[Gunhead]

Few days ago I bought a slightly used .38spl SW640 as my primary CCW. I was a little worried about my decision, because originally I wanted to use my P7M8 for this purpose.

Today I picked up some ammo for the new baby and went to the range. I have shot DA/SA snubbies before (SW 60, 649) but I was blown away by the accuracy of this little gun!

Despite the really smooth but (relatively) heavy DA I produced 1.5-2.3" offhand groups (3 shot) :what: at 25 meters with the SW640. Note that I carefully prepped the trigger before each shot. The best performer from the bunch was the 110gr Remington SJHP... The range master just laughed in disbelief, and other shooters gave my some funny looks...

Is this kind of accuracy typical from snubbies? :confused:

Looks like to me the real importance of barrel length, sight radius, quality of sights, proper grip (I have the boot grip on my which is way too small), light trigger, etc is pretty much overexaggerated... :scrutiny: Anyway, I love my new piece and my P7M8 is weeping in the corner.

All I need now is a better grip. What do you guys recommend?

Uncle Mike?
Hogue?
Karl-Nill?
Is the crimson-trace laser grip (LG305) good?

[Dave Markowitz]

Congrats on the new piece! I got a used M-640 last month, .38 Special & 3" barrel. It came with the S&W wood "Combat" grips, which were very uncomfortable.

I just replaced the wood grips with rubber Uncle Mike's "bannana"-style grips. I haven't shot it yet, but I have shot my brother's .357 M-640 with the same grip, and it's a major improvement.

As for the accuracy -- snubbies can be very accurate. They are more difficult to shoot well than, say, a 4" K-Frame, because of the short sight radius.

[WonderNine]

Despite the really smooth but (relatively) heavy DA I produced 1.5-2.3" offhand groups (3 shot) at 25 meters


Is this kind of accuracy typical from snubbies?

Double action in a snubby? Uh, no

:p

[Tamara]

I've used my 3" 640 to plink spent shotgun shells at 15 yards before. If the gun shoots to point of aim and one knows how to work a DA trigger, surprising accuracy is on tap.

For CCW stocks, I'm partial to Ahrend's or Eagle Secret Service grips.

[Poohgyrr]

Congrats on your new J frame. I've had two 640-1's that were unbelieveably accurate (still have one). These are really nice.

As a rule the thing I find with small pistols is they recoil more than larger pistols (same caliber), and the smaller grips may seem more difficult to shoot with. That said, these J frames shoot much better for me than I thought possible.

[Gunhead]

Thanks for the tips, I checked out the Eagle grip. Haven't found anything about Ahrend...

Hmm, I think I will get this one...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/product_images/22086.jpg

[Mike Irwin]

If you really want to fall in love, get yourself an Airweight like the 042 or the 442...

[Jim March]

Damned fine gun, and apparantly a killer specimen of same :).

The 19/20oz class steel S&W 357 snubbies are a superb choice as an "always have it on you" gun. Possibly the best ever. The Ruger SP101 is also good, but at 7oz or so heavier it's harder to carry - IWB requires a GOOD holster.

[Dave Markowitz]

Hmm, I think I will get this one...

That's what I put on my M-640. Highly recommended.

[DeltaElite]

I liked mine alot, but sold it.
I carry my 342 instead, half the weight with the same ammo.
The 342 kicks alot more, but I like the decreased weight.

I am sure you two will be very happy together. :D

[ChristopherG]

Depending on your hand size, you might find the Pachmayr compac a little better, gripwise. (It's a bit thicker, but gives good purchase and a better reach for my trigger finger; too chunky for pocket carry, though, if that's your plan)
cg

[FunYet]

___________________________________________________
All I need now is a better grip. What do you guys recommend? ___________________________________________________

Last trip to the range I replaced the grips on my 640 with a set of Bantam grips, just to see how they'd feel. I was amazed at how comfortable they were, even though they are much smaller than the stock grips. Accuracy didn't seem to suffer either when shooting .38 and .38 +P. Didn’t get around to trying any .357 mag. I imagine the gun would be a bit harder to control with .357 and the smaller grip.

I've also tried laser grips on the 640, and a few other snubbys. For me they're a great learning tool, to see just how steady my hand is (or isn’t) when shooting DA. I'll never bond with them though. I think I like the little bit of cush that rubber grips provide.

[WebHobbit]

I recommend the rubber Uncle Mike's Boot Grips. The banana grips are too long. The Bantam Hogues feel awesome and ARE small however they are a pain in the arse to remove for thorough cleaning. You have to use the special tool (included with grips) but it still is pretty difficult and there is a GOOD chance they will NEVER go back on as tightly as the first time you install 'em.

:(

All in all the Boot Grips are best for the J frame IMHO.

[jimbo]

Forget it.

:banghead:

[Gunhead]

WebHobbit,

The boot grip is excellent for concealed carry, feels great, but I want the "banana grips", because the 640 is my primary gun. Under stress I think I can grab the larger grip faster. If I ever have to use it for self-defense there is a very good chance (b/c of my work) it will happen in very confined spaces (2-3m). So I need every bit of advantage I can squeeze out from this little gun. That's why I am also thinking about the lasergrip...

Anyway, I will test both grips under the beeper at the range.

[Gunhead]

I know it's crazy, unrealistic, and everything, but today we tested my 640 at 50 meters. The best 3 shot group was 6" (from rest), the best 2 shot (offhand) group was 2.9". :what: :D

My hand is still numb after firing 130+ rounds of heavy 156 grain .38, so I don't wanna know how an Airlite would feel like... :uhoh:

[fallingblock]

of the sort of accuracy you describe. The variable was how I was shooting on a given day:rolleyes:

They are a fine and suprisingly accurate snubby-
and the extra weight makes them nicer to practice with than the alloy-framed "J's"

[MikeJ]

I bought a 640 .357 last year and it has become one of my favorite guns. I too found it to be surprisingly accurate, something I attribute to the high grip hold you can get because of the concealed hammer. It allows me to get a very smooth straight through double action pull. Have fun and enjoy, Mike

[kalibear45]

Cool! I like mine too. I have the 640-1 .357 magnum version and boy does it pack a punch when shooting full-load magnums through it! :)

[Poohgyrr]

My wife likes UM Combat grips on her Chief's Special. I like UM Boot grips. Both work pretty well. The hard part is choosing from all the good grips out there.