My father was a Leo In MD in the 70's. He gave me my chief on my 18th birthday. He's gone now, but that 36 protects me every day. I'm never without it.

I have a great connection to that gun ,my father carried it as a backup to his S&W model 10 on the Chicago police department .I carried it for 28 years as a backup also for my service on CPD .

I was born in 1957. My grandfather was an Illinois State Trooper and carried this weapon off duty. I entered law enforcement in 1979. He passed in 1995 and my grandmother presented me with his Model 36. I carried it as a backup and still carry it because of its size. A great pocket piece.

Nothing races my pulse like the sight of a classic Chief Special in action.

This is one of the best revolvers ever made.

Purchased my S&W snub nose Chief in 1973 when I started my LE career as my off duty and carried as a backup. Carried it as a Detective into the 80's. Carry it now as a backup. Love it. Still keep it as it was when I bought it.

They are just timeless firearms. Once you get the hang of it there's nothing like it. There's something to be said for the craftsmanship and just the feel of it. Thank you for the video

I was very lucky to find a pristine Model 36 at my local gun shop. From what I can tell, it was made around 1967 and the bluing is immaculate. It came in the original box and has the factory numbers matching grips still in perfect shape. It looks like whoever owned it previously kept it in a dresser drawer and hardly ever fired it. You can tell by looking at it that it was never carried, no holster wear anywhere. I love this revolver and will never sell it, these are classics.

One of the GREATEST models that Smith & Wesson EVER made. The only thing better than a S&W Model 36 is a S&W Model 36-1 (3" barrelled version). I carry my Dad's from time to time. I LOVE IT!!!

My uncle was the Chief of Police in our little town in the 70’s and 80’s and I remember him carrying one of these in a shoulder holster off duty. Before JHP ammo became common, he carried semi wad cutters in his, which was common at the time. He’s retired now and carries a Ruger LCR but gave me that old Smith some years back. That along with my dads Remington Rand 1911 that a range gunny slipped in his pack when leaving Okinawa and his Colt Woodsman are guns I’ll never sell.

I’ve got plenty of high capacity 9mm and full size 1911s. There just something timeless of the j frames. Love my LCR and j-frame

My dads hunting buddy used to carry one when we went elk hunting. Pops and his bud have passed on but we shared a lot of good adventures. I miss all three of them. Cheers 🥂

What a coincidence! I just saw one of these at a shop and picked one up myself! It came with a Tyler T grip adapter and I was shocked how comfortable it was and how the grip adapter puts the finger in the correct spot.

In the 80's I carried the Model 36 as a backup in an ankle holster. Great little firearm.

My uncle, who retired from the Marines, who LOOKS like Major Payne just with a goatee, started his own P.I service after he served in the Gulf War. He use to carry a Smith and Wesson Model 36 concealed when he was working a job. Told me he bought it at a pawn shop for $80 as a special sale. When I asked why he carried it instead of a semi automatic mag fed handgun he said " I like simple sometimes. Nothing as simple as a .38 revolver."

Love these guns. As a young guy it was the first handgun I carried in the woods and otherwise. It was my dad's backup form his cop days it backed up his Model 19 and then later his 459.

I've got a 3" model 36 from 1956. Love it!

My dad's first handgun was a S&W 36 Chiefs Special. It was the first handgun I fired, and it seemed to have tremendous recoil in my 10 year old hands. It had nice deep dark bluing. He carried it everywhere. I have always hoped to inherit it someday.

