Has Smith and Wesson ever made...

[NuclearMeltdown]

...a 5-shot J-frame with a 3" barrel, adjustable sights and no underlug in either .357 or .38 Special? Something like the current 3" Model 60, but with no underlug?

Sounds like an ideal lightweight, compact, yet easy-to-shoot revolver. Does it exist?

 

[jjohnson]

Don't recall one.

I've been shooting for 46 years and don't recall ever seeing one cataloged, but I know that S&W has always made special runs under contract - to agencies, governments, and distributors like Lew Horton. So, if you think you saw one, it's entirely possible, but my guess is no underlug would make it a pretty old one. Most folks who would contract such a run would generally go for a lug to keep things snag free.

 

[rcmodel]

Yes they have as a matter of fact.
Model 36-1 Target.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=111178150

But they don't grow on trees anymore!
Getting really hard to find!

rcmodel

 

[NuclearMeltdown]

Yes, rcmodel, that would be what I described. As I was looking online just now I found a picture from Shooting Times that has something similar, only seemingly in nickel (which I don't prefer):

With that one on gunbroker, though, I didn't expect that ugly triangle front sight.

So, then, it does exist...just is hard to find. I think it would be a great woods gun. I really dislike fixed sights, but the small frames seemed to be mostly geared toward those who carry and need the snag-free design of fixed sights.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't think a 3" full lug is much of a burden.

I admire the M60 3" adjustable .38 Special, the last series made before they turned them into magnums.

 

[NuclearMeltdown]

You're right, Jim. Looking at those and comparing it to the current Model 60 shows that there isn't too much of a difference. I do prefer the aesthetics of having no underlug, but practically speaking, little or no difference exists.