Smith 640-1 thoughts

[bikemutt]

I've been fondling a S&W 640-1 at my LGS that's part of their Pro series. It's got dovetail tritium sights, no lock, cylinder cut for moon clips (it comes with 4 clips) and a trigger that's just downright sweet. I find it hard to believe the gun is NIB owing to the amount of carbon on the topstrap, but the counterman says it's because they shoot 'em to tune 'em at the factory.

They had a run of them, this is the last one, I can't find them anywhere else, online or otherwise.

I really like the feel of this one but they want $704 for it and that's the final, end of discussion, we ain't moving price.

What say the experts or owners?

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766365_-1_757768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

I have one, and I think it is probably the ultimate J frame. Mine didn't have a stellar trigger out of the box, and to be completely honest its been back to the factory twice, once for a FTF with buffalo bore ammo (I'm not convinced it wasn't the ammo) and the firing pin was replaced, and currently its in their hands because the thumb-piece was not engaging correctly on all cylinders after a range session. To be fair, my Gp100 has had a few trips to the factory as well, but I gave Ruger the benefit of the doubt and because of it I have a fully functional, awesome firearm with sentimental value. I'm willing to give S&W the benefit of the doubt as well, and so far they have been taking care of me.

However, in all other respects (accuracy, ability to fire .357 rounds, aesthetics, concealability) I am enamored with it, and I fully intend to include it back in my carry rotation once it comes back and I'm able to test it for reliability again. You won't even feel .38 specials out of it, but some of the hot .357s can give you a good smack in the hand if you're not used to it. Because of the elevated sights, it may or may not fit your J frame holsters. I have carried it in a IWB built for a 442, and found that I have to pull back on the 640 before pulling up to clear the sights from the holster. But the IWB is meant for retention. In a pocket holster, it clears without trouble.

I think you'll find the vast majority of 640 owners, whether -1, - 2, -3, or pro series have had positive experiences with the firearm. Its comparable to the SP101 in philosophy of use, with a slightly smaller profile. The main attraction for me was no-internal-lock and of course the tritium. There are a few on gunbroker for less than you'll pay, but after shipping and transfer, you'll be in the same ballpark. This is a current production model so I doubt that its the last of its breed. I'll bet w'ell see more of these.

Let us know how it goes!

http://policelink.monster.com/products/products/419-smith-wesson-640

 

[PabloJ]

This is very fine piece if you do not mind five shot revolver. It makes for excellent carry plus RANGE gun rolled into one. Moon clips are the ONLY way to go as way of reloading revolver efficiently and quickly especially during tense situation where fine motor skills went south.

 

[bikemutt]

I figured if I waited any longer it would be gone, it's happened before.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, the adoption papers were signed this morning

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Sweet, what do you have it loaded up with?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a huge fan of the M640. Mine is probably my favorite J frame. My M640 just loves 145gr Winchester Silvertip .357 Magnum ammo. (when I can find it)

 

[Baba Louie]

Good job on the adoption bikemutt.

ArchAngel, are those 145 grs a handful with those grips (which look nice, very nice)?

Lovin' Tony da Tigers still life... tho the apple... certainly adds color to the composition, but I suppose I'm looking for the deeper meaning. (sometimes an apple is just an apple I guess and a green Granny Smith or an Orange would clash)

I keep telling myself, you got enough J Frames Baba. Do. Not. Need. More. But the 640 is just, soooo right. I admit, I want. Will wait until S&W makes one in blue carbon steel... yeah, that's the ticket and reason to wait a bit... I just checked S&Ws website... they do not make one in blue carbon, & I don't think I could handle a 340PD w/ full power loads, not to mention I already own a 442 (whew, safe for now)

Nice gats gentlemen.

 

[bikemutt]

Sweet, what do you have it loaded up with?

Hornady Critical Defense .38 +P 110gr in the picture.

I'll be taking it to the range today, along with a couple other first-timers.

BTW, what's the trick with the moon clips? I could not for the life of me get the last round in, and it appeared to me one slip could result a trip to the ER, those things are sharp!

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
"Moonclip loading tool".

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Thanks for the compliment Baba Louie. Art is a highly subjective experience. I wouldn't want to bias the deeper meanings you have experienced from viewing my 640 pro with its companion apple. I am glad to hear that my art has inspired an emotional response.

Re: moonclips, without a moonclip tool, they can be difficult to get in and remove. Its highly dependent on the case. For example, Buffalo bore rounds slip right in, Corbon rounds are a little more picky, and speer rounds I can't get in without bending the clip. I guess it just depends. I don't have a tool, FYI, but I did get extra from s&w that i'm careful not to bend.

