Does S&W make a non-lock alloy j-frame?

[fastbolt]

FWIW, I've recently asked someone else at S&W whether the 37-2 bobbed hammer J-frames were rated for +P usage, and I was told that the 37's still produced with the frame stud cylinder stops, instead of the integral cylinder stops, were not +P rated since they didn't have the newer Airweight frames. There may be some confusion about this issue, even among the customer service folks.

That's not a big deal to me, since I don't shoot +P ammunition in my older M649 Bodyguard often, either ... only enough to cycle out some older carry loads occasionally.

Anyone wondering about the advisability of using +P ammunition in J-frames not specifically marked as being rated for +P ought to call S&W and ask, providing the serial number of their gun.

 

[Gary A]

One of the folks over at smith-wessonforum.com sent me a copy of the emails between him and S&W on this subject where he was told +P was OK. I was still dubious about Smith's answer suspecting that the responder was thinking only of the newer frame guns, so I sent my own e-mail trying to carefully describe the gun with its old-style frame, etc. In reply, I also received an e-mail which stated that "The handgun was manufactured in 2005, and yes you may fire the +P ammo in this handgun". In point of fact, I will fire little, if any, plus P ammo in this gun but I am keeping the e-mail . Honestly, this 37-2 shows none of the features attributed to the newer plus P frame, so I don't know why it is so rated, but Smith's answer is pretty clear to me.

Edited to add: I think the answer that fastbolt got makes the most sense to me.

 

[mtnbkr]

I sent them an email back when I bought the gun, providing the serial number and a description. I too got an email response stating the gun is safe for +P.

I kept that email.

Chris