Guys,

I found a engraved 640-1, no lock, .357 at a gun show. $699 for it.

Excellent condition!

Now a few questions.

A) is that a good price?
B) It looks like MIM parts, and I wonder of a regular non-mim trigger (flash chromed) would fit in it and work?

Thanks!

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Deaf

guessing that 640-1 was made in '95-'96, so i don't see how there would be any mim parts. others may know differently.

$699 is high for a 640-1.

even during the peak of the gun sales histeria within the last year, that would have been pretty high.

if you shop around i think you'll find some very nice 640-1's for $475-$550, so unless the engraving is important to you, you could do better.

great revolvers BTW.

The trigger has the back part of it hollow. Isn't that a sign it's a MIM part?

__________________
Deaf

Yes it is.

__________________
Dick

The pre-lock j-frame magnums command a premium especially if they are pre MIM parts as well. $699 sounds high unless it is a factory engraved model. If you are looking for a carry gun (which is really the only thing a 640 is for) the engraving does not really add anything. There are other pre-lock, pre-MIM 640s out there and at that price I would pass on one with MIM parts.

In answer to your question, it would be cost prohibitive to acquire a revolver with MIM parts and try to swap out the internals with pre-MIM parts. Besides MIM parts are fine, the lock is the problem especially on those little J frames in 357mag.

I didn't think there were any pre MIM magnum J frames.
I had a M60-10, which, along with the dash 9, were the first J frame magnums.
These guns were MIM J frames.
Personally, I like the MIM parts. Pre lock!

Best,
Rick

Hey Deaf! $699 does sound a little pricey, but out here in the Vegas valley, snub mags are almost non-existent. Have you given it a thorough revolver check? Is the action in time? No cracks in forcing cone or frame? No chambers scored from improper (or no) cleaning of shorter .38 firing? Full-strength springs that have not been monkeyed with? (Underline that last one) No 'kitchen table-ing? And, is that factory engraving?

Show some cash and see if you can't get that price down.

I have two J-frames in 357 one is a 649-3 the other is a 3" adjustable sight 60-10 neither have a trigger with a groove down the back. Did S&W make MIM triggers without the groove in the back?

My local LGS had one of the machine engraved 640's a couple years back. They were a limited run from S&W engraved with a very basic pattern, featured a high polish finish and rubber Uncle Mikes grips. Sold for around $500 at the time.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

Interesting!
My M60-10 had the 3 inch barrel and the adjustable sights.
I bought it in 1998, as I recall. It was SN# CCT42XX and did have the MIM trigger grove. This might be another example where S&W made changes that that didn't coincide with dash number changes. I sold the M60-10 and am going to replace it with a M640 Magnum. I really like the Magnum J frames, MIM or not.

Best,
Rick

The gun was stock. Not touched. Maybe fired a few shots but it looked mint. Timed right, no cracks, good lockup, and fancy wood boot grips.

I do have a 640-1 (two of them in fact.)

One is pre-MIM/Pre-lock for sure as I DID change out the trigger (it was case hardened) for a flash chromed one. The other is a MIM pre-lock.

And yes I do use the pre-MIM/pre-lock .357 as my CCW gun in the summer.

The one on the left is my old 640, .38 Spl., my first CCW gun when CHL started here in Texas (my CHL # is a VERY low number!)

The one on the right is my current summer gun, the 640-1 .357 with flash chrome trigger I installed (plus an action job and VZ grips.)

Ok, if the engraved one is MIM and not really worth the price tag I'll pass.

Now why an engraved one? Why STYLE guys. I like to pack in style.Nuthing like an engraved six shooter for CCW.

Maybe one day I'll find another pre-MIM/pre-Lock 640-1 and it will be engraved. I know where to get another flash chromed trigger and they work splendidly in my guns.

Attached Images

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Deaf

Hi Deaf! Didn't know you knew Js! Of course you should carry an engraved one. Please don't tell anyone that my 60 .357 is marked 'Ladysmith.' Just love that pink-ish finish.

I also picked up a 640 .38 that SCSW dates to 1992; it was sitting forlornly on a dealer's table with the junker guns, a minty example. Couldn't leave it there. I would love to get a 640 Mag. As I said, unavailable here.

Good to speak to another J-fan.

Kaaskop49
J-hound extraordinaire.