Price Check Needed Quickly: S&W 640 (.38)
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Seems high for used
I bought a new 642-2 .38 a few months ago and it was about $350. I didn't look around too much so I am sure that is not the lowest possible price for a new one. Unless your 20 year old model has some collector value that seems awful high.
Have you compared this to new ones in your area or GunsAmerica.com? I would want a good discount for a used S&W snubby. If the previous owner or gunshop is lyig about its history and it actually had +P loads fired frequently in it, then it could be a very bad deal. I wouldn;t hesitate to buy a used GP100 (I did BTW) or other Ruger, but a snubbyS&w seems not worth it. I mean for the same or a bit more you can have a brand new one so why settle for a used one?
I bought a new 642-2 .38 a few months ago and it was about $350. I didn't look around too much so I am sure that is not the lowest possible price for a new one. Unless your 20 year old model has some collector value that seems awful high.
Have you compared this to new ones in your area or GunsAmerica.com? I would want a good discount for a used S&W snubby. If the previous owner or gunshop is lyig about its history and it actually had +P loads fired frequently in it, then it could be a very bad deal. I wouldn;t hesitate to buy a used GP100 (I did BTW) or other Ruger, but a snubbyS&w seems not worth it. I mean for the same or a bit more you can have a brand new one so why settle for a used one?
tomkatz
Member
Do the revolver checkout from the top of the revolver page, if it checks out good that is a fair price IMO. The older guns with no locks are starting to go up in value, and I would pay more for a nice one over a lock model.....but then I won't even own a gun with an internal lock, YMMV
.......tom
.......tom
tbeb
Member
Don't know if this will help, but... I live in Northwest Indiana. Last month I paid $380 out the door for a new S&W 642-2. 642-2 is +P rated. It has steel cylinder & barrel, and alloy frame. I checked the price at 7 shops spanning 5 neighboring cities.
Technosavant
Member
It depends on who the customer is. If the customer has no problems with internal locks and is cross shopping a new 642-2, it would surprise me if they would pay $300 for it. If the person hates the locks and wants a steel revolver for recoil control, I would think they would be willing to pay at least $300, but prob. not more than $325.
Gotta know your customers.
Gotta know your customers.
Supposed to buy this in 1 hour--SHOULD I???
Well, actually, here's what happened. Saw WTS post for S&W 640. Wasn't sure what gun 640 is so went to S&W website. 640=.357 on S&W website. Always wanted a .357 snubbie, so said Yes sight unseen, assuming in good condition (seller appears honest; no reason to doubt his statement that gun was fired about 100 rounds when new, replaced by semi-auto and sat in safe for years). Only in the wee hours of today did I discover that 640 BACK THEN was a .38, NOT .357. Why does S&W do that ???!!!???
Anyway, I already have a .38 steel snubbie (M36). Only positives of getting 640/.38 would be for no external hammer (I pocket carry the 36 often), but I'd rather have it in .357/.38, not just .38. The other plus would be no lock. On the down side, no ability to shoot SA.
Assuming it's in good shape is it worth it to buy for $350? $300? I want to be fair to the seller and not cancel the deal on a misunderstanding, but I don't want to overpay for an additional .38 steel snubby that I don't really need. Thanks in advance for any advice!!!
Well, actually, here's what happened. Saw WTS post for S&W 640. Wasn't sure what gun 640 is so went to S&W website. 640=.357 on S&W website. Always wanted a .357 snubbie, so said Yes sight unseen, assuming in good condition (seller appears honest; no reason to doubt his statement that gun was fired about 100 rounds when new, replaced by semi-auto and sat in safe for years). Only in the wee hours of today did I discover that 640 BACK THEN was a .38, NOT .357. Why does S&W do that ???!!!???
Anyway, I already have a .38 steel snubbie (M36). Only positives of getting 640/.38 would be for no external hammer (I pocket carry the 36 often), but I'd rather have it in .357/.38, not just .38. The other plus would be no lock. On the down side, no ability to shoot SA.
Assuming it's in good shape is it worth it to buy for $350? $300? I want to be fair to the seller and not cancel the deal on a misunderstanding, but I don't want to overpay for an additional .38 steel snubby that I don't really need. Thanks in advance for any advice!!!
HighVelocity
Member
If you really want a 640 in 357 then wait for one to come along. I got my pre-lock 357mag 640 used in perfect condition for $300. The deals are out there you just have to be patient.
farscott
Member
The last M640 I picked up (the first was in 1992 and the second in 2002) in .38 Special cost me $250. I am not sure I would pay $350 for another one. I prefer the .38 Special models since I use standard velocity .38 Special ammo in mine. When I want to carry .357 Magnum in a snubbie, I opt for one of my Ruger SP-101's.
tomkatz
Member
The .38 spl. 640 was discontinued because smith probably wanted something in .357 to compete a bit with the sp 101.....I prefer the slightly smaller .38 640, and who cocks a j-frame anyway? The hammerless centennials are beyond compare for pocket carry, although I carry the lighter 642, fire away from INSIDE the pocket if need be, NOTHING to snag.
And as to the locks, who needs them when there are great condition smith revolvers available with no locks.
.....tom
And as to the locks, who needs them when there are great condition smith revolvers available with no locks.
.....tom
640 (.38)
Actually, I've heard that the 640/.38's were a special order for NYPD because NYPD forbid the carry of anything but .38 spcl. I could see the very rare likelihood of having to cock a j frame if you had the luxury of cover and had time to take careful aim. Admittedly, something not statisitcally likely. In fact, in the late 80's NYPD forbid the cocking of any gun. That's why all those hammerless snubbies and 4" service guns were made.
