Hey everyone, this is Shooting Illustrated bringing you another episode of “I Carry.” In today’s feature, we’re looking at a retro Smith & Wesson Model 36 No-Lock revolver and some related gear. Let’s take a closer look at this setup:
Firearm: Smith & Wesson Model 36 No-Lock .38 Special Revolver (MSRP: $849)
Where to begin with today’s kit? For starters, you can immediately tell we’ve got a retro vibe going on, starting with the Smith & Wesson Model 36 Classic No Internal Lock .38 Special revolver. One of the, ahem, more contentious components of Smith & Wesson’s revolver lineup was the addition of an internal lock in the early 2000s that some allege caused malfunctions, while most everyone else thought spoiled the lines of an otherwise attractive revolver. With the new No Internal Lock line of revolvers, Smith & Wesson is addressing this now.
Other than the retro vibe, the Model 36 is, well, a Model 36. It’s a five-shot J-frame revolver, which is currently Smith & Wesson’s smallest revolver size. The barrel is slightly less than 2 inches, the revolver itself has an overall length of 6.9 inches, height of 4.3 inches and is 1.3 inches wide. Weight, since this is an all-steel revolver, is 19.6 ounces, a few ounces heavier than the Airweight models and nearly half a pound heavier than the Scandium/exotic models. It’s +P rated, and the extra weight makes shooting those more powerful .38 Specials a little more tolerable.
Choosing a five-shot .38 Special revolver when smaller, micro-9 double-stack pistols like the P365 and Hellcat offer more than double the capacity might seem puzzling, but the revolver still has its place as a self-defense tool. If you’re a fan of the revolver and want something with a retro vibe but with modern construction, you’d be hard pressed to find a better option than the Model 36 Classic No Internal Lock option from Smith & Wesson. If it’s the simplicity of operation of the revolver you like, the hardiness (especially if carried in a pocket) or maybe you’re just most comfortable with a wheelgun, it’s worth a look.
On a personal note, this was an easy choice for me to make for an “I Carry” kit. You see, a Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolver was the very first handgun I ever carried after getting my concealed carry permit many years ago. Whether carried on the belt in a leather Jay-Pee holster or inside-the-waistband in a Bianchi Pistol Pocket, the Model 36 started me off in my concealed-carry journey. I’ll always have a certain fondness for the small-frame revolver, and as evidenced by a number of current trainers out there, it’s still considered a viable option for self-defense. From my father’s back-up gun as a police officer to my first concealed handgun, the Smith & Wesson small-frame revolver has been a reliable companion. There’s a lot to be said for that.
Holster: Bianchi Model 57 Remedy Holster, Leathered Tan (MSRP: $71)
When it came to choosing a holster for the retro Smith & Wesson revolver, it was a pretty easy choice on the company—as I mentioned, I carried that vintage 1950s Model 36 in a Bianchi holster for quite a while. I wanted to continue that leather, outside-the-waistband vibe with a modern offering and chose the Model 57 Remedy holster from Bianchi for today’s kit. Constructed of premium leather and an open-top design, the Remedy has a slight cant to facilitate a rapid draw.
One advantage of the small-frame revolver is that it’s not particularly difficult to conceal outside the waistband. The short barrel doesn’t require an overly long concealment garment, and while the revolver’s greater width over a semi-auto makes carrying inside the waistband more challenging, that’s not as big of a deal when carried on the belt. The design of the Model 57 helps alleviate problems that sometimes plague small revolvers with rotating on the belt line—where the bulk of the weight is on or even slightly above the belt, when carried inside-the-waistband there can be a tendency for the gun and holster to splay outward when moving. The design of the Model 57 prevents this—and looks pretty good, too.
Accessory: Buck Knives Squire knife with sheath (MSRP: $83.99)
We’re continuing the retro theme in today’s kit with the Squire knife from Buck Knives. It’s a traditional, lock-blade design with a leather belt sheath and nail notch opening; certainly not the most tactical knife out there – but then again, the Smith & Wesson Model 36 isn’t the most tactical handgun out there, either, so it fits well with this kit.
The Squire features a 2¾ inch, drop-point blade constructed of 420HC steel for ease of sharpening, with decent longevity thanks to Buck’s heat-treatment process. Scales are rosewood, providing a hint of color and aesthetic edge – which can be accentuated with custom engraving on the blade from Buck for a slight upcharge. For the overwhelming majority of tasks for which we actually use our EDC knives – opening packages and breaking down boxes – the Squire is perfectly well suited.
Read the full article here