New Smith 637 owner with a few questions

[MilesR]

Hello everyone,

New to revolvers but not hand guns.

Anyway I purchased a brand new 637 I havent taken to the range yet. I noticed the next day the screw holding in the thumb latch that open the cylinder was loose. So no biggie I took the right size screw driver and made it snug but not too tight. I called CS and they told me that sometimes this happens and just to tighten it.

My question is ... should i use clear nail polish or blue loctite or just leave it be?

I dont wanna dwell on this if I can as I've always wanted a smith revolver.

Also, There is a very small amount of play on the thumb latch but CS says that's perfectly normal. Opinions? A friend of mine says that's perfectly normal as well.

Any help would be appreciated even if it's a new revolver owner being worried over nothing. Thanks

 

[Slamfire]

This is not based on a scientific test, but blue loctite has worked better than fingernail polish in keeping bolts tight. I have had red loctitie screws come loose given enough gun solvent.

I called S&W about what to use in my Airweights, and S&W claimed that they had regulated the sights for 125 grain bullets. This is more or less true out to 25 yards, the old 158 grains bullets shot to a very different elevation, but I can't remember if they shot high or low. Probably high.

I installed larger grips but I kept the smaller factory grips on my 642.



With these aluminum framed pistols I am going to say it is better to practice with standard pressure ammunition and keep the +P for self defense loads. And, don't use a wire brush on the frame!. That bright finish is paint, and a wire brush, even a brass wire brush, will remove it.

Don't worry about the small amount of play on the cylinder latch. As long as it opens the cylinder, all is good.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My question is ... should i use clear nail polish or blue loctite or just leave it be?

Just leave it be and check it occassionally

Also, There is a very small amount of play on the thumb latch but CS says that's perfectly normal. Opinions? A friend of mine says that's perfectly normal as well.

It is perfectly normal. It it didn't have any play, you'd run the risk of it binding

Any help would be appreciated even if it's a new revolver owner being worried over nothing. Thanks

I'd also mostly shoot it with wadcutter ammo to get used to it before moving up to defensive ammo. The S&W J-frame is one of the hardest revolvers to learn to shoot, due to it's small grip frame and the geometry of the action (compared to the K-frame or L-frame)

When I carried my 642 as a BUG, I loaded it with Speer Short Barreled 135gr Gold Dots

 

[AZAndy]

I can't add anything to what's already been said, but wanted to pop in to welcome you to the forum. Pull up a chair; it's a great place to be!

 

[Pat Riot]

Nice choice in revolvers.

As has been said, snug it up and check it on occasion.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Zendude]

Good choice. Let us know your thoughts after your first range session with it.

 

[AK103K]

I had a 637 for a while. Good gun and good shooter.

I prefer the grips to be of the more minimal type, as the purpose of the gun is to be smaller. Seems kind of pointless to buy a smaller gun, only to put full size grips on it. Its not hard shooting them with the smaller grips, but it may require a little more work on your part. With any of them, regular practice is a must.

My favorite grip set up for the J and K frames is a set of factory Magna grips with a T Grip....


Next favorite is the Houge "Bantam" grips.....

 

[MilesR]

Thanks to everyone for their help and putting my mind at ease. I'll leave the screw alone then. Its snug so I won't worry about it.. I'm really looking forward to shooting it Saturday.

I'll definently try wadcutter ammo and give it a try!

I have been looking at different grips but I'm gonna shoot it stock first and see how my hand feels afterwards .
Next to my shield 9mm's this revolver looks like a piece of art.

 

[Barry loyd]

I have to keep a check on all the screws of my heavier recoiling revolvers. My 642, 686, and 629 all shake the screws loose. As a side note it’s actually a nut that holds the thumb piece.

 

[Jonesy814]

Been shooting and carrying a 638 for about 6 years now. I have found it shoots to the point of aim with 158gr ammo and 148gr wadcutters come pretty close. With regular practice targets out to 30-35 yards are not hard to hit. Like it so much I bought a 2nd J frame early this year. I got a 442 the 2nd time so I would still have a good gun for pocket carry

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The S&W Airweight line of revolvers are great carry guns IMO. I pocket carry a M442 daily and have for many years.

They are very good guns for the price.

 

[Pat Riot]

MilesR,
Do not be put off with the gun if you have a hard time hitting the target the first time you shoot it. The first time I shot my 442 (J frame 5 shot DA snubbie) I could barely hit the broad side of a barn. The double action trigger and the feel of the gun take some getting used to. Practice is the key to these Snubbies.
Once you get the hang of it I am sure it will become a favorite firearm.

Oh, and good idea regarding the factory grips. If yours came with the factory rubber grips you may find that you like them. Some do, some don’t. My 442 still wears the rubber factory boot grips it came with in ‘97. I tried a few others but always went back to the originals.

Have fun today.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

my 637 goes with me all the time

 

[MilesR]

So I took my new 637 to the range and I love it!
It performed flawlessly. Shot about 100 rounds of wadcutter ammo. The recoil was very manageable IMHO. I couldn't be happier. Definitely getting another smith revolver come tax season.

My aim...could have been better. Any opinions on how to improve that?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My aim...could have been better. Any opinions on how to improve that?

Yes, a set of snap caps.

Make sure there is no live ammo in the room. Load the snap caps then pick a target and shoot at it. The lack of recoil will allow you to see that you are doing wrong and you can fix it fairly quickly. The bonus, a smoother trigger. After between 500 to 1000 trigger pulls you will be a much better shot.

I'm glad you like your new revolver.

 

[Pat Riot]

My aim...could have been better. Any opinions on how to improve that?

Yes, a set of snap caps.

Make sure there is no live ammo in the room. Load the snap caps then pick a target and shoot at it. The lack of recoil will allow you to see that you are doing wrong and you can fix it fairly quickly. The bonus, a smoother trigger. After between 500 to 1000 trigger pulls you will be a much better shot.

I'm glad you like your new revolver.

What ArchAngel said ^^^^^
Or...practice, practice, practice

I am so glad you like your 637.