At long last I acquired and brought my No. 1 love, 646 home!
Yes! The only gun that I would have wanted more was the 646 PC edition, but they are very scarce! Long story short the 646 was in Kommiefornia jail, for (2) months!

Today, I took it right from the FFL to the nearby indoor range to see if I would love the 646 as much as I hoped I would, and I do!

I shot 120 rounds of 180gr Blazer FMJ, 60 strong hand, 60 weak hand at 10yards, and then some American Eagle 165gr FMJ. Had the shield 40 & the Beretta 8040, but no comparision, the 646 is by far my favorite! Didn't get a chance to clean the gun up, but will, tonight!

Took some pics with my crummy cell phone! Easy to tell the weak hand shooting, lol!

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Here's the 10yard shots! I plan on changing out the trigger to a target SS, and I would love any suggestions on changing out the front sight, for something more visible! Old man sights!

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Congratulations on getting your grail gun. I wanted one back like 3 years ago. I was into 45 acp revolvers with a 625-2 & 2 airlites. I decided to stay with the 45 & not add another caliber. If you did your homework on your titanium cylinder you know not to use harsh chemicals or wire brush on the cylinder. Have fun shooting that 40. Plenty of cheap ammo out there now.

I don't think you need new sights!

Thank you! Yeah, everyone has their favorite. I immediately gravitated to the S&W 40, when we (my Dept.) had to give up our 686's. Nice to have an L frame .40, and I love the Ti cylinder. I will be very careful with that, thanks!

3 40's to shoot is hog heaven for me, but particularly to have a revolver, like the 646. If I could only have one gun for self preservation, hands down, the "627" 8 shot .357 is king, imo.

I have seen a few of the 646 pc come up for sale. Very nice guns in the price range around 2k. I'm guessing your serial # to start with VKL if my old memory is correct.

Congratulations on obtaining your grail gun!!

Nice score!

I found one a few years ago, and I love it.



Make sure you stock up on some Rimz moonclips.

__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”

An excellent choice for a grail gun ! I too am a .40 cal. Fan and would love to get my hands on a 646 but for what they are going for I probably never will.

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I reckon so

Congrats! Nice!

There were fewer of the model that you have than the 646PC - so you have the rarer gun. Here's mine...



I used it for IDPA - it is now in semi-retirement. I changed both the front and rear sights. The rear to an LPA black blade target sight and the front to a Dawson .100" fiber optic. The charge holes have been chamfered and the grips are from the X-frame Emergency Kit guns.

Enjoy yours.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

Very cool! I don't deserve it, but I'll sure take it!

Your memory is right on target VKL84xx!

Thanks, much appreciated!

I bought like 60 of the Ranch moon clips, from MidwayUSA, and the BMT mooner (pricey, but well worth it!). I also bought some Altamont's so it looks pretty, when you guys show off your "fancy smanchy purty guns"!

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Thanks, Bob, you really R Da Man! I like the idea of going with the fiber optic, hopefully an easy install (I would think?). Notice how nice (I know you did it for practical reasons), the orange sets off the dgray cylinder and stainless. I like it!

I'm actually a "Mike's grips" kinda guy, though I will keep some nice stocks for each gun in keeping with the standards of this forum!

Congrats, those .40 S&W revolvers are pretty neat and if ever stumbled upon will have to add one to the collection,

On a side note the 646 like the 547 is neat collectors gun but does the L frame .40 S&W fill a role that the .357 / .38 doesn't ?

That's a very good question, and I was seriously looking a 547, but, I'm really a .40 guy. I just recently purchased a K frame 38 (64-7) a couple of J frames (431 & 631 .32 mag), and I have 3 N frames, but the .40 and the L frame gives me the best of my L frame 686 experience and the transition to the .40 (from the 357), which I fell in love with.

I would say it strikes a perfect balance for me, and surprisingly my grail gun 646, is more than a fantasy, it shoots as great as I would have imagined. It's a fun gun for me, the perfect balance,and still a good defensive round.

Now, here's where I lost my marbles, I just bought a 44 mag, cause it was so pretty. 44 mag, definitely is not in my comfort zone. Smith ain't gonna be making any more nickel 29-2's, so I figured what the heck, you never owned one, why not? OK, not logical!!!!

I guess I can just stare at it, or maybe make a Youtube video, and talk about what a great shooter it is, knowing full well, I couldn't hit the side of a barn with a full power load! These guns can drive you crazy(er)!

Well, my gun did not have a box, nor original grips, so I was able to get it for $1,100 (free shipping). Since there were only 300 made, I love .40, the L frame, and the titanium cylinder, I jumped on it. Not a great deal, but for my grail gun it was!

Funny thing, I was on GB window shopping, and I see the 646 PC version, bigger than chit, with a $800!!!!bid??? I jumped on it! After I settled down, I began to really scrutinize the gun.