 

[Guillermo]

the counterman says it's because they shoot 'em to tune 'em at the factory

bullsqueeze

they test fire

no "tuning"

you are being lied to

That said, if you want the gun, it sounds "gently used", so go for it


BTW
with the exception of concealment, a K frame is superior to a J frame in every way

 

[SwampWolf]

I still have a Model 640-1 that I purchased new in 1996 but I don't carry it concealed anymore due to its weight (imo, a handgun weighing over a pound and a half is a mite heavy for pocket or ankle carrying duties and if I'm going to carry a handgun in a conventional holster, I want it to carry more than five rounds). I do like the way the little revolver handles and the extra weight makes it much easier to shoot well than, say, a 16 ounce Airweight. My Model 640 has Herrett "Shooting Ace" stocks installed on it (my absolute favorite stocks for a J-frame Smith revolver and both of mine wear them) and it currently resides loaded on the top of a hutch in the dining room of our house.

 

[Certaindeaf]

.BTW with the exception of concealment, a K frame is superior to a J frame in every way

One is bigger and the other is smaller. There's really no "superiority".

 

[Guillermo]

There's really no "superiority".

trigger pull, handling, durability, strength, capacity

with the exception of concealment, a K frame is superior to a J frame in every way

 

[SwampWolf]

One is bigger and the other is smaller. There's really no "superiority".

I agree in the sense that J frames and K frames offer different uses predicated on their size differences but I would argue that most K-frames have a "superior" da trigger pull and they of course have a "superior" ammunition capacity; there's no denying that.

 

[Guillermo]

j-frame is more easily concealed

that is the only advantage it has

unless pocket carrying, I can conceal my D-frame Colt (k-frame size) as well as a J-frame.

This is why I no longer own any J Frames. I don't pocket carry.

 

[Certaindeaf]

trigger pull, handling, durability, strength, capacity

with the exception of concealment, a K frame is superior to a J frame in every way

Yea, a K generally will hold more. That's no claim of "superiority" though.. the converse could be claimed. anyway, knock yourself out

 

[Guillermo]

Certain Deaf

is the J frame as durable as a K frame?
is the trigger of a j frame as good as a K frame?
does the J frame handle as well, or as well balanced as a k frame?

 

[SwampWolf]

unless pocket carrying, I can conceal my D-frame Colt (k-frame size) as well as a J-frame.

I wouldn't describe the D-frame Colt as being the same size as a K-frame Smith. When comparing the Colt Cobra/Agent with the Smith&Wesson Airweight, the Colt not only weighs the same as the Smith (16 ounces each) and still carries 20% more ammunition (six shots as opposed to five) but the cylinder diameters aren't that much different (J-frame: 1.309; D-frame: 1.400-a difference of about 1/10th of an inch).

This is why I no longer own any J Frames. I don't pocket carry.

Same here (I still own two of them, I just don't carry any of them anymore). But I do pocket carry an old Cobra on occasion.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Certain Deaf

is the J frame as durable as a K frame?
is the trigger of a j frame as good as a K frame?
does the J frame handle as well, or as well balanced as a k frame?

Many things can be debated. If any of the above were true, it still wouldn't make the K frame "superior".

 

[sgtstryker]

I've been carrying my 640, .38 in a Galco IWB since the heat decide to stay. Rides nice and shoots good too. I did replace the rubber factory grips with some S&W panels. It's a little heavy for a snubbie, but, what the hey.. the Pro series guns are real nice, sounds like a good deal for you. Enjoy shooting it..

 

[Guillermo]

If any of the above were true, it still wouldn't make the K frame "superior"

oooookkkaayyyyy

 

[Guillermo]

D-frame Colt as being the same size as a K-frame Smith

pretty close

I just pulled out my K22 and a cobra. Their frames are VERY close in dimensions

Cobra is good for pocket carry. Remember to put ur thumb on the hammer when you draw.

 

[JERRY]

i had one of my 640-1s MagNa-Ported so i can shoot full powered .357mag loads all day without difficulty.

 

[bikemutt]

I had a notion a couple pictures of current production Smiths without a keyhole might flush Guillermo, MIM triggers notwithstanding, lol.

So I managed to get a few cylinders through the 640-1 this morning. Started with plain-vanilla .38 specials and finished up with some .357 mags. I was able to keep to 4" groups or better at 7 yards with either cartridge, my best was a 3" group. I did not go past the 7 yard range this time around owing to time constraints. The .38 specials were of unremarkable recoil, the .357 recoil found me trying to figure out how to get my support hand out of the way of the trigger guard, but was otherwise also unremarkable.

I find it easy to make myself want to like a gun I just dumped $700 plus tax on, especially a J-frame size gun, even when shooting it says otherwise, human nature I guess. This particular gun held no surprises for me, for once my instincts were right on. Never thought I'd get excited about a J-frame carry gun, I'm very pleased with this one and am actually looking forward to shooting it more. For me at least, Smith got this one right.