New S&W 640 Pro

Friar Whently · May 13, 2012, 10:58 PM

This gun is several firsts...my first revolver and my first true carry gun. My only other gun is a Beretta 92FS, which is a bit uncomfortable to carry. Just got it yesterday, shot it for the first time today. The trigger pull is heavy like all DA snubbies, but it's super slick with no grittiness. It shoots accurately with 158 gr .38, but shoots a little low (though with consistent groups) with 125 gr .357 (which I've read is somewhat normal for a light, fast-moving round...right?). I'll try some heavier, slower .357 to see if that improves things. Not that shooting .357 out of a snubbie is pleasant, but I'd rather carry a .357 than a .38 and I'd like the most accurate round possible. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated.

I think the first order of business for this is to get some new boot grips...perhaps in a nice wood. In the meantime, since no New Gun thread isn't complete without pictures, enjoy!

BarryLee · May 13, 2012, 11:16 PM

There are manufacturers that make ammunition specifically for shorter length barrels I believe Speer Gold Dots is one of the brands. I am not sure if this would improve your accuracy, but it might be something to research.

Oh yes - very nice gun.

Nanuk · May 14, 2012, 07:09 PM

Very nice!!!! I ordered one too should be in this week. It is normal to shoot low with faster bullets. How low were you shooting? I carried 145 Grn STHP's for years when I carried a 357 on duty. I plan on using Cor-Bon 125 Grn DPX's in my 640 Pro. I will try several different loads and let you know how mine does when she gets here.

comn-cents · May 14, 2012, 07:16 PM

Nice gun enjoy.

wheelyfun · May 14, 2012, 07:37 PM

Nice revolver!

That one has been on my (long) list of guns that I must have....

I'll be waiting on a full range report!

Friar Whently · May 14, 2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Very nice!!!! I ordered one too should be in this week. It is normal to shoot low with faster bullets. How low were you shooting? I carried 145 Grn STHP's for years when I carried a 357 on duty. I plan on using Cor-Bon 125 Grn DPX's in my 640 Pro. I will try several different loads and let you know how mine does when she gets here.

I had to have mine ordered as well. I was able to find them at several shops but the one I ordered it from was selling it for $50 cheaper. As far as how low I was shooting it was about 1.5 - 2 inches low at 7 yards. Same result with 125 gr Gold Dot, 125 gr Blazer, and 125 gr PMC. I just picked up some 158 gr Federal ammo (the same weight as the .38 which shot accurately) to see if the added weight makes a difference.

dnsharpshooter · May 14, 2012, 11:07 PM

looks good with those flutes in the barrel

Nanuk · May 15, 2012, 08:06 AM

The front site is tall enough to shave it off a little to match whatever load you want to shoot, or maybe pick up a shorter front sight.

comn-cents · May 15, 2012, 10:01 AM

You can't shave the front sight if it's a night sight, or one with a white dot. If they were plain black or part of the barrel shroud then you could shave them down.

CPO15 · May 15, 2012, 11:50 AM

This thread is agony;I've had on on order for a month!

Here's a nice review of the gun:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...40-pro-series/

...and a follow-up review:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...e-trigger-job/

Nanuk · May 15, 2012, 10:18 PM

Comn-cents is right, I just got mine, there is no room for any shaving on those sights.

That leaves us with three choices, find the ammo that regulates to POI ( Or give S&W a call), replace the front sight, or learn where POI is in relation to POA and live with it.

Viper225 · May 15, 2012, 11:59 PM

For a Holster check out a Lobo Pancake. Either the Model 1 or the Enhanced Pancake. I get mine all with the Optional Inner Hammer Shield. The Model 1 will also need Detail Boned added as an option.
http://Lobogunleather.com/

Additional Moon Clips and a Moon Clip Carrier. Check out TK. TK carries the new 5 Shot J Frame California Competition Works Moon Clip Carrier. They are made from Steel and fit fairly close to the body. I normally carry either 1 or 2 infront of my Lobo Model 1 Pancake holster.
http://moonclips.com/

Information on Moon Clips for the 38 Special. J Frame 38 Moon Clips are .025 thick. They work with Remington, Federal, Mag Tech, Speer, and some other brands of brass. The moon clips are not compatable with Winchester cases which have too small an under cut where they snap into the clip.
I find I can Finger Load the TK moon clips, however you need a tool to remove them. This tool can be as simple as a 5" piece of 1/2" copper pipe or electrical conduit.
If your ammunition loads in your clip a little hard you can load the clips with the Delux Moon Clip Tool.
http://deluxmooncliptool.com/

Bob

Nanuk · May 16, 2012, 01:51 PM

Well I took her out. Everything I shot was low using a 6 o'clock hold. I will shoot it more, but I may inquire about a lower front sight.

