My first handgun that I bought some 50 years ago was a model 36-0. Still have and carry it today! The one thing I say about that gun is that there are a variety of aftermarket grips you can put on it. It’s a definite plus to anyone’s collection!
The rattle is more than likely the transfer-bar safety. Most revovlers with a transfer bar safety rattle because of it. However the Model 36 is amazing. And takes my vote.
The S&W model 36 actually has a 1.8' barrel not a 2" barrel & for a while also came in an optional 3" barrel........as owners know it is an all steel J frame 5 shot revolver chambered in .38 Special..... It was favored for its compact cylinder size by many and right away was nicknamed the Chiefs Special but always stamped as the model 36...My first one is the old pinned barrel snub model which I favored for IWB belt rig carry but also used a Colt Detective Special 6 shot snub in a belt holster only as it was rather poky in an IWB rig for a work gun too....I also used the almost a twin S&W model 37 snub which was the lightweight alloy version of the 36 for ankle carry....while they all were manufactured many decades ago before plus p ammo was made public they were not factory stamped as plus p rated and also did not have all the legal mumbo jumbo stamped on them which was when we lived in a common sense home educated world.....in actuality their factory pressure rating far exceeded the ratings for that ammo which varies from manufacture to manufacture.....we followed the theory of hotter loads for carry loads and shoot some on the range but for extended range shoots used standard velocity factory ammo or reloads ....this was before the short lived Super Vel company introduced their hot loads in mid 70;s which I experimented with and passed on in favor of our own loads....per U Tube test videos today others are discovering that she of our old handholds used in the model 36 exceeded the velocity and energy of some of the vendors plus P loads in addition to having more bullet mass....they also discovered that due to the reduced velocity in the short snub nosed barrels that many of the vendors HP bullets in both standard velocity and plus p ammo do not reliably expand when shot out of these guns..... while I also had old S&W Centennial snub revolvers for wet weather pocket carry besides Bodyguard models and still use all these revolvers I transition"d to the newer alloy first 638 & 642 & 442 models all rated plus P for regular pocket and IWB carry as they are more user friendly due to their lighter weight while still manageable with hotter loads on our older hands......I noted that this U Tuber in his honesty stated that he only fired a small amount of ammo in his tests on the revolvers in his video....my recommendation to anyone planning to carry any snub nose revolver is to plan on expending much time on live fire ranges and continue that practice for as long as you will be carrying that revolver and do both lots of double action as well as some single action practice learning to shoot with either hand as it just might save your life.... oh and yes I use longer barrel revolvers and autos and pack mouse guns too....however for reliability a high quality revolver is hard to beat.....while I only use S&W & Colt model snubs for my personal choice Ruger and some other vendors make some fine ones too while some are not so good. ....and others should try to test shoot some before making a purchase that may end up being a sorry one besides other guns too as my theory is what's best for me may not be best for you.....I still belong to a private gun club with multiple ranges for regular practice.
I inherited a Smith 36 from my dad. It was made sometime in the early 60’s. Very smooth double action trigger, and a glass-rod single action release. I shot it last weekend, and like he says, it’s not a range gun. But it’s loads of fun to shoot, and when carrying it, it disappears on one’s person. They got it right with this one.
I originally purchased the newer model with the new lock. However, I couldn’t stand the look of the lock so I took my time to find a minty model 36 without the lock and bought it. Very happy with my purchase. Will keep this one forever. A truly classic snubby.
I have both of these guns. I concur with all you said. The Ruger is lots cheaper than the Smith. But, as NutnFancy would say, the Smith and Wesson has 2nd Kind of Cool, and the Ruger doesn't.
I had a 1980 M36 but sold it 😢 But, a few months ago I found an excellent 1989 M60 snub, not letting this one go. I also put a set of fingered grooved Hogue grips on it, much better carry and shooting option for me. Love your Turquoise watch band and ring.
With all due respect, I feel like taking advice from a guy who hasn’t even fired the revolvers he’s comparing is like taking advice from a car salesman who hasn’t driven the car/won’t let you drive the car he’s trying to sell you. I feel like this a Ford purist saying a Toyota sucks because the cup holders are plastic/ something might jiggle (while still not driving either cars).
