Scored my new carry gun - sq butt j frame 37

[Grimjaws]

My local FFL found a good condition model 37 with no rust and a very faint turn line. It is marked 37 on the frame no dash and has square butt wood grips. There is no powder rings on the end of the cylinder but bluing is worn away on a few spots on the top strap and butt. I would rate the frame 92% but the barrel and cylinder 98%. No box or papers and the grips are aged.

Can anyone tell me birth date serial number 6967XX? The gun was carried alot shot a little. No frame crack and lock up is tight, no end shake and no push off.

Also i will replace the grips but is 325 out the door a good deal for a gun like this? I know k frames are crazy expensive but not sure what square butt j frames go for.

I pick it up next week and will post pictures. Thanks gang!

 

[mc5aw]

If it's clean, shoots well, and has not been abused, there's not much else for $325 that will serve you as well as that 37. I have a square butt mid-'70s model, and a matched pair of -2s. All three make fine CCWs, and will last a lifetime with minimal care.

 

[snubbyfan]

Works for me. Lookin' forward to the pics.

 

[Grimjaws]

Any good defense rounds for this old gun?

Any idea of the born on date? Also I think these old guns were made for 158 grain loads. Any good non plus p 158 grain loads for defense?

 

[mc5aw]

It's an Airweight revolver, so any 158 should work. Based on ammo scarcity, you need to go with what you can find. I carry Speer GDs most of the time in my 37s, but shoot standard 158s at the range.

Born on date will be confirmed soon by someone with the master list. I'm guessing 82ish, if not a bit earlier.

 

[Macinaw]

37 (1957)

(1969)- Begin J serial prefix ? That's all I could find.

 

[Grimjaws]

Thanks

Thanks for the feedback! If it was made 1957 it is in great shape!

I tried local stores but no one has the catalog. Can someone please verify the manufacture year for this gun? Serial number 6967XX.

Thanks and I look forward to carrying this one!

 

[hotrod150]

Definitely not 1982. That would be a J s/n. SCSW indicates between 1962 (295000) & 1969 (786544), but doesn't narrow it down any more than that. I'd guess 1966-ish.

 

[shouldazagged]

Buffalo Bore is marketing an allegedly standard-pressure 158gr. LSWCHP that gives +P-like velocities and reduced flash, and is said to be safe for any .38 Special revolver. I doubt very much that it's a light-recoiling load, but I haven't tried it.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Very well done. My round-butt, factory nickel-plated, 1982 Model 37 (no dash) is my on and off duty backup if I don't just carry it by itself off-duty (rare). Just don't abuse it.

ECS

 

[mc5aw]

Definitely not 1982. That would be a J s/n. SCSW indicates between 1962 (295000) & 1969 (786544), but doesn't narrow it down any more than that. I'd guess 1966-ish.

My mistake. I meant 72, not 82.

 

[hotrod150]

1972 would be a j s/n too. Per SCSW, 1969-1982 used J s/n's for M36's & M37's & R s/n's for M60's. Went to the three letter prefix s/n's after that.

 

[hotrod150]

Don't know what you have in mind for grips, grimjaws, but it might be tough finding what you want for a square-butt j-frame-- nowhere near the selection as for a round-butt. Here's a photo of my SB model 36 with a one-off set of Badger boot grips. They're beautiful, but unfortunately he's turned down a couple requests to make up another set. I might be tempted to sell these if the right offer came along, as I really prefer my RB Chiefs to this SB one.

 

[Grimjaws]

Pictures of my new carry gun

I ordered new grips and the price total came to $360 for a no dash model 37 no rust or pitting, slight cylinder ring and locks up tight as a drum. Gonna shoot it next weekend.

Sad to say the new grips I got from Smith and Wesson are loose at the top - I can see daylight between grips and frame. I loosened the grip screw some but still a gap no matter how tight or loose the grip screw is. The original grips fit nice and tight but are a little dinged up. Oh well.

 

[mkk41]

Congrats!

I'm on my second sq.butt 37. First one went to an ex-G/F (nurse) who started to carry after several co-workers were attacked leaving nightshift.



Great gun , but very few grip options for sq.butt J's. Mine is usually loaded with Glaser blues , but my speedloaders have Win 145gr Silvertips or 125gr Nyclads.