Hello, I am very new to this site and was hoping, more like praying, to talk to someone about a Smith and Wesson Model 637 Deep cover that I am purchasing. I cannot find much online for it except the two videos the Gunsmoke crew did on it. I also found a bunch of sites that are selling it, giving the basic information about it. I was hoping one of you nice folks have shot, or own it still, and would like to share your thoughts on how it performed and some of the rest ammunition to use with it. I basically won't be using it as a concealed carry for a month or so because it takes about that long to get the license were I live so to begin with I am going to practice with it to make sure I can use it as my first concealed carry firearm. Basically it'll start off as a home defense then I will carry it if it is as trustworthy as the Gun smoke people say. So if anyone has or does own this firearm I would love your opinions on how it performs and what ammunition you find works best. thank you so much!
Smith and Wesson Model 637
- Thread starter Magkor
- Start date
I had a 637 and now own a 638 which is basically the same gun but has a shrouded hammer. They are great shooting little guns. Very accurate and very very reliable. I use Speer Gold Dot 135 grain + P loads in mine but the recoil is quite stout. You might want to buy some non + P loads for range use but if you decide to carry the + P loads in it I recommend shooting a few just to get the feel of them.
orionengnr
New member
I recently purchased a 637, and I like it very well. I have owned at least a half dozen J-frames over the years, although it has been a while since I owned one. This one may be my favorite--I'll get back to you in six months.
In the mean time, I concur on the Speer Gold Dot 135 Short Barrel +P loads. I bought a bunch when they first came out, and I'm down to my last box.
In the mean time, I concur on the Speer Gold Dot 135 Short Barrel +P loads. I bought a bunch when they first came out, and I'm down to my last box.
buck460XVR
New member
I too carry a 637. I shoot my handrolled 125 JHPs that fall in the cusp between non +p and +p velocity. It is easy to carry and conceal, reliable as an old hat and is surprisingly accurate. Don't know how those "clip" grips will shoot +p ammo, seems they would tend to bite. Let us know.
Thanks for the opinions. It'll be a little while before I get it, thank God for layaway and cheap payments or I would never be able to afford it as a full time college student. It was the first .38 special that fit great in my hand, I am skeptical about the grip and I've looked into replacing it in case I do not like it when it comes to actually firing the firearm. I don't think I'm too worried about firing +P, because I do shoot .45acp,410, and .45 long colt all the time. I am thinking the are more powerful, I'm still learning about it from my boyfriend so I should probably ask about that.
Not familiar with the "Deep Cover" version, but here's a pic of my wife's 637 Airweight with fancy BBQ grips. We've restocked it with a pair of Crimson Trace grips that make it an enjoyable gun to shoot for an afternoon's practice.
Recoil with 125 gr +P ammunition is not excessive, even for her. For practice, on most days, we shoot a handload using a 158 gr LSWC that duplicates the recoil of the 125 gr CCW loads.
The 2nd pic is of some of the loads I've tested and chronographed through it. All bullets were fired into our swimming pool for comparison of expansion. For business or night stand duty, she loads and carries the Remington Golden Saber depicted. Velocities listed were tested at 15' in the 637. It's a good gun for carry or night stand especially with the Crimson Trace grips.
The 3rd pic shows the same gun outfitted with Crimson Trace grips in one of our home made holsters. She wears it in the old FBI position, behind the right hip.
HTH's Rod
Recoil with 125 gr +P ammunition is not excessive, even for her. For practice, on most days, we shoot a handload using a 158 gr LSWC that duplicates the recoil of the 125 gr CCW loads.
The 2nd pic is of some of the loads I've tested and chronographed through it. All bullets were fired into our swimming pool for comparison of expansion. For business or night stand duty, she loads and carries the Remington Golden Saber depicted. Velocities listed were tested at 15' in the 637. It's a good gun for carry or night stand especially with the Crimson Trace grips.
The 3rd pic shows the same gun outfitted with Crimson Trace grips in one of our home made holsters. She wears it in the old FBI position, behind the right hip.
HTH's Rod
Dave Chuppa
New member
J-Frams
You can't go wrong with any Smith J-Frame. They are all excellent shooters and easy to carry. I have a Mdl. 37 and a 442. Both will be kept forever.
You can't go wrong with any Smith J-Frame. They are all excellent shooters and easy to carry. I have a Mdl. 37 and a 442. Both will be kept forever.
I like the grips on my 637. You can hang onto them and the material helps absorb recoil. My favorite defense load is Speer Gold Dot 135 gr +p for short barrels. Keep in mind they will be harder to shoot da than a full size recolver because there is less mass of the gun to absorb little twitches, etc
I also carry a J frame quite a bit. I have model's 36,37,637,and a model 60 357. I carry the model 37 the most, as it is light weight.
After watching that tv show Gunsmoke, and seeing the work of their gunsmiths,I would recomend just buying a stock model 637 and use the extra money for holster, and ammo.
After watching that tv show Gunsmoke, and seeing the work of their gunsmiths,I would recomend just buying a stock model 637 and use the extra money for holster, and ammo.
My wife just got a 637 and really likes it. (I carry a 643 but she likes the hammer).
We've been hitting the dueling tree and she's getting pretty good with it.
I'd like to see her stick to double action in stead of single action...........we'll see.
I find it pretty smooth in double action, pretty good for a brand new gun.
We've been hitting the dueling tree and she's getting pretty good with it.
I'd like to see her stick to double action in stead of single action...........we'll see.
I find it pretty smooth in double action, pretty good for a brand new gun.
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My youngest Daughter (now 37 y.o.) CCW's a Model 37 ( the carbon steel version of the 637), with a 3" bbl, practices weekly with her older sister, and loves it more than her other guns (she owns several - it's a hereditary disease
)
I suggest that you practice with standard loads, and only a few serious loads to check zero - then load the serious loads for HD/CCW - as there'll then be less stress on both the alloy frame and the flesh/blood shooter.
.
My youngest Daughter (now 37 y.o.) CCW's a Model 37 ( the carbon steel version of the 637), with a 3" bbl, practices weekly with her older sister, and loves it more than her other guns (she owns several - it's a hereditary disease
)I suggest that you practice with standard loads, and only a few serious loads to check zero - then load the serious loads for HD/CCW - as there'll then be less stress on both the alloy frame and the flesh/blood shooter.
.