badge4436
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Have an older 640 stainless .38 special only snubby. Serial # BNN####. Can this thing fire .38 special +P? Going to use Speer 135 grain +P with it.
model 640 .38spl--.38 special +P?
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ArchAngelCD
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I'm sure that all Steel revolver can handle the slight additional pressure just fine.
It's been said any Steel revolver made after WWII will handle current] +P pressures just fine but the call will have to be yours.
It's been said any Steel revolver made after WWII will handle current] +P pressures just fine but the call will have to be yours.
Lucky Derby
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I would not worry about modern +P ammo damaging that revolver.
earlthegoat2
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Even though the wisdom above holds true, you will be glad to know that S&W rated these +P from the factory.
Hangingrock
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The M-640 when introduced with serial number CENXXXX in the frame cylinder window were marked “TESTED FOR +P+”. In later production that wording was removed with the explanation that there was not a industry standard for +P+.
Factory +P is loaded 3,000 PSI below maximum allowable chamber pressure. It is not a hot load. It is not even a warm load. It's really a good target/practice load. The notion that +P is hot is a fallacy created by brilliant marketing to make buyers think they are getting high performance ammo. A 125 at 925 FPS? Give me a break. Very mild. Standard ammo from the 1960s used a 158 at 800 and this generated the same chamber pressure.
If it says 38 Special on the barrel it's "rated" for +P since +P is NOT loaded to high pressure.
Pictured below is a 1942 M&P that had 500 rounds of Remington +P and another 600 rounds of my own +P+ (125@1150) put through it with zero effect. A member of the S&W Forum fired 1,000 +Ps through an alloy K frame with no effect (what a surprise that ammo loaded well below max pressure didn't blow up the gun!).
If it says 38 Special on the barrel it's "rated" for +P since +P is NOT loaded to high pressure.
Pictured below is a 1942 M&P that had 500 rounds of Remington +P and another 600 rounds of my own +P+ (125@1150) put through it with zero effect. A member of the S&W Forum fired 1,000 +Ps through an alloy K frame with no effect (what a surprise that ammo loaded well below max pressure didn't blow up the gun!).
Radagast
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The CENxxxx prefix was used for the first (1989) run. Your BNNxxxx serial number dates your gun to 1993. If the early guns were +P rated yours will be as well.
that S&W 640 is probably an old NYPD off-duty revolver. The market got flooded w/those guns when NYPD switched to 9mm pistols. With that being said the all steel 640 guns are rated for +p ammo. The NYPD issues Speer GDHP 135gr. +P for any current officer still carrying the .38 special to include the S&W 640.
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