UPDATED WITH PHOTOS 646 Performance Center .40SW

[Supadupa69]

Looking for information on the 646 performance center, 4"slab side barrel with Ti cylinder.

Picked one up recently but the grips don't appear to be original. Looking to get some original grips for it and was wondering if anyone did a 10mm conversion?

Also read conflicting numbers on amounts produced. I read on one forum that 600 were made and another that 161 were made.

Thanks in advance

 

[505Gibbs]

IMO you'd be silly to convert it. it's worth more as is!

 

[Supadupa69]

IMO you'd be silly to convert it. it's worth more as is!

I have seen a few threads where owners took other cylinders and left the titanium one as is and swapped them. Not sure if that was the best way to go or not.

 

[Pizza Bob]

According to the SCSW IV the original grips were Altamont Combats as found here...

Just a moment...

I'd guess the smooth super-walnut.

I think trying to convert an L-frame, with a titanium cylinder, to 10 mm might be pushing the envelop. .40 S&W has a max SAAMI pressure of 37,800 psi while the 10 mm is 40,500 psi. I'd say that if you want to shoot 10 mm buy a 610. Also it might be tough to find a smith willing to bore titanium - awful hard on cutters.

RIMZ makes a polymer moon clip for the 646. If they are like the ones he makes for the 9 mm they not only support the cartridge by the extractor groove, but also surround the case head. What that means in practical terms is that your cartridges are held rigidly regardless of brand - not so with metal clips that need to be headstamp specific (if speed loading is your concern). RIMZ found here...

RIMZ 646..40 cal

I have a 646 production version, that I used in IDPA for a number of years.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[505Gibbs]

I have seen a few threads where owners took other cylinders and left the titanium one as is and swapped them. Not sure if that was the best way to go or not.

Depends on the 'depth' of your wallet and the noted post regarding pressure level of a 10mm. I don't know if S&W is still running the 610 but GB has more than a few I'd guess. Buy one of those and SAVE the 646 as original.

 

[gnappi]

The .40 is a more than capable SD round, I'd personally leave it as it is.

 

[Protocall_Design]

The chamber walls on a 40 L frame cylinder are pretty thin. There is a good chance of blowing it up with 10mm.

 

[Supadupa69]

Thanks for the info. I'll post photos when I get it. Looks pretty damn cool.

 

[Supadupa69]

Photos added at the top!

 

[huthike]

161 made according to Jim Brewster.

 

[jcelect]

646 PC

The gun on the LL is my 646 PC as it left the factory! It has Altmont grips on it. Most gunsmiths will not work on a Titanium cylinder! I was looking into chambering a 929 to 38 Super and could noy find anyone williong to do the work!
jcelect

 

[Supadupa69]

What's the top left and top right?

 

[Dino44]

I can understand wanting to get some original Altamont grips from the collector standpoint, but those combats look fantastic on your revolver. In my opinion, they are an awesome upgrade!

 

[jcelect]

What's the top left and top right?

Top left is a 686 in 38 Super and the top right is a 627.
jcelect

 

[AC Man]

Looking for information on the 646 performance center, 4"slab side barrel with Ti cylinder.

Picked one up recently but the grips don't appear to be original. Looking to get some original grips for it and was wondering if anyone did a 10mm conversion?

Also read conflicting numbers on amounts produced. I read on one forum that 600 were made and another that 161 were made.

Thanks in advance

Sorry for bringing up a older post, but it is the most recent and their is not much info on these. I have the same S&W Performance Center 646 slab side. Those grips are almost identical to the original, why would someone bother to replace them unless the factory made a change.

Also, mine is still in the shipping carton never fired and was also told by Gunbroker that only 161 were produced, but else where it says 600. Is that perhaps the non PC version.

It is a odd one, which is why I bought a 40 cal revolver. Any info appreciated.

 

[CHARLIE699]

IIRC, the non-PC 646 was 300 units and PC 646 was 160.
I have one of each. Factory grips in cases. Mine both wear Kim Ahrends now.

I toyed with picking up an unfluted 686 cylinder to convert to 10mm. Or, just to have a spare .40 S&W cylinder. It's not like you're going to find a spare Ti cylinder floating around. Gave up on the 10mm venture. Just not enough them made to risk these.

A 10mm "L" frame??? If S&W can make a five-shot .44 mag (Model 69), the platform can certainly handle the 10. Ruger has been selling 10mm revolvers for some time.

A 5" five-shot "L" frame in 10mm and/or .41 mag? Anyone?

 

[AC Man]

My PC 646 is serial # 0008. I removed the factory packaging and the grips out of curiosity tonight. They are marked in a sharpie # 73 Any idea what that means? Thanks!