S & W Model 37 Vintage ??

[1sourdough]

 I just bought A S&W Mod 37 with a serial no: of J9340xx. Does anyone know the year of manufacture? It is an airweight 2" 38. I load about all my ammo, are 38 +p loadings O.K. with it? Thanks for any info.

[Hammerdown]

I just bought A S&W Mod 37 with a serial no: of J9340xx. Does anyone know the year of manufacture? It is an airweight 2" 38. I load about all my ammo, are 38 +p loadings O.K. with it? Thanks for any info.

Howdy
It should be from around 1982. It may or may not have a pinned Barrel as they dropped Pinned Barrels in 1982... Regards, Hammerdown

[John Traveler]

Your alloy "J" fevolver was designed for use with standard velocity 158 grain RN lead ammunition.

S&W does not advise regular use of +P ammunition.  While an occasional firing won't hurt it, constant use of +P jacketed bullet ammo will quickly loosen the gun, give it timing problems, and make it unreliable.

 I make it a point to shoot only mild 158 RN or 148 WC lead bullets in my alloy frame revolvers.

[1sourdough]

 Thanks for the info. I saw in my reloading manuals where at least 2 said no +P in the alloy J framed 38's. That's fine with me & I will load up some 158 gr bullets I have to modest 38 levels. What's the deal on a "pinned barrel" ? How can you tell if it is pinned? Is it desireable?

[John Traveler]

The "pinned barrel" on S&W revolvers was the feature of using a cross pin to secure the barrel and prevent it from loosening during firing.

S&W stopped using this feature about 1980 by going to a tighter barrel/frame assembly.

It's of significance only to collectors that prize the "pinned barrel" feature on older model revolvers.

[Hammerdown]

The "pinned barrel" on S&W revolvers was the feature of using a cross pin to secure the barrel and prevent it from loosening during firing.

S&W stopped using this feature about 1980 by going to a tighter barrel/frame assembly.

It's of significance only to collectors that prize the "pinned barrel" feature on older model revolvers.

Hello
I always thought that the Punned Barrel feature was to keep the Barrel in line and Tight, But I stood to be corrected. Apparently, The Pinning of the barrel as more of a cosmetic Issue More so than keeping the barrel straight and tight. S&W used a disturbed Thread on their Barrels and that alone would have Kept the barrels tight without a Pin. I am not certain when things changed to make the Threads disturbed, in Keeping the barrels tight and in Line, but I actually carry a revolver made in 1958 that has a Pinned Barrel and when I recently got it refinished they by Mistake did not Put the Pin Back in it. I called The re finisher Immediately and was concerned about it, and it was him that shared with me that this gun does have disturbed threads and the Pin was more of a cosmetic Issue, and that it would Not hurt a thing with it missing and it would be perfectly safe to fire without it. I have fired many rounds without the barrel pin with Zero problems, as I Plan on sending it back top them in the spring to Place the barrel pin back in place when I switch carry guns for summer use. Regards, Hammerdown