Can someone advise as to whether a Mod. 37 Airweight is designed handle +P ammunition? S/N BRC 76XX Product Code 101602. Appreciate the help.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

No it's not, don't do it.

Thank you sir, I will not shoot the +P ammo in this weapon!

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Ooops! I shot tons of +P in mine and it was just fine.

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Centennial Every Day

I'm glad you did not damage your M-37 but now I am confused as to what this alloy frame revolver is designed to shoot. Will stand by for more opinions(Facts Please) and thanks for the replies.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

The last batch of 37-2's a few years ago had some stamped +P and those that were not. They were all standard J-frame (not J-magnum). Don't know what the difference was (if any) other than they supposedly were made from "left over" parts. Mine is not stamped +P but it also shoots +P just fine.



Although not specifically endorsed (at least on the ones not stamped +P) if you read the modern revolver manual, it is not prohibited either. For thoroughness (and the fact I happen to have it) here is the spec sheet for that run:
http://firearms.fortreg.com/?p=619

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NRA Certified Instructor

First, please let me direct you to an extremely well written article by Forum member SaxonPig:

Shooting with Hobie

Now, there are usually three camps in this debate of using +P ammo in stand J-frame revolvers. They are as follows:

1) No problem
2) No way
3) Why bother

While SaxonPig's article is very well thought out and based on years of actual shooting experience (as opposed to just wishful thinking), I personally find myself in the third category mentioned above. There are several standard pressure .38spl self-defense loads available that have been proven to be effective. Federal's Nyclad is one of these. I just don't see the reason to put +P ammo through a J-frame revolver that isn't built on a J-magnum frame.

However, if you are one of those people who just has to carry a certain +P load in their standard J-frame, I recommend acquiring a another J-frame just for practice.

There are still plenty of "cosmetically challenged" Model 36's and 37's available for very reasonable prices when compared to the price of .38spl +P ammo. You can acquire one of these and perform your own +P torture test while you practice.

The 100 or so +P rounds a year you fire through your Model 37 shouldn't hurt it. And it they did, you probably wouldn't want to be using that gun to protect your life.

The other option is to just get one of the current Model 442's without the lock that is currently available. These are built on the new J-magnum frames and are rated for +P use.

And others who have replied to my question, I do appreciate your taking the time to respond and the knowledge you shared. You have convinced me that standard .38 Special ammunition is better suited to this revolver and I'll not expose it to any abuse by shooting +P Ammo through it. I appears as though it has not been fired other than the test from the factory and it doesn't need to be abused. Thanks to all.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

I had a 37-3 without the lock and it was marked +P

Because CorBon stopped making standard pressure DPX. A few +P rounds a year is not going to hurt a thing and the Barnes bullet (DPX) is lightyears better than anything else out there (the Gold Dot bullet is close).

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Centennial Every Day

wouldn't use anything above a 125 grn for sure. I've shot some guns loose and felt pretty stupid afterwards...!

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HIS Trains 'a LEAVIN

Agree with the sentiment, the DPX are a little rich for my blood but the GD 135gr +P are my favorite.

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NRA Certified Instructor

I shot some of the Speer Gold Dot non-+P in my 37 and it was a damned handful with them - I can't imagine shooting +P in one.

I didn't realize Speed made Gold Dot or Lawman .38spl in a non +P load. I've never seen it advertized and have never seen it on their Web site.

I thought they only offered Blazer in non +P .38spl load.

I am pretty sure that the 37-3 is built on the J-magnum frame instead of the standard J-frame. I pretty sure they had the frame mounted firing pin and MIM hammer.

I saw one on auction last week. I don't think they made too many of them.

Broadside, here ya go:LE - Gold Dot
Item #53722, down just below .357 Sig.

Thank you, Triggernosis.

I've never looked on Speer's law enforcement Web page. Maybe that's why I've never seen it.

Is that only available to law enforcement?

Anyone can purchase it. Though, I had an extremely tough time finding it....none of my local shops, including several that cater specifically to L.E., had it. Ended up ordering it from this guy:Speer Gold Dot 38 Special 125 gr JHP ammo (50 rds)

I just picked up a NIB never fired 37-1 today for the princely sum of $300. Don't think I'll subject it to +P though. It's too nice to take a chance if I don't have to.

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Dick

Where in the world did you find one for that price!? I just sold mine (no-dash), used, for $350 + shipping.

