[tdming]

I have an M 37-2 that we found cleaning out my in-law’s house. It was stored in the original box with the hammer cocked, but unloaded. The serial number is 8PY5811.
My son is already making noise about taking it to the range. Is something I should have gunsmith check out before firing?

 

[JoeBud]

I doubt you need a gunsmith to check it. There is a good video in this thread on how to inspect a revolver.
Video

also, double check the serial. It looks like it starts with BPY.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[SkullAero]

Yeah, I think its BPY, the stamping is more modern S&W pin-dot stamping. BPY is 1993. The -2 engineering change was 1990.

 

[PeteB]

That is fairly recent by S&W standards here!

I looks pristine. I would dry fire it a few times, and then take it to the range. I might not do that if it looked really dirty or rusty, but it looks in perfect shape from the pics. A gunsmith is likely to charge close to an hour labor minimum to check it out and tell you the same thing.

 

[tdming]

Thank you for the responses and the information. I can see now where the first character of the serial would be a “B”.

 

[ussmanlovede36]

I would shoot only standard 38spl in it, NO +P.

 

[jonesy814]

Nice M37. If it dry fires OK, I'd shoot it

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Post a picture of the box label and we may be able to tell you more.