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Old 02-06-2011, 01:24 AM
azdover azdover is offline
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Default Another J Frame 9MM - A "9"37-2

Got to say thanks to guys like Headknocker, Pred, WC145 and Safearm for getting me on this 9MM kick. By the way, Headknocker, sorry you had to get rid of your 940.

Found a 37-2 Airweight small frame recently with a serial number of DAAXXX. I'm guessing a build date of around 2005. The previous owner said he bought it new and had fired only 5 rounds through it. The box listed it as a 37-3, although it's marked as a 37-2 on the frame. It looks LNIB and the barrel is marked +P. Another big plus was no IL!

I dropped in a 940 cylinder I had sitting around. It fit and functioned perfectly. Locks up nice and tight and the B/C is .005. Took it to the range this morning and put a couple of different 9MM rounds through it, some Remington 115 FMJ and some Winchester Silvertips. Suprisingly, it shot close to POA at 10 yards and I had no extraction problems with it like I sometimes do with my 940. Recoil is snappy - not something you want to put a couple of boxes through in one session, but otherwise bearable and controllable. I found it barks with more authority than 38+P in a J frame, but no where near as "character building" as 357 Magnums in a 360.

This is a keeper. I built a "9"60 a while ago, but the lighter weight in my new "9"37-2 is noticeable. This is going to make a nice back up to my normal CCW, a Kimber 9MM Aegis.

Pete





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Old 02-06-2011, 01:30 AM
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That's pretty sweet, brother. I'd like to do a conversion like that someday sooner than later. Where'd you get the cylinder? You said it just dropped in, with no fitting required? The two-tone looks nice. Good job
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Old 02-06-2011, 03:24 AM
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Thanks.

Got the cylinder on Brownells about a year and a half ago. Stock # was 940-000-760. They don't appear to have them in stock right now, but they pop up every now and then on Brownells and in the forum for sale section.

Surprisingly, the cylinder fit with no problems on the 37-2, although I did have to do a little fitting and filing when I first installed it in my old Model 60. Here's a link to how I did it with some references and helpful hints from other members on the board.

Another "9"60

Pete
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Old 02-06-2011, 07:53 AM
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I love the concept and since I'm new at this, I've not seen it before.
I'm learning reloading and from what I read typical pressure and velocity for a 125 gr. bullet in a stout .38 load is 15,600 and 950. By the same token, a 125 gr. bullet in 9 mm is typically 30,600 and 1135.
I am not an expert and am not being a wise acre. Asking seriously - even though the cylinder is obviously built to handle it, is there a concern that the frame isn't?
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Old 02-06-2011, 10:05 AM
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Nice job, you've created a very cool piece. I like the two tone look as well, reminds me of my 36'9'J.
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Old 02-06-2011, 03:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blujax01 View Post
I love the concept and since I'm new at this, I've not seen it before.
I'm learning reloading and from what I read typical pressure and velocity for a 125 gr. bullet in a stout .38 load is 15,600 and 950. By the same token, a 125 gr. bullet in 9 mm is typically 30,600 and 1135.
I am not an expert and am not being a wise acre. Asking seriously - even though the cylinder is obviously built to handle it, is there a concern that the frame isn't?
blujax01,
You bring up a good point on the increased pressure of the 9MM. I'd really prefer that all my fingers stay attached to my hand.

That's something I considered before I started this project. There are a couple converted 9MM alloy J frames already out there. I believe safearm has been running a 637 conversion, HEADKNOCKER had a "9"42 (until hard times have forced him to sell it), and WC145 even qualified with his 36"9", although his is a Scandium frame which is designed to handle 357 Mag pressures. I'm sure I missed a few others. So far, nobody has reported any problems.

My main objective was to try to build a light weight snubbie for CCW that I could drop in my pocket when I was unable or too lazy to holster and carry a full sized handgun. This is not a gun I plan on running hundreds of rounds through. While it is controllable, it starts to sting a little after a couple of cylinders. And like a lot of folks say - this is one gun that is going to be "carried a lot, shot a little." When I want to go to the range for some snubbie practice, I'll take my 940.

I plan on sticking to standard pressure 9MM, measuring and checking the frame after every range session. But if Smith & Wesson ever comes out a Scandium 36"9" or 34"9", I plan on being one of the first to buy one and retire my "9"37-2.

Regards,
Pete

Last edited by azdover; 02-08-2011 at 01:00 AM.
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Old 02-06-2011, 03:43 PM
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Keep in mind that there were no special metals used in the 940s, including the 940PC and that was chambered for the 356TSW and it pushed pressures upwards of 44000psi. The 9mm runs 30000-35000psi, in the same range as the .357mag, the cylinder can contain the pressure no problem. These conversions have been being done for years and I haven't seen where anyone has had one grenade yet. Certainly the aluminum frames aren't as tough as steel or scandium but they seem to be holding up to standard pressure 9mm just fine.

Azdover mentioned that I've qualified with mine, that was 100rds in about 35 minutes with no issues. I've shot 9mm, 9mm +P+, .38 Super, and 9x23 Winchester through my gun with no ill effects. These guns are rugged. His plan to carry the 937 and practice with 940 is a great idea, both of those guns should last him forever.
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Old 02-06-2011, 08:39 PM
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azdover,
You were very fortunate with the conversion, you must live right. I can imagine the recoil is quite snappy. The visual effect of the stainless steel cylinder in the black frame is very nice. Is that a 940 below it in the last photo?
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Old 02-06-2011, 09:34 PM
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Here is the last one I made,
It was a 36.
I went all the way with the 940 barrel and yes the cylinder is reamed to 9X23 length, (Stout round)
Original "T" grip and just some grips I had laying about.
I just bought the thing out today to show a shooting pal, He really liked the looks and the trigger job I did on the gun.
I know, Not a real pinto.
But I still like my home made 936


Shoots 9mm, 38 super and 9X23.
I feel that if you are going to make the conversion, May as well do it!
You did a good job on the 937 ! Looks good!
Peter
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Old 02-06-2011, 11:45 PM
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pred, that thing is sweet!!!
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Old 02-07-2011, 12:16 AM
azdover azdover is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tekarra View Post
azdover,
You were very fortunate with the conversion, you must live right. I can imagine the recoil is quite snappy. The visual effect of the stainless steel cylinder in the black frame is very nice. Is that a 940 below it in the last photo?
Rather be lucky than skillful anyday.

