that I trust that when the Sammi stds were released in the 70's all the loads were a lot weaker than they had been in the past, so today's +P, might have been standard in the past, who knows.

I would keep it and shoot it. I have the model 60, which is basically the same gun in stainless. I used to carry it as BUG, but now a Kahr has that role. If you don't need it anymore, I'm still looking for one :-)

[siam]

A picture or pictures would really help. Based on the S&W 3rd edition your firearm in good is $250 to Ex $350. Now we all know about book values I would say a good price today is $275-300. Today most people want semi autos not a 5 shot revolver.

Mike

[CJB]

I am not a S&W guru, but I work with one. The Model 36, known as a Chiefs Special has been around since the fifties. I almost bought a 1972 model a few months ago, another gentleman beat me to it, it had a pinned barrel and recessed cylinder. It's a nice gun, but they made millions of them, so they are not rare. If you had an unfired, in the box with papers, might be worth something. For my own pistols, any Smith with a model number is okay for me to shoot +p, you will have to decide for your self on that. I have been told by people that I trust that when the Sammi stds were released in the 70's all the loads were a lot weaker than they had been in the past, so today's +P, might have been standard in the past, who knows.

I would keep it and shoot it. I have the model 60, which is basically the same gun in stainless. I used to carry it as BUG, but now a Kahr has that role. If you don't need it anymore, I'm still looking for one :-)

Nah, I've still got lots of 70's and even 60's era 38Spl.

One thing - they went for HEAVY bullets back then. You had 148, 158, ... up to 200g lead round nose. Trying to think what I had between 158g and 200g. Can't remember. Got maybe six or seven boxes of Remington 158g's left, and a few boxes of Hi-Vel 200's, and at least one box of Western-Auto 158's too.

The heavy stuff shot harder, but was no higher in pressure than the light ammo, which has been the fashion to shoot these days. My father used to carry 200g in his Chiefs. His thinking was hit 'em with "the heavy". LEO's like him didn't know a whole lot about ballistics and just relied on what felt good or felt powerful to shoot.

[muggsy]

The Model 36-1 was not designed to shoot +P ammo. Use standard pressure loads only. As per S&W.

[b4uqzme]

The Model 36-1 was not designed to shoot +P ammo. Use standard pressure loads only. As per S&W.

+1.

[Armybrat]

A pinned barrel Model 36 from the '70s that looks "near new" and locks up tight will fetch in the $500 (plus or minus) range if it is all legit, especially with box & papers. S&W pre-locks (the "Hillaryhole") have jumped in value the past couple of years - or so they say on the S&W forums.

I bought one for my MIL 30+ years ago to replace the scary Titan .25 she used to run off a late night intruder. My son now owns it (along with the box & papers) in 99% condition. About 20 years ago I called S&W to ask if those were rated for +P, and the lady said she didn't know. I'd just use standard factory loads if no definitive answers are forthcoming.

I'd love to have one with a 3" barrel & square butt.

Between my two brothers & my three sons we own close to 400 firearms, and that tiny pot metal Titan is the only one ever used in a hostile confrontation.

[b4uqzme]

?..we own close to 400 firearms....

...sounds like one heck of a boating accident looming in your future. Might even make the papers. Be safe. :rolleyes:

[CJB]

I thought S&W was rapidly phasing out the lock.... except on a certain few models?

Did I miss something? Hell, even Ruger got rid of its SA locks...

[ltxi]

Not designed for it but a 36-1 will handle the occasional use of plus P, it's a well made gun. But I wouldn't make a habit of using other than standard pressure.

[Bobshouse]

http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b456/Cynergybob/d554e9b2-fa6e-4fac-a4d4-005dd223b27a_zps9cr57gxc.jpg (http://s1045.photobucket.com/user/Cynergybob/media/d554e9b2-fa6e-4fac-a4d4-005dd223b27a_zps9cr57gxc.jpg.html)

[Barth]

Not designed for it but a 36-1 will handle the occasional use of plus P, it's a well made gun. But I wouldn't make a habit of using other than standard pressure.

+1
Generally +P is ~10% overpressure.
A few cylinders of +P isn't going to blow it up.
I'd fire a few shots to get POA with +P and carry that.
Then practice with standard pressure of similar weight.

I'm running Speer GDHP Short Barrel +P in my S&W 342 ti.
Although that gun is +P rated.

I've fired a few mags of +P 230 gr 45 out of my old school P220 without problems.
Mas Ayoob actually gave me the same advise.
You're just beating up your gun on a steady diet.

Good Luck,
Barth

[ltxi]

^ Different, but similar philosophy here. All my J-Frames have been run with a few +P loads to get a handle on it's POA. But carry loads for all my lightweights, including the 340 M&P, are std pressure Fed 125 NyClads. I do use +P Gold Dots as standard carry loads for my Model 60. But wouldn't for a 36-1.

[Armybrat]

My J-Frame Model 38-3 Airweight is loaded with Federal Personal Defense (low recoil) 110 grain JHP whenever it's being toted around.

http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w349/ScoPro/SWrevolver001.jpg

[muggsy]

The .38 special was originally designed as a black power cartridge. With the switch to modern smokeless powder pressures went up and pressure curves changed. The .38 spcl +P rounds generate roughly the same pressure as the 357 magnum cartridge and should not be use in older .38 special guns. The 357 mag case was made 1/8" longer to preclude the possibility of using .357 Mag ammo in the .38 Special guns. While you may get away with using +P ammo in in an older .38 special handgun you should realize that you are pulling the trigger on a potential hand grenade. If you value your hands and your gun stick with standard pressure loads. Of course, you are free to be as foolish as you want. I still have all ten of my fingers.