I will always respect the Chief's Special, because one loaned to me, loaded with round nose lead rounds saved my ass in an armed robbery attempt by two assailants in an alley 45 years ago. If you can shoot, the .38 Special is nothing to sneeze at. When it was over I had one round left, and kind of wished for at least one more shot. So when I got home, I typically carried a Colt Cobra, or a 2-inch Model 12 when I was travelling light. Later on, when I became a Sheriff's Deputy, a nickel finished Model 49 rode in a left hand trouser pocket that I had the uniform shop put a thin leather liner in. Fast forward to the 2000's. I working as a patrolman in a semi-rural railroad town, doing all night shifts alone, with my closest backup 20 miles away. A 3-inch Model 36 that I bought from a retired NYPD detective rode on my ankle in a custom made ankle rig (just because I couldn't find anything off the rack for a 3-inch barrel). I always liked the shootability and increased performance from the 3-inch .38 Special. With the .38, the extra inch of barrel really matters. I was finally dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century by a fairly hairy shooting event involving a fellow officer in the county. When I heard about it, I retired the 3-inch Chiefs in favor of a Glock 26 on the ankle. It held more rounds, and could be fed from the magazines on my duty belt. Now I'm retired, and my J-frame is an 1970's Model 49, worked over for me by the late Frank Smith. I have the same pair of Pachmayr grips you showed in the video. I'm always torn between those and the factory woodies. The Pachys make the gun shoot great, but because they have metal inserts, they add 5 ounces to the weight of the gun. This may not be a bad thing, but I figure if I'm going to carry that weight, I may as well strap on something like my original Shield and enjoy the extra 4 rounds and faster reload. So for now, I'm running the Model 49 with the original factory diamond insert grips, and a Tyler's grip adapter. What can I say, I'm old fashioned. I think it was good that you mentioned arming another person with your snub. In the days before cell phones, my car broke down in the night on trip. The wife and kids were in the car, and I was going to have to walk for help. I had my main gun, a Lightweight Commander, but my wife really wasn't confident with it. So I took my Chief's off of my ankle and gave it to her. I told her that anyone who approached the car who was not me, or not clearly a police officer should be warned to leave, and if they tried to force entry into the car, they should be shot. She understood that and I believe she would have done just that if anyone tried to get after her children. You have a great selection of snubs and I'm envious. I have my eye out for a 3-inch Model 36 at a good price, and if I can find one, I'll put those Pachys on it and wear it inside the waistband every day. Your Rossi 88 was a great little gun as well. I live a quiet life now and mind my own business so I'm probably fine with a Chief's Special as primary armament. Cheers!

The last firearm my Dad purchased was a Model 60. If Dad and Mom were out and about the little revolver was on Dad's person. When Dad went fishing, almost always alone, the 60 went with him. Dad was no pistoleer, but he could mess somebody's day up with the Silvertips he preferred to keep the 60 loaded with. My younger brother inherited the 60 upon our Dad passing away and often utilizes it as his CCW even today.

Ciao sono Italiano, ho appena comprato un piccolo Smith & Welson 36 chief e mi sono subito innamorato di lui. Ho guardato tanti video sul mio nuovo revolver e voglio farti i complimenti perché il tuo video è davvero uno dei più belli , completi e semplici. Grazie 👋

I’ve carried this handgun for over 50 years and consider it one of the best CCW guns ever made.

My father had this has his CCW for years until he passed it down to me. I adore this gun and it fires so well for how small of a revolver it is.

A snub nose is about the coolest looking pistol there is. And, it’s definitely easy to carry. Thanks for the video.

Absolutely love these little guns. My dad had one all the time I was growing up. I saw him make some incredible shots with one of these. We molded our own and reloaded. Wadcutters and semi-wadcutter bullets. Shared with a .38 combat masterpiece and a model 19 .357. Growing up in ks. As a boy there was Jack Rabbits everywhere. Dad was amazingly on them with this little M36. Great memories. Love to have one again. God bless all here.

A classic is a classic for a reason. An art and a function in one with traditional methods 70 years ago. It lasts for a reason. It simply works.

The J-frame is a South Texas pocket carry gun for as long as I can recall, and I am not young. We only have two seasons down here; Africa hot and cool. Nine months of hot and three of cool. Every ten to 15 years it will snow a little. These guns carry so easily. I got a piece of leather and hand stitched my own pocket holster. Even when I carry an OWB G19 and go to the city (very infrequently) I put the Smith in my pocket. I know a guy who carries two of these. Some practice and you can easily hit center mast out to 15 yards every time in rapid fire. They do not fail. Keep them clean. I blow mine out with the air compressor in the barn once a week to make sure no lint or dirt etc. gets in the gun. Takes seconds. A Full cleaning depends upon when it needs it. DO NOT over oil anywhere inside where the hammer is. A tiny drop once a year. I usually take the grips off and clean up in there once a year.

This same model 36 is my go to for my CCW. Super comfortable to carry and small enough to easily conceal.

I purchased my chiefs special in 1966, the same year I started on the PD. I wondered about the newer ammo, so I sent a message to Smith and Wesson. They recommended not using the plus P and stronger ammo in my chief special steal frame. I paid $66 for mine brand new. Love your videos...

