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Introduced in 1950, the Smith & Wesson Model 36 is a five-shot revolver chambered in the .38 Special caliber, with a 2 inch or 3-inch barrel. When the Model 36 was first introduced, it was officially called the .38 Chief’s Special but was commonly referred to as the Chief’s Special. In 1957, S&W changed the name to the Model 36 revolver and began offering the Chief’s Special revolver as a separate model.
The first series of Model 36 revolvers were offered with a 3-inch barrel, and a 2-inch barrel model was introduced later. The Model 36 is built on S&W’s J series frame and is part of S&W’s J frame revolver series. Currently, the Model 36 is only offered in a 2” barrel configuration.
Over the years, S&W has offered the Model 36 in several variants, including:
The Model 36 comes with an exposed hammer and operates as a single action or double-action revolver.
Since the Model 36 was originally designed as a concealment revolver for plainclothes law enforcement offers, it’s an ideal option for concealed carry.
Our top-selling SW Model 36 holster models are inside the waistband (IWB), high riding belt holster models, and ankle holsters. The 36 was a popular backup weapon for police officers carried in an ankle holster for emergency use.
Here are some of the common questions that we see dealing with s w model 36 holster options:
The Ladysmith 36 is a variant of the Model 36 revolver, which will fit a holster made for the Model 36. However, since the Ladysmith was available in both 2” and 3” versions, you would need to order a holster made for the correct barrel length.
The Model 36 is part of the classic S&W J frame series of revolvers so it will fit a holster made for the S&W J frame.
Our top-selling leather paddle holster is the MTR Custom paddle holster, and it’s available in a version to fit a 3” Model 36.
Our top selling pocket holster models for the 2” Model 36 are these:
Since the 36 is offered in both a 2” and 3” version, that’s a bit of a two-part question. If you’re asking about a 3” S&W 36, then, unfortunately, we don’t have an ankle holster that will work. If you’re asking about a Model 36 with a 2” barrel, then this ankle holster is our best-seller: