Care and feeding of my new 637

[Weisbrot]

My first revolver ever. I've wanted a S&W snub ever since I was a little kid, and
the 637 fits the bill nicely. Great price with the rebate as well.

I picked up some Hornady +P at Wally World, and looked for some range ammo
to start getting used to this little beast. Just before buying some white-box
Winchester ball when I saw the price on some UMC semi-jacketed HP, +P rated.

Is there any problem shooting this- lead issues or other? I wanted to work out
with the new 637 using +P but not sure this is the best choice.

Any thoughts?

 

[Creature]

Try Buffalo Bore 158gr standard pressure LSWCHP as a carry load...VERY stout shooting ammo.

 

[167]

The Rem UMC 125gr +p SJHP is pretty stout. For training purposes it will wear you out pretty fast. I have shot Rem UMC 158gr LRN, Speer 135gr +p SBGD, Hornady 110gr +p FTX, Win 130gr +p PDX1, and Win 125gr +p SJHP through a 637 and the Rem UMC 125gr +p SJHP was the hardest shooting of those.

Has a cool fireball effect though

For your first range trip I would just stick with basic FMJ or LRN for training. After you get a handle on it then you can step up to hotter loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A short barrel revolver like the M637 is difficult to shoot well in the beginning. The shorter sight picture, light weight of the gun and the heavy trigger all make it harder to shoot accurately. (most pocket guns have very heavy triggers)

I suggest you shoot standard pressure .38 Special ammo to begin with and when you become comfortable with your J frame and get good at trigger control then you can move up to the +P ammo. ALSO, for a lot of really cheap practice buy a set of snap caps and practice at home. The added benefit is a smoother trigger after many hundreds of trigger pulls.

 

[motorcycle-charlie]

congratulations on your new 637. i have a 442 and usually practice with the Winchester 130gr white box and use Speer Gold Dot 135gr +p Short Barrel as my carry round. this combo works well for me bc they both shoot very similar to each other and go where i point them. the Gold Dots have a little bit more recoil but not much. remember to practice with what you carry occasionally. good luck to you.

 

[snooperman]

You picked a good choice for a carry gun or self defense.

One can not beat the simplicity and reliability of the snubby revolver. That said, you could use lead wad cutters also for practice , which will be a little cheaper and carry the Federal Nyclad if you are recoil shy or go with the Speer Gold Dot +P ammo. Welcome to the revolver world and have fun with your new gun.

 

[Slamfire]

My M637 is sighted in for 125 grain bullets. S&W confirmed that they regulate new production revolvers to this bullet weight.

The best self defense ammo is +P. I would only shoot the stuff to confirm zero and then shoot the cheapest stuff for rock busting. I reload my own.

I have reloading data I developed in the thing. Used Bullseye and Green Dot. Both worked well.

 [SIZE="3"]S&W M637-2  2" barrel  				
					
158 LRN 3.5 grs Bullseye WSP Mixed cases		
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F		 	 		
Ave Vel =679				
Std Dev =16.48				
ES 56.11				
High 698.2				
Low 642				
N = 18	

Good group but POI off at 25 yards. 			 
					
125 Lead BBRNFP 4.0 grs Bullseye Lot BE 532 Mixed cases CCI 500 	
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F					
Ave Vel =	763.9	 			
Std Dev =	22			 	 
ES	78			 	 
High	806.5			 	 
Low	728.5			 	 
N =	15				 
Point aim OK					

125 Lead BBRNFP 4.0 grs Bullseye Mixed cases WSP 	
9-Apr-06 T = 59 °F					
Ave Vel =	760.4	 			
Std Dev =	27.33				 
ES =	82.1				 
High  =	798.9				 
Low  =	716.8			 	 
N =	19				 
					
					
125 Lead BBRNFP 4.5 grs Bullseye Mixed cases WSP 	
9-Apr-06 T = 64 °F					
Ave Vel =	827.9				
Std Dev =	23.21				 
ES =	92.27				 
High  =	879.4			 	 
Low  =	787.1			 	 
N =	20				 
					

125 Lead BBRNFP 4.5 grs Green Dot Lot 178 Mixed cases CCI 500 	
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F					
					
Ave Vel =	813.2	 		 	
Std Dev =	44.55			 	 
ES	176.5			 	 
High	903.3			 	 
Low	726.8			 	 
N =	24				 
 v. accurate at 7 yards, POI at 25 yards, little leading					
	
125 Lead BBRNFP 5.0 grs Green Dot Lot 178 Mixed cases CCI 500 	
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F					
					
Ave Vel =	867.3	 		 	
Std Dev =	57.54			 	 
ES	178.1			 	 
High	966			 	 
Low	787.8			 	 
N =	21				 
v.accurate at 7 yds, 1-2" above POI at 25 yards, more leading
					
125 JHP (W/W) 4.5 grs Green Dot Lot 178 Mixed cases CCI 500 	
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F		
					
Ave Vel =	760.4	 		 	
Std Dev =	68			 	 
ES	56			 	 
High	205.1			 	 
Low	885.4			 	 
N =	13				 
					
	
125 JHP (W/W) 5.0 grs Green Dot Lot 178 Mixed cases CCI 500 	
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F		
					
Ave Vel =	808.9	 		 	
Std Dev =	56.82			 	 
ES	95.46	 		 	 
High	914.2	 		 	 
Low	712.8			 	 
N =	20				 
25 yds accuracy OK, accurate POI @ 7 yds[/SIZE]