Thanks, Sootch! One of the great handguns of all time. I started a career in LE in 1973. We didn't have much choice of concealed carry firearms at that time. Very few states allowed civilians to carry and there was little market for CC handguns, except for off duty police and plainclothes police. The choices of small, powerful handguns (at reasonable prices) were very few. The very few custom 9mm compact carry guns were out of the price range for the average officer with a family to support. The vast majority of off duty/plainclothes officers were carrying Chief's Special or Detective Special revolvers. My department did not allow plainclothes officers to carry .380 pistols as a duty sidearm, but we could carry them off duty. While I like the J frame revolvers, I chose a Model 40 Centennial (hammerless DAO) version of the Model 36. I also acquired, over time, a Colt Detective Special, a Walther PPK/s .380 a Browning Model 1955 .380 and a Mauser HSc .380. That was about the extent of our choices. When the Model 640 came out in .38 +P, I grabbed one of them, and now as a retired officer I carry a S&W Model 642 as one of my EDC handguns. My primary CC handgun now is a S&W Model 3914 DAO, but I still have all the others. I prefer hammerless (or concealed/bobbed hammer) handguns and DA/SA or DAO for concealed carry.

I've watched you for a long time but i've been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I have probably 30-35, 000 worth of like new guns. It was fun watching your channel. My guess is I have about a year left. Take care Sootch.

The model 36 is my sentimental favorite. Dad carried one when he moonlighted as a security guard back in the 60s at a department store. It was the first revolver I shot as a kid.

This is one of my favorite guns ever. I bought mine used in the late 90s. Carried it for years on and off duty. Now it's retired in my safe due to new qualifications standards. However, I'd still carry this in my shoulder rig. Awesome 👍 gun and video.

I bought a S&W 5-shot .38 spl air weight, model 37, back in 1974 when I became a LEO at age 19. Almost 50 years later, it still looks brand new. It’s been a while since I carried it. Nowadays my edc is a .380 Ruger LCP.

I tend to carry a j-frame and a speed loader most days as a primary. I’m not a cop and live in a pretty safe area. I don’t feel like I’m undergunned when I have one of these. So easy to carry everyday without any excuses.

My dad bought one of these in 1969, passed it on the me in 85, and its still in mint condition. Very reliable, high quality gun.

Still have mine since 1983. Never leave home without it.

I work Armed Executive Protection with a few other guys who are retired cops, 2 of which were Sergeants. BOY do those guys love their old Chief Special's. Lol I'm a semi-auto guy first and foremost if I have anything to say about it, but I definitely do appreciate these old classic snubby's.

I’ve got the 442 and 642 and I love them both. Great guns.

Always a good day when Sootch posts a video, let alone a classic. This guy just convinced me to buy a Glock 21; my wife said no more Sootch videos. This is why

One hell of a revolver! I bought mine in 2008 and have never regretted it. Mine is a post 1999 production so it's +P compatible. Eats everything that I feed it.

i grew up with the mod 36 Chief special , my dad was in law enforcement and he carried it religasly everywhere every day and his mod 27 N frame 357 mag boy that was a long time ago the ole days , these S&W's hold a special place in my heart

I love these little revolvers, especially the older ones. I carry mine as a get-off-me gun (as they say). I carry mine as my primary with two-speed loaders depending on where I am going. It is great for long walks around my neighborhood and in the woods. I carry my semi-autos in town due to the crime these days. Great review! Thanks.

My 16 Years old Son used that Gun. And he's happy with that tiny Gun.

Such a great Revolver. I have one just like it that serial numbers to 1953 and it has the 3 inch barrel. It's a beautiful gun they are really a work of art. It is super fun to plink around with light loaded wad-cutters. It even has the original grips and very little holster wear. Beautiful finish.

I inherited a Model 36 and it still functions perfectly today as it did when it was new in the early 60s. There are many great semi-auto choices for carry, but I love the reliability and simplicity of a good revolver. Thanks for the video!

Thanks for the review. This was the gun I saw all the undercover cops carrying in real life and on TV growing up and I always wanted one! I see S&W brought it back in their classic line too. My next purchase for sure!

My first revolver decades ago. Still love it!

NYPD we used the +p semi wadcutters.

I currently have 3 J frames in my collection. My EDC a 442, a 6 shot 32S&W long, and an Airweight version of the 36. I had a 638 that I gave to my son in law along with a Sig P250 and a Model 60 Pro Series that I gave to my youngest granddaughter. Her daddy will hold on to it until she is ready for it. We both agree 5 may be a little young to be packing. Her two older sisters each got a 3" Model 10. I really love these little revolvers and have others from Taurus an 85CH, a 638 clone both 357s and a 7 shot Titanium 357. But the 442 is the one that keeps finding its way into my pocket. Before I acquired the 442 the little Taurus 85 CH, another DAO was my only snubbie and accompanied me everywhere.

