S&W 640 Pro

Status
Not open for further replies.
Anchorite said:
I’ve got a 640 (38 Special, NOT +P), and a 340PD. I do like the 640 and carry it often, despite its weight. I also have a M49 and 442, along with some Colt Cobras. The 340PD is just plain uncomfortable to shoot, and I find myself carrying 38s in it anyway. For me, the J frame is on the small frame side for my hands, and the 357, and if I really wanted to be serious about carrying and shooting the 357, I’d probably just opt for a K frame and call it a day.
Click to expand...
A .357 Mag J frame is good for someone like me, who intends to strap a GP100 in .357 to his belt every day. Complete and total ammo interchangeability between primary and BUG
 
Never been a fan of the j-frames probably because I personally find a snubnosed 38spl useless. Putting 357's in a j-frame isn't much better. My brother has a magna-ported model 60 chambered in 357. It's still a handful with hot 357 loads.

I'm a 44spl fan and opted to carry a snubnosed 44spl since the 80's.

I do like the 357 cartridge and understand why the k6 is appealing to some. Before I bought a Kimber I'd be taking a hard look at the snubnosed comp series s&w puts out. I opted for the 586 l-comp myself. 7 shots instead of 6 or 5 of the k6 & 640. Has the pc trigger of the 640 & the l-frame triggers are known to be better than most box stock revolvers. The l-comp uses moon clips and there's also tons of different grips and sight choices out there for it.

It's nothing to do 200+ round range sessions with 170gr1200fps+ loads in that l-comp rotating it with other pistols/revolvers.

Just something to consider.
 
forrest r said:
Never been a fan of the j-frames probably because I personally find a snubnosed 38spl useless. Putting 357's in a j-frame isn't much better. My brother has a magna-ported model 60 chambered in 357. It's still a handful with hot 357 loads.

I'm a 44spl fan and opted to carry a snubnosed 44spl since the 80's.

I do like the 357 cartridge and understand why the k6 is appealing to some. Before I bought a Kimber I'd be taking a hard look at the snubnosed comp series s&w puts out. I opted for the 586 l-comp myself. 7 shots instead of 6 or 5 of the k6 & 640. Has the pc trigger of the 640 & the l-frame triggers are known to be better than most box stock revolvers. The l-comp uses moon clips and there's also tons of different grips and sight choices out there for it.

It's nothing to do 200+ round range sessions with 170gr1200fps+ loads in that l-comp rotating it with other pistols/revolvers.

Just something to consider.
Click to expand...

Useless for some, but the J frame has been a consistent, year after year top seller. That said, the J frame does seem to be the smallest practical size for a 357 revolver. I agree that the comp series may very well be the sweet spot for revolvers in terms of both size and defensive use.
 
Anchorite said:
I’ve got a 640 (38 Special, NOT +P), and a 340PD. I do like the 640 and carry it often, despite its weight. I also have a M49 and 442, along with some Colt Cobras. The 340PD is just plain uncomfortable to shoot, and I find myself carrying 38s in it anyway. For me, the J frame is on the small frame side for my hands, and the 357, and if I really wanted to be serious about carrying and shooting the 357, I’d probably just opt for a K frame and call it a day.
Click to expand...
A .357 Mag J frame is good for someone like me, who intends to strap a GP100 in .357 to his belt every day. Complete and total ammo interchangeability between primary and BUG
 
Anchorite said:
Useless for some, but the J frame has been a consistent, year after year top seller. That said, the J frame does seem to be the smallest practical size for a 357 revolver. I agree that the comp series may very well be the sweet spot for revolvers in terms of both size and defensive use.
Click to expand...
It amazes me. All these researchers and ballisticians have put all this effort into making 9mm better; and it *still* is only equal to a .38 Spl, let alone a .357 Magnum.
 
Mr. Mosin said:
And if I should need this revolver to be gunsmithed on ? What then ? In five years when Kimber has done a market belly flop, and in ten when no parts are to be found... what then ? The same can easily be said of the new Colt's. I'd be willing to say with confidence that S&W and Ruger are gonna be here for a while. Colt is on life support, and Kimber...... I'm not gonna say "I'll never buy a Kimber", but... I'll never buy a Kimber, not unless one falls into my lap for an absolute, unpassable steal of a deal. I don't know about much about gunsmithing, I know even less about comparing lockwork of different makers revolvers. However, from what I do know, and have seen; is that a S&W capable gunsmith is far more common than a Colt gunsmith, and probably a Kimber 'smith as well. Colt stopped *all* DA revolver production for what... 15 years, while S&W and Ruger kept plugging along ? That speaks volumes to me, just in parts/smithing wise.
Click to expand...

