Folks, I am considering purchasing this hard-to-find model. Will this .357/.38 Special model actually also shoot .38 Special+P JHP ammo? I don't plan to use defensive .357 ammo in it but may shoot a box to differentiate recoils of both cartridges. Just need to confirm that it will shoot both as advertised. Anyone own this gun? If so, what problems, if any, have you encountered? Also, anyone know why this gun seems to be "out of stock" on most major regional volume gun dealers' websites? I live near Louisville, KY. Is this model made year round or only on limited "runs" at certain times of the year? Thanks in advance to all who respond! This is a great Forum.

Any 357 will shoot 38 Special, so don't worry about that. As far as the 640 Pro, I owned one. The best feature it has IMO is the upgraded sights. It's a nice gun, the fluted barrel is a nice touch, and being cut for moonclips. That said mine had what must have been damn near a 15 pound trigger pull, totally unlovable as far as I'm concerned. I would also not consider spending the money on one if I only planned to shoot 38 Specials exclusively, the reason to go to the heavier steel models is to shoot magnums, otherwise id go with an airweight, but that's me. If you dont mind the cost and aren't put off by a heavy double action trigger pull it's a great gun though...

I like the 640's! While I don't have the Pro Series, I do have a 640-1. It is my daily carry. The trigger in mine is pretty good.

I don't know why they would be out of stock. The ammo I use is the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357's and .38 Specials. The .357's aren't a full power load and are very manageable IMO. But, you can't go wrong with either. Both use the same 135 grain bullet.

Full power 158 grain rounds are not as much fun. Hope this answers some of your questions.

The 640 Pro is my EDC - it had a really nice trigger right out of the box. It was my first J frame, so it took a bit of practice, but it turned out to be a pretty fair shooter also. I highly recommend it.

As far the production goes, it appears it has been out of stock most places since at least Dec 2017. That's when I found mine NIB on Gun Broker from a small, independent shop. You might try that. It doesn't appear to be a year round production model, but rather is, as you suggested, a limited run at certain times of the year.

It may take a bit to find one, but its well worth it - its a great little gun!

Any S&W revolver capable of shooting .357's can safely handle any kind of 38 Special.

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Best Online Gun Shop, Buy Arms Online, Shooters Online Gun Stores, Local Hunting Stores US - Deguns Lincoln NE has one in stock.

deguns.net has one in stock.

I’ve owned one for several years and apparently I got the lemon.

It has made five trips back to the mothership for warranty repairs. Poor fit and finish, damaged sights, canted barrels, point of aim / point of impact discrepancies, and a broken hammer stud.

When they fixed the hammer stud it seems they smoothed the trigger a bit.

I think the concept of this design is a good one, but I just got a bad example.

Edmo

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The replies were very helpful. Thanks.