Info needed on new S&W M37's w bobbed hammer?

[Frank1991]

THe new M37's that are hitting the shelves with the bobbed hammer and no MIM parts or lock - just wondering from someone that has purchased one if they are stamped as being +p or not?

 

[Mal H]

No, they're not stamped +P. However, the S&W site indicates they are +P rated.

 

[Frank1991]

No, they're not stamped +P. However, the S&W site indicates they are +P rated.

Yes, however these guns were a special order. If they were +p rated wouldn't they put "+p" on the barrel. I have a brand new 642 that specifically says "+p" on the barrel.

 

[Mal H]

You would think so, but if you look closely at the large picture on the S&W site, the stamping is the same as on mine - ".38 S&W Spl." No +P. Yet the text indicates they are.

With the all steel cylinder and barrel, I wouldn't hesitate to use a limited amount of +P in it. Certainly for carrying, it should be ok. I plan to use only relatively light reloads for practice with the occassional +P and carry +P.

You do raise a good point. Maybe a call to S&W concerning this specific revolver is in order.

 

[Frank1991]

You would think so, but if you look closely at the large picture on the S&W site, the stamping is the same as on mine - ".38 S&W Spl." No +P. Yet the text indicates they are.

With the all steel cylinder and barrel, I wouldn't hesitate to use a limited amount of +P in it. Certainly for carrying, it should be ok. I plan to use only relatively light reloads for practice with the occassional +P and carry +P.

You do raise a good point. Maybe a call to S&W concerning this specific revolver is in order.

Then why do you think that S&W would stamp some of their barrels with "+p" (as in my case with my new 642) and others such as the M37 without the "+p" on it if they are rated as being +p rated?

 

[Erik]

Mine does not have +P stamped on it.

I've read somewhere on the net that some do, though. Probably S&W getting rid of parts, if true.

Regardless, moderate +P usage won't hurt them. Folks have been plinking with wadcutters and occassionally shooting and carrying stouter loads for decades.

 

[farscott]

The barrel on mine does no have +P marked on it. In addition, mine has the older frame design with the pressed-in cylinder stop lug versus the new J-Magnum frame with the lug machined as an integral part of the frame.

As such, mine will not see any +P rounds. I will make do with standard velocity 120-something grain Nyclad rounds from my stash. If I want to run +P in a snubbie, I will use my older M640, not an Airweight.

 

[scbair]

In one of my most fortunate moves (blind luck on my part), I picked up a S&W 642-1 several years ago, NIB, because there were some really great deals on them. It is NOT marked "+P," but several references I've checked confirm the 642-1 IS rated OK for +P; S&W just hadn't started marking the barrels yet! I believe the 642-2 is so marked.

I have no reservations carrying mine with the same ol' +P "FBI load" I started using as a cop, back in the 70s. I don't shoot many of these at a time, more for my sake than for the gun's sake! If I ever need it "for real," I suspect a sore hand will be the least of my worries.

Mine also has the more durable finish on the alloy frame (that doesn't "exactly" match the stainless barrel & cylinder, but hat also doesn't flake off...), and doesn't seem to have that strange lock above the cylinder release . . .

It's good to be smart, but better to be lucky!!

 

[Bob79]

They are not +P rated, officially. They are not built on the J-magnum frame. But a person from S&W said its OK to use limited +P. If you put a cylinder of +P through it a couple of times a year I'm sure it would be OK.