The Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special was the result of a 1950 poll of police chiefs at a conference asking what they wanted in an off-duty revolver — the result was a 5-shot J-frame in .38 Special with a 2-inch barrel. The name "Chiefs Special" came from the chiefs' conference that commissioned it. It became one of the most popular off-duty and backup revolvers in American police history and spawned the entire J-frame family. Type: Revolver Action: Double-Action Caliber: 38 Special Capacity: 5 Year introduced: 1950, USA Weight: 19.5 oz Overall length: 6.75" Status: Active Intended use: law_enforcement, collector, concealed_carry