First Revolver -- 640 Pro

[bcarter99]

and first post... :-)

Hi everyone.

I'm generally a semi guy (Sig DA/SA in particular) but decided on a whim to shoot a 640 Pro at the range. I absolutely fell in love with it (38S and not 357 loads).

I want one really bad now. Thoughts on it in general? Good for carry?

[Amp]

Well go get yourself one. And welcome. Of course you know you will want more wheel guns. Sig makes great autos and Smith makes the best revolvers

[Pef]

Very nice revolver. I have one and carry it often. But you will need to practice with it to become proficient. Double action trigger pull on a j-frame takes some practice.

Best carry j-magnum frame revolver of the bunch, IMHO.

[bcarter99]

Thank you guys!!

I'm sure it does, and will always, shoot a ton better than I do.

[Jerryatric3]

They grow on ya....640 Pro best shooting of the J-Frames.

[armorer951]

Welcome to the forum. No photos?

[bcarter99]

Armorer. Looks like a given I'm getting the 640. I'll post a pic.

[armorer951]

I've got one (soon to be two) of the 640-1 made approx. 1996. They were introduced in 1995. Great small frame, stainless revolver. Perhaps not as good as the Pro version though. I haven't shot the Pro.

[629shooter]

I don't own a Pro Series. But, I can say that the 640-1 is a great revolver.

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[S&WForty]

I got a 640 Pro about 3 weeks ago. It's the first time I've bought a gun and *had* to go to the range two weekends in a row! I couldn't get enough of it!

My favorite semi that I do not own is a DA/SA Sig. I can't keep their model numbers straight, but it was a friend's 229 maybe. 9mm is what I do remember. DA or SA, it was the smoothest trigger. It felt great to shoot.

[two-bit cowboy]

My 640-1 Pro is with me all day, every day. Out of the seven ammo choices I had (1 x .38, 2 x .38+p, and 4 x .357) the one I shot best was Barnes 140gr lead free .357 so that's what I keep in it. No problem with recoil or "next" shot alignment.

Enjoy yours,

Bob

[bcarter99]

That grip is beautiful. May I ask what it is?

[bcarter99]

S&WForty.

I'm with you. This is a gun I just have to have right now. Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I do love Sig's and, in fact, a 229 in 9mm is my favorite and what I carry daily in the winter. It's an awesome firearm.

[bcarter99]

Man, those are nice looking.

[JK-linux]

Another 640 Pro owner here, and I couldn't be more happy. Some of the best money I've spent on a new S&W in years. I literally seem to be able to do no wrong when shooting it. I seem to shoot faster and more accurately with it than with the 442 I've carried for the past decade. I load it with 125gr Golden Saber .357's and it kicks like a +P 38.

Put me down as completely satisfied. If they weren't so expensive, I'd buy a spare!

[bcarter99]

I have a sneaky suspicion it may be hard to just have one.

[GTBL]

Love mine! Carry it everyday.

[KalamazooKid]

I have one en route myself - can't wait to get my hands on it! (PS, they are getting very hard to find)

Edit: Just got word from the LGS that mine will be here on Friday. Yeah!

And the Karl Nill grips are ordered - looks to be about 6 weeks out from MacTec.

[KalamazooKid]

Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy

My 640-1 Pro is with me all day, every day. Out of the seven ammo choices I had (1 x .38, 2 x .38+p, and 4 x .357) the one I shot best was Barnes 140gr lead free .357 so that's what I keep in it. No problem with recoil or "next" shot alignment.

Enjoy yours,

Bob

I'm seriously looking into ordering those Karl Nill stocks - beautiful and functional!

[bcarter99]

GTBL,

What kind of holster is that? It looks awesome.

[gnystrom]

I have a 640 and a 640Pro. They are equal in their accuracy but the Pro has a bit more "class". Here is a picture of mine with Crimson Trace LG 350 green Lasergrips and a Side Guard minimal (plenty stiff) holster. Prepare for a wait on the holster but it will be well worth it.

[Jingles]

The only downside to owning a 640 Pro is it relegated all my other J frames to the safe.

[gwpercle]

An afternoon at the range with a nice K framed S&W in 38 special , with adjustable sights and a 4 inch barrel, will just put a smile on your face and a song in your heart, just saying in case you want to expand your revolver experiences.
J frames are nice , but k frames are the pure pleasure shooters .
Out of all my guns an old model 64 38 special gets the most shot by far. Mounted a red dot sight on it , for my old eyes , and I am smiling just thinking about shooting tight groups with it.
Gary

[two-bit cowboy]

Originally Posted by bcarter99

That grip is beautiful. May I ask what it is?

Thanks.

Karl Nill, in Germany, makes those specifically for the Centennial (enclosed hammer) revolvers. Most comfortable set of stocks I've ever owned. The fit was so perfect when they were new I had to use dental floss to get them off for cleaning. Took about five or so times before they'd come off the usual way. MacTec is the U.S. importer.

Here's a look at the right side on my M&P 340, but they've found a permanent home on the 640 Pro now.

Cheers,

Bob

[GTBL]

@bcarter99 Its a Bianchi Model 100 Professional. Fits nice and snug.

