Revolver made by Space Aliens 20 yrs Ago

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ancientnoob

ancientnoob

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I did know I needed this. I did not know I wanted this. Frankly I did not know it existed. I tried to find another one to compare prices on but the only options sold long ago. So I picked it up. That's when the magic happened. I could not wrap my head around the weight relative to size. Just put 400 rounds through it and I have no complaints. The trigger is phenomenal the lock up is tight, and the weapon performs like a Swiss Watch. The adjustable sights were excellent and easily found. Recoil is negligible with standard pressure loads, and hardly snappy with +P hot stuff. The 77gr Polycase I use for business was absolutely a dream to shoot, with a recoil and report akin to .22LR.

I have been trying to do some research on this after the fact and found the weapon is fairly scarce. It had a very limited production run, and has was discontinued almost 15 years ago. It such a great gun with a lovely fit and finish. Such a shame. I want to buy another one. (Seriously.) I never realized how much fun I could have with an adjustable site 3" j-frame.

A good friend of mine was dumbfounded just as I was. He wanted to know how this was possible to make an all metal gun this light and this manageable and not some type of plastic. I explained that it was made a long time ago by space aliens (at Smith and Wesson with a Scandium frame and a titanium cylinder.) Apparently the space aliens selected an existing bad a** revolver with a celebrated history (Chief Special) and custom made it for human enjoyment.

A) .38 Special +P
B) 3.2 Inch / 12 oz.
C) Round Butt Scandium Alloy Frame
D) 5 shots Titanium Cylinder
E) Adjustable Sights orange fiber optic front sight
F) Model 337-1
G) Shipped 1999


3371.1.jpg 3371.2.jpg 3371.3.jpg
 
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It maybe worthwhile to note that while on this fun fun outing that I had picked up 2 100 round cartons of the Winchester 38 Special 130 Grain Full Metal Jacket centerfire ammunition. I have always heard stories of wildly different ballistics from factory cartridges but never experienced this.In this 400 round session. I did, and my friend did as well. First few cylinders shot considerably low at 10 feet. half the box left a pie plate impression. There was noticeably different recoil from round to round. Some rounds felt considerably more stout then others. Apparently nothing really dangerous. We sort of ragged on each other for shooting crappy but made the conclusion the Remington 130 gr 800 fps shot to point of aim and exceedingly consistent, as was the Focchi 130gr (I believe was rated at 950 fps) was slightly stouter of course. I also did not experience and bullet creep with a singe cylinder of Federal 158 gr LSW+P.

Anyways the point I was trying to make there was a recall on WWB with over charged loads. I didn't think they were over charged but rather some were considerably undercharged and some slightly stout. Very Dangerous if you ask me. Either way the SW 337-1 did not fail and cleaned up well. A lovely gun.
 
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I've been haunting revolver stores for a long time and have never seen one of those, nor do I expect to. The "kit gun" model like yours, with adjustable sights and 3.2" barrel, was only made from 1999 to 2002. The Catalog doesn't mention how many were made, but it couldn't have been very many. Extremely nice find indeed!

I know what you mean about the weight-- the first time I picked up a 325 (Scandium/Titanium N frame in .45ACP) I about hit myself in the chin with it, since I was applying the lift to it that I expected it to weigh. I bought it immediately, and it's a lot of fun to shoot. S&W also makes one in .44 Magnum (329), which strikes me as completely insane, but then I'm not manly enough for .44 Magnum in the first place.
 
Good looking revolver OP!
I know these lightweights don’t appeal to everyone but they sure are easy to carry and don’t make the pocket of a jacket or cargo pants/shorts sag from their weight.

My 360J Airweight .38 Sp has a Scandium alloy frame with titanium pins and a carbon steel cylinder & extractor rod. It is a very lightweight J-frame Chiefs Special frame sized 5 shot but probably heavier than yours because of the steel cylinder compared to your titanium cylinder.

Mine is fun to shoot with 148gr wadcutters, manageable with 158gr LRN and a real handful with 125gr JHPs.

AADE6ED3-2909-433A-A752-C3DE22544CD6.jpeg 07B44992-1B36-4025-95BF-DB1B31CF0E47.jpeg
 
Those are neat guns. I had a 44 Special (396?) for a while, but sold it to someone who wanted it more than I did.

Then a couple of weeks ago, my wife spotted this one. The words "Lady Smith" were all it took for her to want it. I gotta admit it is so "interesting?" that I probably would have bought it anyway. She just saw it first.

It's an eight shot, Smith and Wesson (of course) Model 317 "Air Lite/Lady Smith" in 22 LR. It's as lite as a feather. At first I thought it was some kind of a joke. It felt like it was made of foam plastic coffee cups. The only source I've found that listed the weight says it comes in at 9.9 ounces. I've been told elsewhere 11 ounces. Doesn't matter much I suppose, it feels like it would float away if you didn't watch it.