Kimber keeps making more models of them so I can only presume they sell well enough. Their internals are very similar to a S&W but I don’t know if that means that gunsmiths are well equipped to work on them or not. I have no reason to think Kimber is going out of business...

At any rate, the K6s is truly a fine revolver. I think it would be a mistake to write them off out of hand because of whatever experience you had with their auto loaders. I shoot a lot of snub nose revolvers and I am really impressed by the K6s. I checked Gunbroker and they are about $80 more than a Pro Series 640. You’d pay more than that to get a trigger job done, and I have two j frames with a trigger job. They aren’t even close to the trigger on the K6s.

Anyway, this is just my opinion and nothing more. Since I’ve owned both I just thought I’d share my experience with you. Good luck and let us know what you get!
 
SteadyD said:
Kimber keeps making more models of them so I can only presume they sell well enough. Their internals are very similar to a S&W but I don’t know if that means that gunsmiths are well equipped to work on them or not. I have no reason to think Kimber is going out of business...

At any rate, the K6s is truly a fine revolver. I think it would be a mistake to write them off out of hand because of whatever experience you had with their auto loaders. I shoot a lot of snub nose revolvers and I am really impressed by the K6s. I checked Gunbroker and they are about $80 more than a Pro Series 640. You’d pay more than that to get a trigger job done, and I have two j frames with a trigger job. They aren’t even close to the trigger on the K6s.

Anyway, this is just my opinion and nothing more. Since I’ve owned both I just thought I’d share my experience with you. Good luck and let us know what you get!
Click to expand...

Aye. I was just thinking pragmatically.
 
Zendude said:
The 640 pro is unique - it’s the only 5 shot 357 snub that has a fully enclosed hammer and a rear sight as far as I know.
Click to expand...
They still have the 340 in the line at half the weight - empty. If that matters to folk.

Me? I LOVE my 340sc for its weight, size and quality. Too, the 340 is still listed without the lock as well, should that matter to a fella.

Todd.
 
Last edited:
ApacheCoTodd said:
They still have the 340 in the line at half the weight - empty. If that matters to folk.

Me? I LOVE my 340sc for its weight, size and quality. Too, the 340 is still listed without the lock as well, should that matter to a fella.

Todd.
Click to expand...

I want steel. Stainless, carbon, irrelevant. I want steel. The extra heft (for me, at least); makes shooting even hot .38's relatively easy, and .357's... tolerable. The sights and lack of lock are it's main selling point (to me).
 
Mr. Mosin said:
I want steel. Stainless, carbon, irrelevant. I want steel. The extra heft (for me, at least); makes shooting even hot .38's relatively easy, and .357's... tolerable. The sights and lack of lock are it's main selling point (to me).
Click to expand...
Worth noting then - for you.

I like carrying the 340 but our 22 oz steel gun shoots noticeably less abusively with the hotter loads.
Ankle and pocket - it's the 340 EVERY TIME. Holster and bag carry, I like the steel better.

Too, and significantly - if you shoot it a lot, the steel frame will hold up better than the flash-burn protectors on the alloy guns.


Todd.
 
ApacheCoTodd said:
Worth noting then - for you.

I like carrying the 340 but our 22 oz steel gun shoots noticeably less abusively with the hotter loads.
Ankle and pocket - it's the 340 EVERY TIME. Holster and bag carry, I like the steel better.

Too, and significantly - if you shoot it a lot, the steel frame will hold up better than the flash-burn protectors on the alloy guns.


Todd.
Click to expand...

I would hate to think that I would strap a deadly weapon on my person and not be intimately familiar and capable with it. Also to note; what works for me and what I like is not necessarily what works for you and what you like. Often, it's two entirely different things.
 
ApacheCoTodd said:
Worth noting then - for you.

I like carrying the 340 but our 22 oz steel gun shoots noticeably less abusively with the hotter loads.
Ankle and pocket - it's the 340 EVERY TIME. Holster and bag carry, I like the steel better.

Too, and significantly - if you shoot it a lot, the steel frame will hold up better than the flash-burn protectors on the alloy guns.


Todd.
Click to expand...

