Decided on my latest carry gun. Had a couple 60s, but didn't like the spur. Had a 640 in .357 Mag, but didn't like the kick and extra weight. Decide my next carry gun would be a 640 in .38spl. Found a 99% 640 at a GS this weekend for a good buy price of $400. Replaced grips with these Altamont boot grips. Loaded her with Speer God Dot SB 135GR +Ps and I feel well armed enough. Whatcha think?

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Dick

Very Nice! I think the lightweight Smiths are the Beans, my pocket gun is a 642, but I'm also quite fond of my 36-1. The latter may be the prettiest gun I own, so it doesn't get carried, but it sure gets fondled a lot!

I guess I'm half the opposite. I like the extra weight but I like it with your favorite load. I bought a pair of Altimont grips similar to yours but when back to rubber when it came close to flying out of my hand. I need the extra grip that the checkered rubber gives me. But that is one class act shooter.

Very nice!

I've carried my 640 .38 Spl many a year. A fair number of aggressive cottonmouths have met their demise to it and shotshells. It's only a tad heavier than a 642/442. The extra couple ounces make it much more comfortable to shoot/handle. It is heavy enough to make practicing with it, using mid-range or standard velocity ammo, a pleasure. In a good holster, the bit of additional weight is unnoticeable.

I've fired one of the heavier (and clunky IMO) .357 "improved" versions; don't like 'em.

Here's mine with Craig Spegal boot grips when he first got into the grip business. It is one of my favorites, but......



This is the J frame that owns my heart!

Steve

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Steve

You said it a little better than I, but that was my same impression.

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Dick

I can't imagine any .38spl flying out of my hand. Had grips like this on other J-frame .38s and it never happened to me.

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Dick

I have the 357 mag version that gets carried quite a bit....I never have liked the hammer protrusion for pocket carried guns...and I like the ability to shoot 357 if I get a wild hair

I do practice with 38 specials in the 640, but I carry mag loads for SD purposes (and I have the shot shells handy for woods walking when the rattlers may be on the loose). I have kept the Uncle Mike's combat grips that came with it as they provide an all weather grip and they are not prone to slipping around in my hands with the magnum rounds.

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On the Oak Savannah

very nice...i want one

Good find. I haggled with a guy at a gunshow a while back for one. He would not budge off of his $475 asking price so I passed. For $400, I would have bought it.

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Expect no quarter.

Here's mine, early CEN prefix model marked TESTED FOR +P+. I need to get some better pics too.

My wife prefers the 38 Special


I like the 357 Magnum


However, a couple years ago I discovered a 357 Magnum J-frame that is much lighter. I also discovered I like the hammer for more precise shooting.
So, here'sssssssss the 360PD!
Ankle carry is a breeze and with belt carry I forget I have it.
Carry a lot, shoot a little.

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A real sucker for the J-frames

a big +1 on the non magnum 649! i put executioners on mine.

I've got one that is a twin brother to the one Sonny Crocket has: CEN prefix and +P+. I had a 640-1, but I found that .38 special worked just fine for me and I didn't like the extra weight of the -1 and really didn't like the extra recoil of the .357 magnum in a J frame.

It is my EDC -- now in a holster from Alan Remora that works as both a pocket holster and a IWB holster and a cross-draw for driving. Great holster from a first class gentleman. Take a look at Home of the Original Remora No Clip Holster. Absolute niftiest holster I have ever seen, used or even heard of -- and reasonably priced!

Dick, ya must be gettin old.(kidding)
The first rule in a gunfight is;
bring a gun.
The second rule is; bring enough gun.

That said, I just handled my first 640-1 on Saturday at a show.
After seeing how it's over engineered and oh so- heavy duty,
I fell for it and bought it. $460. total and boy do I like it.
I carry it in my pocket with Mag-safe 357 in it.

Of course I also have a Colt Commander, or a Glok 29 in 10m.m. for
more serious social situations.

I can't imagine needing too much gun in that little burg
in central Florida you live in, but one never knows!

Good luck, and be safe.

Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

I replaced my Detective Special with a 640 after a tragic gang shooting at a shopping mall during Christmas season about 16 years ago. The take home lesson was that there may not be time to draw a defensive arm when wearing heavy winter clothing. Shooting through a pocket might be your only chance and the 640 seemed to be made for just that sort of contingency.

spurless, in .38 special, is the only way to fly.....................