Well, the previous owner had actually cut diamonds into the trigger guard, ported the gun, cut racing stripes on the barrel, and jeweled the trigger and hammer. I was grateful to be outbid as it was too over the top for me. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/655659191

It shoots free ammo.

__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”

Thanks, Bill In Texas! A very happy day for me today, in Kommiefornia!!!

Nice pick up, and congrats on your Grail.

Like any pinned front sight - you want to use the holes in the ramp base as guides and drill from each side - do not attempt to drill straight through from one side.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

Gorgeous! Might have to add that to my list....

Thank you, much appreciated!

Thank you, and they don't come up for sale very often, but I see a few of those N frame 610's on Gunbroker.

The 610 is kind of the best of both worlds, though I prefer the 646 L frame platform.

Wow, I'll have to mull that one over. Might consider a gunsmith to install it. Thanks for the tip!

Never knew of such a revolver even though I have SCSW3. Interesting YouTube video using the Bond derringer and it's interchangeable bbls. Can't recall the numbers, but from the chrono readings, the .40 hit harder than the 158gr .357 SWC. Snub bbl and all, but interesting nonetheless.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Here's another example of why I love the .40, but will add the caveat, if I could choose only one gun for self preservation, it would be the 8X 627 Pro .357 mag. Courtesy of Langley Firearms Academy.

Congratulations on filling your quest! Certainly has a cool factor! Enjoy. Bob

Thank you! So refreshing when you look and look, every day for that one special gun and it pops up on the screen, and you hope you beat the other guys to the punch. Then you jump for joy! Finally!!!

I still buy, and look for other guns, but this is, my grail!!

So I have a potential trade for the PC 646, but I would like to know if these are the correct grips? Thanks!

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The grips on the PC 646 are the ones that came on these guns.
Slab Sided - Google Photos
jcelect

Thanks, Jcelect! I was afraid of that! Any idea where I can get the original stocks, or would that be a watch for item, in accessories for sale, in the forums?

In July, 2004 I bought two 646s from Sportsman’s Warehouse for $833 shipped.


I took one to shoot and did a full action job (6 ½ pounds DA), set endshake, chamfered cylinder charge holes, bobbed the hammer, installed a Millett rear sight, a SDM front FO sight, and added a set of JM grips. Walt Birdsong convinced me that his Black T was the way to go on the cylinder so I sent it to him for his treatment. It looked great - for about a month.



I shot a PennBullets 165 grain TCBB ahead of WW 231 ignited with a Federal #100 primer and at twenty five yards that load was more than acceptable for IDPA use.
With the Federal #100s I have never had a light hit or a misfire,


I shot this 646 in IDPA SSR for a couple of years and then the speed loader boys got Uncle Bill’s ear and convinced him to make a new moon clip category which he ended up calling ESR. That alone wasn’t too bad but the 165 PF as opposed to the 135 PF of SSR made the 646 a little more difficult to do well with so I got a 4” 625-3 and gave it the full package.
I would shoot the 646 in some local IDPA type matches that weren’t big on PF rules and such and shot the 625 in real IDPA matches.


When I stopped shooting the 646 in IDPA I had put somewhere north of 15K rounds through it. (By the way it’s been cleaned hundreds of times using a brass bore brush and a 3:1 Shooter’s Choice / Kroil combo with no ill effect to the cylinder.)

The plastic moon clips may work well enough for range plinking but for more serious stuff, competition or self-defense, I’m not sure they would be reliable enough to hold the rounds in fast reloads or with rough handling. The few I tried in practice for IDPA didn’t work out for me. I bought a hundred of the Ranch Products moon clips and they are still great shape.

I haven’t shot it more than a few hundred times in the last several years but when I do get it out it’s like shaking hands with an old friend. I’ve shot that 646 more than any one gun I’ve ever owned in 62+ years of gun ownership.

I recently “borrowed” its JM grips for the 2 ½” 686-4 KSP I bought some months back as a strictly fun / range gun.
I've been looking for another Millett rear sight for it but so far have drawn a blank. The 646 may end up "donating" its rear sight as well.


I’ve heard both a 300 (3rd edition of The Book) and a 900 figure on these guns. Either one makes them somewhat rare.

I personally like the looks of the PC model much better but when I bought mine I wanted a reliable shooter and some of the PC646s were having ignition issues so I passed on them and went with a standard one.

I’m confident you will enjoy yours.
James

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Hebrews 9:27

Yeah, I have a feeling I may find my currently 646, the best shooter over the PC version, but like you, I'm attracted to the slab barrel, and also the skeletonized & taped under lug, dove tail front sight, PC trade mark stamping (vs lazer engraving), trigger stop, etc., etc. It just looks more exciting to me.

Who knows, I may end up keeping the 646, which would not be a bad deal, since I love it!!! I'm all in for the PC version, though, because I love the way it looks!

