Wheelgun Wednesday: Lipsey’s Exclusive – Smith & Wesson x Field Ethos

February 3, 2026
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Welcome back to Wheelgun Wednesday, where we dust off the timeless allure of revolvers and spotlight the gems that keep the wheelgun faithful spinning. This week, Lipsey's Exclusive drops a stunner: the Smith & Wesson x Field Ethos Performance Center Model 36 DAO in .38 Special. Announced fresh this week, it's a nod to the iconic Chiefs Special from 1950, reborn with a rustic Field Ethos finish—think deep blued steel etched with outdoor motifs like leaping trout and rugged pines—that screams backwoods carry without sacrificing S&W's legendary precision. Double-action-only for streamlined pocket defense, it's tuned by the Performance Center with a glass-smooth trigger pull around 10 pounds, hand-lapped internals, and that flawless lockup revolver fans crave. At just 19.5 ounces unloaded and a compact 6.3-inch overall length, this isn't your grandpa's wheelgun; it's a modern evolution disguised as vintage hardware. What elevates this beyond a pretty collaboration? Lipsey's exclusives have a track record of blending boutique aesthetics with production reliability—remember their Barkeep or Heritage Rough Rider runs?—and this S&W tie-up with Field Ethos (the outdoor lifestyle brand from Outdoor Life) smartly bridges the 2A and hunting worlds. In an era of polymer striker-fired dominance, this DAO 36 reminds us why revolvers endure: zero reliability fuss in mud, rain, or blood, perfect for the deep-woods defender who packs light. The .38 Special +P compatibility means 158-grain JHPs hit hard at 900 fps from the 1.875-inch barrel, ideal for bear country backup or urban appendix carry. Priced around $1,200 (street estimates), it's a premium grab for collectors, but the implications run deeper for the 2A community—it's S&W doubling down on heritage amid anti-gunheadwinds, proving demand for American-made classics fuels innovation. If you're tired of Glock clones, this Lipsey's drop is your cue to pocket some history. Grab one through Lipsey's distributors before they vanish like a good whitetail track—limited runs like this move fast. What's your take: revival of the J-frame kings, or just nostalgic eye candy? Drop your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more wheelgun wisdom next Wednesday.

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Welcome back to Wheelgun Wednesday, where we dust off the timeless allure of revolvers and spotlight the gems that keep the wheelgun faithful spinning. This week, Lipsey’s Exclusive drops a stunner: the Smith & Wesson x Field Ethos Performance Center Model 36 DAO in .38 Special. Announced fresh this week, it’s a nod to the iconic Chiefs Special from 1950, reborn with a rustic Field Ethos finish—think deep blued steel etched with outdoor motifs like leaping trout and rugged pines—that screams backwoods carry without sacrificing S&W’s legendary precision. Double-action-only for streamlined pocket defense, it’s tuned by the Performance Center with a glass-smooth trigger pull around 10 pounds, hand-lapped internals, and that flawless lockup revolver fans crave. At just 19.5 ounces unloaded and a compact 6.3-inch overall length, this isn’t your grandpa’s wheelgun; it’s a modern evolution disguised as vintage hardware.

What elevates this beyond a pretty collaboration? Lipsey’s exclusives have a track record of blending boutique aesthetics with production reliability—remember their Barkeep or Heritage Rough Rider runs?—and this S&W tie-up with Field Ethos (the outdoor lifestyle brand from Outdoor Life) smartly bridges the 2A and hunting worlds. In an era of polymer striker-fired dominance, this DAO 36 reminds us why revolvers endure: zero reliability fuss in mud, rain, or blood, perfect for the deep-woods defender who packs light. The .38 Special +P compatibility means 158-grain JHPs hit hard at 900 fps from the 1.875-inch barrel, ideal for bear country backup or urban appendix carry. Priced around $1,200 (street estimates), it’s a premium grab for collectors, but the implications run deeper for the 2A community—it’s S&W doubling down on heritage amid anti-gunheadwinds, proving demand for American-made classics fuels innovation. If you’re tired of Glock clones, this Lipsey’s drop is your cue to pocket some history.

Grab one through Lipsey’s distributors before they vanish like a good whitetail track—limited runs like this move fast. What’s your take: revival of the J-frame kings, or just nostalgic eye candy? Drop your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more wheelgun wisdom next Wednesday.

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