[Briar]

Hi, everyone. I'm considering buying a S&W 640 for CCW. My only other gun right now is a SIG P225 and I'd like something that will fit in a pocket. My mind is definitely made up on a small revolver due to their reliability.

I was considering either a 332 or a 642, but I like the extra weight of the 640 for practice shooting and its ability to shoot .357's. I've been thinking hard about a 332, but the extra cost of the gun and the ammo keep turning me off.

I guess the only thing I'm concerned about with the 640 is it's weight in the front pocket of a pair of khakis or shorts. But, I figure with a good stong belt and a pocket holster, the weight shouldn't be that bad. Any thoughts?

[10-Ring]

I really like my 60 for pocket duty. I'd like it more if the hammer didn't sag on something almost everytime I drew it. That hammerless design is ingenious! I've been eyeing the 640 for awhile now & have just been waiting for the right price (at least that's my excuse this week).
640's are a very nice package for it's intended duty. If it's anything like my 60, it's a fine shooter too. Don't let its size foolya ;)

[Kahr carrier]

The 640 are nice with the internal hammer ,but they seem a little heavy for pocket carry . Have you looked at the S&W 360 its also chambered for 357mag but its a lot lighter and it also has the internal hammer.

[FPrice]

"Any thoughts?"

Yes. The 640 is a great CCW gun but a bit heavy for pocket carry. I would suggest belt carry, either an IWB holster or some sort of clip grip.

[Frankly 45]

I ended up splitting the difference between the 640 and the scandiums and settled on the 642 airweight and 158 gr.+p ammo. Light enough for pocket carry, handles +p ammo well. I've shot the 640 w/ 357 mag. While its a handful
it handles it well - weight wise would be a belt holster gun for me. The scandiums
are too pricey in my mind for about 3oz.less weight than the airweight. All fine firearms tho IMHO.
Best,

[RON in PA]

For the life of me I can't understand those that think the 640 is too heavy for front pocket carry in khaki style pants with a good pocket holster like a Galco or the new DeSantis.

The 640 is one great gun.

[10-Ring]

Weight was the issue that got me started looking for an alernative to my 60. I've bought Glocks and a couple of mouse guns and I keep going back to the 60. The thing just works and I get to carry a very competent round to boot.
That 640 really is calling me!

Heck, the more I read this thread, the more I convince myself. BUY IT! :D

[Ledbetter]

Buy a 649 instead. Then you can still shoot it single action if you want.

[Richard2003]

Mine is too heavy in the pocket.
Looks just like a big heavy thing in there pulling the pocket down and this is with a pocket holster.

[Poohgyrr]

The 640 is great: handy, accurate, reliable, etc..... I think the weight is fine, but that's a personal choice I guess. Some folks prefer the BodyGuard and it's worked well for them too. So buy either one and Don't Worry, Be Happy...:D

[DeltaElite]

I carry a 640 in my off side front pocket both on and off duty.
It is a great pistol, you will love it.
I use the Uncle Mikes pocket holsters to hold mine.

[Coltdriver]

I have a 940 which is a 9mm version of the 640. In stainless.

For me it is a bit too heavy for pocket carry. On a belt or IWB its perfect. But at a little over 20 oz loaded its a wee heavy.

I have an airweight for pocket carry, about 15 oz loaded.

[Briar]

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate the design of the scandium guns, I just have a hard time justifying the cost. The airweights appeal to me, too. But a guy I work with had one & he sold it beause he found it unpleasant to shoot. I'm not a total recoil weenie (maybe a moderate recoil weenie?), but I don't really like the idea of walking away from the range with a sore hand after only a box or two of bullets (let alone a swollen hand after a few cylinders through a scandium gun).

I just stopped by a local gun shop / range & they have a 640 available for rental. I plan to try it out this weekend. If I can shoot it with any accuracy, I might go for it... we'll see.

[Kahr carrier]

Out of curiosity let us now what you go with,If the range has one you should also try the 649 mentioned in a previous post ,they have a shrouded hammer so you can fire it from inside your pocket without snagging or you can fire it single action because you can still thumb the hammer. Happy Shooting.:)

[fallingblock]

They are very durable and the extra weight makes a big difference in the comfort-level while shooting:)

I had two of them before Australia decided they were "too dangerous" to allow citizens to own and they escaped back to the U.S.:neener:

I have not found that the 640 is difficult for pocket carry; they worked fine for me with Uncle Mike's pocket holster.:confused:

The U.M. 'boot' grips aid with concealability; but make the gun a bit tougher to hold onto with heavy loads.:uhoh:

If you practice your D.A. work properly, there is no need for the single action of the 649....you will be amazed at how easily you can hit out to 25 yards D.A. after a few hundred rounds of practice...then if you ever require the gun for 'serious' reasons, you'll have only the one mode programmed into your response:D

