What I like about Airweight J frames - My 1962 Mod 37

[Malysh]

Today it turned warm and sticky where I live. Gunny and I went for a long walk.

I took my 1962 Mod 37 and a speed loader with Buffalo Bore ammo with us. It's a great gun for grabbing for a backup in cold weather, you can stick it in just about any pocket, but it really shines when it starts to get warm out. Even in the 21st century, nothing beats the balance between a decent self defense caliber and a small light ultra concealable weapon like a Airweight J frame (particularly a flat latch) when you need a serious caliber and you don't have a lot of clothes on.
I find I don't carry my Mod 640 nearly as much. When I get into that weight range I prefer a larger capacity gun in a larger caliber. Like a lot of people I can't completely shake the credo "bigger is better"
I rarely carry my early Centennial Airweight or my 1957 Bodyguard Airweight, they are too valuable to me.
Like the 3 bears, the '62 Mod 37 is just right - it has some modest wear and it also had a professional action tune by the previous owner, who happens to be a close friend.
I find this my most useful gun along with my 1955 Agent (1st yr.) for the spring and summer.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Malysh, you & I think alike, right down to the Buffalo Bore ammo.

 

[Sloman]

You cannot beat a j frame. After all the guns I have had and carried, my J frame gets carried the most! Guess I'm getting old but at least a revolver does not eject brass to my face like my Glock Gen 4 does (it's going to factory for update). Nearly lost my eye at the range when the glock ejected the round and it fell between my shooting glasses and face. Right next to my eye! Yeah, I'll still carry my j frame!

 

[badge]

Great pocket guns,...... ya can't beat 'em.

 

[gwpercle]

Here in Louisiana where the heat and humidity are infamous, I will have to say the Airweight J frame in 38 spcl. gets the most carry time. I've tried everything at least twice and the Model 37 is the one that keeps going into the front pocket of my cargo shorts time after time. During warm weather here shorts and tee shirts are about all you can wear, concealing anything else becomes a problem.

 

[Joe S.]

I'm next door to ya here in MS and it is the same way here... cant beat those little guys for pocket carry. since i have discovered the small revo, i have sold all my compact semi autos and gone strictly to pocket carry. i dont even own an IWB holster anymore. when i need more firepower, i strap on a baggy shirt for the 357 to get the nod...

i carry a Ruger LCR, but the Smith 642 is what got me started down this road! long live the j-frame!

 

[Stu Honea]

Several years ago my dealer who always set up at gun shows took in a Nickel Mod.37 Square butt on a trade.I bought it.He and I examined it closely and we both agreed that it appeared to have never been fired.
I bought it as a second gun for my wife. She uses 110 gr Silvertip for practice and carries the DPX in the same weight,or wadcutters. Recoil is pretty mild and she loves it.
I steal it for my pocket sometimes.

 

[RussellD]

Another warm weather carrier here. My lightweight j frame is my friend. 90 degrees and high humidity do shape one's choices...

 

[Malysh]

Pennsylvania can't compare in heat and humidity with the bayou or the levee, but if you didn't live down south you would find our late spring through early fall plenty hot and humid enough to want to carry front pocket with shorts

Although I have mentioned the lightness and easy carry of these guns I have failed to say I have a thing for older snubbys, probably because I'm getting old myself. There's just something about a flat latch J frame, whether steel or aluminum, that gets me going a lot more than the post 1966 guns. Are they any better than the newer ones? I doubt it, but they are certainly no worse!

I have the same affliction with old Colt snubbys from the 40s and 50s.

However, I am not adverse to carrying plastic guns which have no art or class. They are the ultimate low maintence self defense tools sans the "romance"

 

[teesur]

I bought a model 637-1 (magnum frame size and rated +P+
ammo.) and started leaving my 37 at home and carrying it.
Only 13.5 oz. with 5-158 Gr. FWC. A great little carry gun and easy to clean up. Shoots just as good as my 37's or 36's.
teesur.

