model 37 question

[sw44spl]

Is a 37 a stand up gun to alot of shooting? I saw one and man it was lite.

[gm272gs]

I have a 36 and a 637. They both shoot .38SPL the same, which is to say brother, they kick like a mule.

Never tried 38SPL+P in the 637, and don't want to.

I have heard that the 637's "wear out" & I can't believe it. Who the heck would shoot one enough to wear it out ? (see "mule comparison" above)

[redlevel]

I shoot mine "a good bit" with 146 grain 2.6 grain BE loads. In my world, "a good bit" is somewhat less than "a lot." I'm guessing I shoot about 40-50 rounds per month. In fact, I put ten rounds through it yesterday. I usually take it and one or two more j-frames out two or three times a month. It is fairly pleasant to shoot with that load. I shoot a few Remington 125 grain jhp +p two or three times per year in it, because that is my carry load. It isn't really punishing with that load, but paying for those rounds really punishes my pocketbook.

I wouldn't get one to shoot thousands of rounds per year. Hundreds, yes.

[gm272gs]

In other words, I'm a sissy. Okay, I can embrace that. I am.

It kicks like a mule. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[sw44spl]

I was really amazed at how lite it was.I thought it wont stand up to a lot of shooting.I mean about 2 or 3 hundred rds a year.but I see now it will thanks for the info guys.

[kaaskop49]

The 37 came out when the only .38 loads were standard pressure service 158 gr and 148 gr wadcutter target loads (I know there were a few high pressure loads for the N-frame Heavy Duty revolvers). I might want to restrict my 37 shooting to those standard pressure loads. 37s do kick.

[DAinTX]

It's an airweight. The basic idea behind them is "shoot a little, carry a lot". Can they stand up to "a lot" of shooting? Probably, depending on the specifics of volumes and loads. But why would you want to do that? Shoot it enough to be comfortable and competent with it, but there are many other S&W revolvers that are much more pleasant to shoot "a lot" than the Model 37.

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Originally Posted by gm272gs

In other words, I'm a sissy. Okay, I can embrace that. I am.

It kicks like a mule. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

I certainly don't know for sure, but my bet is that you're not a sissy, and that your 37 either has a round butt, or a square butt without a Tyler. With a decent set of grips, the 37 is not bad. If all else fails, you can put a real squeeze on a 37 with RB Magnas like you want a permanent record of the checkering on your middle and ring fingers, and it won't be too bad. SB and Tylers are probably better, or even Pachmayrs if you can tolerate the size. Or maybe some fat stags, especially if it's a SB.

I have faith in Uncle Sam's Misguided Children.

[shouldazagged]

Try a set of Pachmayr Compacs. I think you'll be pleased with the result if not the appearance. I've used them for years. Or if you go with a grip adapter and don't want the hassle of waiting forever for a Tyler T-Grip, check out BK Grips.

[hotrod150]

I like the uncle mikes boot grips on a RB Chief. As comfortable for me (or more so) as any other grips, easy to conceal, good looking, and inexpensive to boot-- S&W still has some for about $22 delivered.

[Autococker07]

I like mine ok with the standard grips, but bought a pair of banana grips that are bigger and it seems like a different gun..... cannot wait to shoot it with them.... I put on average about 100 rds a month through it... it does take a little concentration to shoot well, but can be surprisingly accurate.

[alwslate]

I have a pair of 37s that were made before the slightly larger J frame
airweights came out rated for +P. I suppose they would stand up to
a fair amount of shooting with standard pressure loads but I see no
reason for subjecting them to lots of shooting. To me the issue isn't
the lack of comfort in firing them it's just that with lots of other guns
to shoot, why beat up an older lightweight gun? I believe in the "carry
a lot shoot little" strategy with the older small airweights.

[Double-O-Dave]

sw44spl:

I am quite fond of the Airweight J-frames, and my collection includes a Model 642, Model 38-0, and Model 638-1. I also have arthritis in my hands and wrists, which makes shooting these particular revolvers, uhm, interesting, shall we say? There are a couple of things I've found that help me, and maybe worth your consideration: 1) all of my Airweights are equipped with Crimson Trace LG-405 laser grips. This particular model is designed with an "air chamber" along the back of the grip, and this does a lot to soak up recoil as the chamber is compressed immediately after the piece has been fired. 2) I have a Model 649-0, which is the (all) stainless steel version of the Model 38 and Model 638. It weighs just a few ounces more than the Aireweight versions, but I like to use it at the range for the bulk of my practice, and the extra weight, along with the LG-405 laser grips seem to really help reduce the felt recoil.

Best of luck, and thank you for your service in both the military, and as a peace officer.

Regards,

Dave

[hotrod150]

I own a pre-37 airweight Chief, which I've shot enough to verify reliability. I carry it often, but do my shooting with any one of my several other Chiefs (36's & a 60). They're all set up the same with a smoothed narrow trigger, bobbed hammer, 13# rebound spring, and duty-tuned action, so I feel that practicing with one of the heavier guns carries over to the airweight.