This gun is several firsts...my first revolver and my first true carry gun. My only other gun is a Beretta 92FS, which is a bit uncomfortable to carry, but this thing rides nicely in my pocket in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. Just got it Saturday, shot it for the first time on Sunday. The trigger pull is heavy like all DA snubbies, but it's super slick with no grittiness. Complete with both front and rear Trijicon night sights.

It shoots accurately with 158 gr .38, but shoots a little low (though with consistent groups) with 125 gr .357 (which I've read is somewhat normal for a light, fast-moving round...right?). I'll try some heavier, slower .357 to see if that improves things. Not that shooting .357 out of a snubbie is pleasant, but I'd rather carry a .357 than a .38 and I'd like the most accurate round possible. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated.

Also, is dry-firing this ok, or should snap caps be in place? If the firing pin needs something to hit against, will spent casings work instead of snap caps?

I think the first order of business for this is to get some new boot grips...perhaps in a nice wood. In the meantime, since no New Gun thread isn't complete without pictures, enjoy!

Welcome to the forum. Real nice looking gun.

Dry-firing is OK. We all do it. It's good exercise for the double-action and it helps smooth the action (even smoother than it already is). If you want the firing pin to hit something -- go with snap caps. A fired casing looks just like a loaded casing from the side -- I'd just be too nervous to pull the trigger on a gun that looks loaded.

For a self-defense gun -- think about keeping the rubber grips. They help you keep the gun pointed straight as the bullet is torquing out of the barrel -- especially with the heavier loads.

I prefer the 158 grain magnum loads to the 125 grain ones (when I shoot them). The 125 magnums seem tougher on guns than the longer 158 grain ones (more an issue with the old K-frame magnums) -- hopefully they will be regulated to point of aim (my 640-3 is).

Also try some 38 Special +P. If you ever have to shoot for self defense in a closed environment (car or room) you will wish you had some Plus P rather than full magnum loads. I have 3 small frame magnum revolvers (a 60-14, a 640-3 and a Ruger LCR357), but I rarely shoot the magnum loads with them -- I save them for my heavier K-frame 66-7 (with a 2 1/2" two-piece barrel) and my Ruger GP100 (3").

Cordially,

Ash

Snap caps although not essential are nice for practicing reloads as well. Since you've just downsized from 15 rounds to 5 knowing how to reload in a hurry never hurts. I'm not super familiar with the 640 pro and without googling am deciding to write this... I can't tell for certain based on your pictures but your cylinder might just be cut for moonclips. If this is the case they make reloads much easier, like a magazine for your wheel gun. If you post a pic of the loading side of the cylinder someone here could tell you for certain.

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Son of a Gun...Smith

The cylinder is indeed cut for moonclips, and the gun came with 3 of them. My only issue with them is removing the spent casings without bending the clips...

There are plenty of tools available either for purchase or home made that you can find plenty of information on here in the forum. Most tools are not very expensive and take a lot of the wear and tear off of your fingers when at the range.

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Son of a Gun...Smith

I have the exact same firearm. Mine came with the same banana grip as yours. Did you notice that the catalog shows a smaller grip (the same as is on the 340PD)?

Mostly I carry a Glock 23, but when I want a bit more concealment then the 640 is nice.

A superb looking revolver.

I noticed it has the full size grips. I am fairly sure they are supposed to be the smaller ones. They can be had from S&W for not many dollars.

I sure am tempted to buy that gorgeous gun.

I did order the smaller grips and they took 8 weeks to arrive. I guess they didn't want to hold up shipments due to the grip.

It is a nice shooter. It has the very best sights I've ever seen on a revolver. They don't snag, and they are highly visible--especially in the dark. You can actually aim this thing.