A few questions for the experts (and the rest of you!) if you please. I was just checking one out yesterday. I have been considering a 642, 442 or 340. I used to have a 640 but found it too heavy for regular pocket carry. (If I belt carry, I carry something else.) I really liked size of the 'j' and the hammerless design, tho, and that's why I was considering mainly the above. When he showed me the M37, I was struck by how nice it looked, having a 'real" bluing on it and how light it was. The hammer might not bother me too much I guess but I have a few questions, too:
1) How much or how little can it handle heavy +P, if at all? Obviously I would practice with regular .38's but I pretty much insist on +P's out of a j-frame. (I prefer the 'treasury load' from a 'J'.)
2) The price was $360, a few bucks more than a brand-new 642 or 637 around here. Fair or high?
3) What differences are there between the 37 and it's more modern counterparts, the 642 + 637. (Weight? materials used?)
4) Is the grip frame the same as the modern designs? The wood grips on it look great and have a classic feel to them but would the aftermarket grips designed for "today's j-frame" fit the M37 as well?
5) As stated, I am considering a j primarily for pocket carry. 99% of the time when I pocket carry, the gun is 'alone' in my pocket, (no change, keys, etc.)but no holster, either. Is the 37 likely to get scratched up by a forgotten coin? (Almost all my other guns are stainless, I guess this is just a general question about how tough bluing is.)
I didn't seriously check it out at first because, to be honest, I just wasn't interested, but I thought about it a lot since I left the shop. Any info is appreciated. Not looking for a collectable, just a pocket gun, but a pocket gun with added "cool factor" would be a plus!
1) How much or how little can it handle heavy +P, if at all? Obviously I would practice with regular .38's but I pretty much insist on +P's out of a j-frame. (I prefer the 'treasury load' from a 'J'.)
2) The price was $360, a few bucks more than a brand-new 642 or 637 around here. Fair or high?
3) What differences are there between the 37 and it's more modern counterparts, the 642 + 637. (Weight? materials used?)
4) Is the grip frame the same as the modern designs? The wood grips on it look great and have a classic feel to them but would the aftermarket grips designed for "today's j-frame" fit the M37 as well?
5) As stated, I am considering a j primarily for pocket carry. 99% of the time when I pocket carry, the gun is 'alone' in my pocket, (no change, keys, etc.)but no holster, either. Is the 37 likely to get scratched up by a forgotten coin? (Almost all my other guns are stainless, I guess this is just a general question about how tough bluing is.)
I didn't seriously check it out at first because, to be honest, I just wasn't interested, but I thought about it a lot since I left the shop. Any info is appreciated. Not looking for a collectable, just a pocket gun, but a pocket gun with added "cool factor" would be a plus!