Model 37 Airweight -- are they fragile?

Cal44 · Apr 3, 2014

I have a new (to me) M37 no dash from manufactured in the mid '70's.

I'm about to take it to the range for the first time and shoot it tomorrow.

It seems like every time I turn around I hear about a M37 developing a frame crack or the barrel breaking and falling off (in one thread here) or other problems.

Almost as bad as kaboom treads for 40 cal shields.

Is this a gun I need to baby and not shoot much?

Maybe keep it in the safe, and consider it a "look-at-a-lot" and "shoot-little" type gun?

Mine is in great shape with no cracks that I can see. 3"

I do have a M36-1 also which is all steel, so maybe I should only shoot it, but I'd like to use the M37 also.

Dave

Sgt 127 · Apr 3, 2014

I've carried the same 642 as a BUG for 20 years. Its not been shot much at all. Maybe 1000 rounds in its life, if that. No sign of cracking. Its the only gun I own that may wear out from the outside in.

I think round count is just part of the reason. It either cracks in the first couple hundred rounds, or, it will last a very long time. And, there is no way of knowing until it happens. I think its a combination of a very torqued barrel and then the bullet going down the barrel makes it swell just a little (snake swallowing an egg thing) The aluminum is already stretched to its absolute limit and it just lets go.

Its not much fun to shoot at all. I would use a 36 or a 60 if I actually planned on shooting it much.

Remember, the gun I pictured may have been cracked the day the guy bought it, it just finally split all the way and the barrel fell out.

murphydog · Apr 3, 2014

I think it will last you several lifetimes of shooting as many standard pressure loads as you can stand. As Sgt 127 noted, the Airweight J frame .38s are unpleasant to shoot even with standard loads, so occasional practice will not add up to a lot of rounds downrange, I think.

Cal44 · Apr 3, 2014

I wonder if the pinned barrel versions are less prone to cracks because the barrel is torqued less.

It looks like the one in sgt's picture did not have a pinned barrel, but I can't be sure with all the damage.

Jim NNN · Apr 3, 2014

I mentioned in another thread that I had inadvertently shot +p .38's through my 1970's model 37. No problem. Not even that uncomfortable, but I have stronger hands. Standard loads were no problem. A gun that size can be a handful for lots of folks, however. Factory wood grips are way cooler than aftermarket, but rubber grips will make it more comfortable for shooting.

Bat Guano · Apr 5, 2014

See you and raise you one. I gave my wife a M37 in 1976; dehorned it, did a little smoothing inside, and "borrowed" it for work for a while in 1980 or so. During that time I ran a couple hundred rounds of "Treasury Loads" (110 JHP +P+) through it. It developed some end shake and carry up issues, and got sent on a trip to Springfield. They replaced the old extractor star and put it back into time.

Since then it's worked fine but gets only standard velocity loads or lighter for practice. Lots of miles on it, lots of finish wear, but for a 38 year old gun, it's doing just fine.

I eventually got a 442 for EDC in 1996 or so. It has about 1000 rounds through it and a rather worn finish.

The air weights stand up well unless you do silly things with them.

Jim NNN · Apr 6, 2014

Since then it's worked fine but gets only standard velocity loads or lighter for practice.

I think that's a good policy. I would follow that guideline if I still had my old 37.

Tam 3 · Apr 6, 2014

Agreed. Standard or less for practice and plinking. The most powerful FACTORY loads that you can stand for carry.

Regards,

Tam 3

LtBlue425 · Apr 19, 2014

Bat Guano said:
See you and raise you one. I gave my wife a M37 in 1976; dehorned it, did a little smoothing inside, and "borrowed" it for work for a while in 1980 or so. During that time I ran a couple hundred rounds of "Treasury Loads" (110 JHP +P+) through it. It developed some end shake and carry up issues, and got sent on a trip to Springfield. They replaced the old extractor star and put it back into time.

The air weights stand up well unless you do silly things with them.

I was only able to fire 5 rounds of the Treasury Load out my 2" M37 with factory grips. A buddy gave me a full box of that ammo in the 80's and there's still 45 rounds left. Wow...that hurt!!

Model 37 Airweight -- are they fragile?

Cal44

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murphydog

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Cal44

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Jim NNN

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Bat Guano

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Tam 3

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