S&W model 649 (no dash)
S&W model 64-4

Mine is the .357 model. I poorly worded what I was trying to say. Smooth Alamonts + .357 + non vice grips fingers = almost face time.

.38 special on the other hand is sweet to the point that I found some wood grips and I want a Tyler in front. I think that would look, shoot, and be as good as it's likely to get.

I carry this one every day. It is a great shooter. The lighter weight guns may be more popular but the original 640 is hard to beat.

Those would be the grips and adapter I was just yammering about. Sweet combo and setup.

I have owned a couple of them, but in this day and age of ultralight J-frames, I consider them to be about twice to heavy to be a good pocket carry gun.

I have passed the steel 640's along to other family members, my preference these days being the 11 oz 342.

Dick,

I agree the 640 in 38 Special (either 2" or 3") is an excellent choice, but have found a good belt holster is the best all-day carry for me.

Here's mine in a LoboLeather enhanced pancake . . . I highly recommend it.





And my 3" in an early style Lobo pancake.





Russ

Like Sonny Crocket and Jeffrey, I too have one of the first-run 640s with CEN-prefix serial number and "Tested for +P+" etched on the frame. I bought it brand new 21 years ago next month, and it's still my all-time favorite revolver. Alloy-frame snubs might be easier to carry, but the extra weight of the 640 makes it a lot more enjoyable to shoot.

S&W did everything right when they designed and built the original 640.

Here's mine, now wearing Crimson Trace lasergrips:

My wife has one and has owned it since they first came out, she loves it, thats why she took it away from me and laid claim to it when she handled it the first time, funny how that sort of thing works lol.

Allen, I bought those grips from your buddy Mike. He's been to all three shows here.

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Dick

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NRA - All Day

Had one and sold it. I think it's the only one I've sold that I wish I still had.

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Centennial Every Day

Anyone else?

S&W 640 in 38SPL is the only gun I regret selling. But, I could see the sights even 20 years ago. If S&W had only made the front sight a pinned in black insert as opposed to being milled in the the barrel.

I have one with the CEN prefix marked "Tested for +P+" that I bought new in March of '90 and really haven't done much with it but what I have i've enjoyed. Still have the original box, grips and tools. For me it started a stainless revolution as several more stainless smith's have found their way to my house since I bought mine.

The no-dash 640 in .38 Special is my current "Grail" gun. I really like the J-frame Centennials. My 642 is great, but since I carry it in a belt holster 99.99% of the time I don't think the light weight gives me any real advantage over a steel J-frame.

With any luck I may be in a position (finally!) to get one in the next month or so, presuming I can find one in good shape for a decent price.

I love my 640's. Compact, concealable, beautiful, reliable, and they'll last practically forever. What's not to like?

Love mine! CCW gun of choice, Spegel grips for looks, Crimson trace for carry, Rare 1 0f 300 Carry Comp 3" .38 Performance Center Gun. I managed to buy the matched serial number 686 4" carry comp as well!

I carry a 638-3, I'm pretty happy with the extra bit of barrel since I slapped some Talo woodstocks on the grip.
It handles easily and shoots great.

Recently sold my 640-1 to pick up this no-dash 640...I greatly prefer the .38 Special version to the .357 version. The 158gr LSWCHP .38 +P Buffalo Bore fodder moves a heavier bullet at faster speeds than Speer's short barrel .357 too!

I like it a lot.

I'm still looking for one. IMO, the smaller .38 Special J-frame was superior to the current Magnum frame. I like the smaller size, lighter weight, and the smaller, tighter cylinder window.

To the top

I don't leave home without mine. It has not only saved my bacon a time or two, but brought me untold peace of mind in a violent world.

Thanks guys.

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Dick

I have 5 J Frames.
My 640 (38) came from the factory with all edges smooth.
1992. A time when there was still something called
Quality Control.

I had the original 640 and stupidly sold it. Have tried to find another for years without luck. Bought a 640 Pro to replace it. It's a great "all you need a J Frame for" gun; but to be honest I would love to find another 640 38 cause they are so neat.

I think an all-steel J-frame is the best backup gun in the world.

For what it is worth I have to agree with squidsix's statement

diamonback68 Great find!!
The more you carry and shoot it the more attached to it you will become!!

Sonny Crocket, How long is the list of suitors for that 640 of yours?