We made the deal and I have it. No lock.
Thanks for your and everyone else's input.
Best,
Perpster
tomkatz said:
Actually, I've heard that the 640/.38's were a special order for NYPD because NYPD forbid the carry of anything but .38 spcl. I could see the very rare likelihood of having to cock a j frame if you had the luxury of cover and had time to take careful aim. Admittedly, something not statisitcally likely. In fact, in the late 80's NYPD forbid the cocking of any gun. That's why all those hammerless snubbies and 4" service guns were made.
We made the deal and I have it. No lock.
Thanks for your and everyone else's input.
Best,
Perpster
Vern Humphrey
Member
Vern Humphrey
Member
perpster said:
Go to "search" -- not the search box, but the search feature in the menu about an inch down from the top of the page. Enter 640 as your key word and select "Smith and Wesson modern revolvers."
tomkatz
Member
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A local shop in mid 2004 had a bunch of police trade in 640's in 38spl,no lock sell for $300 fairly quickly as well as a 940 for $359 which I got. To be fair though,this was in CA.
Is a tad high as NIB 637's as a baseline sell for $350 in my area but it is not totally outrageous if one wants this exact model of an early 640. I think production of new centennials started in 1989 or 1990.
Is a tad high as NIB 637's as a baseline sell for $350 in my area but it is not totally outrageous if one wants this exact model of an early 640. I think production of new centennials started in 1989 or 1990.
SouthpawShootr
Member
The 640 (no dash) was a .38 special and nothing but a .38 special from its inception. This model was made from 1990-1994. 1995 appears to have been a dead year for this model. However, it returned as the 640-1 in .357 magnum (& with the attending slightly larger frame) in 1996. Supica and Nahas indicates that the 640-2 was produced in 1997 in .38 special only (have no idea why, except maybe the above post about NYPD requiring this). The 640-1 apparently was continued while the 640-2 was in production (kind of an odd move but S&W has done stranger things). The model now in production should be marked 640-1. The 640-2 is apparently gone. I expect these guns would bring a premium, especially with the original box.
I have a 640. Love it. Wouldn't even consider selling it. Beautiful gun. It was my first Centennial (I've since added a 642-1 and a Taurus 650).
I have a 640. Love it. Wouldn't even consider selling it. Beautiful gun. It was my first Centennial (I've since added a 642-1 and a Taurus 650).
Confessions of a Cocky Hammer
For two decades I carried a S&W Model 36 2" Chief's Special, .38 Special caliber. Often carried in pocket. Looked down upon revolvers who couldn't cock themselves did I. Unable to draw quickly from a pocket? Argh, must be something wrong with you. Unable to fire single action for that William Tell shot? Argh, not worthy of carry consideration.
Fast foward to this week. Saw an ad for a used 640. Went to S&W website. 640 is a .357/.38. Great! Always wanted a short barrel .357. On the eve of the deal discover that this is an OLD 640, .38 spcl ONLY. BUMMER. To go through with the deal or not?; that was the question. Felt honor-bound to go through with it. Did so. And....
LOVE THIS GUN!!! Yeah, I wish it was also a .357, but then again, .357 versions were built on slightly larger/longer frames, so might not be as pocketable as the 640. Do I still want a .357 pocket gun? You betcha. Would I like the Bodyguard shrouded hammer instead of fully enclosed Centennial. Probably. Would I consider an Alumium or Sc/Ti model. Sure. But still, just love this 640!!! Will never sell or trade it. In fact, I need a firearms therapist for my Model 36, which is off sulking in the safe, and a Bodyguard for my Centennial in case M36 tries anything funny.
My name is Perpster, and I am a J-Frame-aholic. I admit it now, but I see no chance of recovery. Some addictions just aren't so bad for you.
For two decades I carried a S&W Model 36 2" Chief's Special, .38 Special caliber. Often carried in pocket. Looked down upon revolvers who couldn't cock themselves did I. Unable to draw quickly from a pocket? Argh, must be something wrong with you. Unable to fire single action for that William Tell shot? Argh, not worthy of carry consideration.
Fast foward to this week. Saw an ad for a used 640. Went to S&W website. 640 is a .357/.38. Great! Always wanted a short barrel .357. On the eve of the deal discover that this is an OLD 640, .38 spcl ONLY. BUMMER. To go through with the deal or not?; that was the question. Felt honor-bound to go through with it. Did so. And....
LOVE THIS GUN!!! Yeah, I wish it was also a .357, but then again, .357 versions were built on slightly larger/longer frames, so might not be as pocketable as the 640. Do I still want a .357 pocket gun? You betcha. Would I like the Bodyguard shrouded hammer instead of fully enclosed Centennial. Probably. Would I consider an Alumium or Sc/Ti model. Sure. But still, just love this 640!!! Will never sell or trade it. In fact, I need a firearms therapist for my Model 36, which is off sulking in the safe, and a Bodyguard for my Centennial in case M36 tries anything funny.
My name is Perpster, and I am a J-Frame-aholic. I admit it now, but I see no chance of recovery. Some addictions just aren't so bad for you.
popeye
Member
My .38 spec. 640 is factory marked "Rated +P+" on the frame under the cylinder when it's closed. +P+ is plenty for me out of a J frame.
popeye
Member
Swing the cyl. out and look at frame that would be under cyl. if it was closed. Some 640's are marked this way, some apparentley not.
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