S&W 640 .357 Magnum durable?

[Robert Hairless]

How does the S&W 640-1 stand up to a frequent diet of hot .357 Magnum loads?

 

[Iggy]

Good question...

I just recently picked one up...

My observation and experience would be.. The gun will probably last longer than your wrist if you shoot a lot of hot ones!!!

It's fun, but a feller can only have soooo much fun!!

 

[Coot]

I've never, ever read or heard about anyone shooting their 640 loose. Like most people with them, I do most of my shooting with standard pressure .38Spl, and carry it with .38Spl +P or .357Mag.

BTW, I currently have mine loaded with Spear's new .357Mag 135gr SB Gold Dot load: reduced power and low flash, and is very controlable from the 640.

 

[SwampWolf]

Iggy's right. My money is on the gun.

 

[Robert Hairless]

Many thanks. It's beginning to strike me as desirable for its size and weight--a bit bigger and heavier than my 642 but with an excellent feel, good responsiveness, and more potential. I've grown accustomed to the 642 and have been looking seriously at the 640 as an additional possibility. .38 +P isn't unpleasant in it and 125 grain (Federal Classic and CorBon) is surprisingly manageable, so one of the last hurdles was how well it would withstand frequent practice. I work hard with everything I carry and didn't want to invest the time and money in something that couldn't take it.

 

[Coot]

If you REALLY want a nice package, put the rubber Crimson Trace grips on your 640...absorbs even heavy Mag loads, and extends its shootability into low light/no light situations.

 

[Iggy]

I have the CT boot grips on my 640-1 and use some moderate 125 grn .357's and get along fine.

I wouldn't want to put a box through it, but routine practice and carry work fine.

 

[Marshall]

I have it's hammered brother, the Model 60. I shoot 145gr Winchester Silvertips and 158gr Speer Gold Dots through it consistently. No ill effects at all. I prefer heavier bullets.

 

[Robert Hairless]

If you REALLY want a nice package, put the rubber Crimson Trace grips on your 640...absorbs even heavy Mag loads, and extends its shootability into low light/no light situations.

There's some good mind reading going on here. I was just thinking that if I did get the 640 I might switch the Crimson Trace grips to it from my 642. Crimson Trace grips on my 642 do much more to tame its recoil than the stock S&W grips. But I might also just go ahead and get Crimson Trace grips for the 640 too should the budget allow.