I have been trying to figure this out and I'm sure someone on here can help me out. I have been trying to figure out the difference in weight between a couple Airweight guns and their full weight counterparts. First, I'd like to know the unloaded weight difference of a snub (preferably square butt as I'm sure the little bit if extra metal can make an ounce or two of difference) model 37 and a snub (preferably SB) model 36. If someone out there doesn't know the difference with the square butt versions, I'm okay with the difference in round butt, so long as both weights are the same style. So a RB 36 & 37 or a SB 36 & 37.

Also (same applies as above with RB and SB also both unloaded) a snub model 10 and a snub 12.

Thanks you in advance, sorry for being such a specific pain in the butt, but I am looking at some airweight guns, and I'm really a fan of the full weight versions and I'd like to know what the difference is. Thanks S&W community. I can't seem to find this info for the old versions of these guns, I can only find new ones and I'm looking at old 60's and 70's versions of these guns. I've seen a beautiful 37 snub SB for sale and a couple beautiful 12's but I can't find one in person at a store to hold to see if I like it. Thanks again.

2" model 10, 28 oz., 2" model 12 18.5 oz.
2" model 36, 20 oz., 2" model 37 13.5 oz.

All approximate weights, and I doubt the RB vs. SB weights change those figures by more than an ounce if at all.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Ask Santa for a Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson for Christmas. You may find this hard to believe, but you might actually enjoy looking at it more than the guns themselves. And you won't need to feel bad asking others for specs. (Not that you should. It'll just make it more convenient for you. )

Weight is not the only consideration when comparing these models. I personally prefer K frame snubs for the extra round and because the grip size, especially the round butt version, fits my hand much better than a J frame and is easier to shoot. My personal favorite is a RB Model 12.

When it comes to the J Frame Air-weights while the lighter guns are more comfortable to carry, the 6 ounces less weight really take their toll on you when the gun is fired with heavy defense loads. I have preferred to get use to the extra weight of an all steel gun and to have that weight help tame the recoil when the gun is shot. After a while you get use to the weight and it's not important - at least to me when it comes to J Frames.

Thanks you, that's pretty much what I wanted to know. I go to gun shows and gun stores to try and find different old school guns to hold and check out in person, but some of them are hard to hind. In the last year alone I've been to 9 or 10 gun shows and several gun shops and have yet to run into a snub model 10, round butt or square butt. However I will not give up the fight. I originally thought I'd want a round butt Model 36, but thankfully I found one and realized I didn't like it, and ended up loving the SB so much I now own 2 36's with square butts.

I have already asked!! I'm dying to get my copy, and I plan on reading it cover to cover. I want to know everything. I don't particularly like the new revolvers from Smith (other than a couple) but I want to know about all of it. Thanks for the tip though, had I not know about the catalog, I would've been ecstatic to find out about it. Does Colt have anything similar??

I think I'd like the Airweight guns (12 & 37), I just don't like that it kicks more. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the impact of the kick, I just don't shoot quite as straight with the Airweights, but I can adjust. I love square butt J frames, but not so much with the RB. The only K frame I own is a snub 15-3, and again I thought I would never like SB guns, but I do now. So much so I want, not only a RB 10/12 first, but I'd like a SB 10/12 as well now. It's ironic that for someone who thought he'd never like SB guns, I own 3 Smiths now, and all 3 are SB. Go figure!! Still dying to get my hands on a snub 10/12 or 19.

I'm going by memory here, but my square butt 37 weighs 14 oz and my square butt 31-1 (32 long) weights right on at 19 oz.

Both are 2" snubs.

The 31-1 should be close to the same for a similar vintage sq butt 36.

So 5 oz would be good number for the difference.

I agree about the full weight guns. I've always preferred the really just because I just like the weighty guns. I am wondering about Airweights because I'm thinking about getting a 3 inch 36, but I don't want a heavy barrel, and the 37's all have tapered barrels, so if I can't find a no dash 36 3 inch, I'll have to settle for the 37, but I don't think I'd dislike it as much as I previously thought. I see quite a few 12's for sale, snub with either RB or SB, but not so much with 10 snubs. My dad has a 637-2 so I've shot Airweights before, it just feels weird to hold it, though it's nice to carry it. I don't mind the less comfort of shooting the Airweights, I have a Taurus 605, which is a full weight gun, but I love popping off Buffalo Bore 180 gr 357 flat nose lead slugs, and I have replaced the stock rubber grips with a set of magna grips too haha, so I don't mind the gun punch my hand like Ali, but I'm just trying to decide what I'm going to buy down the road based on as much information as I can find without actually holding one. Thank you for the input though, I appreciate any I can get.

That doesn't sound bad at all. I'm trying to convince myself I will like retain Airweight guns without actually seeing one in person. I just love the full weight of the regular guns, I like heavy handguns. I am considering a 3 inch 37 and a snub model 38. Also possibly a snub 12. Just doing a lot of considering before I purchase my next one as I have to buy them online because I can't find most of the stuff I want at a gun shop.

The difference is, I can comfortably shoot .38 in an all-steel J frame all day, but after one cylinder in an Airweight I’m done.

I do not remember the exact weights but my new 442 Pro Series weighs exactly 6oz less than my Model 36 with both being loaded.

Several years ago I used a Model 642 to qualify for an "Off Duty".
After that experience, I went to a Model 649 and NEVER considered an "Airweight" again.