Is this a good price on a S&W Model 36 Chief's Special?

[PUCKER]

A buddy of mine has this for sale and I'm considering it. Wanted input from those knowledgeable about S&W and/or Model 36 revolvers. I haven't seen it in person, but it looks really nice. FWIW, I'd really prefer a .357 pocket rocket, not that I'd shoot .357 in it much, but it would be nice to be *able* too! Also really wanted a bobbed hammer job (ie 642, yes, it's a .38 Special) for pocket carry/fire)....but anyway, here's the specs/what it comes with. Fair price?

S&W Model 36 Chief
Nickel .38 spl 5 Shot
1 7/8" Barrel
Galco IWB Holster
Hogue, Stock and aftermarket grips
1 Speed Loader
About 20 various rounds
$500

Here is a picture of the gun for sale (not a sister gun, if you will):

[tauruspt145]

I had mine appraised and it was a .38 special with 95% finish the guy said it was worth 480.00 Hope that helps

[Greybeard]

I'd want to check to see what's stamped on the barrel (and/or use serial number to ask Smith and Wesson) to see if it's rated for +P ammo. If yes, with what comes with it (and it fires OK), $500 looks like a pretty fair deal for both of ya. I've had a Model 36 since about 1976 and it is one accuate snubby (altho considerably heavier than many of the more modern ones.)

FWIW, if I were buying just one snubbie today, it would be the Ruger LCR. FFL buddy selling 'em, including tax, for $454. +P rated, only 13.5 ounces and a much better (DAO) trigger out of the box than J-frames.

[casingpoint]

Somebody quoted a new Airweight 642 or 442 J-frame at under $400 here last week. Not the same gun by any means, but I'm just sayin'...

IMHO, the absence of The Infernal Lock is worth $100 easy. If you want the weight, durability of a carbon steel J-frame or as a showpiece, $450-550 is not out of line for a good clean gun like that. I think they run about $750 for a new one.

[A-R]

That price seems a little high to me, but depends what value you place on the "extras". Hogue grips are $20 new, I just sold one on eBay for $15. 20 rounds could be $25 if it's quality HPs or $5-$10 if it's ball. Galco holster at best is worth $50 and only if it's a model you like/fits you. Speedloaders are $7.50 to $10 new.

The gun itself shouldn't be more than $400-$450, and that's not really a "deal". I just passed up a model 49 Bodyguard Airweight at Austin gun show that I could've had for $425. Had a bit of internal rust, probably would've cleaned off easily, but I wasn't comfortable paying more than $375.

Do others sell for more than this? Sure, but usually they have "collectable" features like pinned barrels and such. Depends how much you like this particular model. You can buy a similar brand-new S&W 637 J-frame Airweight at Academy for $475 (comes with internal trigger lock, which some don't like, but which apparently can be removed). And you can buy J-frames at GT Distributors in Austin for $400. I've seen used Model 60s (nearly identical to the 36 you have pictured) going for $300-$350 or so on TGT.com.

I'm no S&W expert, and I know some guns can be worth more because they're viewed as more desirable or collectable, but I don't know what would make this particular 36 all that collectable (I'm sure someone will point out why I'm wrong).

[A-R]

FWIW, if I were buying just one snubbie today, it would be the Ruger LCR. FFL buddy selling 'em, including tax, for $454. +P rated, only 13.5 ounces and a much better (DAO) trigger out of the box than J-frames.

FWIW, Ruger LCR $369.95 in Austin ... http://www.gtdist.com/ProductDetail.asp ... r=RUG-5401" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tregs]

Maybe it's just the way the light is reflecting off of it, but it sure looks like a M60.
You may want to slide out the cyclinder and check the #. No dash are usually worth more, then, -1, -2, etc.

Looks like a nice gun. Good luck.

[doc540]

Buy it

All the extra's make it worth the money, and with no sales tax, shipping, and transfer it's a decent enough deal.

A little Flitz polish will make it shine like a new dime, too.

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[PUCKER]

Thanks y'all for your input! Regarding the LCR, it's definitely in consideration too...decisions, decisions...!

[A-R]

Buy it

All the extra's make it worth the money, and with no sales tax, shipping, and transfer it's a decent enough deal.

A little Flitz polish will make it shine like a new dime, too.

Nice job with the Flitz, doc. Care to reveal your methods? Is it just as simple as rub the Flitz on with a cloth and then clean it off, or do you use a buffing wheel with a Dremel or such?

[PUCKER]

Well well well....did a little reading on the LCR (I've handle one before, not fired it, I like it..well not now...)....it has an internal locking mechanism...well, that was easy to rule out!

Thanks y'all for your input! Regarding the LCR, it's definitely in consideration too...decisions, decisions...!

[casingpoint]

$370 Ruger LCR v $720 Smith 340 PD
GT Dist. Quoted Prices

The Ruger weighs in at 13.5 ounces, the Smith at 13.3 ounces. Close enough.

For another $100+, Smith offers the 360 Series at 12 ounces, but these have shootability problems even with 130 grain standard target ammo. It's a hoot to fire one, to say the least.

So basically, two LCR's can be had for a little more than the price of a Smith of comprable weight.

I guess the question that begs to be answered is, is there any significant advantage to the lighter LCR over the 15 ounce Airweight J-frame, which can be had for $390 at GT Dist.?