Smith Model 37 DAO Bobbed Hammer

[earlthegoat2]

I am looking for information regarding a Smith Model 37 with factory bobbed hammer and DAO. Apparently they were made sometime in the late 90's after the firing pin was moved to the frame. If anyone has info on the dash number, or the finish, or any pictures I would appreciate it greatly.

On another note, can anyone identify these grips. I bought them from someone on here a few months back and dont remember the description.

 

[Landric]

I have (or had, can't find them) a set of those grips. I think they were called Secret Service grips, or Undercover, or something like that. Other than being kind of hard, and therefore uncomfortable under recoil, I really liked them. I wish I could find them.

S&W made a couple of runs of the DAO 37-2 Airweight with a bobbed hammer, one around 2004 or 2005, the other in 2008 IIRC. Here is a picture of my well used 2005 version.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. They are the "finger groove" version of Precision's "Hideout" grips and are made of hard nylon.

Best.

 

[Guillermo]

I have a 36 w a bobbed hammer. Am going to put a real hammer on it.

No single action sucks. Train yourself to put your thumb on the trigger and snags w never be an issue regardless of the gun.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Landric, the gun you show has the pin on the hammer. Apparently they had this option even up until 2005? Is it also a no lock?

 

[fastbolt]

The 37-2 I bought from the earlier '05 contract run uses the older short (pre-'Magnum') frame and lacks MIM parts & the ILS. The firing pin in mine is located in the pre-MIM hammer.

 

[Landric]

Like Fastbolt said, its no lock, no MIM, and non-magnum frame. The story I heard was that they were contract over runs. However, the same gun appeared again in 2008 with the same features, plus the serial number laser etched on the left side of the frame under the cylinder.

As for DAO vs. DA/SA, I see no need what so ever for SA capability in a defensive revolver intended for the ranges that the J-frame is designed for. YMMV.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I hardly use SA ever. Interesting revolver though. I know someone that may want to sell one so I was trying to learn as much about them as possible.

 

[Gary A]

I've got a couple of them and am very happy with them. I practice with standard pressure .38 Special and load them with either some old stock of Federal 125 grain standard pressure Nyclads or Federal's 110 grain Hydroshok. I would not hesitate to load them with 158 grain +P LSWCHPs but would not practice much with +P as they are the pre-plus P rated frame. Personally, I think loads such as the excellent Speer 135 grain Gold Dot and the like are a bit much for this gun but others disagree. I have an excellent stash of the original Nyclads, though, so that is what I use. I count any of these loads superior to a .380 from a shorty barrel, IMO.