S&W 640

BredanSIG · April 16, 2015, 03:02 PM

Interested in comments on the 640 in .357. What's your experince with this model and would you recommend it vs other options on the market today? Found a non pro model NIB for $525 locally and loved how it handled, but I know nothing about this model or j frames in general.

I've owned a couple of SP101's and have had the pleasure of firing .357 loads thru them without discomfort. This 640 would serve in a carry rotation and perhaps as a truck gun.

Thank you kindly

P5 Guy · April 16, 2015, 03:49 PM

My personal and not too humble opinion is the second thing S&W did wrong was putting that hole in the side of their revolvers. The first was making the 'J' and 'K' frame revolvers 357MAGNUM.
I have and shoot two 'J' frames MOD60. I shoot them DA and using +P in my all stainless steel 60-4 is about as much as I can take.
357MAGNUM in my S&W 681 is a simple pleasure. I can't imagine touching off five fast shots of full house 357 in a 'J' frame.
I do not expect many will concur with my opinion, though.

Slimjim9 · April 16, 2015, 04:23 PM

I considered the 640 and 640Pro before I settled on the Ruger LCR 357. My LCR was $490 NIB so if you like how the 640 handles, $525 sounds like a good price.

I absolutely concur with P5 that none of these guns are truly suited for the .357 cartridge and calling them so is pure marketing. Let me put it this way. I rented a GP100 a few weeks ago, which is a 40 ounce gun compared to 17 ounces for the LCR. Shooting standard pressure .357 from the GP felt as good or better than standard pressure .38 from the LCR. What do you think .357 from the LCR felt like? I can't tell you as I had no desire to find out.

Deaf Smith · April 16, 2015, 09:12 PM

BredanSIG,

I have several J .38s and .357s.

The 640 Centennial on the left is in .38 spl, and the 640-1 on the right is in .357.

Both 'pre-lock'. Both very solid guns. Very reliable!

NEITHER should be used with top .357s if you value your hand's health.

Midrange .357s or Buffalo Bore .38s (158gr LSWCHP at 1000 fps from a 2 inch snub) is plenty. Maybe still to much for the hand!

Scandium S&W .357s are way way to light for ANY .357s. I mean way to light. Feels like someone hit your hand with a ping-pong paddle at each shot.

If you can find an original 640 in .38, and it locks solid, then get it. It's handier than the .357 versions.

And get the Buffalo Bore NON plus p .38 158gr LSWCHPs. They clock out at 850 or so fps from a 2 inch and that is all you need.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...duct_list&c=23

Oh, and that .38 version on the left, my first CCW gun over 20 years ago. I still have it and still use it.

Deaf

KnotRight · April 16, 2015, 09:19 PM

I have a 640 that is only 38 +P and a 642. I carry the 642 and shoot it a lot more than the 640 but the extra weight of the 640 makes it a little easier to shoot +Ps.

I would not shoot a 357 out of the 640 even if I could.

colbad · April 16, 2015, 09:27 PM

I find the 640 in .357 a bit big and heavy for my purposes. I carry the 642 when I carry a J frame. What I like about my 640 is that it is pretty much the same as my 642, but built to take a beating. I only shoot .38+Ps out of it because that is what I get for free. Easily handles the load, handles like my 642 and saves wear on the 642.

JERRYS. · April 16, 2015, 09:28 PM

I had my 640 .357 MagNa-Ported. after 5 rounds of true magnums I really didn't want to shoot it any more, but I had to fire a 30 round qual course; it was murder because you have to qualify with what you intend to carry.

after porting it is like shooting +p .38s.... no problem. at all.

Doc TH · April 16, 2015, 11:05 PM

The 640 is an excellent revolver. Recoil with std 38 special is minimal, and +P ammo is easy to shoot with excellent accuracy at ranges up to 25 yds. The weight makes precise shooting easily achievable. I have fired .357 mag ammo in a 640; while accuracy is good, the recoil is significant and strings of more than 10 rounds can get uncomfortable. The trigger seems better than that of the Ruger SP-101.

Hook686 · April 17, 2015, 02:32 AM

I like the 640. It is heavier than the M&P 340 with a slightly longer barrel. This makes the recoil with .38+P and low end .357 magnum (990 fps with a 158 grain Gold Dot HP) easier to handle with the 640 vs. the M&P 340. I find the M&P 340 easier to carry due to the light weight, but the 640 easier to practice with. I suggest one of each.$525 strikes me as a good price. I paid $600 back in December for one. I like the J-Frame S&W revolvers for CCW and use at 'Bad breath' distances. For 25 yards I'd pick something else.

Deja vu · April 17, 2015, 09:34 AM

I have a 640-1 and a 640-3. Love both of them. They are not super light so that helps with recoil but the weight is not so bad that it cant be pocket carried.

MY 640-3 is my every day carry. IT along with my NAA 22 short go every where I go. I have even shot a small buck mule deer from a hot tub with this gun

SgtGunner · April 17, 2015, 09:39 AM

I have even shot a small buck mule deer from a hot tub with this gun
Today 03:32 AM

now THAT is the only way to hunt. Hell with freezing at 5am!!

