How do you grade the S&W 637?

[heavyshooter]

Brethren and Sisteren,

I am expecting my concealed carry permit to arrive in the next few weeks and I am looking for a good revolver that is small enough for pocket carry (actually I am using this as an excuse to by another firearm ). I have a few semi-autos that will meet the need, a Sig P232 and a NAA Guardian .32 ACP, but I do not necessarilly trust my life to these calibers. In addition to that I am a huge fan of the reliability that one gets from a revolver. In my search I came across a brand new S&W 637 (.38 Special +P) that is blued, DAO, and has an exposed bobbed hammer. And it does NOT have the internal trigger lock!!! I mention the blueing because I know that there were complaints about the finish peeling off of the other models. The cost is $510.00 + tax.

1) Would you attest to the quality of this gun?

2) Is it a good price for the gun?

 

[WC145]

I've got a 637, it's a great little gun. However, I'm not familiar with one that is blued, DAO, and has a bobbed hammer and they don't show one on the S&W site. The 637 I have and those that I am familiar with are standard DA and silver/grey colored with a regular hammer.

 

[heavyshooter]

I noticed that it was not on the S&W site as well. The guy in the store said that it is called the 637 Pro. The factory bobbed hammer, blueing, and no trigger lock were what caught my attention. I can't find anything online about this particular gun so I was hoping that someone on THR would be familiar with it.

 

[ArmedBear]

Cabela's has the no-lock 442 for about 100 bucks less than that.

Depends if you want it to look at, or to carry. Blued guns don't look so great after they get carried all the time.

That said, that's only a little more than a new regular 637.

WRT the finish, I think S&W has improved it a lot. I haven't had any trouble.

That said, a blue (anodized?) gun won't have these issues, most likely. It has a different finish.

 

[Fumbler]

1 - Overall quality is very good. It's a S&W and is machined like it's a S&W. Except...the finish does have a tendency to chip.
I've holstered my a million times because I've been making kydex holsters. i have a tiny chip in the finish. It's a painted on finish, not anodizing.
I do not think getting a blued version will help. The blueing on an aluminum frame is simply black paint and will still chip the same. A friend of mine has carried a S&W 340PD for the last 5 years and the finish has worn off of the sharp corners.

Having said that, it's a carry gun. It will wear. You can't have a carry gun and baby it constantly.

2 - I got my 637 with pink grips (that's all they had in stock) for $460 + tax. The pink grips are a $20 option in most places, so I would suspect $440-450 would be a good price.
IMO $50 more for a gun that has exactly what you want isn't a bad price.

 

[WC145]

I looked up the 637 Pro and it shows a blued 637 with a Powerport barrel but a regular hammer. Also, it's standard DA rather than DAO. It looks like a nice gun and the price you were quoted is very good.

Does the one you're looking at have the ported barrel? I'm not a fan of them because they're very loud and you get muzzle flash up through the port, no good for night vision.

 

[fastbolt]

It almost sounds like you're describing a 37-2 that was part of a special production run of new guns made from some older 37-2 frames. Factory spurless hammer, DAO and no internal lock system.

Here's a thumbnail of a similar 37-2.


I picked one up from an even earlier production run reportedly released onto the market when an overseas order was canceled.

The 637 Powerport Pro Series would be described differently, especially since it has a spurred hammer and the Internal Lock System.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...selected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=

 

[heavyshooter]

WC145,

When I do a search on it I get the same results. The ported barrel with the regular hammer. The one I have found looks exactly like the regular 637 (no ported barrel). It is black, with a bobbed hammer and its DAO. I can't find it anywhere else and the S&W site does not mention it. It is brand new, but I was wondering if it is a discontinued model. It makes me wonder if God made this one just for me. It's at least an ounce lighter than a regular 637 because of the bobbed hammer, lack of single action internals and the absence of a trigger lock. IT'S CUSTOM MADE JUST FOR ME!!!

Heavy

 

[heavyshooter]

fastbolt,

That's it, you found it!!! I was using the wrong numerical designation. I knew I was not crazy. I noticed that you said that you have one. Are you happy with it?

Heavy

 

[fastbolt]

I picked up one because I wanted to add an example of an earlier style Airweight, back before the new style J-frame was adopted (the Magnum frame with its longer cylinder window, among other changes), to my collection.

Nice little revolver.

I liked the factory spurless hammer and that it had the older machined parts (before MIM) as well as it being pre-ILS (no internal lock system).

While I use mine for qualification and occasional practice I seldom carry it, though. Dunno why, really. It's just that I mostly tend to choose from among a couple of 642-1's and a M&P 340 (loaded with +P, not .357 Magnum ) for my daily retirement CCW needs when I want to carry an Airweight J-frame.

I won't be selling mine off, though.

 

[WC145]

Well, that 37-2 is a slick and unique little gun and apparently pretty scarce. If I was in the market I'd be willing to drop $510 on it.

If you get it be sure to post a range report and a bunch of pics!

 

[Ala Dan]

S&W "Chief's Special

S&W model 637 rates on the scale at 702 out a possible 1,000~!

Just 'bout like a steel frame S&W model 36; but manufactuered using
the light alloy frame.

 

[Chris O]

Model 37-1

Hey guys not trying to alter the subject here but I have a Model 37-1 Airweight,love it. Is the model 637 simply a Stainless version of that gun? Thanks in advance,Chris

 

[ARTiger]

Chris, Yes and no. The barrel and cylinder are stainless on the 637 but the frame is aluminum alloy with a painted/lacquered finish to match the color of the stainless components. Avoid abrasive cleaners on the frame section.

 

[raveneap]

This is my 637 with Arhends grips. Bought it NIB 1 1/2 years ago $380.00 otd. Came with the standard rubber grips Smith ships with the 637s. Back to SW twice for VERY rough thumb latch and once it refused to release the cylinder. A friend who's a gun smith has it now doing a complete internal polish job and trigger job. It's not like the old Smith's but then, none of the new ones are. Other than the rough mechanicals, it's a good gun, perceived recoil manageable, and very light. And when I get it back from my friend it'll be smooth as glass. Too bad to have to go thru that on a new gun though.

 

[Lariatbob]

I have a 637 with the crimson trace grips. Hammer is exposed, I am ordering a new hammer and will bob it myself. I have had the gun for about 4 years now. Daily carry. No problems at all, I love it.