I shot 148 Grn WC, 158 SWCHP +P, 147 Grn +P+, and 125 Grn Winchester 357 Mag.

357 Mags in her are stout but not painful like the 360 PD.

Consort · May 16, 2012, 03:07 PM

I know that the 640 tips the scale at about 22 oz. empty, but do you think it is suitable for pocket carry ? I like the S & W snubbies, but the 642 that I currently carry can be brutal. I thought the added weight might help felt recoil.

Nanuk · May 19, 2012, 09:55 PM

I only PC in the winter. I was surprised by the recoil with Magnums, very controllable and not painful like the 360 PD or the LCR.. I briefly tried a LCR 357, while the LCR has a nicer trigger out of the box, it ends there. The 640 Pro has is beat. I really like this lil gun, now I just need a good way to CC loaded moon clips.

I bought some of the TKC .020 moon clips and they are very nice, but quite a bit less robust than the .025 clips. And of course you need the .020 clips for some brands of ammo.

Navy joe · May 20, 2012, 03:18 AM

It is possible it is regulated like a stock glock sight. Put dot over top of target, pull trigger.

Glamdring · May 20, 2012, 06:02 AM

Consort, pocket carry is certainly possible.

I have pocket carried a 3" steel J frame in the past, was a loaner from a friend, I didn't notice any real difference from my 637 (aluminum frame).

I pocket carry a pair of Glock 26's now 24/7 cause back problems make behind the hip CCW carry impossible for me.

I plan to get a S&W 640 Pro, fact is I have a S&W 386 Night Guard that I will probably sell/trade towards the 640.

I have a Glock 29SF that fill same nich as the 386 + more ( I can add weapon light & 15 round G20 mags with +5 extension on the Glock 29 for nightstand use).

Plus the 640 would pair very well with my S&W 637, and that would give me a backup set of pocket guns if one or both of the Glock 26's were getting work done on them.

Friar Whently · May 20, 2012, 09:43 AM

Consort, pocket carry in a DeSantis Nemesis holster is the only way I carry this thing. Yes it can be heavy but I like the feel of the weight of it in my pocket. If you're already having problems with pocket carrying a lighter gun though, the 640 Pro wouldn't improve things.

A bit of an update though: I mentioned that the gun was shooting a little low with multiple different brands of 125 gr 357 but right on target with 158 gr 38. I picked up some 158 gr Federal soft point 357 and some Hornady 158 gr SD 357 ammo and took it to the range yesterday. I shot right on target with both brands of these heavier 357s. I guess if you're going to be shooting 357 with this thing, it (or at least mine, anyway) needs a heavier, slower bullet to be accurate.

Now I just need to get/make a good demooning tool.

tomrkba · June 10, 2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Well I took her out. Everything I shot was low using a 6 o'clock hold.

Try center of the night sight on the center of the target.

Also, call S&W and ask if the sights are regulated for a particular bullet weight and at what distance.

tomrkba · June 10, 2012, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Now I just need to get/make a good demooning tool.

By either the Moonclip Tool (mooncliptool.com) or the BMT Mooner (bmtequipped.com/products.php).

KRP · June 12, 2012, 07:29 PM

that's purty friar. I'm picturing craig spegels in walnut. His centenial grips go all the way up the hump, and i believe aids in comfort. smooth wood slips in and out of pockets easy and won't bunch up your cover garment. worth every penny.

Nanuk · June 12, 2012, 11:13 PM

I shot mine in the local IDPA match last weekend and actually beat one of the guys using a 4" K frame. It shoots great!

Deja vu · June 13, 2012, 12:39 PM

I pocket carry a 640 (not the pro) every day and have for many years. I find that weight makes less of a difference than size. A good belt helps much.

jsferrazza · August 5, 2016, 09:44 AM

Sorry to chime in here so late, but I'm also looking to get a 640 pro. What about pocket carrying in lightweight pants, such as suit pants?

redrick · August 5, 2016, 10:31 AM

IMO it is to heavy for pocket carry . If that is how you want to carry I would get the 340 .