I have a 642. Cant imagine the hammering that 640 would give ya with 357 loads. Ill let someone else find out.

old bear · April 17, 2015, 03:16 PM

BredanSIG, I purchased my 640-1 about a year ago. Great C/C revolver. With the factory finger groove grips it's not to bad to shoot with mid-range .357 Magnum ammo, and great with 38 special +P ammo. The trade off with these grips it's harder to conceal, tried pearl grips, which looked cool but were not worth a damn for shooting. Finally bought a good pair of stag grips and all is now good. I don't recommend shooting .357 Magnum ammo in any J frame, but it's nice to know you can in a pinch., and have a wide safety margin with any 38 special ammo.

Nathan · April 17, 2015, 07:10 PM

I really like my 640-1. $525 is a steal! I wouldn't sell mine under $650.

spruce98lx · April 20, 2015, 12:59 PM

I have a 640-1 and a 642-1 and they are both great guns. The heavier 640 is my primary carry gun and rides in an IWB in the appendix position. The 642 is regulated to occasional pocket carry only. Both fire the same 38+p gold dot hollowpoints. I experimented with 357 magnums in the 640 but quickly changed my mind after the beating my hands took. I'm confident that the 38+p gold dots are plenty adequet. For me the 640 is a wounderful weapon.

BredanSIG · April 27, 2015, 03:54 PM

Thank you all for responding. Sorry for my delay. Recently found a used 60-14 that's now on layaway. Looks like a 640 will come home with me later in the week.

INMY01TA · May 7, 2015, 10:46 AM

I want a 640, might be my next.

lee n. field · May 7, 2015, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Found a non pro model NIB for $525 locally

Buy it, shoot hot.38 through it.

Quote:

I've owned a couple of SP101's and have had the pleasure of firing .357 loads thru them without discomfort.

Hmmm.

My Taurus 605 is very similar, specs-wise, to this, and is no fun at all to shoot .357 through. I'm guessing this S&W wouldn't be either.

IMHO & YMMV.

Targa · May 8, 2015, 08:04 AM

I think you made a good choice, that is a good price. Just don't think you'll be shooting .357 rounds out of it without some abuse. I am a bit surprised that you didn't mind .357's out of your 101 unless maybe you had the longer barrel. I had a SP101 with the 2 1/4" barrel that I loved but .357's out of it were no fun at all, I like Deaf Smith's ping pong paddle hand slap analogy, that sums it up pretty well.

April 16, 2015, 03:02 PM	#1
BredanSIG Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Posts: 204	S&W 640 Interested in comments on the 640 in .357. What's your experince with this model and would you recommend it vs other options on the market today? Found a non pro model NIB for $525 locally and loved how it handled, but I know nothing about this model or j frames in general. I've owned a couple of SP101's and have had the pleasure of firing .357 loads thru them without discomfort. This 640 would serve in a carry rotation and perhaps as a truck gun. Thank you kindly

April 16, 2015, 09:12 PM	#4
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	BredanSIG, I have several J .38s and .357s. The 640 Centennial on the left is in .38 spl, and the 640-1 on the right is in .357. Both 'pre-lock'. Both very solid guns. Very reliable! NEITHER should be used with top .357s if you value your hand's health. Midrange .357s or Buffalo Bore .38s (158gr LSWCHP at 1000 fps from a 2 inch snub) is plenty. Maybe still to much for the hand! Scandium S&W .357s are way way to light for ANY .357s. I mean way to light. Feels like someone hit your hand with a ping-pong paddle at each shot. If you can find an original 640 in .38, and it locks solid, then get it. It's handier than the .357 versions. And get the Buffalo Bore NON plus p .38 158gr LSWCHPs. They clock out at 850 or so fps from a 2 inch and that is all you need. https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...duct_list&c=23 Oh, and that .38 version on the left, my first CCW gun over 20 years ago. I still have it and still use it. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

April 17, 2015, 02:32 AM	#9
Hook686 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: USA The Great State of California Posts: 2,090	I like the 640. It is heavier than the M&P 340 with a slightly longer barrel. This makes the recoil with .38+P and low end .357 magnum (990 fps with a 158 grain Gold Dot HP) easier to handle with the 640 vs. the M&P 340. I find the M&P 340 easier to carry due to the light weight, but the 640 easier to practice with. I suggest one of each.$525 strikes me as a good price. I paid $600 back in December for one. I like the J-Frame S&W revolvers for CCW and use at 'Bad breath' distances. For 25 yards I'd pick something else. __________________ Hook686 When the number of people in institutions reaches 51%, we change sides. Last edited by Hook686; April 17, 2015 at 02:39 AM.

April 17, 2015, 09:34 AM	#10
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I have a 640-1 and a 640-3. Love both of them. They are not super light so that helps with recoil but the weight is not so bad that it cant be pocket carried. MY 640-3 is my every day carry. IT along with my NAA 22 short go every where I go. I have even shot a small buck mule deer from a hot tub with this gun __________________ 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...