This gun is capable of being fired accurately enough with practice out to 15 yards and further. Unless your threat is within 3 or so feet from you, definitely aim to some degree cause all you have is 5 rounds of 38 special so... you better make those shots count!
The Ruger is a bit bigger than the S&W plus it’s trigger has a false reset that can get you killed in a deadly confrontation if you’re not prepared for it. I’ve carried/shot the J Frames since my 1968 rookie year on the PD & that’s what I carry in retirement.
hold the gun higher up on the back of the grip frame. and you might find it feels better. it certainly will when you shoot it. hands down I like the S&W and have quite a good number of these snubs. you should also look for some of the older guns like this as well as any older Bodyguard ( the real one not the plastic one) and Centennial .and don't worry if they are not +P rated. +P it over rated as ammo goes. and lots of us just use wadcutters. check out Paul Harrel's video "carrying the 38 special concealed" .
Yep! One of my favorites, however he actually carried a Colt detective special, but prop department screwed up , so in a few scenes he’s shown with the model 36.
Not sure about exact dimensions. Thought they were identical. I really gotta have clean guns, so opted for the newer classic. Might pick up a vintage one someday.
My first handgun that I bought some 50 years ago was a model 36-0. Still have and carry it today! The one thing I say about that gun is that there are a variety of aftermarket grips you can put on it. It’s a definite plus to anyone’s collection!
The rattle is more than likely the transfer-bar safety. Most revovlers with a transfer bar safety rattle because of it. However the Model 36 is amazing. And takes my vote.
The S&W model 36 actually has a 1.8' barrel not a 2" barrel & for a while also came in an optional 3" barrel........as owners know it is an all steel J frame 5 shot revolver chambered in .38 Special..... It was favored for its compact cylinder size by many and right away was nicknamed the Chiefs Special but always stamped as the model 36...My first one is the old pinned barrel snub model which I favored for IWB belt rig carry but also used a Colt Detective Special 6 shot snub in a belt holster only as it was rather poky in an IWB rig for a work gun too....I also used the almost a twin S&W model 37 snub which was the lightweight alloy version of the 36 for ankle carry....while they all were manufactured many decades ago before plus p ammo was made public they were not factory stamped as plus p rated and also did not have all the legal mumbo jumbo stamped on them which was when we lived in a common sense home educated world.....in actuality their factory pressure rating far exceeded the ratings for that ammo which varies from manufacture to manufacture.....we followed the theory of hotter loads for carry loads and shoot some on the range but for extended range shoots used standard velocity factory ammo or reloads ....this was before the short lived Super Vel company introduced their hot loads in mid 70;s which I experimented with and passed on in favor of our own loads....per U Tube test videos today others are discovering that she of our old handholds used in the model 36 exceeded the velocity and energy of some of the vendors plus P loads in addition to having more bullet mass....they also discovered that due to the reduced velocity in the short snub nosed barrels that many of the vendors HP bullets in both standard velocity and plus p ammo do not reliably expand when shot out of these guns..... while I also had old S&W Centennial snub revolvers for wet weather pocket carry besides Bodyguard models and still use all these revolvers I transition"d to the newer alloy first 638 & 642 & 442 models all rated plus P for regular pocket and IWB carry as they are more user friendly due to their lighter weight while still manageable with hotter loads on our older hands......I noted that this U Tuber in his honesty stated that he only fired a small amount of ammo in his tests on the revolvers in his
video....my recommendation to anyone planning to carry any snub nose revolver is to plan on expending much time on live fire ranges and continue that practice for as long as you will be carrying that revolver and do both lots of double action as well as some single action practice learning to shoot with either hand as it just might save your life.... oh and yes I use longer barrel revolvers and autos and pack mouse guns too....however for reliability a high quality revolver is hard to beat.....while I only use S&W & Colt model snubs for my personal choice Ruger and some other vendors make some fine ones too while some are not so good. ....and others should try to test shoot some before making a purchase that may end up being a sorry one besides other guns too as my theory is what's best for me may not be best for you.....I still belong to a private gun club with multiple ranges for regular practice.