All aluminum frame, and cylinder, an aluminum barrel, with a SS sleeve. The cylinder is not sleeved. It has a 1 7/8" barrel, with rosewood stocks. Trigger and hammer are steel, as well as some other internal parts are. The backstrap is grooved to reduce weight, and it has a lanyard pin at the base. The S/N and the fact that it doesn't have an internal lock puts around the year 2000.

Ladysmith1_zps15egbdio.jpg

Ladysmith2_zpswhfywutk.jpg

It came in a nice little "presentation" case, with a big master lock.

What's it for? Well I suppose you could use it for SD if you were comfortable with a 22 LR for that purpose. I don't myself, but I can see where others might. The lanyard pin is interesting. I don't believe I've seen one of those on anything before. Fixed sights and the short barrel, and it's light weight probably conspire to keep it's accuracy potential down, but then it's supposed to be a "belly gun" I suppose. It would probably hit most bellies. Maybe a trapper, or a backpacker would use it?

As for us, it's just an interesting little "bright, shiny thing" that takes up a little space in the safe. We've never fired it, and might not.
 
CajunBass said:
Those are neat guns. I had a 44 Special (396?) for a while, but sold it to someone who wanted it more than I did.

Then a couple of weeks ago, my wife spotted this one. The words "Lady Smith" were all it took for her to want it. I gotta admit it is so "interesting?" that I probably would have bought it anyway. She just saw it first.

It's an eight shot, Smith and Wesson (of course) Model 317 "Air Lite/Lady Smith" in 22 LR. It's as lite as a feather. At first I thought it was some kind of a joke. It felt like it was made of foam plastic coffee cups. The only source I've found that listed the weight says it comes in at 9.9 ounces. I've been told elsewhere 11 ounces. Doesn't matter much I suppose, it feels like it would float away if you didn't watch it.

All aluminum frame, and cylinder, an aluminum barrel, with a SS sleeve. The cylinder is not sleeved. It has a 1 7/8" barrel, with rosewood stocks. Trigger and hammer are steel, as well as some other internal parts are. The backstrap is grooved to reduce weight, and it has a lanyard pin at the base. The S/N and the fact that it doesn't have an internal lock puts around the year 2000.

View attachment 838729

View attachment 838730

It came in a nice little "presentation" case, with a big master lock.

What's it for? Well I suppose you could use it for SD if you were comfortable with a 22 LR for that purpose. I don't myself, but I can see where others might. The lanyard pin is interesting. I don't believe I've seen one of those on anything before. Fixed sights and the short barrel, and it's light weight probably conspire to keep it's accuracy potential down, but then it's supposed to be a "belly gun" I suppose. It would probably hit most bellies. Maybe a trapper, or a backpacker would use it?

As for us, it's just an interesting little "bright, shiny thing" that takes up a little space in the safe. We've never fired it, and might not.
Click to expand...
Interesting. @CajunBass. I just looked and I have the lanyard loop under the grips. I suppose I could put it on my key chain. But that snub you could just put it on a necklace for the lady.
 
That's a right handsome looking revolver. Seen pics of that model before and have always admired the build. The great part is to hear your enthusiasm with it. It's a huge bonus to own and shoot a gun that you absolutely enjoy. Congratulations!
 
ilgac said:
Good looking revolver OP!
I know these lightweights don’t appeal to everyone but they sure are easy to carry and don’t make the pocket of a jacket or cargo pants/shorts sag from their weight.

My 360J Airweight .38 Sp has a Scandium alloy frame with titanium pins and a carbon steel cylinder & extractor rod. It is a very lightweight J-frame Chiefs Special frame sized 5 shot but probably heavier than yours because of the steel cylinder compared to your titanium cylinder.

Mine is fun to shoot with 148gr wadcutters, manageable with 158gr LRN and a real handful with 125gr JHPs.

View attachment 838728 View attachment 838727
Click to expand...
Wow. I wouldn’t mind one of those! I love those G-10 grips and the color combo. Excellent.
 
WheelGunMan said:
That's a right handsome looking revolver. Seen pics of that model before and have always admired the build. The great part is to hear your enthusiasm with it. It's a huge bonus to own and shoot a gun that you absolutely enjoy. Congratulations!
Click to expand...
Thanks bud. I just love wheel guns and this one is no exception. I really want to find another one. You know the old adage, one to stock and one to rock.
 
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no.5enfield said:
I've been carrying an M&P 340 for a couple months. I don't believe I'll ever carry another gun. I literally forget it's there. Scandium guns are amazing! I'm thinking of buying a TRR8 next.
Click to expand...
Interesting I was looking at that too, just today. I have been also looking at the 327pc 8 shot nub. It's an interesting piece, I just have a tough time coming to grips with the internal lock and the $1100+ price tag. Im sure the whole lock thing is fine, it just irks me a bit having a big hole in the frame but more importantly I don't like the company bending to political pressures quite like that. Still a really neat snub.
 