Whats a Beauty … Love that .38 Speacial Wont let you Down … Has Enough To Stop the Enemy Very Effectivly well done Sir ..

Still one of if not my favorite revolvers of Al time. I have a few of them :)

I have my Dad’s model 60. I’m glad to know that I can run +P when needed. Thanks

Beautiful patina on that one! he pin in there so the thread does not need to be torqued as hard, creating a smaller ID of the bore. Tuned revolvers have carefully fitted barrels. Veral Smith wrote about this in an article long time ago I've read.

Great video on an awesome handgun. In June 2014 I started carrying a 442 no lock, intending to go back to my M&P Shield that Fall. So far, I haven't carried a bottom-feeder since. As to the grips, I found the wood grips with the open sinus makes the gun not only more comfortable, but more accurate. I don't know why, but it does. That goes for my Rock Island Armory m206, Taurus 856, and Charter Arms Undercover, and Charter Arms Police Undercover.

My father in law gave my wife a 1955 model 36, just like this in the video, that was her grandfather’s. It’s still in the original box, with original receipt and paperwork, and other than the test fire from the factory, it has never been fired. Is beautiful and well taken care of. I have it in the safe and I like to get it out and just look at it sometimes lol It’s a beautiful gun and I would love to shoot it, but I’m not going to obviously. It’s as new as the day as it was purchased 67 years ago. Original receipt says $106.03 after tax.

Great video. Great gun. This is my backup CCW with.38 spl +P JHP and rubber grips.

A gun that doesn't get enough props. I carried my grandfather's as a backup for many years.

I love this little revolver. My brother has one and I am borrowing it. The gun is accurate and comfortable to shoot. I have been carrying it in my brother's IWB holster and have my S&W M&P Bodyguard for pocket backup. Thanks for the video and have a great weekend.

I loved that gun. My dad has that gun and I remember when you put the bullets in and spun the cylinder it made a cool sound.

Always carried mine as back up in ankle holster. Used to practice pulling it smoothly...

I’m glad you gave it a good home !Great presentation ! Your camera is very clear. Your a great patriot 🇺🇸

My father bought 1 for home protection, it had a 5 shot cylinder, a 3" barrel, wood wood grips and it had a blued finish.

Yeah. These little guns never go out of style. They've got class written all over them. Still have my all steel Model 60 which I bought back in '94 and carried for 16+ years before finally semi-retiring it in favor of the newer mini-9mms. My particular gun was rated for +P. Never felt undergunned with 5 rds of 38spl 158gr +P LHP and a spare speed loader or strip.

My dad was a detective in the Philadelphia police department and carried this gun for 25 years every day for work!

My daily carry is a M49 (steel Bodyguard) with the slim wood grips and a Tyler T-Grip that fills in the void behind the trigger guard without adding to the gun's bulk. It also makes the little blaster a joy to shoot!

Loved the podcast with Classic and Larry!! Really good stuff!

carried a model 60 as my back-up pistole' for several years in Dallas. Got an air weight .38 now.

I got a blued model 36 no dash ('67) in mint condition off gun broker with the OG box and paper work for less than the msrp of a new model 36 from S&W. absolutely love it

I have several of these little J frames. Iconic!

A very accurate and effective weapon.

Got one today, haven’t shot yet but geez it feels like me and that piece are one when I hold it. It feels remarkable and tough as nails! I’m honored to own one and it’ll get passed to my daughter. Mine dates to a ‘67-‘68. Great buy at pawn shop

Great Sootch ! good to see you go back to our roots , if any one wants to argue the effectiveness of the 38 Special tell them to look back at the Pilots that carried one , or look back to the Mafia years ! I fear we will never see that quality Blueing again .

I've always been drawn to vintage stuff whether its cars, guitars or guns . And I prefer everything as stock as possible even if a modern upgrade makes it more efficient . I once spent a whole month tracking down an original pick guard for a guitar when I could have just bought a replica right away for 1/3 of the price . Just find something about it cool to know you're experiencing it the same way somebody did at the time

This just popped up. I have one exactly like the one you're using. It was my Grandfather's then my father's. I've owned it for 25 years. It's hard to find good info on these. Thanks for the video!

Pls look into a colt detective special! My dad's gun given to me before he passed. Another beautiful gun! Keep the awesome reviews coming!

My father used to carry one for backup as LEO. Great little gun!

The idea that 38 special is a weaker self defence load, as perceived by some “professionals”, is absurd! A well proven and well respected round, will end a fight in no time! Give a 500 S&W to an idiot, and he’ll still loose a fight! Train, and know your shot placements!

