My youngest Grandkid really freaks around bugs. No, Really he does. He will scream, jump backwards or run away faster than if I ask him to help me with the mulching around the house. I even told him about BUG, the acronym for Back Up Gun but it hasn't cured him around insects.
I started carrying a model 36 while serving on the local counties Civil Defense program. In these early days, we met every other Tuesday at the local truck stop and planned our beats. I found a used 36 no dash at Norms in Largo and traded my Ithaca Model 49 for it. I had only bought it a few years earlier in'65 and took a loss but my new to me used 36 was the start of something good. Like many, in the fore coming years, I carried this piece a lot more than I actually practiced with it.
It was not until 1975 when I saw the error in my ways. I had to use it in a situation on a dark night when I had a misfire. Wow did this open my eyes. My primary gun, (Model 29) was in the shop getting a new red ramp sight put in and was using this 36 as my principal piece that week. When I got home (luckily) I stayed up all night tearing into that gun. It turns out that someone had tried to do an action job and butchered up the innards. It went back to Norms with a full disclosure and I traded it for a new one. I learned then and there to NOT carry with a false sense of security. I test everything including my own skill set no matter what equipment I carry. Contrary to what many believe, the JFrame earned a spot as a Primary piece when I want. Every myth I have ever read about the Chief's Special not being accurate or hard to shoot accurately was poppycock. In a recent JFrame match the competitors proved what they can do with the little revolver. I have won or placed well in many snub-nosed matches as these 5 shot wonders are great little shooters.
Now my most recent (32 years ago) was my third model 36 to earn its place into my battery. This -7 meant that it had the newer improved yoke and screw. So after verifying the quality of this piece, I tested it for regulating the sights. They are set with perfect windage and the elevation is right on for 158 grain SAAMI loads. So, my personal friend of many years, secured me a wide hammer and trigger to be installed and tuned by hand fitting the parts for a reliable and smooth action.. Vito has retired from S&W now but we still keep in touch. As part of my Signature package, he also chamfered the front edges of the cylinder for a pre-war look and ease of reholstering. The real sambar stag was hand fitted by my good friend Col Austin of Austin Originals. I will not have a gun with ill fitting stocks. Some folks say I am picky that way. Just me.
So, one exercise we like to do is shoot a steel IPSC target at 100 yards. This gun will do 5 for 5 offhand more times than not. It is fun to ring the gong with a 1.8 inch barrel. I do have a model 60 and while it is nice to carry maintenance free, I prefer the Carbon Steel guns. Blindfolded, I can tell the difference in stainless vs carbon by the vibration feel and sound. Yes, just like my carbon steel knives, they must be cared for but that work is part of the fun in my opinion. A funny note about Stainless Steel that some may not realize. When it was adapted to gun building, it was not without problems. Galling, relaxed tolerances and price was all a negative issue. Since then we have come a long way where, Stainless has been adapted as the go to material and then one can just paint it any color he wants. (Cheaper). I admit, that after a day of shooting my stainless guns, I can relax a few days, weeks and sometimes months before cleaning them. But for me my first love is a gun beautifully finished with professional bluing.
I am asked many times why the exposed hammer on my 36 instead of hammerless versions. I am one for choices. I can choose to shoot single action or double action if I want and many times proved the need to do so. In my StreetWise series events, I have a scenario where one stands POAR (point of aim ready) and at the timer takes a sniper shot at a steel plate some 20 yards away. If the shooter, lets the round go before the timer, then his score is a DNF. He only needs to hit the gong one time but can shoot as many as he needs to. My record with the JFrame with exposed Hammer is .21 (recently set). Fun stuff.
I carry this thing in a Galco IWB that is also over 30 years old. Good leather wears in, not out. The deep cover carry is comforting to me and presentations or re- holstering can be one handed operations. Now as far as .38 Special vs .357 goes, I think the muzzle blast and recoil of the .357 are past the laws of diminished returns in this size gun. I have shot oodles of light weight, hammerless, all calibers of JFrames and this all steel snubby works for me in .38 special loads. As a handloader and with todays defense crafted ammo, the .38 Special is my choice in the small revolver. Many know already, that I have not drank the high capacity Koolaid when it comes to StreetCarry and this little snubby is a great back up to my EDC 1911 or Model 629.
Night stand, glove box, back pocket or dedicated holster, this little banger is hard to beat. At 22 OZ loaded its, balance is good and recoil and recovery are easy on the hands. With an HKS speedloader in my right pocket I feel well equipped and still retain being a minimalist in an overindulged world today. Upon speed reloading, the Special cases come out fast and with authority than the longer, higher pressure brass of the .357.