May 13, 2012, 10:58 PM	#1
Friar Whently Member Join Date: December 29, 2011 Posts: 57	New S&W 640 Pro This gun is several firsts...my first revolver and my first true carry gun. My only other gun is a Beretta 92FS, which is a bit uncomfortable to carry. Just got it yesterday, shot it for the first time today. The trigger pull is heavy like all DA snubbies, but it's super slick with no grittiness. It shoots accurately with 158 gr .38, but shoots a little low (though with consistent groups) with 125 gr .357 (which I've read is somewhat normal for a light, fast-moving round...right?). I'll try some heavier, slower .357 to see if that improves things. Not that shooting .357 out of a snubbie is pleasant, but I'd rather carry a .357 than a .38 and I'd like the most accurate round possible. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated. I think the first order of business for this is to get some new boot grips...perhaps in a nice wood. In the meantime, since no New Gun thread isn't complete without pictures, enjoy!

May 13, 2012, 11:16 PM	#2
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	There are manufacturers that make ammunition specifically for shorter length barrels I believe Speer Gold Dots is one of the brands. I am not sure if this would improve your accuracy, but it might be something to research. Oh yes - very nice gun. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

May 14, 2012, 07:09 PM	#3
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	Very nice!!!! I ordered one too should be in this week. It is normal to shoot low with faster bullets. How low were you shooting? I carried 145 Grn STHP's for years when I carried a 357 on duty. I plan on using Cor-Bon 125 Grn DPX's in my 640 Pro. I will try several different loads and let you know how mine does when she gets here. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

May 14, 2012, 07:16 PM	#4
comn-cents Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pac.N.W. Posts: 1,804	Nice gun enjoy. __________________ Be Smarter Than A Bore-Snake!

May 14, 2012, 07:37 PM	#5
wheelyfun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 241	Nice revolver! That one has been on my (long) list of guns that I must have.... I'll be waiting on a full range report! __________________ When two of equal skill meet at swords' point, there is no conclusion to the match--Takuan Soho (written in 1629)

May 14, 2012, 11:07 PM	#7
dnsharpshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2011 Location: Ahwatukee, AZ Posts: 212	looks good with those flutes in the barrel

May 15, 2012, 08:06 AM	#8
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	The front site is tall enough to shave it off a little to match whatever load you want to shoot, or maybe pick up a shorter front sight. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

May 15, 2012, 10:01 AM	#9
comn-cents Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pac.N.W. Posts: 1,804	You can't shave the front sight if it's a night sight, or one with a white dot. If they were plain black or part of the barrel shroud then you could shave them down. __________________ Be Smarter Than A Bore-Snake!

May 15, 2012, 11:50 AM	#10
CPO15 Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2010 Location: Near Fincastle, VA Posts: 148	This thread is agony;I've had on on order for a month! Here's a nice review of the gun: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...40-pro-series/ ...and a follow-up review: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...e-trigger-job/

May 15, 2012, 10:18 PM	#11
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	Comn-cents is right, I just got mine, there is no room for any shaving on those sights. That leaves us with three choices, find the ammo that regulates to POI ( Or give S&W a call), replace the front sight, or learn where POI is in relation to POA and live with it. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

May 15, 2012, 11:59 PM	#12
Viper225 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Location: SC Missouri Posts: 663	For a Holster check out a Lobo Pancake. Either the Model 1 or the Enhanced Pancake. I get mine all with the Optional Inner Hammer Shield. The Model 1 will also need Detail Boned added as an option. http://Lobogunleather.com/ Additional Moon Clips and a Moon Clip Carrier. Check out TK. TK carries the new 5 Shot J Frame California Competition Works Moon Clip Carrier. They are made from Steel and fit fairly close to the body. I normally carry either 1 or 2 infront of my Lobo Model 1 Pancake holster. http://moonclips.com/ Information on Moon Clips for the 38 Special. J Frame 38 Moon Clips are .025 thick. They work with Remington, Federal, Mag Tech, Speer, and some other brands of brass. The moon clips are not compatable with Winchester cases which have too small an under cut where they snap into the clip. I find I can Finger Load the TK moon clips, however you need a tool to remove them. This tool can be as simple as a 5" piece of 1/2" copper pipe or electrical conduit. If your ammunition loads in your clip a little hard you can load the clips with the Delux Moon Clip Tool. http://deluxmooncliptool.com/ Bob

