637 Complaints?

[Gundenstern]

Well, I've gone from thinking about a Uberti Stallion to a S&W 637 with the crimson trace grips. I've read many threads on here looking for complaints people have had and wondered if it had any problems otherthan the finish wearing off. I'm also slightly concerned about the durability of it, as I heard the frame is aluminum. Does aluminum stand up to lots of firing well?

 

[barnett]

i've had mine for 3 or 4 years and have no problems with the finish. i prefer standard loads over +p. if you shoot it much, you will too.

 

[ChuckB]

I had a 637, and didn't worry about the finish. I used CLP for everything but the bore, and kept bore cleaner away from the frame. I had to wear a band-aid on my trigger finger when I practiced, or I got a very raw finger. I also didn't like the very heavy trigger pull on such a small gun. It made it difficult to shoot with both speed and accuracy. I changed out the hammer spring to a lighter Wolff spring, which helped some, but not enough. I actually had a better trigger on a now departed Taurus 85UL, and on a Cold Detective Special that I foolishly passed on. The sights on my 637 were off quite a bit and, obviously, not adjustable- but not an issue if you use Crimson Trace. I'm not trying to beat down a pretty nice revolver, but I felt it could have been better.

Chuck

 

[steelhead]

Owned one and the finish was ok. However, the trigger was horrible and I decided to sell it after the Wolf springs didn't help. Replaced it with a 640-1 and haven't had 1 regret. If I was in the market, today, I would personally get a similar styled Taurus. Better trigger and you can still get laser grips for the 85 series.

 

[jaydubya]

I've had my 637 for two years. I fire fifty rounds through it weekly, almost all standard pressure 158gr SWC reloads. Some +p loads (for one, Corbon +p 115 gr HP -- not the DPX) are painful to shoot. Others are acceptable. My standard SD load is Remington +p 158gr. LSWCHP, though I am looking at Speer's +p 135gr and Corbon's +p DPX. The finish on my 637, a sort of lacquer over the metal (strictly cosmetic), is doing fine. I have Crimson Trace's 306 grips installed and love the system. One thing you must stay on top of: the ejector rod must always be kept hand tight (righty tighty) to prevent cylinder lockup. Some recommend using adhesive cement to hold it in place, but I don't think that is necessary.

You have a dependable weapon, sir.
Cordially, Jack

 

[Waywatcher]

the ejector rod must always be kept hand tight (righty tighty) to prevent cylinder lockup.

I thought they were lefty tighty? (i.e. left hand thread) Or am I remembering backwards?

I had a 637 for a while, because I really liked the theory of carrying it. When it came to practice though it wasn't easy to conceal in my pocket and was too heavy. I ended up trading it for a Kel Tec P32. Of course it doesn't have as much power, but I can actually comfortably practice with it, and to me proficiency is more important than caliber. I practice "Failure Drill" or "Mozambique" or "2+1" or whatever you want to call it.