[hfdcowboy]

Hello everyone new to the forum. I just purchased a smith 357 model 640 for the girlfriend. I got it because of the hammerless action and the obvious 357/38 option. I have a smith 357 model 686 full frame and i love it. I don't know what to think of the small frame on this 640. Anyone had experiances with this particular weapon im open to all love it hate it let me know.

[rxraptor02]

Well it is an all steel J-frame, With 38spl the gun shouldn't be that bad. It is not a range gun. 357's in any J-frame are harsh. I would not let the g/f shoot them. Unless she likes a lot of recoil.

There are tons of threads about the S$W J-frames.

[GRIZ22]

Did you tell her the recoil will be about 4X what it is your 686?

I carried an issued 640 for a few years. As RX said the recoil with magnums is brutal. I could shoot a 100% on a qualification course with magnums but you really didn't want to shoot it anymore after. I carried it with +P+ ammo. I thought it to be a very good gun and the extra weight helps suck up recoil.

Let her start with wadcutters (not that bad of a defense round as is) and work her way up to her maximum recoil tolerance.

[crankshop1000]

My humble opinion is that .38 spl. is just about the ultimate round for CCW in a snub. Especially in an airweight. .357 is too much for most casual shooters..38 with a lighter weight personal protection round in +p is more than adequate.

[hfdcowboy]

I let her carry and shoot my taurus ultra-lite 38 for the last year. She decided she wanted something more. I told her the recoil is going to catch her attention. All my friends and i carry .45 acp xd's and 1911's she fired my full frame kimber and was trying to buy the shorty compact kimber 1911 and i talked out of that for the obvious operation obsticals being she did not feel comfortable carring in condition one. Anything you noticed outside of recoil?

[Brian Williams]

Welcome toTHR.
I know you are new, but did she pick it out or did you.
Go to www.Corneredcat.com and get some reading done, take her with you.

[Virginian]

Always get woman gun woman likes. Otherwise woman not be happy, and you will SUFFER !!! We are talking important stuff here, so do not cloud the issue with logic or facts. Your welfare IS at stake, so pay attention. I am not kidding.

[hfdcowboy]

Thanks for the link Brian looks good i will look through it with her. She liked the gun for my reason which seemed to her more logical than hers for the 1911 so i would have to say i picked it. Virginian i know what you mean trust me but some times you must save one from themselves.

[LeonCarr]

Take her to the range and let her rent some guns to test out and then get the gun SHE likes. I know you just bought a 640, which is a good carry gun, but she flat out might not like it.

When the lady is happy, everybody is happy :).

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[Commander Crusty]

Don't be afraid to change the grips--IF she wants to.

Don't be afraid to try lighter ammo--even target wadcutters--IF she wants to.

Don't be afraid to buy her something else--IF she wants you to.

You did good to buy her a professional grade handgun. If it's going to truly become her gun, her trusted companion, her old friend, you're going to have to let it be her choice.

[hfdcowboy]

Took the g-f to the range last night i was sighting in a scope while she tried out the new gun she shot 357 and 38 she wants to carry it and she wants 357 ammo but i was suprised by #1 how much recoil it had with the magnum's and #2 how smooth it was with the 38's wow. The gun impressed me now if i could just get her to work out her mechanic's while shooting we should be good. Thanks for the imput.

[Pilot]

My wife bought a S&W 642 in .38 Spl +p. She uses a shooting glove at the range for practice as even with light target loads the felt recoil is a bit stiff. Not overwhelming by any means, but if you want to put several rounds downrange with a snubby a shooting glove is a good idea. She likes the little Smith as do I.