S & W model 37 ?

[rebs081]

I have the chance to buy a S&W model 37 air weight 38 snub nose.
It is in mint condition finish wise and the trigger feels real nice and smooth, there is no cylinder play when the hammer is cocked. It looks and feels like it was a safe queen.
Would $400.00 be a fair price for this gun ?

The serial number is AFF 942*, can anyone give me an approximate year it was built ?

 

[ar15ed]

probably late '84. 400 is a fair price for a nice one.

 

[snubbiefan]

Ditto....$400 sounds pretty good around here for just about any pre-lock Airweight. If I can buy at $350 and sell at $400...I am a happy camper.

 

[rebs081]

Just curious if this model 37 can handle +P loads ? because of the recoil on a small light weight and the muzzle flash I don't really feel the need for +P.
Would this have an aluminum or steel cylinder ?

 

[wrecker57]

Hmm, this is almost the same question I had, also looking for some history on the same model with serial# BAF098X.

I thought the S&W web site had this info but it looks like they are charging for it now.

Thanks

 

[ar15ed]

probably early '88 on yours.

the very first few chief special airweights had aluminum cylinders, but they were all steel long before they even started calling them model 37s in 57/58.

i reckon s&w says that any "model marked" gun is safe for +P, but i really don't see any purpose for a steady diet of them through a model 37!

 

[wrecker57]

Thanks AR,

 

[rebs081]

Out of a 2 inch barrel I doubt +P's would be much better than regular 38 spl loads. Just more recoil and a bigger muzzle flash. I could be wrong but that is my feelings.

 

[snubbiefan]

There was a poster here a while back looking for a 36 cylinder. Seems he bulged the cylinder with a "few" +P's. All you're doing with +P's in that gun is wearing it out early and beating yourself to death. There is just not that much difference between the standard and +P loadings anyway. Too many good commercial 38-Special SD loads out there to fool with +P in a belly-gun.

In a tight, if +P is all I could find I would shoot it, but not routinely on purpose.

 

[chicagoslim]

I'm also a fan of air weight J frames. I own a model 37, 637, 642 and 60. I carry and shoot 125 gr. XTP Hornady and Fiocchi, as well as 148 gr. wadcutters. Recoil and flash is about the same with the XTP's, as the wadcutters. For something a little bit hotter for EDC, I'll carry the Hornady 110 gr. Critical Defence load.

 

[murphydog]

The factory has stated any "steel frame" model stamped gun is OK for +P, but they have also given conflicting information in other messages. Bottom line is +P should be OK for steel cylinder Airwieghts but personally I wouldn't use it on a regular basis, as snubbiefan mentioned.

 

[stu1ritter]

I've been carrying a 37 for years now (bought new in 78) and I am currently carrying Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection Short Barrel. 135 gr. +P. I've shot about 10 of them for familiarization. Their muzzle energy from the 37 is right on a par with most 150-158 gr. standard .38 Special loads (approx 240 ft. lbs.) and I have no fear of shooting these in my much loved 37. I don't shoot more of them because they are very pricey. I'm going to load up some to approx the same muzzle energy and practice with those.
Stu