S & W Model 37 load

[ohio58]

I have a nice older Smith & Wesson Model 37 airweight flat latch with a bobbed hammer and was just looking for some opinions on what a good round would be for this snub out of a 2 inch barrel. This is my carry backup revolver and i really don't want to use +P for this older Smith...? Thanks

 

[1KPerDay]

Buffalo Bore non +P hard cast wadcutters. They will hurt you as the shooter, though.

Or any WC loaded to non +P specs, IMO.

 

[CSA 357]

i cary 158 swc in my mod 49 hand loads loaded fairly hot not plus p

 

[Jim Watson]

Speer 135 gr "short barrel".
It is +P but if you buy a box and shoot 15 to see what it feels like and load the gun for backup with the remaining 5, you are not going to wear it out.

A gun carried for serious self defense should get serious ammunition.
I don't get into so many gunfights that going easy on the gun with light loads is a factor.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Buffalo Bore non +P hard cast wadcutters. They will hurt you as the shooter, though.

Or any WC loaded to non +P specs, IMO.

I refuse to believe Buffalo Bore is generating such high velocities in their ammo without going above SAAMI pressure limits. They are telling us they can push a 158gr LSWC/HP bullet to 850fps from a 2" barrel and want us to believe that load is below 17,000 PSI. I'm sorry, I can't believe that.

 

[Radagast]

Federal Nyclad .38 special standard velocity 125 grain.
Test here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQDayqBiIDk

 

[CSA 357]

thing is its hard to push a jhp out of a 2 inch 38 special fast enough to open it up thats my reason for carying cast swc and i can load them where they shoot to point of aim with my fixed sight mod 49

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Federal Nyclad .38 special standard velocity 125 grain.
Test here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQDayqBiIDk

That is very good ammo and time tested. It's too bad Federal didn't make it more available when they re-released it!

 

[oldbear]

Ohio58, it should be perfectly safe to shoot 38 +p ammo in your M-37, if you wanted to. My suggestion is to locate and good quality 38 special ammo for range and training sessions. Then load your M-37 with the hottest 38 Special +P or +P+ ammo you can locate. If you ever need to use it for real the last thing you are going to worry about is possible damage to your revolver.

 

[amd6547]

I load my 1965 Model 38 Bodyguard snub with +P, either 125gn Winchester (because I have some), or Remington 158 lswchp.
I don't shoot a lot of either, but when I carry it (as I am right now), I want a solid self defense load.
I usually shoot standard pressure loads at the range, with a cylinder or two of +P thrown in.

 

[orionengnr]

Bingo.
Shoot a lot of normal rounds through it at the range. shoot enough hot loads so you know how they shoot and feel. Carry it with the hot loads.

I've never heard of a .38 Spl S&W, even an alloy framed ones (with the possible exception of some of the old M12s (and those may have been dead soft aluminum, not an aircraft-quality alloy) being worn out by +p rounds, although anything is possible...I can't afford to do it, and I doubt you can either.

Modern guns from reputable manufacturers are pretty well built. You can beat one to death if you try, but you are probably going to have to really try.

I have used this same principle with a number of revolvers and semi auto pistols for years, and have yet to find the flaw in the theory.

Similarly, I can take my bike to the drag strip or road race track a couple times per year...may increase wear a bit. If I did it every week...different story.

Back when I first owned alloy and scandium alloy j-frames, I also owned a steel frame M49. These days I just own and shoot my 637. Similarly, I shoot my alloy framed 1911s, and no longer need a steel framed 1911.

YMMV...but I doubt it.