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10-17-2017, 09:39 AM
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Model 640
I went to the local gun show Sunday and came home with a 640 Centennial 38 Cal. It looks unfired. 
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2ndshift, 326MOD10, 69HEMI-R/T, 75Vette, adwjc, Beachcomber, ContinentalOp, dubshooter, FifthWheel, GeoJelly, H Richard, haywood, j38, jframejoey, Jimmyjones, jughed440, kaaskop49, Kansasgunner, kthom, lawandorder, M2MikeGolf, mcoe74, MetalMan, mgriffin, Muss Muggins, NCBeagle, okiegtrider, opaul, S&W Fan, SAFireman, sdb321, shouldazagged, slabside2, snubbyfan, Tradewind36, two-bit cowboy, Walter Rego |
10-17-2017, 09:48 AM
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Jimmy,
That is really great! Was that at the Austin Highway show?
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10-17-2017, 10:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SAFireman
Jimmy,
That is really great! Was that at the Austin Highway show?
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Yes it was.
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10-17-2017, 10:53 AM
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Nice grab. I would like to find a .38 model myself
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10-17-2017, 10:59 AM
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Nice snag! Great gun, a keeper. IMO, handles better than the later .357 model. Picked up mine from the 'junk' table of a dealer at a show: minty. Heaven knows what it was doing there. Mine has a matte stainless finish.
Kaaskop49
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10-17-2017, 11:01 AM
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Hey Jimmy, I think I looked at that very same one. It was the best gun at that show, if that's the one I'm thinking of. I almost got it, glad someone on the forum did because it was nice.
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10-17-2017, 11:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M2MikeGolf
Hey Jimmy, I think I looked at that very same one. It was the best gun at that show, if that's the one I'm thinking of. I almost got it, glad someone on the forum did because it was nice.
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M2MikeGolf: Your post reminds me that a year or so after my 640 snag, that same dealer had TWO NWOB (New without box) 642s chained to that "junk table." Wonder what they were doing there? Still regret a little not buying them.
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10-17-2017, 12:02 PM
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Congratulation on a fine addition
Centennials are my favorite pocket gun
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10-17-2017, 02:31 PM
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Especially the 38 Special version, the .357 "stretched" version ruined the looks in my estimation.
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10-17-2017, 03:21 PM
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Congrats! That is a nice pickup!
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10-17-2017, 03:32 PM
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Great find - great gun. I treasure the one I picked up new in 1993 - equipped with Herrett's "Shooting Star" stocks made for my hand, it's darn near ideal for discreet carry.
John
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10-17-2017, 04:12 PM
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I've got an M-640 ND and an M-640-1. I like them both very much. In fact, they are my favorite J Frames. I carry each of them with +P ammo in .38 Special caliber. I personally like the extra barrel length on the 640-1, but each to his own! You have a really nice one there. Congratulations!
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10-17-2017, 05:30 PM
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Has anyone seen this before? 
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10-17-2017, 05:38 PM
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OK... It was bad enough you landed a very nice 38 640 but for it to be +P+, well that's just rubbing it in. 
Very nice gun.
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10-17-2017, 05:47 PM
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Yessir! My M-640 ND has that marking as do a relative few others with CENXXXX serial numbers. This limited edition (with the +P+ marking in your photo) are mentioned in the SWSC catalogs as being "early production" models. Don't know how many were made in this variation, but as far as I know, all of those marked as you have pictured will have a CEN serial number. Others here will probably have an idea.
If the one pictured belongs to you, it's my considered opinion that you have a keeper that is rather scarce on the ground! I am also a strong fan of the Centennial models.
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Last edited by kthom; 10-17-2017 at 05:48 PM.
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10-17-2017, 09:03 PM
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I think the Model 640 is one of the best modern (as in post 1982) S&W's ever made. I found this one for sale at a show a few years ago along with an older pinned barrel Model 60. I had a hard time deciding between them but am glad that I chose the 640. The ammo in the speedloader is older Nyclad FBI loads. It handles them with ease.
Last edited by Walter Rego; 10-17-2017 at 09:05 PM.
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10-17-2017, 10:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyjoe
Has anyone seen this before?
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Mine, my EDC for years, has the same etching. There were, I've been told, about 5,000 of the early (1990) 640's marked that way. I've also read that they were made for law enforcement when ".357 Magnum" was poor PR, but I kind of doubt that.
I've never had the slightest interest in shooting +P+ in mine. A good bullet in a +P loadng seems quite adequate. But I was intrigued to see inscription in view of the fact that S&W very firmly insists that +P+ is not to be used in their guns.
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Last edited by shouldazagged; 10-17-2017 at 10:21 PM.
