Opinons on Model 37

C

Casey

New member
Hello all.

While I have shot and currently own a pretty fair collection of auto-loaders, I am embarassingly unknowlegeable about revovlers. I do own a Model 625 that is unbelievable easy to shoot well.

A local establishment has a 1970 NIB Model 37 Airweight for sale. It is blued, with the wooden handle (dont know if that is the way they all came). It also says something about a Chiefs Special.

While I am not usually a huge fan of very small pistols, this one has some strange attraction for me. I usually own and shoot .45 ACP, 9mm and such, but feel that the proper load in a .38 Special would be a perfectly acceptable self defense tool. I do handload, although not currently in 38 Special.

This gun is indeed like new. I examined it closely and it has no wear, in fact looks as if unfired. Would it be worth the $400 they have it priced at?

Anyone with positive or negative opinions please comment.

Thanks.

Casey
 
Hi, Casey - - -

Fairly frequently, someone brings up a topic dealing with these fine little revolvers, or something very similar. One is currently in progress at - - -

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=143758

You might want to do a search in Revolvers forum on - - -

Model 37 (Duhh!)

Airweight

Snub nose revolvers

Favorite pocket revolvers

Colt Agent

Colt Cobra (these last two usually draw comments from S&W fans, as well.;)

I bet you'll get enough reading to keep you busy for a while.
Then check back here, and I imagine you'll have some replies anyway. Some of us just like talking about the alloy frame .38s.:p

I like the M37 and the Colt Cobra and Agent models about equally. There are also those who'll tell you one is great and the others are trash!

Later - - -
Johnny
 
Johnny, you might want to try the search on "Model 37" . Unless my search function works differently than yours, you can't do a search on two letter entries. That's the first thing I tried, then decided to start a thread while I looked through the forum.

Thanks for the hint about the search. I did spend my time searching for "airweight" and "chiefs special" and found several good readings. You're right, like most things everyone has a different opinion.

Casey
 
I own a Model 37 and yes $400.00 is a decent price for a new one. I also own a new Colt Cobra that's about 25 plus years old that I've never fired. I can readily understand your attraction to these fine handguns...

7th
 
Model 37

I bought my first carry gun in 1975, It was a Smith Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight.
Great handgun, still have it and I do still carry it frequently! ;)
I don't know about the asking price, seems a little high to me, I paid about $140. for mine way back then! :)
 
After seeing all the used ones at the shop here in town... I'd rather try and haggle for 3 model 37s for $400 instead of one new one! :)
 
Casey wrote:

Unless my search function works differently than yours, you can't do a search on two letter entries.
Click to expand...
Whups! My error, Sir--I did try it, and couldn't get it to work either==Even as "S&W Model 37." Evidently the function centers on the "37." Anyhow, sorry about that. I did get it wo work with "S&W Airweight," though, and got a number of references. Anyhow, plenty of action on TFL about the M37 and its ilk.

Believe I got my first sometime in the 1980s and have always liked the alloy, J-frame-size revolvers.

Best,
Johnny
 
If you're a revolver and a Smith & Wesson fan, the Mod 37 is a real classic.

In that class of handguns known as "I never should have traded/sold that one" an old, mint condition Mod 37 continues to stick in my memory. I believe it had been manufactured in the late 50s or early 60s as it had the old style flat cylinder release, which was really nice on the old J frames.

Mine had a square butt which is probably why I let it go...it didn't work well in a pocket.

Can't advise you on the price, but I'd probably buy it if it's mint or NIB for $400.

Cheers...

Mike
 
My Dad has had a M37 for 30 years. Great carry gun. Stiff to shoot.

I just put the M38 on layaway. It is the Bodyguard version. Paying $269 for a minty one. YMMV
 
I regularly carry a square butt 37 in my jeans pocket. I liked it so well I bought a model 12 2" and carry it in a nylon holster.
 
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