[Barth]

The .38 special was originally designed as a black power cartridge. With the switch to modern smokeless powder pressures went up and pressure curves changed. The .38 spcl +P rounds generate roughly the same pressure as the 357 magnum cartridge and should not be use in older .38 special guns. The 357 mag case was made 1/8" longer to preclude the possibility of using .357 Mag ammo in the .38 Special guns. While you may get away with using +P ammo in in an older .38 special handgun you should realize that you are pulling the trigger on a potential hand grenade. If you value your hands and your gun stick with standard pressure loads. Of course, you are free to be as foolish as you want. I still have all ten of my fingers.

Not according to SAAMI.
PSI: 38=17,000, 38+P=18,500 & 357 Mag=35,000.
http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/205.pdf

1) 10% overpressure is no hand grenade - LOL!
2) 38+P isn't in the same area code as 357 Magnum.:)

Barth

[muggsy]

Not according to SAAMI.
PSI: 38=17,000, 38+P=18,500 & 357 Mag=35,000.
http://www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/publications/download/205.pdf

1) 10% overpressure is no hand grenade - LOL!
2) 38+P isn't in the same area code as 357 Magnum.:)

Barth

Barth, I'll give you points for correcting me on the comparison between the pressures for the .38 special and 357 magnum, but in older guns .38 special guns it isn't safe to use +P ammunition. In my opinion anyone who does is running a fools errand. +P ammo should only be used in guns designed for the use of +P ammo. I would never recommend anyone do anything that might destroy a gun or cause personal injury. In dealing with firearms we should always strive to err on the side of caution. See the link below.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_P_ammo.htm

[Barth]

Barth, I'll give you points for correcting me on the comparison between the pressures for the .38 special and 357 magnum, but in older guns .38 special guns it isn't safe to use +P ammunition. In my opinion anyone who does is running a fools errand. +P ammo should only be used in guns designed for the use of +P ammo. I would never recommend anyone do anything that might destroy a gun or cause personal injury. In dealing with firearms we should always strive to err on the side of caution. See the link below.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_P_ammo.htm


chuckhawks? seriously? LOL
I'll go with Massad Ayoob (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCAQFjAAahUKEwjV4u6in4zIAhVRwIAKHdBpDV4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmassadayoobgroup.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNGibJJoJfMsOYLQY21ycT1IzyaFsQ&sig2=82-CZgzTY9QAjnbLo9fkMQ&bvm=bv.103388427,d.eXY).
Limited +P is no problemo.

Barth

[Bobshouse]

chuckhawks? seriously? LOL
I'll go with Massad Ayoob (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCAQFjAAahUKEwjV4u6in4zIAhVRwIAKHdBpDV4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmassadayoobgroup.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNGibJJoJfMsOYLQY21ycT1IzyaFsQ&sig2=82-CZgzTY9QAjnbLo9fkMQ&bvm=bv.103388427,d.eXY).
Limited +P is no problemo.

Barth

Knock yourself out! Nobody here is saying you can't, just trying to keep you and your gun intact.

[muggsy]

Some people have to learn the hard way. And this gun was designed to handle +P ammo.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/05/24/ruger-lcr-kaboom/

[Barth]

Knock yourself out! Nobody here is saying you can't, just trying to keep you and your gun intact.

LOL - I've shot mucho rounds for more years than I want to count.
Only own quality guns and shoot quality ammo.
My guns and I will be fine long after you're gone.

[Barth]

Some people have to learn the hard way. And this gun was designed to handle +P ammo.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/05/24/ruger-lcr-kaboom/

Any gun can blow up.
But a plastic Ruger? Really?
Show me a lightly used S&W 36 that blew up on limited use of quality factory +P ammo.
I dare you.
Isn't that what this thread is about?
Some people can't learn at all - LOL...

Barth

[Bobshouse]

LOL - I've shot mucho rounds for more years than I want to count.
Only own quality guns and shoot quality ammo.
My guns and I will be fine long after you're gone.

Are you saying your mortician will preserve you like bacon?

[b4uqzme]

^^^ that reminds me...I gotta go grocery shopping today. Thanks!

[Bawanna]

Heavy sigh! Deep breath, in with the good, out with the bad, in with the good, out with the bad.

[Armybrat]

For a change of pace - about 25 years ago I accidentally shot myself in the nuts with a tear gas pen.

[Barth]

^^^ that reminds me...I gotta go grocery shopping today. Thanks!

Have to admit I picked up some pork roast today for dinner - LOL.

[b4uqzme]

^^^ never made it out. Had to mow the lawn. :rolleyes: Toasted cheese again for this household.

[b4uqzme]

For a change of pace - about 25 years ago I accidentally shot myself in the nuts with a tear gas pen.

What's that feel like? Enquiring minds want to know...

[Barth]

^^^ never made it out. Had to mow the lawn. :rolleyes: Toasted cheese again for this household.

Well I did order the pork roast with double gourmet mac and cheese - LOL:cool:
The grocery store I go to (Fry's) actually has a bar and flat screen tv's.
Scottsdale AZ isn't that bad at all...

This is similar to my Grocery store -http://winetrekkertv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Wine-Bar-1024x768.jpghttp://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/hYovKiX2fEv-Lwj4556C8w/o.jpg

[Barth]

What's that feel like? Enquiring minds want to know...

As for the gas pen to the balls?
Maybe that dialog needs to be on PM? LOL:p