S&W 637 - does POA = POI?

Carmady · November 2, 2014, 05:09 PM

The 637 looks like the closest thing that's what I want for the price I want to pay, but...

first, I'd like to know if shoots high or low, and how much, in relation to where it's aimed.

Please share your experiences. Thanks.

Joe_Pike · November 2, 2014, 05:14 PM

I don't know about the 637 but I have a 642 which is the same gun without the exposed hammer and its impact is a little higher than POA (an inch or so higher @ 7 yards). I had two 642s at one time and the one I sold was right on the money. The only reason I sold it was because of the internal lock.

weblance · November 2, 2014, 08:02 PM

I have a 638 that shoots perfectly to POA at 5 yards.

buck460XVR · November 2, 2014, 08:34 PM

Most modern fixed sight revolvers are regulated to shoot POA with a specific weight/velocity projectile. Many times adjusting POI is as simple as changing ammo. My 637 shoots POI to POA with both my handloaded 125s and 158s, but I adjusted powder and/or charges. In most cases a gun that shots a few inches low or high from POA @ 20 yards is a moot point in the distances of most SD/HD scenarios.

Carmady · November 3, 2014, 12:51 AM

Thanks for the replies.

redhawk45 · November 5, 2014, 07:36 PM

Mine shoots to point of aim with standard loads and pretty much what ever handloads I put in it. Quite accurate too.

James K · November 7, 2014, 03:17 PM

I don't know for sure about the snubbies, but for many years, .38 Special S&W fixed-sight revolvers were sighted at 25 yards with the "standard" cartridge firing a 158 grain round nose lead bullet.

Jim

Carmady · November 7, 2014, 03:30 PM

"I don't know for sure about the snubbies, but for many years, .38 Special S&W fixed-sight revolvers were sighted at 25 yards with the "standard" cartridge firing a 158 grain round nose lead bullet."

I've searched here, and believe it was you who said that the standard load was the 158gr lead bullet at 855 fps.

My old Hornady info claims 4.4gr of 231 will give 850 fps with the 158gr, don't know about barrel length.

I'm going to stick with the CA Undercover for now. I tried 5 different loads through it and all shot low at 25 yds, and that's good because filing the front sight should correct it.

I tried another, a Rossi with a 3" barrel, and everything I shot through that hit high.

somerled · November 7, 2014, 04:41 PM

It can vary a lot. The 642 S&W I have now puts everything from 125-grain JHPs to 158-grain SWCs two inches high and a little to the right at 25 yards. At seven yards or less, it's not enough to matter. Some have shot low for me, which is easy enough to fix with carefully filing down the front sight.

They're more apt to shoot to point of aim with 158-grain standard velocity ammo. The faster, lighter bullets will generally print low to the sights.

If you have a J-frame snub that shoots your preferred carry load to point of aim at 25 yards particularly with the crush-fitted barrels, you're blessed.

November 2, 2014, 05:09 PM	#1
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	S&W 637 - does POA = POI? The 637 looks like the closest thing that's what I want for the price I want to pay, but... first, I'd like to know if shoots high or low, and how much, in relation to where it's aimed. Please share your experiences. Thanks.

November 2, 2014, 05:14 PM	#2
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	I don't know about the 637 but I have a 642 which is the same gun without the exposed hammer and its impact is a little higher than POA (an inch or so higher @ 7 yards). I had two 642s at one time and the one I sold was right on the money. The only reason I sold it was because of the internal lock. __________________ Stay Groovy

November 2, 2014, 08:02 PM	#3
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	I have a 638 that shoots perfectly to POA at 5 yards.

November 2, 2014, 08:34 PM	#4
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Most modern fixed sight revolvers are regulated to shoot POA with a specific weight/velocity projectile. Many times adjusting POI is as simple as changing ammo. My 637 shoots POI to POA with both my handloaded 125s and 158s, but I adjusted powder and/or charges. In most cases a gun that shots a few inches low or high from POA @ 20 yards is a moot point in the distances of most SD/HD scenarios.

November 3, 2014, 12:51 AM	#5
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	Thanks for the replies.

November 5, 2014, 07:36 PM	#6
redhawk45 Member Join Date: July 2, 2012 Posts: 85	Mine shoots to point of aim with standard loads and pretty much what ever handloads I put in it. Quite accurate too.

November 7, 2014, 03:17 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I don't know for sure about the snubbies, but for many years, .38 Special S&W fixed-sight revolvers were sighted at 25 yards with the "standard" cartridge firing a 158 grain round nose lead bullet. Jim

November 7, 2014, 03:30 PM	#8
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	"I don't know for sure about the snubbies, but for many years, .38 Special S&W fixed-sight revolvers were sighted at 25 yards with the "standard" cartridge firing a 158 grain round nose lead bullet." I've searched here, and believe it was you who said that the standard load was the 158gr lead bullet at 855 fps. My old Hornady info claims 4.4gr of 231 will give 850 fps with the 158gr, don't know about barrel length. I'm going to stick with the CA Undercover for now. I tried 5 different loads through it and all shot low at 25 yds, and that's good because filing the front sight should correct it. I tried another, a Rossi with a 3" barrel, and everything I shot through that hit high.

November 7, 2014, 04:41 PM	#9
somerled Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2005 Location: eastern Kansas Posts: 603	It can vary a lot. The 642 S&W I have now puts everything from 125-grain JHPs to 158-grain SWCs two inches high and a little to the right at 25 yards. At seven yards or less, it's not enough to matter. Some have shot low for me, which is easy enough to fix with carefully filing down the front sight. They're more apt to shoot to point of aim with 158-grain standard velocity ammo. The faster, lighter bullets will generally print low to the sights. If you have a J-frame snub that shoots your preferred carry load to point of aim at 25 yards particularly with the crush-fitted barrels, you're blessed.