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

Welcome back to another week of Wheelgun Wednesday where we indulge ourselves with some of the best revolvers we can come across - both old and new. This week we are going to focus on something that has a classic look but is very fresh to the market in the Lipsey’s Exclusive Smith & Wesson x Field Ethos Performance Center Model 36 DAO .38 Special just announced this week.

Smith & Wesson @ TFB:

• Wheelgun Wednesday: Colt Anacondas Blued, Optic Ready & Enhanced Grips
• Wheelgun Wednesday: NEW Colt Revolvers with Hogue Overmolded Grips
• Wheelgun Wednesday: Smith & Wesson 629-9 Mountain Gun Review
• Wheelgun Wednesday: Booligan's Muzzle Loader Modernized

Lipsey’s Exclusive - Smith & Wesson x Field Ethos Performance Center Model 36 DAO

The Lipsey’s Exclusive Smith & Wesson x Field Ethos Performance Center Model 36 DAO .38 Special is a true homage and throwback to a simpler time of revolver making where no frills and pure performance wasn’t a mantra, but a way of life. This new Lipsey’s Exclusive has an MSRP of $1,099 (SKU: 14593) and does away with Smith & Wesson’s infamous internal lock (no “Hillary hole” here). The rest of the important specifications you will want to know before cracking open your wallet are listed below as presented by Smith & Wesson:

Technical Specs

• Model: 36
• Width: 1.33”
• Length: 6.94”
• Height: 4.3”
• Weight: 19.5 Oz
• Cartridge: .38 S&W Special
• Capacity: 5
• Action: Double-Action Only (DAO)
• Barrel: 1.88” Blued, Carbon Steel
• Grip: Tyler Gunworks Walnut Boot Grip
• Sights: Gold Bead Front and Integral Notch Rear
• Color/Finish: Blued
• State Compliance: CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MA, NJ, NY, RI, VT, WA, DC
• Cylinder/Frame: Blued, Carbon Steel
• Trigger: 10 Lb

“These revolvers are crafted with the finest materials and precision engineering, making them a piece of history in the making. Each revolver pays homage to the most iconic and collectible designs ever created by Smith & Wesson, now enhanced to meet the demands of today’s shooters. Experience the perfect blend of timeless elegance and cutting-edge technology with Smith & Wesson Classics, and elevate your collection with unmatched quality and heritage.”

Features

Some of the stylistic and internal upgrades prospective concealed carry advocates will appreciate are in the classic appearance - no internal lock, solid frame, and deep bluing - as well as a special Field Ethos engraving on the side plate. Additionally, the internals have been worked over for a Performance Center Action job for the smoothest double-action only (DAO) trigger pull possible.

• Classic Style – Iconic features and appearance to give it a sought after classic aesthetic. No internal lock and solid frame design make this stand out as a classic revolver.
• Special Engraving – A Field Ethos trademark is engraved on the side plate.
• Performance Center® Action Job – Performance Center action job results in a smooth trigger pull.

A Word from Smith & Wesson on the Field Ethos Model 36

“Maryville, Tennessee - February 3rd, 2026 - Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, announces today the release of the Lipsey’s Exclusive Performance Center® Model 36 Field Ethos revolver.

Crafted with the finest materials and precision engineering, this limited-release J-Frame is designed with iconic features, enhanced to meet the demands of today’s shooters. The Model 36 Field Ethos revolver is chambered in .38 Special +P and has a 5-shot capacity. Its no-lock frame and 1.88-inch barrel feature a blued carbon-steel finish that perfectly complements the installed Tyler Gunworks premium walnut boot grips. Out of the box, this model ships with a fixed gold bead front sight and integral notch-in-frame rear sight, ensuring a classically reliable sight picture. As a product of Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center, this Model 36 receives an action job before leaving the factory, resulting in a smooth, consistent trigger pull. This revolver is double-action only, features a bobbed hammer for ease of concealment, and displays a specially engraved Field Ethos trademark on its side plate.”

Who is this Meant For?

This is a throwback-style revolver and it is going to take a throwback-style kind of gun owner, or at least a young person with an old soul. Someone who respects a deep bluing with an old bobbed style hammer, and a special appreciation for prominent, trenched iron sights.

Devoid of frills and flashiness, this isn’t a cheap carry revolver either. Being a limited edition wheelgun hailing from the Lipsey’s Exclusive catalog, it is going to take a gun buyer with some extra coin who might never carry this at all - it will be a centerpiece or show item - or, it will be someone who does carry it yet wants to show it off to all their gun bros whenever they can. In either scenario, this beautiful revolver is definitely worth owning.

Final Thoughts

The Lipsey’s Exclusive Smith & Wesson x Field Ethos Performance Center Model 36 DAO .38 Special at an MSRP of $1,099 might sound expensive to some, but to the discerning wheelgun owner, they will understand and see the value in what is being offered here. While we all miss the days of quality craftsmanship such as this that only would set you back $400 - $500, in today’s market, this is still very fair and an attractive 5-shot for carry.