Guidance Appreciated Model 37 Airweight

[teholt123]

I just traded a LCP for a very used S&W 38 special Model 37 airweight which seems to have been mistreated from what my limited experience would tell me. There are marks where the cylinder has been slammed and it has a bent extractor rod. My questions are this.. I believe this was manufactured in the 80's is that correct, Serial number is J742XXX? Do you have any thoughts on repair? How can I determine if the plunger needs to be replaced as well? This version would have left handed threads? And lastly, do you have any tips or recommendations for cleaning this gun - it is clearly flaking and I don't want to have it professionally refinished?
FYI: I apologize for all the questions and very much appreciate your replies.

 

[Bugkiller99]

I have a similar limited amount of knowledge, but I'll give you my thoughts.
Sounds like you have a good opportunity to use this as a learning experience. Find someone willing to share their experience and teach you how to fix it.
You'll gain valuable knowledge and have the pride of fixing it yourself.

 

[teholt123]

agreed....

couldn't agree with you more... caught the bug (2) years ago and enjoy learning as much as I can. Trouble is in South Florida there aren't an abundance of people that have such knowledge which makes these forums that much more valuable to me. To pay someone to do it would take the fun out of it for me.... thanks for the reply.

 

[kaaskop49]

SCSW shows your serial # to be in the 1979-80 range; it is not more precise. Others on this Forum can be. I will not comment on the other issues as I avail myself of the services of a gunsmith when necessary.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[teholt123]

Thank you

appreciate the info... that's funny, the gun and I are the same age.

 

[alwslate]

You might want to look at it as a learning experience about acquiring
a new to you gun. Look it over carefully before you make the deal.
I would suggest that you buy the Kuhnhausen shop manual and then
just buy an extractor rod and change it yourself if that one cannot be
straightened. Assuming you want to make it a carry gun just live with
the finish.

 

[teholt123]

I agree with you as well....

The gun was originally my dad's everyday carry so when I noticed it had a bent rod, I traded him for the LCP. He wasn't aware the gun had issues which made it extremely dangerous if he needed it. Not to sound like a martyr, I knew I could learn how to repair the gun and it would be great to have in my collection of guns I shoot. These forums are great for someone like me that doesn't have access to this type of knowledge. I have cleaned the gun up and purchased some parts to fix it. As you suggested, I don't plan on getting it professionally refinished and want to use this as an opportunity to learn. Thank you for the response.

 

[DeadAye]

You might want to look at it as a learning experience about acquiring
a new to you gun. Look it over carefully before you make the deal.
I would suggest that you buy the Kuhnhausen shop manual and then
just buy an extractor rod and change it yourself if that one cannot be
straightened. Assuming you want to make it a carry gun just live with
the finish.

Buy the manual!
In the future close the cylinder gently. Ya might want to mention that to dad too....

 

[teholt123]

no reason to yell... I got it.

I will get the manual. Yes, agreed... I wouldn't slam the cylinder and thankfully my dad no longer has any revolvers. I also got his colt police positive that was in a lot better condition than the airweight.

 

[153]

Not sure how anyone could bend that extractor rod, it's so short. More likely a bent crane.

Don't goof around with manuals and new parts. Send it it S&W and get the job done right!