 

[michael thornton]

my 642 airwieght is easy to pack, i even forget i have it at times, but its always right there!

 

[guitar1580]

Been hot over here in West Virginia too. I'm with ya on the S&W Airweight as the ultimate pocket revo to carry. I like them so much, I have two Js and a K. The older ones definitely have the "cool" factor for me too. When your eyes go from the pinned barrel, to the diamond stocks, to the flat latch, it just keeps getting older & classier, to me ... and you know that the craftsmanship is tried & true. No plastic in these pockets, except for maybe that Fender guitar pick.

Josh P

1974, 1963

 

[Malysh]

Nice J frames, Josh.

Yup, nothing beats the looks of the flat latches, diamond center grips, and pinned barrels. They hearken back to a time when companies and employees took pride in their work.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I agree

I have to agree with the 37 being a nice EDC weapon. I hit a few thrift stores, (because I'm cheap), and found nice Hawaiian shirts for a couple bucks that completely cover this rig without printing. Polo shirts and long tailed T's are good too. My 37 is a 1968 model. It has quite a bit of holster wear and it ain't getting any better for sure. I carry what I practice with, 158 grain LRN standard pressure rounds. I believe that in a sele defense situation they would be enough....I hope
Peace,
Gordon

 

[Engine49guy]

My primary carry piece is a 1970 Model 37 with CTC laser grips, light concealable and powerful 38 special ctg.
Number 2 is a Model 12-3 RB snub in the glove box of my car, similar to the 37 but with a 6 shot K frame.

One day I will polish their aluminum frames free of the worn black factory anodizing making them beautiful Pintos.

 

[mchech]

I bought my 37 used but supposedly never fired back in the early 80's. The previous owner had it Metalife coated which has held up extremely well. Here in NW PA it shares time with a newer 317 Kit Gun for those times I belt holster carry and wander about the woods. I prefer the 37 on my belt. The 442 is a fine pocket gun for more social surroundings and hides nicely in a pants pocket.

My N's are fun guns but If I am going to go for a walk-about I always go with a J

 

[Malysh]

I bought my 37 used but supposedly never fired back in the early 80's. The previous owner had it Metalife coated which has held up extremely well. Here in NW PA it shares time with a newer 317 Kit Gun for those times I belt holster carry and wander about the woods. I prefer the 37 on my belt. The 442 is a fine pocket gun for more social surroundings and hides nicely in a pants pocket.

My N's are fun guns but If I am going to go for a walk-about I always go with a J

I'm not as macho as I used to be when I was younger I wouldn't schlep around all day with my Mod 58. By lunch I'd have a starboard list.

One of the first PPKs I bought had been Metalife refinished. BTW, the company was from PA., at least it was back then. It was a very durable finish and dullish gray which I could abide. I'm not a fan of guns with shiny finishes. I have only one, the Mod 640. The only reason I bought that particular PPK was because it was way before the internet and you could go years before finding a PPK locally. They are another classic and well made design like old S&Ws and Colts.

 

[getoff]

+1 for the j's! 442 no dash is in the front pocket, 360 pd airlight on the belt. both ride Galco, horsehide front pocket, speed scabbard on the hip. both combined weigh less than my xd .45 compact with the 10 rounder in it, and i only have to carry one speed loader. i also have a 60, 638, 637, and a 36. not that i have a prob. with collecting, just have a lil prob with not having a j at all times...

 

[Malysh]

Anyone carry a real old J frame?
I have a very early Centennial Airweight. It's a low 4 digit with the lock screw. It's no collector's gun with about 85% finish, and dulling at that, but it is my most prized S&W J frame. I should start to use it occasionally. I'm 60 and life's short.

 

[mc5aw]

Malysh ... I dug three older J frames out of the safe and took them for a test drive the other weekend. The 1968ish Model 36 3" is the most accurate pistol I have owned. The early '60s Model 36 2" was great to shoot as well. The mid 1970s Model 37 Airweight is wonderful to carry, felt like a classic, and is as good as any J manufactured a decade or two later.