s&w 637 - cleaning/ammo

E

evenflow

Inactive
since the frame is alloy/ss, is cleaning a problem? is there a lot of discoloring on the barrel after firing?

also, just for target shooting, are reloads ok? or semi-wadcutters? will there be much difference in feel between a semi-wad and a bullet comming out of the gun?

i was looking at bulk reloads semi-wads @ Cabellas. any other bulk ammo online stores?


thanks
 
I've had my 637 for close to 2 years now and love it. The only thing to worry about with cleaning is the 'stronger' solvents, specifically GunScrubber, it can (did to mine and others i've taked to) take some of the clear coat off the gun, giving it a kind of 'patchy' look. Never had any problem since I went back to just using good 'ol Hoppes on it.

As for discoloration due to firing, it shows way less than my stainless steel guns, but more than my blued, so...just clean it after like any gun and it will come off just as well as with any gun. no different.

As for ammo choice, They are +p rated, so unless you are firing a LOT of VERY, VERY hot reloads (like the kind that probly shouldnt be loaded in the first place :)) I wouldnt worry about it at all. i plink with el cheapo WWB in mine, but practice with the same +p ammo i carry. no problems.

for bulk ammo, try ammoman.com, midway, and/or cheaperthandirt. Never had any problems at all with any of them.
 
You must be wary with S&W 637s. I have seen two and one of those was one I ordered that were completely cracked at the barrel crushfitting AND still shipped! Three total that I am aware of. They are terrible in bullet pulling and totally freezing their actions up. I am aware of dozens of complaints regarding cylinders not turning due to bullet pull, it is a dangerous issue ina defense weapon. The garbage spray-on finish does not hold up well. Solvents will cause it to peel like a grape. The barrel/cylinder are stainless steel. They are the two best parts in the revolver. There is just so much that can and does go wrong with S&W 637s that I suggest NOT betting your life on one.
 
Not to dispute Sir William in any way, as i'm sure he is simply relaying his experiance and is sure of his facts, but I PERSONALLY have hade none of the issues he mentions in 2 years, and havent heard of them either, however he may be in more of a position to be more knowledgeble of them in general. possibly, there was a bad shipment, possibly, there is an issue with them I haent experianced and/or havent heard of. Either way I PERSONALLY love mine and other than the clear coat issue, have had no problems and am 100% satisfied. maybe I just got lucky though. What he states is serious enough to look into further if you are thinking of getting one (I intend to look for more accounts from 637 owners again). FWIW, everyone produces some lemons, even S&W, for example I have a Firestorm (Llama) 45 ACP clone) that has been awesome and I love, and is 100% reliable even after four years of regular use, yet the lemons have spoiled the Llama name. Reports of issues with certain manufacturers/models may be isolated incdents, or may be an indication of a deeper issue. dont take my experiance or any single others experiances a 'law'. look for more reports, but be vigilant at the same time. maybe I just got lucky twice, maybe not. something to consider though....
 
My Llama 1911 pattern 45s have been fine for me also. I had a POJ 637. I know of many others. I liked the airweight idea. Taurus and S&W have both had issues with lightweights and bullet pull. If the bullets are not tightly crimped, recoil can ease them out enough to totally freeze up the action. I switched to a M10-11 2" in RB and blue. It has given me no problems and it is stock with a frame mounted firing pin.
 
I've had extremely good results with the 637, so much in fact, that I bought a second one as a permanent "bedroom" gun. I use relatively mild cleaners like Lube Job or Hoppes 9 on them with no problems either with cleaning or damage to the clear coat. If the barrel stamping indicates it is +P rated, you should have no problems with using +Ps in it even continuously. I specifically requested and received an answer from S&W on that issue. My own choice of load is the Speer 135 grain Gold Dot +P, which is a round specifically designed to perform properly from a snubbie revolver.
 
My 637 has been 100%- no bullet pull, no peeling (I clean with Hoppe's), no jamming. As stated, every maker can turn out a lemon, although quality control should catch them, shouldn't they? By the way... the 637 isn't a totally different gun from the rest of the Smith line. The large majority of its components are shared with other Smith snubbies. So, if the 637 has issues, so would its relatives.

Chuck
 
My 637 has been 100%- no bullet pull, no peeling (I clean with Hoppe's), no jamming. As stated, every maker can turn out a lemon, although quality control should catch them, shouldn't they? By the way... the 637 isn't a totally different gun from the rest of the Smith line. The large majority of its components are shared with other Smith snubbies. So, if the 637 has issues, so would its relatives. Sir William switched to a K frame, which is a rather different- and more solidly built- animal than a J frame.

Chuck
 
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