My S&W 10 and 36 have been used for cc for over 40 years and it may be time to update. I'm considering a 640 since I can upgrade to .357 and it appears small and light enough for cc. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this. I haven't read anything negative about the 640 but there's a lot of experience in the forum and I'd like to take advantage of it. Thanks.

I carry a 640 in 38 PC carry comp, went from Spegel grips to CT grips after a low light CCW class! Performance Center 1 of 300 Carry Comp...

The 640 is an excellent BUG, but I carried .38+P in mine because the .357s made it quite a handful to handle. I traded it in to get rid of the lock and replaced it with a model 40, which I now carry (often in conjunction with a model 10).

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Ban lunatics and criminals

I have its cousin the 649. So far it has been wonderful with no regrets.

If I were to add up all the hours I've spent carrying concealed over the last 25 years, I'll bet my 640-1 would hold first place for most carried status. I got in in 1997, and carried it almost constantly, either in an IWB holster or a belly band. It's been replaced in the last year by my 340PD. Same .357 power, half the weight.
If I didn't have the 340PD, I'd still be regularly carrying the 640-1. I highly recommend it.

Been carrying a 640-1 since they came out. Love it.

I have one of the early 640's, no dash, that I bought new when S&W first came out with them and carried it almost constantly for years. It's great for concealed carry but now does reserve duty to a 340 M&P which is even better.

Me too, the shorter barrel version. Are both barrel lengths included in that 300 figure? Or were there 300 of one and 300 of the other? Just wondering.

That's what the 317 of for

I have a 642CT that I carry sometimes.
Shoots well with the 1 7/8th's +P barrel. It is very light and one doesn't even know they are carrying it.

Hmm...don't know they list only the 2" at 150 and I believe 150 of the 3"?

I have a 640-1 that I have had since the early 90's. I had a 940 and swapped it for the 640-1 because I found carrying the clips to be a pain. I have never regretted it and I have gotten a lot of use out of the 640. I carry and shoot magnum ammo in it. With the correct loads it isn't too bad to shoot. I like having the .357 option. Its an excellent concealed carry revolver. I have carried mine in the deep pocket of carpenter jeans with a good pocket holster and have had no problems with it.

Personally, I'd go with a good .38 Special load over the .357 Magnum in a J frame Smith. The Magnum version of the 640 is heavier than your Model 36 and has a longer extractor. The extra weight will help with recoil and the extractor with positive ejection of empty cases. And, of course, the 640 is stainless steel and will hold up well if carried concealed. To me, those advantages would justify switching from the Model 36 to the 640.

I would not pocket carry the 640, though. The 642/442 are ideal in that role. I'd go with a belt holster for the 640.

If I wanted a .357 for a carry gun, I'd go with a K frame. A 2.5 inch Model 19 or 66...or a 3 inch Model 13 or 65.

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I want to second everything that has been said already. I own a newer 640 with the heavier barrel and even with the all stainless and heavier barrel it is a handful with .357 magnums. It can be done, but you need to be sure it can be done by you. I have tried handloading some throttled down light magnums and that is about as much as I will shoot from it. I fired two 125 grainers that were pretty hot factory loads and I'm surprised I didn't drop it. I went to a bigger grip and it wasn't nearly as bad but then it wasn't as concealable. It's wearing a Pachmayr Compac now and that is as middle of the road as I can get for grip size and magnum “shootability” in my hand. If I want to carry .38's I would just stick with my 637 or get a 642. J frame magnums transfer just a bit too much energy into my hand for my taste. To each their own though.

640's a good choice, with the right grip .357 is managable but a little unpleasant.

The lighter 110gr magnums are not too bad, but I get faster followup shots with better accuracy from the old FBI loads and Speer 135gr+P short barrel loads. With different grips the magnums might be easier to handle, but I stick with shorter grips so I can pocket carry.

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Ban lunatics and criminals

I have a 640 for concealed carry as well. I like that it's stainless steel (i.e., rust resistant). Works well during the hot summers while doing yard work and the like.

I was not looking for a gun like this, but ended up with it in a trade. However, it quickly became my favorite carry gun of all time. It is the perfect size for every day carry and it uses a .357 Magnum cartridge! What's not to love? I carry mine in a Simply Rugged holster and it is perfect under a sweater vest or untucked shirt. I also carry a 642 in my pocket if I'm going with a tucked shirt. The 640-1 is my carry gun of choice. I normally carry a speed-strip with an extra five rounds, but sometimes I use the ammo belt carrier shown in the photo. Best of luck, B