My first Airweight, older model 37 ... Puerto Rican ties

[guitar1580]

Dang, those things really are lightweight !!

For a while now, I've been wanting to upgrade my NAA .22 Mag with a lightweight dependable .38 revolver for pocket carry. I didn't want to have to worry about scratching it up when tossing it in a vehicle's glovebox or in & out of pockets, so I decided to look for an older used "shooter" that is broken in and has some character, and maybe spend less $$ too.

I ended up finding a nice deal on a 1974 S&W model 37 Airweight, with 1 7/8" pinned barrel, very nice worn orig. stocks numbered to the gun, moderate finish wear, slight freckling on cyl, but clean bore and mechanically tight...definitely been shot some. Someone has already stripped the orig. finish from the stocks, and a forum member is going to re-finish them dark ebony low gloss for me.

The dealer told me it came from a stockpile of hundreds of guns sold off by the Puerto Rican government, after being stored for many years. Is anyone familiar with that? Sure makes me wonder how it got there and where it's been.

I found a great hand-made leather pocket holster on ebay for $15 shipped, and it fits perfectly and feels like a wallet in the pocket.

Not a gun that I'll shoot alot, but it's an excellent lightweight pocket gun for times when size & weight are factors. I was tempted by the LCR when it first came out, but all in all, I just love the old pinned Smiths over anything new, for my needs. The fact that mine has some miles on her is fine with me.

A few pics with spare, but nearly identical stocks...will get more after Roy does the originals in black.

Josh P

[Jimmymac46]

My first Airweight also......and my first Smith and Wesson. Was hired fresh out of college in 1968 by a So Cal PD, and bought it from a gun store shortly before starting the academy. I had been shooting since I was 16, but only fired and owned single action revolvers until then, primarily Rugers in all frame and caliber models (all wonderful three screw models back then). Regretably, most of the original old Rugers are long since gone, but I still have my 37 and will always keep it for sentimental reasons (my wife's primary piece now). We still enjoy shoot it today although only for range refreshing. My wife prefers to shoot one of my K-22's, but don't we all?

Today, my primary carry 'J' frame is a 342, which works in the pocket of my Levi's better than the 37, due to the hammerless design.

Congrats on acquiring a quality, somewhat historic firearm. I expect it will provide years of pleasure and security.

[ENGINE18]

Nice gun! I'm on the lookout for another pre-owned, pinned-barrel Airweight also.