Advice on Model 37

[threepdr]

A buddy of mine came into a unfired condition Model 37 awhile back. It is still in the box with paper work, cleaning tools and brown wrapping paper. He got it from an estate sale for $200.

His wife needs a nice lightweight carry gun. The question is this: should this be the gun, or does it have enough value as a older in-the-box un-fired gun that he should preserve it and buy her a new airwieght for CC?

Thanks!

 

[Old TexMex]

He should sell it to me, then buy his missus a new Smith & Wesson.
Anything that is new in the box and discontinued, should be preserved IMHO. Really.

 

[Engine49guy]

If its diamond grip pre 1968 gun I probably wouldnt shoot it if its unfired but it depends on its age,
can you post the serial to estimate its DOB?

 

[tenntucker]

I paid 400 for my SB 67 no dash 7 years ago. It didn't have a box but was like the day it left the factory.

 

[Malysh]

I carry a 1961/62 Mod 37 very often. I bought it from a friend and it was about 90% condition.
Even with lots of carry in the warm months it's still close to the same condition I bought it in.
If it was like new with the box it would have become another safe queen.


It kicks like heck with Bufffalo Bore standard pressure 158gr SWCHP ammo! Not too bad with 125gr Nyclad SWCHP

 

[G.T. Smith]

200.00 and an old Raven .25 auto is what I gave for a rough but tight 37 no dash 1968 model year with no box or nothing. You got a great deal. Let her shoot it and if the recoil is acceptable to her let her carry it. I would be careful not to beat it up, but those are light weight and shoot great in my opinion. Congratulations on a great buy.
Peace,
gordon

 

[snubbyfan]

I'd say shoot it, carry it and enjoy it. It's basically a new gun for $200 dollars.

 

[Bert Man]

I can understand how some folks would keep it in it's NIB condition, however, personally, I would have a hard time doing that. My position is that these things were not made to just look at but to be shot. Some skilled craftsman put forth his best effort to create a quality product to be shot and enjoyed by the end user. I would hate to see his skills go to waste. Of course, others may see things differently. That's okay too.

 

[stu1ritter]

I've been carrying a 37 for a bunch of years and sure wish I could buy a NIB for $200.
If I remember, I paid $125 in 1978. That would be $433 today.
Stu

 

[hotrod150]

If it's a vintage version, esp in unfired condition with box etc, maybe sell it off to a collector and buy a shooter grade (or at least non-pristine) carry gun & pocket the difference in value. I'm not a big believer in owning safe queens but maybe that's because I can't afford anything that nice-- all my guns are shooters.
Pics please.

 

[Mickey D]

Were else can you get a great safe queen for $200?

Put it away and get her a new 327 in .32 mag.

 

[Old TexMex]

In these times, certain things have a value which accrues, far beyond their equivalent value as a simple tool. Discontinued 37's are no exception. If i found a perfect and undriven 48 Ford pickup, I wouldn't use it to haul garbage, or haul groceries. Sure they made lots of 48 Ford pickups, and sure, lots of them are still around...but how many are in new, unrestored condition? To use that 37 to teach someone to shoot, and carry is a VERY expensive proposition.
just one man(who bought gold in 2001)'s opinion.

 

[Old cop]

I'll be the odd-man-out here. If it was mine I'd shoot it to ensure that it worked and I could handle it, then I'd use it as my EDC. These old guns were well made and are the perfect tool for self defense, at least in my humble opinion. My current carries are a '92 442 & a '68 Colt Cobra. The current crop of plastic guns don't do anything for me.

 

[teesur]

In these times, certain things have a value which accrues, far beyond their equivalent value as a simple tool. Discontinued 37's are no exception. If i found a perfect and undriven 48 Ford pickup, I wouldn't use it to haul garbage, or haul groceries. Sure they made lots of 48 Ford pickups, and sure, lots of them are still around...but how many are in new, unrestored condition? To use that 37 to teach someone to shoot, and carry is a VERY expensive proposition.
just one man(who bought gold in 2001)'s opinion.

I agree. I also wish I'd bought gold in 2001, or even much earlier. I didn't, but I did buy this S&W new in 1976, and it has remained un-fired since then. I wish I could buy a bunch more just like it for $200.00 each.
teesur.