Hey, thanks for posting, it makes it more enjoyable to see pics and hear other's experiences, in a gun that was produced in such small quantities. It would be great if you would consider making a Youtube video on your 646's. There is only one 646 video on the entire site, with no introduction, any explanation about the origins of the gun, it's features, performance, nor any table top closeups.

PS, I prefer the non PC's hammer, and though the tapered & skeletonized barrel looks prettier, the full under lug seems more practical from a accuracy/recoil perspective, however marginal that might be. I also heard on the forum that the PC version had extraction problems, that were later solved?

I had some of these pictures on another moon clip thread but they are all gone now as they were on Photo-bucket.
I post them again and perhaps they may be of benefit to someone.











I'm a .40 S&W enthusiast as well.
When the S&W 4006 came out I bought the first one in the area - before any ammo was available for it. (I still have that partial first box of ammo).
I've had a number of .40 S&W handguns but when I started selling off some (about 70+) guns a few years back they were thinned out.
My general "off the farm" SD pistol is a M&P40 PC Ported with a Trijicon RM07.

I do like to shoot a .40.



James

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Hebrews 9:27

Well, I finally acquired the PC slab sided version!
I had to trade my non PC 646, and my 631 32 mag, but both sides are happy, so it's a great trade. I pick it up Monday! I already got indications of light strikes when, I was handed some Rimz polymer moon clips.

I ordered a "Cylinder & Slide" extended firing pin. I also bought 2 pair of Altamonts smooth combat, and round to square (Spanish Diamond). Photos coming, when I mount those.

Here's an interesting link, indicating perhaps only 166 of these PC versions were made. In any case, the 646 is my cup of tea, and I'm fortunate to acquire my ultimate grail gun!

smith and wesson model 646 .40 cal rare? ???

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Do you know the product code?

Did the case/box have a factory lable? (Fancy cases sometimes had unattached loose labels mixed in with the paperwork or slipped under the foam lining).

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Congratulations on tracking down your "grail gun". For me, the problem is once that I have a grail gun, a new "Grail gun" takes its place.

Nice! Never seen or heard of this before. Usually a TI Cylinder is mated to a lightweight frame.

I bought this new in its aluminum case many years ago. SN is RDA01XX. Don't really know what they are going for these days but I'm guessing one of my sons will enjoy it some day😊. I am a revolver guy to the end. Pistols are nice and hold a third of a box of ammo, when I started with the Indiana State Police we were issued Model 19's and carried a total of 18 rounds on us, 6 in the gun and 2 drop pouches of 6 rounds each. We traded for Model 66's in the late 70's. Still have both of them.

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Hahahahahahahahhaha! Always a bonus!

Had several S&W revolvers, none now, but if 44 S&W, 629 Classic DX, and definitely 624-3 or -4.

Still kicking myself for passing one 624-3, 6.5". Just perfectly balanced in any way; enough power when properly loaded, not too heavy and beautiful, graceful appearance.

Neither 646 traded, came with the aluminum case. I know the product code to be 170165 (36oz) on the PC version. I bought the aluminum case for the non PC version from S&W for $61 plus shipping, but the quality was bad, I sent back! I noticed how they list the PC version as model 464 on the picture of the SWSC (page 457).

Though, I've picked up some really nice revolvers since this trade, none will ever take the place of the 646 PC. It is everything I want as a shooter/collector.

I love the looks, the titanium cylinder, the slab barrel, the accuracy, the 'L' frame, etc., and to top it off, I'm a Forty Fanatic! To steal a quote, "They'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands".

I still don't get this free ammo thing. I've called several online ammo vendors, pleading that I was homeless and had 3 forties to feed, and still, no complimentary ammo!

Actually though, my department did provide ammo on occassion, but generally, since the range was in the department basement, you simply arranged times with the Range Master, for extra shooting beyond the regular qualifying.

I'm a revolver guy also, and I started my career carrying the dept. issue 66, then the 686, and when we transitioned over to the autos (Glocks of varying calibers), I elected to carry my Beretta 8040 instead.

I wish I had known about the 646 when they were giving them away, but then hindsight is always 20/20. My serial is RDA0056, so one of the early ones. It seems to have a good lock up, and little play, but I'll shoot it Tuesday when I go to look at my 1959 model 28 (it's classically beautiful, at the FFL.

It can be hard to tell by just looking at photos, but does it have a 5-inch barrel?

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I bought a PC 646 in a package deal many years ago because I wanted the other gun. Some people sold those PC 646s when they shot factory 180 gr hardball which was uncomfortable. A friend bought two non-PC 646s later on. We jointly realized we could shoot minor loads in IDPA in the 646 to our great advantage. Then, the Wilson crew ruled we had to make major if the gun used moonclips. My friend was so angry he has NEVER shot IDPA since!

I sold my PC version to a forum member who had a goal to own one of each S&W PC revolvers. I got $1000. for it.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821