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10-17-2017, 11:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter Rego
I think the Model 640 is one of the best modern (as in post 1982) S&W's ever made. I found this one for sale at a show a few years ago along with an older pinned barrel Model 60. I had a hard time deciding between them but am glad that I chose the 640. The ammo in the speedloader is older Nyclad FBI loads. It handles them with ease.
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Walter Rego: You chose well. The Model 60 was the primo carry piece for licensees in the late 60s and 70s, very difficult to come by and often at a premium price. The 640 will do all the 60 does and can serve as a hammerless pocket gun. I have read that the built-up frame behind the cylinder serves to strengthen the 640.
I dig your ammo. Wonder how many folks know that S&W/Fiocchi also loaded this bullet in .357 Magnum.
Kaaskop49
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10-18-2017, 12:34 AM
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Jimmyjoe, that's a really nice find. Looking for one too.
I've got one of the 640-2. It's built on a matte stainless J Magnum Frame but chambered in .38 for NYPD.
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10-18-2017, 01:43 AM
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Haha JimmyJoe I was scrolling fast to the bottom to ask if it had the +P+ markings when I saw your pic and question. Very nice score!
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10-18-2017, 06:16 AM
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Congrats on that fine snag. The 640 is great carry gun.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shouldazagged
There were, I've been told, about 5,000 of the early (1990) 640's marked that way. I've also read that they were made for law enforcement when ".357 Magnum" was poor PR, but I kind of doubt that.
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Unless some numbers were skipped over, many more with the "+P+" mark were produced. My EDC 640, serial # CEN77**, has that marking. I've seen another in the 7800 range.
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10-18-2017, 07:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jughed440
Congrats on that fine snag. The 640 is great carry gun.
Unless some numbers were skipped over, many more with the "+P+" mark were produced. My EDC 640, serial # CEN77**, has that marking. I've seen another in the 7800 range.
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Serial number is CEN48XX
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10-18-2017, 08:07 AM
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S&W catalog introduction to the 640.... which states that it is "RATED for +P+ Ammunition"
640 with the DeSantis IWB...
Last edited by jughed440; 10-18-2017 at 08:14 AM.
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10-18-2017, 10:55 AM
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My copy is CEN 06XX. I also have no intention of firing any +P+ rounds in this revolver or any other! Not because I think it can't handle it. I just see absolutely no need to do so. +P, yes, all day long, although a steady diet would probably loosen it up more quickly. I carry and shoot a few of the +P rounds, but practice with standard loads. Both of these guns will far outlast me!
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10-18-2017, 01:20 PM
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Man, all these posts about Jimmyjoe's 640 have me kickin' myself in the rear end; I was pretty close to jumping on it. Still happy to see a fellow forum member got it though, good buy Jimmy!
I saw a 940 that looked really good last year at the Saxet show and let it go. I gotta' stop being so conservative; that's two excellent J-frames I've let get away.
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10-18-2017, 01:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaaskop49
M2MikeGolf: Your post reminds me that a year or so after my 640 snag, that same dealer had TWO NWOB (New without box) 642s chained to that "junk table." Wonder what they were doing there? Still regret a little not buying them.
Kaaskop49
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I feel your pain!
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10-18-2017, 03:32 PM
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FWIW, the no-dash 640 has been my "grail gun" for several years now. I've come close to getting one a couple of times, but have yet to be successful in my quest. You've got a nice looking 640, and the CEN/+P+ version, too.
FYI, in The Snubby Revolver (a book I highly recommend for snub enthusiasts if you haven't read it), Ed Lovette mentions that when he was in the CIA the 640 was one of the concealed carry handguns available for officers who needed to be armed. I always thought that was an interesting piece of information, and I think adds to the allure of the 640ND in my eyes (aside from it being one of the best concealed carry snubs around, IMO).
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10-18-2017, 03:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyjoe
Has anyone seen this before?
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Why yes I have.  Nice find! Congrats!
Lucky find at the local gun shop
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10-18-2017, 05:40 PM
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Jimmyjoe nice pick up! How is that show?, I’ve never been.
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10-18-2017, 06:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pazzo
Jimmyjoe nice pick up! How is that show?, I’ve never been.
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It is a small gun show. Kinda disappointing. But you never know what you will find.
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10-18-2017, 11:27 PM
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Nice 640s all! I just bought one-.38spl pre lock, hopefully should be here in a week at the most. Don't care for the grips on it (laminated oversize fingergroove) so I need to figure out what I want instead. Be a great pocket/jacket piece.
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10-18-2017, 11:40 PM
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Try to find some uncle mikes for it. Not the best looking but I love my new model 640 with those UM boot grips
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