May 16, 2012, 01:51 PM	#13
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	Well I took her out. Everything I shot was low using a 6 o'clock hold. I will shoot it more, but I may inquire about a lower front sight. I shot 148 Grn WC, 158 SWCHP +P, 147 Grn +P+, and 125 Grn Winchester 357 Mag. 357 Mags in her are stout but not painful like the 360 PD. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

May 16, 2012, 03:07 PM	#14
Consort Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2011 Posts: 134	Pocket Carry ? I know that the 640 tips the scale at about 22 oz. empty, but do you think it is suitable for pocket carry ? I like the S & W snubbies, but the 642 that I currently carry can be brutal. I thought the added weight might help felt recoil.

May 19, 2012, 09:55 PM	#15
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	I only PC in the winter. I was surprised by the recoil with Magnums, very controllable and not painful like the 360 PD or the LCR.. I briefly tried a LCR 357, while the LCR has a nicer trigger out of the box, it ends there. The 640 Pro has is beat. I really like this lil gun, now I just need a good way to CC loaded moon clips. I bought some of the TKC .020 moon clips and they are very nice, but quite a bit less robust than the .025 clips. And of course you need the .020 clips for some brands of ammo. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

May 20, 2012, 03:18 AM	#16
Navy joe Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2001 Location: VA, USA Posts: 1,804	It is possible it is regulated like a stock glock sight. Put dot over top of target, pull trigger. __________________ FY47012

May 20, 2012, 06:02 AM	#17
Glamdring Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2000 Location: MN Posts: 1,388	Pocket Carry Consort, pocket carry is certainly possible. I have pocket carried a 3" steel J frame in the past, was a loaner from a friend, I didn't notice any real difference from my 637 (aluminum frame). I pocket carry a pair of Glock 26's now 24/7 cause back problems make behind the hip CCW carry impossible for me. I plan to get a S&W 640 Pro, fact is I have a S&W 386 Night Guard that I will probably sell/trade towards the 640. I have a Glock 29SF that fill same nich as the 386 + more ( I can add weapon light & 15 round G20 mags with +5 extension on the Glock 29 for nightstand use). Plus the 640 would pair very well with my S&W 637, and that would give me a backup set of pocket guns if one or both of the Glock 26's were getting work done on them. __________________ "A traveler has no protection besides his fire-arms; and the constant habit of carrying them is the main check to more frequent robberies" --Charles Darwin from The Voyage Of The Beagle

May 20, 2012, 09:43 AM	#18
Friar Whently Member Join Date: December 29, 2011 Posts: 57	Consort, pocket carry in a DeSantis Nemesis holster is the only way I carry this thing. Yes it can be heavy but I like the feel of the weight of it in my pocket. If you're already having problems with pocket carrying a lighter gun though, the 640 Pro wouldn't improve things. A bit of an update though: I mentioned that the gun was shooting a little low with multiple different brands of 125 gr 357 but right on target with 158 gr 38. I picked up some 158 gr Federal soft point 357 and some Hornady 158 gr SD 357 ammo and took it to the range yesterday. I shot right on target with both brands of these heavier 357s. I guess if you're going to be shooting 357 with this thing, it (or at least mine, anyway) needs a heavier, slower bullet to be accurate. Now I just need to get/make a good demooning tool.

June 12, 2012, 07:29 PM	#21
KRP Member Join Date: December 15, 2009 Location: wayne county, MI Posts: 63	that's purty friar. I'm picturing craig spegels in walnut. His centenial grips go all the way up the hump, and i believe aids in comfort. smooth wood slips in and out of pockets easy and won't bunch up your cover garment. worth every penny.

June 12, 2012, 11:13 PM	#22
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	I shot mine in the local IDPA match last weekend and actually beat one of the guys using a 4" K frame. It shoots great! __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

June 13, 2012, 12:39 PM	#23
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I pocket carry a 640 (not the pro) every day and have for many years. I find that weight makes less of a difference than size. A good belt helps much. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

August 5, 2016, 09:44 AM	#24
jsferrazza Junior Member Join Date: August 1, 2016 Location: Largo, Florida Posts: 5	Sorry to chime in here so late, but I'm also looking to get a 640 pro. What about pocket carrying in lightweight pants, such as suit pants?

August 5, 2016, 10:31 AM	#25
redrick Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,041	IMO it is to heavy for pocket carry . If that is how you want to carry I would get the 340 .