I have had a great time wringing everything productive out of my equipment and this little piece goes the distance. My Grandson can even have fun with this BUG.
View attachment 172130
See You on the Range
Trapper
I started carrying a model 36 while serving on the local counties Civil Defense program. In these early days, we met every other Tuesday at the local truck stop and planned our beats. I found a used 36 no dash at Norms in Largo and traded my Ithaca Model 49 for it. I had only bought it a few years earlier in'65 and took a loss but my new to me used 36 was the start of something good. Like many, in the fore coming years, I carried this piece a lot more than I actually practiced with it.
It was not until 1975 when I saw the error in my ways. I had to use it in a situation on a dark night when I had a misfire. Wow did this open my eyes. My primary gun, (Model 29) was in the shop getting a new red ramp sight put in and was using this 36 as my principal piece that week. When I got home (luckily) I stayed up all night tearing into that gun. It turns out that someone had tried to do an action job and butchered up the innards. It went back to Norms with a full disclosure and I traded it for a new one. I learned then and there to NOT carry with a false sense of security. I test everything including my own skill set no matter what equipment I carry. Contrary to what many believe, the JFrame earned a spot as a Primary piece when I want. Every myth I have ever read about the Chief's Special not being accurate or hard to shoot accurately was poppycock. In a recent JFrame match the competitors proved what they can do with the little revolver. I have won or placed well in many snub-nosed matches as these 5 shot wonders are great little shooters.
Now my most recent (32 years ago) was my third model 36 to earn its place into my battery. This -7 meant that it had the newer improved yoke and screw. So after verifying the quality of this piece, I tested it for regulating the sights. They are set with perfect windage and the elevation is right on for 158 grain SAAMI loads. So, my personal friend of many years, secured me a wide hammer and trigger to be installed and tuned by hand fitting the parts for a reliable and smooth action.. Vito has retired from S&W now but we still keep in touch. As part of my Signature package, he also chamfered the front edges of the cylinder for a pre-war look and ease of reholstering. The real sambar stag was hand fitted by my good friend Col Austin of Austin Originals. I will not have a gun with ill fitting stocks. Some folks say I am picky that way. Just me.
So, one exercise we like to do is shoot a steel IPSC target at 100 yards. This gun will do 5 for 5 offhand more times than not. It is fun to ring the gong with a 1.8 inch barrel. I do have a model 60 and while it is nice to carry maintenance free, I prefer the Carbon Steel guns. Blindfolded, I can tell the difference in stainless vs carbon by the vibration feel and sound. Yes, just like my carbon steel knives, they must be cared for but that work is part of the fun in my opinion. A funny note about Stainless Steel that some may not realize. When it was adapted to gun building, it was not without problems. Galling, relaxed tolerances and price was all a negative issue. Since then we have come a long way where, Stainless has been adapted as the go to material and then one can just paint it any color he wants. (Cheaper). I admit, that after a day of shooting my stainless guns, I can relax a few days, weeks and sometimes months before cleaning them. But for me my first love is a gun beautifully finished with professional bluing.
I am asked many times why the exposed hammer on my 36 instead of hammerless versions. I am one for choices. I can choose to shoot single action or double action if I want and many times proved the need to do so. In my StreetWise series events, I have a scenario where one stands POAR (point of aim ready) and at the timer takes a sniper shot at a steel plate some 20 yards away. If the shooter, lets the round go before the timer, then his score is a DNF. He only needs to hit the gong one time but can shoot as many as he needs to. My record with the JFrame with exposed Hammer is .21 (recently set). Fun stuff.
I carry this thing in a Galco IWB that is also over 30 years old. Good leather wears in, not out. The deep cover carry is comforting to me and presentations or re- holstering can be one handed operations. Now as far as .38 Special vs .357 goes, I think the muzzle blast and recoil of the .357 are past the laws of diminished returns in this size gun. I have shot oodles of light weight, hammerless, all calibers of JFrames and this all steel snubby works for me in .38 special loads. As a handloader and with todays defense crafted ammo, the .38 Special is my choice in the small revolver. Many know already, that I have not drank the high capacity Koolaid when it comes to StreetCarry and this little snubby is a great back up to my EDC 1911 or Model 629.
Night stand, glove box, back pocket or dedicated holster, this little banger is hard to beat. At 22 OZ loaded its, balance is good and recoil and recovery are easy on the hands. With an HKS speedloader in my right pocket I feel well equipped and still retain being a minimalist in an overindulged world today. Upon speed reloading, the Special cases come out fast and with authority than the longer, higher pressure brass of the .357.
I have had a great time wringing everything productive out of my equipment and this little piece goes the distance. My Grandson can even have fun with this BUG.
View attachment 172130
See You on the Range
Trapper
