I have a revolver that is without a doubt the latest made and neatest S&W I own. A 337-1 Ti Airlite is a revolver introduced October of 1999 as a target varartion ( a TARGET vararion!?!) of the 337.
As stated in the S&W catalog 3rd Ed., "The barrel has a shroud around it with a barrel liner through it that is inserted By S&W with a very special tool to engage the lands and groves to tighten it to the frame." Relief cuts around the frame and trigger guard to lighten it and a pin for a lanyard loop so I can wear it on a gold chain around my neck. Wait.... scratch the gold chain idea.



Jacketed bullets only in this revolver because they won't "pull" with recoil like lead rounds would. Not uncomfortable to shoot and very light to carry.
I have a little flap holster for it ride in on the front of my old Alice pack. And 5 rounds of 38 spl. will beat the NAA mini revolver that used to hang off my backpack! Just the right revolver for Indiana bear attacks!

Thank you Mr Burg for parting with a cool little revo.

(I still can't believe you have guns less that 60 years old!?! )

GF

Hey GF that's pretty cool. Never seen one of those.
Is bullet pull really a problem with the 38 Special not being a real hard recoiling round? I'd think you could shoot wadcutters or semi wadcutters as they are seated so far into the case. Just wondering.
Still a neat gun.
Your pics are always so good.

"Is bullet pull really a problem with the 38 Special not being a real hard recoiling round? I'd think you could shoot wadcutters or semi wadcutters as they are seated so far into the case. Just wondering."
BB

It's laser engraved on the other side of the barrel "38 spl +P JACKETED" and I asked the previous owner (rburg) about bullet pull.
He said he did try lead rounds in it and noticed bullet "creep'.
I did an a little test with the first cylinder full I fired. I had some cast rounds and they were so old the lead had turned the color of wheel weights. By round number three a nice shiny ring is noticeable around where the bullet and case meet.
I hate it when he's right.

With semi-jacketed bullets, no problem. I have some of the old Corbon +P lightweight stuff and it didn't unseat the bullet. They're jacketed but they're high FPS rounds (well, as high foot per second as a 38spl can be anyway).
On jacketed 38spl ammo there's a crimp line that I don't notice on lead rounds.
The crimp is the key on this issue, I think.

I wonder if any of the newer lightweight revolvers have the "Jacketed ammo only" laser etching on the barrel? As I said this is the only one of it's kind in my inventory.

GF

I bet that a Lee factory crimp die will keep cast bullets in the case.

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Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas

I also have one of the 3" 337's and normally shoot some light loaded lead bullets without problems. I like to take this on my summer bicycle rides and do a little plinking when location permits. At approx 12 ounces, it is also my favorite carry gun with regular loads. I do not make a habit of shooting +P lead bullets in this revolver due to concerns about bullet pull. I also have a M60-4 which is also a 3" but in stainless and it is farm more pleasant to shoot but weighs twice as much.

Ward

If you're going to shoot +P ammo, its got to be jacketed. If its lead, it will move. If you're shooting +P wadcutters, we need to address a different problem related to your reloading practices.

Or "Hey thar Orville, jist how much Bullseye are ya toppin' off those cases with before jamming that bullet in?"

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Dick Burg