April 17, 2015, 09:39 AM	#11
SgtGunner Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2000 Location: SW Florida.....land of the snowbirds! Posts: 279	I have even shot a small buck mule deer from a hot tub with this gun Today 03:32 AM now THAT is the only way to hunt. Hell with freezing at 5am!! I have a 642. Cant imagine the hammering that 640 would give ya with 357 loads. Ill let someone else find out. __________________ Compromise is not an option "Semper Fidelis" "Life is too short to carry a little pop gun...Make mine .45ACP"

April 16, 2015, 03:49 PM	#2
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	My personal and not too humble opinion is the second thing S&W did wrong was putting that hole in the side of their revolvers. The first was making the 'J' and 'K' frame revolvers 357MAGNUM. I have and shoot two 'J' frames MOD60. I shoot them DA and using +P in my all stainless steel 60-4 is about as much as I can take. 357MAGNUM in my S&W 681 is a simple pleasure. I can't imagine touching off five fast shots of full house 357 in a 'J' frame. I do not expect many will concur with my opinion, though.

April 16, 2015, 04:23 PM	#3
Slimjim9 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2015 Posts: 783	I considered the 640 and 640Pro before I settled on the Ruger LCR 357. My LCR was $490 NIB so if you like how the 640 handles, $525 sounds like a good price. I absolutely concur with P5 that none of these guns are truly suited for the .357 cartridge and calling them so is pure marketing. Let me put it this way. I rented a GP100 a few weeks ago, which is a 40 ounce gun compared to 17 ounces for the LCR. Shooting standard pressure .357 from the GP felt as good or better than standard pressure .38 from the LCR. What do you think .357 from the LCR felt like? I can't tell you as I had no desire to find out.

April 16, 2015, 09:19 PM	#5
KnotRight Member Join Date: February 6, 2013 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 98	I have a 640 that is only 38 +P and a 642. I carry the 642 and shoot it a lot more than the 640 but the extra weight of the 640 makes it a little easier to shoot +Ps. I would not shoot a 357 out of the 640 even if I could.

April 16, 2015, 09:27 PM	#6
colbad Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2012 Posts: 506	I find the 640 in .357 a bit big and heavy for my purposes. I carry the 642 when I carry a J frame. What I like about my 640 is that it is pretty much the same as my 642, but built to take a beating. I only shoot .38+Ps out of it because that is what I get for free. Easily handles the load, handles like my 642 and saves wear on the 642.

April 16, 2015, 09:28 PM	#7
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	I had my 640 .357 MagNa-Ported. after 5 rounds of true magnums I really didn't want to shoot it any more, but I had to fire a 30 round qual course; it was murder because you have to qualify with what you intend to carry. after porting it is like shooting +p .38s.... no problem. at all.

April 16, 2015, 11:05 PM	#8
Doc TH Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Posts: 633	The 640 is an excellent revolver. Recoil with std 38 special is minimal, and +P ammo is easy to shoot with excellent accuracy at ranges up to 25 yds. The weight makes precise shooting easily achievable. I have fired .357 mag ammo in a 640; while accuracy is good, the recoil is significant and strings of more than 10 rounds can get uncomfortable. The trigger seems better than that of the Ruger SP-101.

April 17, 2015, 03:16 PM	#12
old bear Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Location: Not close enough to the beach Posts: 1,477	BredanSIG, I purchased my 640-1 about a year ago. Great C/C revolver. With the factory finger groove grips it's not to bad to shoot with mid-range .357 Magnum ammo, and great with 38 special +P ammo. The trade off with these grips it's harder to conceal, tried pearl grips, which looked cool but were not worth a damn for shooting. Finally bought a good pair of stag grips and all is now good. I don't recommend shooting .357 Magnum ammo in any J frame, but it's nice to know you can in a pinch., and have a wide safety margin with any 38 special ammo.

April 17, 2015, 07:10 PM	#13
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,333	I really like my 640-1. $525 is a steal! I wouldn't sell mine under $650.

April 27, 2015, 03:54 PM	#15
BredanSIG Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Posts: 204	Thank you all for responding. Sorry for my delay. Recently found a used 60-14 that's now on layaway. Looks like a 640 will come home with me later in the week.

May 7, 2015, 10:46 AM	#16
INMY01TA Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Location: Marylandistan Posts: 262	I want a 640, might be my next.

May 8, 2015, 08:04 AM	#18
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	I think you made a good choice, that is a good price. Just don't think you'll be shooting .357 rounds out of it without some abuse. I am a bit surprised that you didn't mind .357's out of your 101 unless maybe you had the longer barrel. I had a SP101 with the 2 1/4" barrel that I loved but .357's out of it were no fun at all, I like Deaf Smith's ping pong paddle hand slap analogy, that sums it up pretty well. Last edited by Targa; May 8, 2015 at 08:09 AM.