[two-bit cowboy]

Originally Posted by Jingles

The only downside to owning a 640 Pro is it relegated all my other J frames to the safe.

Yes!

Who made your leather? Very attractive. I'm looking for something like that for a 3" K frame.

Cheers,

Bob

[Jingles]

Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy

Yes!

Who made your leather?

It's from Don Hume (H715-M W.C.). H715-M W.C. [H715-M] : Don Hume Leathergoods, manufactures high quality leather and nylon goods.

Holds gun very securely and has worn well over the years. The only thing I wish I had done was ordered the one with a sweat shield (H715-M WCS) to keep the gun from resting on bare skin. Kind of a moot point with a stainless revolver but might make a difference on blued steel. H715-M WCS [H715-M WCS] : Don Hume Leathergoods, manufactures high quality leather and nylon goods.

[bcarter99]

This is all such great info as I begin my revolver journey.

For range use (and reducing noise, recoil, and flash as much as possible) what type of ammo do you recommend? Do you need to use +P for the .38?

[gnystrom]

I carry 135 gr. short barrel Gold Dots in all my 38/357 revolvers.

[haywood]

I don't have a 640. But I do have a few J-Frames. I said it before. J-Frames are addicting.

[Jingles]

Originally Posted by bcarter99

This is all such great info as I begin my revolver journey.

For range use (and reducing noise, recoil, and flash as much as possible) what type of ammo do you recommend? Do you need to use +P for the .38?

I handload 158gr LSWC with 3.2gr of Bullseye. It's on the mild/mid range and very little recoil. I'd stay away from +P for range use; it would be a waste of money and too hard on the hands. If you don't reload any cheap, standard pressure .38 (not +P) you can pick up at Walmart will work, but I have had good luck with Remington green box ammo in the 125 - 160 grain range. Personally I prefer to shoot lead but that's an individual preference.

[bcarter99]

Cool. Thank you. Wasn't sure if the +P was a requirement or regular .38 would be Ok.


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[KalamazooKid]

Just picked mine up today and after shooting and cleaning, proclaim this as the finest shooting J frame I've ever touched. The heavier weight all stainless build combined with the night sights made it a pleasure to shoot. Just 130 g Win WB 38S so far but looking forward to a whole lot of different rounds in the near future.





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[bcarter99]

Thanks Kala!

Let me know how the different ammo is going. I finally found one online (after numerous misses as they are in short supply it seems). Hopefully arrives next week. Can't wait. Also need to start figuring out the best way to shoot. Have only had semi's.

[KalamazooKid]

My intent with the 640 is to use it as a training tool (plus they're just cool). I usually carry a 340PD, but at under 12 ozs, that thing's a BEAR to shoot (even with 38 S) so I just don't shoot it enough. I remember qualifying for my CPL with the 340 back 8 or 9 years ago and went home with a bloody hand!

I bought the 640 and promptly put the same Hogue 3 finger wood grips on it that I have on the 340 and made a resolution to take some professional training along with a LOT more practicing in 2017. At 23 ozs, the 640 is just a whole lot more pleasant to shoot even with the magnums. Make sense?

[JK-linux]

Originally Posted by bcarter99

This is all such great info as I begin my revolver journey.

For range use (and reducing noise, recoil, and flash as much as possible) what type of ammo do you recommend? Do you need to use +P for the .38?

Golden Saber 125gr .357 Magnum. It's really a *****cat round, and prices on it are pretty darn low for a .357 hollowpoint. I shoot it and carry it.

For a 38 round I have some Underwood .38 LSWCHP in Std and +P pressures, but I haven't run it very much in this particular gun yet. Honestly, with the Golden Saber .357 being so cheap, effective and pleasant to shoot, I'll probably keep the Underwood for my "fragile" K frames and 442 Airweight, and run .357 in the 640 full time.

[Bill In Texas]

Welcome to the Neighborhood and congratulations!

[bcarter99]

I think I'll start with just 38S and work up to higher rounds. Still waiting for it to arrive and get going!

[jeeps]

I have used the WW personnel defence 110grn.in my 640. The recoil is not there ,but muzzle blast is! I keep my 640's loaded with 158swchp +P 38spec. Very good power ,accuracy and fast repeat shots. These are the top of the heap in snubnoses , perfect carry!

[KalamazooKid]

Love this combination! (My 34-1 is just photo bombing)




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[MCorps0311]

Originally Posted by Jerryatric3

They grow on ya....640 Pro best shooting of the J-Frames.

Those could grow on me for sure,without a doubt!

[87'vette]

Excellent shooter. Weight helps. I carry it also, can get heavy. My 340PD complete 180. Nice to carry not so nice to shoot.

[Jimmyjones]

Originally Posted by Jingles

The only downside to owning a 640 Pro is it relegated all my other J frames to the safe.

I've been carrying a 640-1 since Christmas with those same Altamont stocks. It's like a LASER.

I have one of the Centerfire 640's in transit for a spare, get it tomorrow.

I put the bug in the ear of the LGS I frequent that I don't own a 640 Pro, but would like to. Hint hint

[bcarter99]

So it has finally arrived. Picking up at local FFL and hitting the range tomorrow. Can't wait! Thanks everyone for such great info and insight!