How durable is a S&W Airlite?

[Steve Morgan]

I finally got my CCW permit last week and bought a S&W Airlite Model 337-2 in .38 +P caliber. Talk about light and easy to carry!... anyway, the 125 gr. Remington HP in +P kick like the dickens.... made my hand sting, but I'll get over it.
What I would like to get some feedback on, if you guys would be so kind, is the durability of this little gun. I mean, it being so light and everything, it seems almost fragile. I have hundreds of used brass and was thinking of buying the dies to load some lighter loads to practice with, but got to thinking (wondering) if the gun is intended to be shot a lot.
Has anybody out there shot this or any other Airlite a lot? Is it as "fragile" as it feels?

 

[Jeffro250]

If you plan on shooting it ALOT, i would either go with the reloading option like you showed intrest in, or just fire non +P rounds. A target gun they are not and i would expect life on them to be less than a revolver out of more traditional metals...with that said though, it will be many many thousands of rounds before you wear it out as long as you keep the loads in respectable pressures and take care of it. Friend of mine has the 357 model and has put probably 5000 rounds through it...not all magnum loads, some lighter downloaded reloads, but its functioned flawlessly and hasnt had any problems. I would like to pick one up, but i need another CCW pistol like i need another hole in the head!!

 

[Redondo]

I don't have experience with the Airlite 337, but do own a 442 and a 637. Several thousand rounds through both, without any problems.

 

[JoeHatley]

Has anybody out there shot this or any other Airlite a lot?

I'm not sure if it qualifies as "a lot", but I've run over 2k rounds though this 325PD AirLite.

Still looks like like new and shoots pretty well.

Joe

 

[Greenfurniture]

We have most of the Airlite models in our rental case and they get shot plenty everyday. Haven't had any problems with them holding up, knock wood.