I had a Chiefs Special with standard wood grips and a 3” bull barrel. I wish I had never gotten rid of it - it was light and very accurate with minimal recoil climb.

Scotch, thanks for another informative and excellent video. I just purchased a 1955 pre-model 36 Chiefs Special from my neighbor over the weekend and found your video when researching. Thank you for all of the information.

Nice video. First gun I ever bought, back in the 70s. Got it for $75 with a holster.

Mine is an older Model 60 I purchased from another cop when I was working uniform patrol. It served as a back-up to my issued Model 15 & it was carried as an off duty weapon (we were required to be armed off duty) until my ‘97 retirement. As to maintaining our duty weapon we applied a dollop of liquid car wax then wiped the gun down w/a silicone cloth after a shift on a rainy night.

I had an original from 1955 Smith & Wesson "Chiefs special" snub nosed .38spc revolver. It was in immaculate perfect condition and had never had a single round of ammunition fired from it. It came with the original blue packaging box, the original "Smith & Wesson" branded packaging paper for inside the blue box. Also had the original sales receipt from 1955, Purchased from some Hardware store (Can't remember which one, I believe it was somewhere in Missouri) Mine looked identical to the one you have in this video, that same finish and same grips. Mine was actually still branded as a "Chiefs special" it was so old (I believe they stopped calling them that in 1958, and thats when they began calling it the Model 36) and it was so old that the Hammer has the firing pin at the end of it LOL... I ended up giving it to my father along with a 50ct box of .38 special Hollow points to go along with it

Like many others , the S&W J frame revolvers have always been one of my piles staples. Still use 3 variants today beginning with the model 49 Bodyguard circa 1975. Your Chief Special showcased here is a very nice find 👍

Thank you for the review. One may still obtain a current model without the lock. Mine is a looker: S&W .357 Magnum Pro Series, 5 Star speedloaders, Bianchi speed strips, Hogue S&W logo combat grips, Kramer pocket holster.

Thanks. Enjoyed the video very much! I carried a round butt Chief’s Special as my “Off Duty” revolver from 1977 to 1993 which I bought in 1977. After transitioning to Autos we couldn’t carry the revolver anymore off duty. (Don’t ask me why. I couldn’t tell you) but I still have it. I was also issued a Chief Special when I was a plainclothes officer. 10 rounds total. Five in the gun five on your belt duty carry. LOL.

Great video Sootch.When I was younger I tried Colts &Smith's.Liked Smith's better . Smith shot poa.,poi, with better triggers.Colts had extra round. Both had a lot of options.Smith jumped ahead of the game with Mod 60 all stainless. Stay safe out there.

If you remember the second Police academy movie citizens on patrol Captain lesard actually carried a 36 Chief special

Recently purchased a Model 36 3 inch at a gun show. I'm considering making it my daily carry along with my 642.

I have an identical model 36, with the flat latch. Great gun. I also just bought a new model 442 , without the “Hillary hole”. They make them with and without the lock. I find it to be very controllable with +P ammo.

Really enjoy the old school revolver vids. Thanks

I love those revolvers I really appreciate your videos thank you sir

My dad gave me an old flat latch like your years ago,the bluing is really nice.

I've got one in nickel with the 3" barrel square butt made in 1976 that I replaced the original grips with a Pachmayr"Gripper" grip and it makes this little fireball so much more comfortable to shoot.

Nice pick up! Congratulations and good luck with it

I own the 36-1, 3 inch barrel, love mine

Great review on a true classic. Have the old model in nickel and I love it

I'm fairly new to guns and have a low budget after recently moving here. I was only able to afford/find a Taurus 85 from 1993 , but I REALLY wish I could have a good holster for it.

There’s the argument that the pinned barrels on the j-frames are actually a sturdier platform than non pinned. When the new stainless 640 Centennial came out in around 1990, S&W pinned the barrels into the frame. It was and still is a rock solid design. Sadly, like all good things, S&W cut production corners and went with a screw-in barrel.

I went to a local shop to buy a brand new snubbie and they had an amazing selection of exposed firing pin vintage Smiths. I looked at all of them and ended up buying a "1968" (actually 1971) Model 37 Airweight Chiefs Special. Something about the contrast of the materials and the fitment just captivated me. I wasn't even considering a used gun until I actually saw them there next to the ugly 442s and 642s. This is a curio for me that I will occasionally pocket carry, but if I really enjoy it I'll get something DAO that is +P rated. If you're going to buy a DASA revolver it might as well be pretty and have some history!