To draw and shoot is a last resort of last resorts, but if one must do so, he (or she) should be extraordinarily capable of rapid, accurate rounds on target to stop the threat- death is a symptom, a side effect of cessation of threat- not the ultimate goal.
 
jimboecv said:
Have you considered alternatives? Kimber K6S? Night sites, steel, full length ejector, 6-rounds, lots of grips to choose from. I love mine, https://www.kimberamerica.com/k6s-stainless-ns
Also, you could find an older, non-MIM, gun and have the work done on it. The work on the new 640 isn't anything a good 'smith couldn't handle building on an older gun.
Click to expand...

I have considered that; but every used S&W (or Ruger, or Colt) in my area must be solid gold w/ spray paint, cause they're going for ridiculously high prices
 
jimboecv said:
Have you considered alternatives? Kimber K6S? Night sites, steel, full length ejector, 6-rounds, lots of grips to choose from. I love mine, https://www.kimberamerica.com/k6s-stainless-ns
Also, you could find an older, non-MIM, gun and have the work done on it. The work on the new 640 isn't anything a good 'smith couldn't handle building on an older gun.
Click to expand...

I have considered that; but every used S&W (or Ruger, or Colt) in my area must be solid gold w/ spray paint, cause they're going for ridiculously high prices
 
Mr. Mosin said:
To have the same terminal effectiveness. .357 Magnum still rules the roost as the "One Shot Stop" king.
Click to expand...

The .357 from a barrel of that length is not nearly as effective as one from a 4" or 6" barrel. You will get a lot more of a blinding fireball from all of the unburnt powder if you discharge one at night, though, as you see from this picture of a 3" SP101.

index.php


The 640 Pro is a pretty sharp-looking J-frame with some nice features the other J-frames don't have. If I bought one, though, I'd be carrying .38 Special +Ps in it. Just my $0.02.

Edit: there have been a few good posts over at Lucky Gunner involving the 640 Pro (and some nice VZ grips).

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/best-j-frame-smith-wesson-model-640-pro-series/

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/the-frugal-expert-part-2-revolver-efficiency/
 
JudgeHolden10 said:
The .357 from a barrel of that length is not nearly as effective as one from a 4" or 6" barrel. You will get a lot more of a blinding fireball from all of the unburnt powder if you discharge one at night, though, as you see from this picture of a 3" SP101.

index.php


The 640 Pro is a pretty sharp-looking J-frame with some nice features the other J-frames don't have. If I bought one, though, I'd be carrying .38 Special +Ps in it. Just my $0.02.
Click to expand...

From my understanding, and what I've read (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) .357 Magnum, even from a 2" barrel; blows any .38 Spl, original loads or weak kneed modern stuff outta the water; even with the .38 coming from a 4" tube. It does the same to 9x19mm- absolutely blows it outta the water. Now; whether one considers 5 barely controllable rip-snorters worth the extra recoil and personal flash bang; that... is their prerogative.


Me personally, I'd stick to considering it a .38 that can shoot .357's w/o blowing to pieces. It's nice to have the capability to chamber .357, especially if your belt gun is chambered in .357 Magnum. Either way, a .357 Magnum out of even a 2" barrel is still a "Magnum".... just not quite as much "Magnum" as a 4" or 6" tube.
 
Kleanbore said:
There's no such thing.
Click to expand...

Tell that to Greg Ellifritz. And yes, technically; I do agree with you. Either way, terminal effectiveness wise; a good .357 Mag defensive load is still (from my understanding) the most effective at stopping a threat.
 
Kleanbore said:
He knows that nothing "rules the roost" or can do so, a few scattered data points notwithstanding.
Click to expand...
"A few scattered data points" ? A decades worth of studied LEO and civilian shooting... incidents showed that .357 Magnum (and .32 Auto for some reason) come out consistently on top of the handgun calibers
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Does the S&W I want exist?
Replies
13
Views
738
madcratebuilder
M
bikemutt
  • Locked
Smith 640-1 thoughts
2
Replies
43
Views
4K
Deaf Smith
Deaf Smith
5-SHOTS
  • Locked
S&W 642 Pro Series questions
Replies
3
Views
490
5-SHOTS
5-SHOTS
W
  • Locked
S&W 640 and the Blackhawk CQC holster
Replies
1
Views
409
Landpimp
L
N
  • Locked
Stop being a S&W snob?
2 3 4
Replies
77
Views
4K
Feanaro
Feanaro
Back
Top