They offer a few loads in the LE Gold Dot 50 round boxes but it's real hard to find. I'm almost out of standard pressure 125gr Gold Dots and need to track down some more.

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Centennial Every Day

Wow! At $40 a box, I see why he still has stock on hand.

Last box I bought was around $22 for the 50 round box.

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Centennial Every Day

Tom, it was listed last night on the local internet classifieds along with some other guns, so I called first thing this morning and snapped it up. He said his neighbor bought it new,it never fired it, and asked him to sell it for him for $300. The receipt is in the box for $417.99 at the 1993 price.

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Dick

Wow, Dick, you did good on that!
BTW, what local classifieds do you follow? I try to keep an eye on Armslist, but have never seen too much here in my area.

Tom, it's an area ISP called strato dot net and they have their own site with classifieds. I've bought and sold several guns off their site. You may want to check and see if any of your local providers have one, many do.

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Dick

It won't hurt it in small doses. And you won't want to shoot it in large ones!!!

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One gun is never enough...

Having never had a J-frame Airweight before, the last three days I started carrying mine around loaded. It's amazing, you forget you even have it on you.

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Dick

Back around 1980 I fired what was probably a couple hundred Plus P Plus "Treasury Loads" through a 1976 vintage M37. It went out of time, although I think shallow cylinder ratchets were somewhat at fault. Sent it into Smith and quit those loads. Now it gets standard pressure SWC hand loads and Plus P 158 gr SWCHP factory for carry. Same for my 442.

With the passage of time I'm less convinced of the need for Plus P.

I bought a Model 38 (alloy frame like the 37) several years ago that may have been unfired at time of purchase. After firing no more than a couple of boxes of non+P .38 Special ammo in it, I found the frame cracked just under the rear of the barrel. I realize others have used +P ammo in these guns without any problems, but the guns were not designed for +P. And, as someone mentioned, there probably isn't a great deal of practical difference in some of the +P ammos versus standard pressure stuff anyway, particularly when fired in a snub nose revolver.

It's pretty much everyone's opinion that the cracked frames are from incorrect barrel installation. If shooting +P ammo cracked Airweight frames, all 20 or so of the ones I've owned would have cracked frames!

I do agree with many that the value of +P ammo is limited. The only reason I use +P in my carry Airweights is that CorBon doesn't load the Barnes bullet in standard pressure any more.

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Centennial Every Day

One plus+ accidentally fired in my pristine steel model 36 (1982) resulted in a bulged charge hole. Something to think about. Really, I'd rather not... No new cylinders available.

I have a 37 serial #BPWXXXX and also marked with a 239 and SD, am very co fuse as to the proper ammo to use and date of issue

I recommend Speer Gold Dot item# 53722. You can find it on the ATK Law Enforcement website down under .357 Sig.

BPW = 1993. For self defense, you can use any quality standard or +P ammo. You'll just have to try various options and see which your gun likes.

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Centennial Every Day

I rely on what Dr. Gary Roberts aka DocGKR recommends and then stop worrying about terminal ballistics. My j-frames are loaded with Federal GM38A 148 gr lead wadcutter match loads. Reloads are speer gold dot 135 gr +P on stripper clips - 342 or 642.

BUG's: .380 ACP vs. .38 Sp, m4carbine.net/, Industry Professional, DocGKR

Thanks everybody

Late to the party as usual...

Own a couple or three 37s & shoot Remington Golden Saber +P as a carry load in all of 'em.

I don't see what the big deal is...Most folks don't shoot enough to really make it a concern.



Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

The guns were designed for .38 Special.

+P loads do not exceed the industry (SAAMI) maximum for .38 Special.

My 37 (ADTxxxx) gets carried with Glasers , which are +P rated. It has fired several hundred regular bullet +P rounds. No loosening , no bulged cylinders.

fyi on glasers:

Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness, firearmstactical.com/, page 5 para 2.

Having seen what .380 Glasers do to two large angry charging dogs , I'll stick with them in my .38 Special , .40 S&W and .45 ACP carry guns.

I chose 158 grain SWC after reading Massad Ayoob on using this load on big pigs for head shots. If the bullet doesn't reach the vital tissues, all the expansion in the world won't help. The little .38 Spl in a short barrel just doesn't have any velocity margin to spare to facilitate expansion, even in +P flavor. My Model 37 does lots of 146 grain DEWC with Trail Boss or Titegroup,, compared to duty ammo.