Yep. That's the "Demon Seed" that got me into this mess. Not to mention pictures like pred's "not a real" Pinto

Last edited by azdover; 02-07-2011 at 12:23 AM.
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Old 02-07-2011, 10:58 AM
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Thanks,
I like the looks of my "Pinto" Stainless and blue.
I had a model 60 and a 649 ready to swap barrels, But I thought it would look better as a Pinto so I was happy to find a mint 36 for 225.
Turned out to be a real nice shooter!
Shooting the 38 super round is quite stout but also quite accurate!
Peter
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Old 02-07-2011, 11:15 AM
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azdover,
I also did a another conversion. I picked up a really good 642 at a reasonable price. Just for fun, I swapped the converted 9mm cylinder from my 637 to the 642. I guess the machining of S&W is much better now as the two cylinders fit perfectly. I now have the 637 back as a .38 Special and the 642 is a "942." I had a 940 that I traded with another Forum member; while it was a good gun, it was too heavy (for me) for pocket carry. I guess I was spoiled by the Airweights having carried a 642 as a BUG while a LEO, and my converted 937. With the 942, I have the best of both worlds, 9mm and a lightweight hammerless revolver. I doubt I will ever swap the cylinders again, but it's good to know that I can.
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Old 02-07-2011, 05:39 PM
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Another 9MM light weight J frame!

I wonder if S&W marketing ever takes a look at this forum. One other reason I wanted a "9"37 was ammo commonality with my primary weapon if I ever carried the snubbie as a backup. I'm not in the habbit of carrying more than one gun, but in this day and age, I'm starting to think it may not be a bad idea.
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Old 02-07-2011, 06:41 PM
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Nice looking "9" j frames!!
Been thinking of Buying a new 637 or 642 and having it machined for "9"
Would this work? Are the new light weights up to this? planning on shooting 147s subsonic's any thoughts? Thanks carl
New 637 or 642 out the door 396.00 plus 250.00 (conversion) a light weight 9mm revolver less then 700.00
Carl
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Old 02-07-2011, 07:31 PM
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Nice looking "9" j frames!!
Been thinking of Buying a new 637 or 642 and having it machined for "9"
Would this work? Are the new light weights up to this? planning on shooting 147s subsonic's any thoughts? Thanks carl
New 637 or 642 out the door 396.00 plus 250.00 (conversion) a light weight 9mm revolver less then 700.00
Carl
That's what I did with my 360J. Bought the gun specifically for the conversion, it was $409 at the time. Had Pinnacle do the conversion, plus an action job, chamfer the forcing cone, 1/2 bob the hammer, round and polish the trigger, and install a fiber optic front sight - total was around $400-$450, can't remember exactly. Had Robar finish the cylinder in NP3 and I added a set of Crimson Trace LG-105s. Total, about $1050 and I have a 13oz 9mm snubby set up exactly the way I wanted. I've been carrying it, mostly as a BUG, almost daily for 2+ years now and I've put hundreds of rounds through it, mostly standard pressure 9mm but also 50 or so rounds of 9mm +P+ and another 50 .38 Super plus a few cylinders of 9x23 Winchester (I've never used 147s in any of my 9mms). I haven't a one bit of trouble with it, well worth the money.
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Old 02-07-2011, 07:48 PM
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WC145, thank you
I think I will put a j frame on layaway till next week and plan the conversion. Some real nice revolvers here
Thanks again
carl
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Old 02-07-2011, 08:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by C.S.63 View Post
WC145, thank you
I think I will put a j frame on layaway till next week and plan the conversion. Some real nice revolvers here
Thanks again
carl
I suggest you get one of these new 360's from Bud's as a starting point - Smith & Wession 360 357mag Liquidation Item $483.00 SHIPS FREE - $483 is a steal for a scandium snubby and you can put it on layaway with 20% down. This is exactly the same gun as mine except it's chambered for .357 instead of .38spl. Lighter than the aluminum framed guns but at least as strong as the steel ones.
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Old 12-10-2018, 11:08 PM
JimCunn JimCunn is offline
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I've converted two 637-2s to 9mm. Am doing a third now. Very pleased with them.
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Old 12-11-2018, 05:08 PM
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Details of the conversion would be appreciated.
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Old 12-11-2018, 05:39 PM
JimCunn JimCunn is offline
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I just bought extra titanium .38/.357 cylinders and had TKC ream them for 9x19mm and moonclips. Am doing my third one now.

As an aside, I have 3 cylinders, extractors, and yokes each for each of the three revolvers.
The original stainless .38+P, a titanium .38/.357, and a titanium .38/.357 cylinder reamed for 9mm & the moonclip. I find that for convenience in carrying, I usually have the 9mm cylinders in the revolvers.

Empty weight is 12.5 oz.

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Old 02-08-2019, 10:03 PM
JimCunn JimCunn is offline
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Just finished timing the new extractor star for the third 9mm cylinder for my 637s. On average, takes about 5 minutes per cylinder.
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