My first j-frame was a 2" 337. I shot it a lot, carried it often, but eventually started lusting after a hammerless 442. As soon as I got one I never carried the 337 again. The weight savings wasn't that significant to me, and I didn't care for the external hammer for pocket carry, so I begrudgingly sold it.

ancientnoob said:
A) .38 Special +P
B) 3.2 Inch / 12 oz.
C) Round Butt Scandium Alloy Frame
D) 5 shots Titanium Cylinder
E) Adjustable Sights orange fiber optic front sight
F) Model 337-1
G) Shipped 1999
Click to expand...

Very nice gun, I love the 3" barrel! I'm by no means a S&W expert, but the 2" 337's had aluminum frames with the titanium cylinder. I'd assume yours is as well, as aluminum is actually lighter than scandium. Scandium is used on the .357 models because it's stronger than aluminum and still lighter than steel, but a .38 special doesn't need that extra strength. There was additional weight savings on the 337 by fluting the aluminum in areas such as the back of the grip, you can just barely make it out in the picture of my old 337. Yours might have the same fluting under the grips.

IMG_20171216_105348.jpg
 
They make these scandium frames today in the “PD” models. Both in .357 and .44. I’ve heard recoil is severe and people experience crimp jump since the revolver accelerated so fast from recoil that it’s almost like a bullet puller.
 
My buddy I went shooting with wanted one. The seller I got mine from had another 3” one with a dented rear site and my buddy promptly bought it.
 
ancientnoob said:
I did know I needed this. I did not know I wanted this. Frankly I did not know it existed. I tried to find another one to compare prices on but the only options sold long ago. So I picked it up. That's when the magic happened. I could not wrap my head around the weight relative to size. Just put 400 rounds through it and I have no complaints. The trigger is phenomenal the lock up is tight, and the weapon performs like a Swiss Watch. The adjustable sights were excellent and easily found. Recoil is negligible with standard pressure loads, and hardly snappy with +P hot stuff. The 77gr Polycase I use for business was absolutely a dream to shoot, with a recoil and report akin to .22LR.

I have been trying to do some research on this after the fact and found the weapon is fairly scarce. It had a very limited production run, and has was discontinued almost 15 years ago. It such a great gun with a lovely fit and finish. Such a shame. I want to buy another one. (Seriously.) I never realized how much fun I could have with an adjustable site 3" j-frame.

A good friend of mine was dumbfounded just as I was. He wanted to know how this was possible to make an all metal gun this light and this manageable and not some type of plastic. I explained that it was made a long time ago by space aliens (at Smith and Wesson with a Scandium frame and a titanium cylinder.) Apparently the space aliens selected an existing bad a** revolver with a celebrated history (Chief Special) and custom made it for human enjoyment.

A) .38 Special +P
B) 3.2 Inch / 12 oz.
C) Round Butt Scandium Alloy Frame
D) 5 shots Titanium Cylinder
E) Adjustable Sights orange fiber optic front sight
F) Model 337-1
G) Shipped 1999


View attachment 838692 View attachment 838693 View attachment 838694
Click to expand...

Ancientnoob -- LOVE your 3" 337-1! :thumbup:

I have a (sort of) matched pair of a 337PD (.38 Special) and 360PD (.357), and would love something like that 337-1 to form a cool trio! :)

337PD_360PDx1280 edited.jpg
 
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ancientnoob said:
I did know I needed this. I did not know I wanted this. Frankly I did not know it existed. I tried to find another one to compare prices on but the only options sold long ago. So I picked it up. That's when the magic happened. I could not wrap my head around the weight relative to size. Just put 400 rounds through it and I have no complaints. The trigger is phenomenal the lock up is tight, and the weapon performs like a Swiss Watch. The adjustable sights were excellent and easily found. Recoil is negligible with standard pressure loads, and hardly snappy with +P hot stuff. The 77gr Polycase I use for business was absolutely a dream to shoot, with a recoil and report akin to .22LR.

I have been trying to do some research on this after the fact and found the weapon is fairly scarce. It had a very limited production run, and has was discontinued almost 15 years ago. It such a great gun with a lovely fit and finish. Such a shame. I want to buy another one. (Seriously.) I never realized how much fun I could have with an adjustable site 3" j-frame.

A good friend of mine was dumbfounded just as I was. He wanted to know how this was possible to make an all metal gun this light and this manageable and not some type of plastic. I explained that it was made a long time ago by space aliens (at Smith and Wesson with a Scandium frame and a titanium cylinder.) Apparently the space aliens selected an existing bad a** revolver with a celebrated history (Chief Special) and custom made it for human enjoyment.

A) .38 Special +P
B) 3.2 Inch / 12 oz.
C) Round Butt Scandium Alloy Frame
D) 5 shots Titanium Cylinder
E) Adjustable Sights orange fiber optic front sight
F) Model 337-1
G) Shipped 1999


View attachment 838692 View attachment 838693 View attachment 838694
Click to expand...
Wow, congratulations, super nice find. Pretty rare gun, I suppose. Never seen one anywhere.
 
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