Ah, I was going to fill out the paperwork to free my BOOMSTICK this morning. I have been looking for a snub nose S&W but was planning on waiting to see what come out of SHOT SHOW (rumor of a no-lock 340).

Keep in mind this store rarely has used guns, much less used guns I woud want to buy. Usually a couple of Taurus guns, maybe a HUGE S&W Hunting revolver, the odd Glock, M&P, or SIG. But typically there is no more than 5, maybe 7 guns in the case.

Anyways, I'm looking around after filling the final paperwork for my 590A1 and spot a S&W snubbie in the used / consignment case. It's a 640/357 marked at $550, but it's crossed out and now marked at $350. 'Ah, it probably has a trigger lock' I think. But why not check it out, right? Hmmm... no lock... locks up tight, good trigger pull, not LNIB but just minor little wear here and there...

I'm no expert on the 640-1, but $350 sounded like a decent deal... so what the hell, add it to the total... if I don't like it I can dump it for no loss more than likely... sure, it's heavier than an airweight (still want one) but I think that'll be helpful with 357 Mag.

Oh yeah, it came with the case, 2 holster (unfortunately one is for a lefty), 2 speedstrips, and 50rd box of UMC 38SPL...

I think I did ok. What do you think?

- Rhino

Here are some photos from my iPhone. I need a good weather day to get the 'herd' out on the porch / fence for a photo shoot... its really in great shape with little wear - probably only shot a few times, carried a little, and then put up to pay off holiday bills...

You stole it!!!I bought one just like it 4 years ago for $450 and got a good deal on it.Great revolvers.And i got no ammo,speedstrips, or holsters!Also no trigger lock.Shoots.38 Special +P's like nothing.

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WALSTIB

I SOLD ONE 2 YEARS AGO FOR $550.00, YOU GOT A DEAL.

I paid $425.00 2 months ago,you definately stole that one. You are going to love it.
Mine seems to appreciate Rem 125gr Golden Sabre 357 so that's what I carry.Mine came with boot grips,I just changed them out to the kind that is on yours.
Good luck with it.

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Anchors

Are you kiddin' me! You got a great deal! Congrats.

You'll love it............
This has been my ccw for a couple years now

Round here, firearms theft is a felony.

You done good!!

Tell me about the lefty holster. I may be interested in it; shoot me a PM.

I have two of the -1 version, well, I have one, and my wife swiped the other. I have it stoked with the Golden Sabers as well. It is certainly a nice carry piece. You stole yours for $350, plus you got some toys as well.

The SN is CBY7576.

J-frame - I'll PM you, right now it's in the car. It seems to be a nice black leather OWB holster, just for the wrong side.

- Rhino

Every righty needs at least one left-hand holster.

With that 590A1 on your right hip and the 640 on your left, you are ready for anything.

Some left-hand holsters can be carried on the right side with the belt on the outside. For me, this supplies more support to a heavy gun.

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A real sucker for the J-frames

Nice 640. I really like shooting my 640-1. Like others have said, the little bit of extra weight, (and maybe the bit-longer, shrouded barrel) make shootin' sweet!

Great deal. If it was on consignment for that little, I can't believe the store owner didn't buy it up and make a hundred + bucks on it. Oh well, to the victor, the spoils..enjoy!

maybe the left hand holster is for behind the back

I think it helped that the 'heavies' at the store are all at SHOT. When the guys working saw the price, they had to confirm it but the person who had it on consignment dropped the price on Monday after everyone had left - then the store was closed yesterday for inventory and I was there when they opened this morning... better to be lucky than good!

- Rhino

I assume that to avoid charges of deceptive practices you were wearing a mask when you completed that deal. You stole it! I hate you! Just kidding, but I am a little bit jealous, congrats on a great deal.

I have carried a 640-1 as a BUG since 92'. I love it, and it seems to be my off duty gun most of the time. The extra weight helps out with magnum loads.

What model speedloaders do they take (if any)? They aren't listed on the HKS website.

- Rhino

640-1 takes standard J frame 38 speedloaders, Mod 36 in the HKS line. Those are what I use for mine.

You stole it. The 640-1 is one of the better of the 640 series, .357 chambering rather than .38 and no lock. Some of the earlier -1's have forged lockwork while the later ones have MIM. I lucked out a few years back and the shop had one in the used case, unfired, box, papers and Ace rosewood bootgrips on it, even had the Ace brochure in the box. I think I paid around $550 for it. They're a great carry gun, a little too heavy for pocket carry in slacks but the weight does make them manageable with magnum loads.

That is a great price for a great gun. I paid more for mine at the gunshow in Phoenix this last Dec, but I still got an ok deal. These shoot great and firing a 357 out of it doesn't hurt your hands like it would in an airweight. Enjoy your new gun and tell us how it shoots.

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J.D. Roy

Great find!

Thanks for all of the comments. I'm going to the range tomorrow with 100 x 38 SPL FMJ, 10 x 357 S&B Mag, and 5 x 38SPL +P Speer SBGD.

Just trying to get a feel for it and see if I like the grip. From a slide perspective I'm thinking about going to a UM Boot grip.

Is it possible to change the front sight? I've seen some 640s with orange inserts in the front sight and would like something like that (Mine only has black steel from sight).

- Rhino

Hey, VM, I like the set up of wood grips and t grips on your gun, did you shoot it much before you changed it over? If so I am guessing you like the set up better?

Also great buy RHINOWSO!

Well I took my S&W 640 & K-22 to the range today.

I shot my K-22 Combat Masterpiece first to warm up - it is great to shoot and it is very accurate. Ran 60 rounds through it to practice DA pulls for the 640-1.

Then on to the "little thumper", the S&W 640-1 357 I scored earlier in the week. I brought 100 rounds of FMJ (50 older UMC came with it, plus 50 WWB), 10 S&B 158GR 357, and 5 Speer 38SPL +P GDHP.

Well, the first mistake was shooting the K-22 first, because the 640 has a pretty stiff trigger pull in comparison. Still pretty good, but 'rough' in comparison to the silky smooth K-22. I ran the 50 UMC through first and grouped pretty well, but pull most of the shots a tad left.

Then I moved to the 10 rounds of 357, 5 of 38+P. While all were controllable, the 357 had a lot more 'bark'! I followed that up with 5 WWB for this target. 7 yards, two handed, shots every 2-3 seconds (yes, the A&P range officer was busy with new shooters, so a decent rate of fire could be maintained). Still pulling a little to the left on most of them, but when shooting from a rest it's correct for windage, so it's got to be my pull.



Not bad I think.

I finished off the rest of the WWB on another target and really like the gun. The trigger could be smoother and if I decide to carry it after some more practice, I'll probably send it to S&W for their revolver package - I figure I got a great deal on the gun I could spend a little on it. I'd also like to get an orange insert installed in the front sight, as that would make picking up the sights much easier.

That is pretty much it. Very happy with them all.

Have a great weekend,

Cheers,

Rhino