I inherited a Smith 36 from my dad. It was made sometime in the early 60’s. Very smooth double action trigger, and a glass-rod single action release. I shot it last weekend, and like he says, it’s not a range gun. But it’s loads of fun to shoot, and when carrying it, it disappears on one’s person. They got it right with this one.
I originally purchased the newer model with the new lock. However, I couldn’t stand the look of the lock so I took my time to find a minty model 36 without the lock and bought it. Very happy with my purchase. Will keep this one forever. A truly classic snubby.
I have both of these guns. I concur with all you said. The Ruger is lots cheaper than the Smith. But, as NutnFancy would say, the Smith and Wesson has 2nd Kind of Cool, and the Ruger doesn't.
I own both revolvers and it is exactly like you...I saw hype of the LCR and I shoot both by the way. My 36 is my go to every single day.
Edit: I own the hammerless not the x LCR
Screw that plastic piece of crap! Model 36 is the stuff!
The S&W is in a class of its own. Nothing compares.
Model 36 is the best!
Better than my Model 60? Actually, I have both.
That’s the newer model 36 with the frame mounted firing pin, fake wood grips, and that hideous key lock. 🤮
The rattle is either the rounds going back and forth or the push button cylinder release
I had a 1980 M36 but sold it 😢
But, a few months ago I found an excellent 1989 M60 snub, not letting this one go.
I also put a set of fingered grooved Hogue grips on it, much better carry and shooting option for me.
Love your Turquoise watch band and ring.
With all due respect, I feel like taking advice from a guy who hasn’t even fired the revolvers he’s comparing is like taking advice from a car salesman who hasn’t driven the car/won’t let you drive the car he’s trying to sell you. I feel like this a Ford purist saying a Toyota sucks because the cup holders are plastic/ something might jiggle (while still not driving either cars).
This gun is capable of being fired accurately enough with practice out to 15 yards and further. Unless your threat is within 3 or so feet from you, definitely aim to some degree cause all you have is 5 rounds of 38 special so... you better make those shots count!
A really good different gun review take. Love the Chief.
Very good review , thanks for doing it .
The Ruger is a bit bigger than the S&W plus it’s trigger has a false reset that can get you killed in a deadly confrontation if you’re not prepared for it. I’ve carried/shot the J Frames since my 1968 rookie year on the PD & that’s what I carry in retirement.
hold the gun higher up on the back of the grip frame. and you might find it feels better. it certainly will when you shoot it. hands down I like the S&W and have quite a good number of these snubs. you should also look for some of the older guns like this as well as any older Bodyguard ( the real one not the plastic one) and Centennial .and don't worry if they are not +P rated. +P it over rated as ammo goes. and lots of us just use wadcutters. check out Paul Harrel's video "carrying the 38 special concealed" .
Speaking of movies with this gun.
Detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection carried a model 36 revolver.
Yep! One of my favorites, however he actually carried a Colt detective special, but prop department screwed up , so in a few scenes he’s shown with the model 36.
@@LB-kk3kw He carried a Colt detective for half of the movie and a model 36 for the other half. It's weird
@@seanmathews1826props to both guns!
good review ,
Fun fact: the Joker movie which the main protagonist is the Joker he uses the model 36 through out the film
I like the ruger lcrx i just dont like the raddle sound
If you haven’t fired them you can’t possibly have a valid view of either of them.
My 1960 model looks like it has less height it is profile than the new heritage model cs.
Not sure about exact dimensions. Thought they were identical. I really gotta have clean guns, so opted for the newer classic. Might pick up a vintage one someday.
I believe the current versions have a slightly bulkier frame to accommodate +p ammo.
@@Chris_the_Dingo the frame is the new J magnum frame which is longer.
36 will rattle not as much!
I like the ruger,but the styling is ugly.I have 4 j frames and 2 ruger lcr,s.
Screw Ruger plastic crap> Smith can be worked To almost nothing!