Finally, the action of most new J-frames will smooth up dramatically after a few hundred rounds and/or dry-firing, both of which will help with the D.A. skills:)

[Topgun]

but mine has a definite "pause point" in the trigger. If you fire it fast, you pull right through it and don't notice it. If you are shooting deliberate aimed fire, the pause is right after lockup and it just feels like a single action.
Shot 296/300 in last CCW qual. 30 rounds, 15 yards.
I am dropping my G30 from CCW this year and just keeping the 640 and the M36.
Only reason I have both on CCW is in case I ....HAVE....to use it and would have to give up the gun for the investigation, if any.

I like the 640. I have carried BHP, G30, 1911 Commander, Tomcat, and .25 Beretta on various CCW's. The 640 is the one I always carry now.

2 rounds Silvertip .38 spl and 3 rounds .357 Hydrashoks.

[tbeb]

I carry a .38 snub which has an empty weight of 16 ozs. I personally don't want anything heavier for pocket carry. If you feel that a .38 special is enough caliber for self defense, then I recommend a S&W model 442 or model 638 or model 642. A used S&W model 38 or 42 would be a good choice too.

If weight isn't a problem for you, then the 640 is a very good choice. If you're set on a a .357 magnum then you might want to look at the Taurus 650 also.

[S&W44]

Speaking of TBEB's post,I just picked this up this morning.It's an older(1983) model 38.Looks like it will make a nice summer pocket gun.I particularly like the shrouded hammer,giving the option for single action shooting,if required.
Excuse the poor scan.The nickel finish is actually like new.In fact,the gun looks to have hardly ever been fired.

[Bottom Gun]

My vote is for the 640. I prefer the weight. Makes it much more pleasant to shoot.
I put a set of the Barami Hip Grips on my 640 for summer carry.
Try some. You'll like them.

[Blueduck]

Carried a 640 for a couple of years before I traded it off. This was a big mistake, to me the 640 is the best CC revolver bar none.

[Betty]

I love my 640. It's reliable, relatively snagless, and shoots a decent caliber, making the 640 great for CCW.

I can't tell you anything about pocket carry - front pockets on ladies' jeans are a joke. :rolleyes:

[Skunkabilly]

Uhh...get a Glock? :D

Runt, you need a pair of 5.11 Tactical pants!!

[Briar]

Well, between work & home improvement stuff, I was too busy to get to the range this weekend. I did find a good deal on a new 342, though, which got me thinking. I know there's no doubt that a 640 is easier to shoot (at least with .38's), but what I really want is a revolver to throw in my pocket I'm out and about, especially in the summer time. I'll still use a pocket holster either way, but I'm sure I'd prefer carrying a 342, based on weight alone.

I read a lot of old posts here and on TFL I've definetely noticed a general consensus that the 342 is no fun to shoot. Has anyone ever tried practicing with one using shooting glove?

[JCM298]

I bought a 340 two weeks ago. On Sunday, I fired 100 plus rounds. wearing shooting gloves. I learned that blood cleans up very easily on Sci/Ti. It does kick but is also accurate. It will be my always gun and when the cuts and bruises heal, I'll shoot it again.

[stans]

I have had a 640 in 357 Magnum since shortly after they came out. Only modification that I have made was to replace the stocks with a set of Uncle Mike's rubber boot grips. This weapon works well for me when I need concealment withing a coat pocket or under a shirt in warm weather.

[ChristopherG]

Briar, to offer another answer to your question about shooting gloves; I have shot my 340 with them, but find that the little J-frame grip is just too hard to control with a glove--at least with whatever glove it was I tried. And, like JCM298, I've had the scandium beast beat me up pretty bad on occasion; but for a gun that carries easily and still feel offers adequate firepower, you can't beat it. And, it's actually fun to shoot with light practice loads.

If the price on the 342 you're mentioning is at CDNN (what, 399?), it's an excellent one. If I didn't have a scandium, I'd jump on it. Only reason I went with the 340 over the 342 was that there was essentially no price difference worth mentioning; but at that price, I would'a taken the 342.

cg

[G. Glock]

I just sold my 640 a couple days ago. It is a cool gun, but I find it too heavy for pocket carry (My airweight is much better for that), and if I'm going to stick it in a holster inside or on my belt, there are too many other better choices IMHO.

[JohnBT]

I don't like guns as heavy as the 640 for pocket carry. I prefer the 442 size, 15 or 16 oz., for a good balance of light weight and shooting comfort. The 442-1 guns are +P rated and not too bad on the hand for a box or so (although I've been told at least once that I'm insensitive.)

John