640 Pro: All steel 357 J frame w/sights!

[wheelyfun66]

Hey All,
Just picked up this 640 Pro model, chambered in .357 Magnum, which is all stainless with night sights (front and rear) and cut for moonclips.

Trigger is WAY smooth for a J-frame, with the usual heavy-ish pull.

Haven't fired it yet, but will in the next few hours....

Got some VZ boot grips on order.....
It'll see mostly .38+P action, as my old 340 M&P taught me that .357 from a J-frame is........slow to get back on target!

Love this Buffalo Bore .38+P LSWCHP though....nearly .357 performance?

 

[pmosley]

Congratulations. Very nice.

 

[Macinaw]

Thanks for showing us. Great photos!

 

[riverrat38]

I bought the same gun last fall.
It is currently stoked with the BB 150 gr hardcast WC's.
It's my carry gun. I also have a M442 for pocket carry, though the 640 isn't so bad that way, either.
My belt holster is a Lobo Pancake. Pocket holster is by Bob Mica.

Best,
Rick

 

[M3Stuart]

Very nice! I want one of those.

 

[bronco45]

Welcome to the club, truly a "fightin" J Frame. Had mine 2 years and love it.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Welcome to the club, truly a "fightin" J Frame. Had mine 2 years and love it.

Hey Bronco45,
What grips do you have mounted on your 640?
I was going with the VZ grips, but have heard that the sharp edges and profile is.....less than desirable.

I have the Hogue Bantam boot grip on order, just because the low profile and rubber work for me.

Hogue also makes a G10 boot grip now......

 

[Vern]

I haven't seen that model before. Thanks for showing it. Looks like a great little gun.

 

[madmikeb]

Here's mine with a set of Hogue Coco Bolo bantam stocks. My favorite carry gun for hot weather. Smith hit the jackpot with this one!

 

[wheelyfun66]

UPDATE: First shots fired this morning.
The temp was around 20 degrees and sunny.

Because of the cold, I did not take the time for pics, but mainly wanted to test out the 640 for function and basic operation.

I fired all .38+P (158gr)ammo today, and will save the .357 stuff for warmer weather.

The trigger was AWESOME! Very consistent pull, all the way through.

If I was shooting for distance and precision (not my intention for a defensive snub, but good to practice on occasion), I could easily stage the trigger to jussssst before the breaking point, and then a nice clean finish would result in surprising accuracy.

Some would argue the merits of front and rear sights on a weapon designed for 7 yd or less encounters, but man.....the sights were RIGHT on!

From seven yds, my best grouping had four of five hits touching on the paper, with the fifth shot within an inch of the grouping.

From 25 yds, I was rocking some hanging cardboard tubes with ease.

Shot my Dan Wesson 1911 today as well....but the S&W 640 was my primary focus.
Winner!!!

 

[madmikeb]

You're hardier than I am! This temp is about 24 this morning and the wind is howling. I'd love to do some shooting, but its just too cold. I used to shoot all winter in my younger days but as I've gotten older I just don't like the cold. Moving to AZ in a couple years, then I'll be able to shoot all winter.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

Very nice looking 640,barrel fluting and night sights completely transform the looks of this piece. I carry a standard 640-1 and would love to have the night sight option.

 

[KLYDE]

Wheely,
Sweet looking piece. My 640-1 has quickly become my favorite carry gun. I really like the look of the sights. Looks like a winner.

 

[wheelyfun66]

You're hardier than I am! This temp is about 24 this morning and the wind is howling. I'd love to do some shooting, but its just too cold.

Hey man, I'm former Airborne Infantry! I have the ability to stand and stoop for long periods of time under adverse weather conditions.......

Plus, I know I'll have the range to myself!

 

[luangtom]

I went to three gun-shows the past three weekends, with one being the largest in the Atlanta-area. Not one Model 640-Pro to be found. I also have gone to five area LGS during that time and not one to be found. All told me good luck in finding one anytime soon.

I have seen them on the auctions, but I am one that is spoiled and hasta fondle it, feel it and heft it before I purchase it.

You are one lucky man! Shoot safe.

 

[WhitleyStu]

Congratulations on your new acquisition. I had a 640 Pro on order from the LGS for over six months before one became available. It does night stand duty then gets carried daily. One fine handgun...

 

[wheelyfun66]

Installed Hogue Bantam Boot grips.
Not very pretty, but rubber boot grips works best for me: perfect mixture of shootability and low profile concealment.

 

[olympicmotors]

Wheelyfun , I also just got my boot grips today from Smith and Wesson.

They look almost just like yours. I agree, this makes it much more concealable .

 

[bronco45]

Wheelygun: been away on family business. I have the Hogue big grip (nylon) for my J's and that helps recoil a lot. Want to obtain a set of Spegel Centennial grips as they come up the entire backstrap on a 640 and that's what I need is widen that upper end of the backstrap so the recoil is diffused.

They are spendy and a long wait but I think they are worth it, I'm also going to have them checkered. Wood choice? We'll see what he has when he goes to make mine but probably Moradillo.

 

[Stainz]

Congrats on the 640 Pro - a definite keeper! Below is my 632 Pro, which I bought new /11 and quickly regripped with my favorite J-frame shoes - the S&W '60 Pro' grips. Those grips spread the hot .327 Federal Magnum load recoil quite well. BTW, the hotter .327 loads produce more felt recoil in the 632 than the Remington +P 158gr LHPSWC's do in a 642. Those loads are easy shooters in my 3" 60 pro... mass does help! I'm just suggesting the 60 Pro style grips for your consideration. My 632 Pro, thus gripped, is still pocketable, albeit in the cargo-style pants I normally wear. It's weight deters it's CC use more than anything.

Having a similar OEM Tritium Night Sight on both my 60 Pro and Governor when I got my 632 Pro, I was somewhat prepared for the 'view'. Sadly - in my use - the sight is only distinguishable in ambient light levels so low I couldn't identify my target. I've found large OR front sights, a la my PC627 UDR, more useful - or the HiViz, even, on my 351PD! Of course, it could just be my 'mature' vision. In any case, the 640 Pro is a desirable CC revolver - and a definite keeper. Congratulations!

Stainz