Model 640 Pro Series, is it worth the $

Shooter Magaven · Jan 24, 2015

I own a M642 and carry it every day.

But today I was handed a 640 Pro with tritium sights and the moon clip cylinder. 357 and basically I fell in love with it. I caresed it and squeezed it and fingered it all up, and fantasized about carrying it in my IWB....but I had to give it back to gun shop guy cause it was $820 and cant justify this expense

Or can I? Hmmm

Why is it worth the money? Talk me out of it... please

BTW: I allready own a 686 and a Colt Trooper so it aint like I need another 357... or do I..? Hmmmm

Pef · Jan 24, 2015

I have one. I would not say I get extra utility out of the sights (they are easier to aim with, but if I ever had to use the gun in SD I doubt I would be using the sights). I don't use moon clips.

The trigger is about the same as a regular 640.

So basically what I have is a no-lock 640 with fancy sights and a fluted barrel.

But I bought it because it looked good and it was, well, cool.

Happy I have it.

M3Stuart · Jan 24, 2015

I've been looking at one too. I have a 642 pro, a 60 no dash and a 60-9.

I've all but never used the moon clips on that 642 pro - because you only get 3 and they are $8 a PIECE if you can find them...and you can't. So there's not going to be any 'extra' moonclips for that 640 pro either. Just the 3 that ship with it.

As has been said; you'll have a 640 without a lock, night sights and a cool fluted cylinder. So far, I've passed on it.

For me to buy one; they could just forget the moonclip option and drop the price to within a 100 beans of the 640.

Oh, and you'll need a trigger job on it too as I'm sure the stock trigger bites, so they could throw that in from the 'PC' or whatever.

Shooter Magaven · Jan 24, 2015

M3Stuart said:
I've been looking at one too. I have a 642 pro, a 60 no dash and a 60-9.

I've all but never used the moon clips on that 642 pro - because you only get 3 and they are $8 a PIECE if you can find them...and you can't. So there's not going to be any 'extra' moonclips for that 640 pro either. Just the 3 that ship with it.

As has been said; you'll have a 640 without a lock, night sights and a cool fluted cylinder. So far, I've passed on it.

For me to buy one; they could just forget the moonclip option and drop the price to within a 100 beans of the 640.

Oh, and you'll need a trigger job on it too as I'm sure the stock trigger bites, so they could throw that in from the 'PC' or whatever.

Oh, so it comes with moon clips? I forgot to ask when I was there. I doubt I would carry moon clips as they are too bulky IMO. but at least it would justify $24 on the price if 3 were included.

Shooter Magaven · Jan 24, 2015

Pef said:
I have one. I would not say I get extra utility out of the sights (they are easier to aim with, but if I ever had to use the gun in SD I doubt I would be using the sights). I don't use moon clips.

The trigger is about the same as a regular 640.

So basically what I have is a no-lock 640 with fancy sights and a fluted barrel.

But I bought it because it looked good and it was, well, cool.

Happy I have it.

Good point about the sights. Nice, but would you ever really use them in a SD situation. I have a CT laser grip on my 642, so those sights are rarely used (and because they suck)

M3Stuart · Jan 24, 2015

I'm not certain it comes with three, I just know my 642 pro came with that many. Understand though; moon clips are dirt cheap to stamp out and normally cost about a buck apiece for other guns, and they don't last that long as they get bent easily.

wogentry · Jan 24, 2015

I think its worth it. I own 2 and to me the best feature is the sights. Even though it is a figured to be used in close quarters, I regularly fire some practice rounds at 25 yards (and to just plink around) and the sights really help.
I play around with the moon clips at the range. but don't mess with them otherwise. They just don't seem to work as well as moon clips for my Model of 1917 .45ACP in my opinion.

zipty6 · Jan 24, 2015

I love mine. I may have gotten lucky, but it has the best trigger I have felt on a new revolver.

I carry with the loaded rounds in a moon clip. It makes them easier to eject. Reloads are on a speed strip.

$820 seems high to me. I paid $689 in July of 2013. I know prices have gone up, but that's quite an increase.

Shooter Magaven · Jan 24, 2015

zipty6 said:
I love mine. I may have gotten lucky, but it has the best trigger I have felt on a new revolver.

I carry with the loaded rounds in a moon clip. It makes them easier to eject. Reloads are on a speed strip.

$820 seems high to me. I paid $689 in July of 2013. I know prices have gone up, but that's quite an increase.

Yeah, S&W's site shows MSRP at only $20 more than this LGS. Everybody knows street price is usually well below MSRP. $690 sounds alot better, but im still wanting Performance Center quality for even that price. Maybe im just asking too much in todays market.

buckeyejake · Jan 24, 2015

I couldn't find one but would have bought one in a second . Got a standard 640, get pocket gun !

Jake

Edmo · Jan 25, 2015

I do like my 640 Pro...

The moon clips are one of my favorite features. OBTW, I find them to be less bulky than speed loaders and lots faster than speed strips.

Edmo

629shooter · Jan 25, 2015

In my opinion, any 640-1 is worth owning.

regalsc · Jan 25, 2015

I don't own one but I have always liked the looks & the sights. I choose to carry sc-ti snubs for the weight convenience. You also have to buy some type of demooner to use the moonclips. If I was in the market for another snub the 640 pro would be it although at my LGS it would be cheaper than $829. He had a $1019 340pd nib for $875.

Shooter Magaven · Jan 25, 2015

629shooter said:
In my opinion, any 640-1 is worth owning.

I totally agree, but owning it at that retail price is were I am having the conflict.

I just need to find one for a reasonable price.

Shooter Magaven · Jan 25, 2015

Thats a beautiful piece, Edmo.... but your not helping me save my money

Hapworth · Jan 25, 2015

I'm a big fan of the 640 Pro and have a lot of time with one. In many ways, it's the ultimate J-frame and you can't go wrong in choosing one for personal defense.

That said, the specific question asks if it's worth the top-dollar price, and I'd say no unless as a shooter you require -- or at least hugely prefer -- every feature offered.

A heavier J, moon clips, .357 capability and three dot dovetailed night sights are great features overall, but I have to say that ultimately the 640 Pro offers me little more bottom-line utility than a 442 Moon Clip.

I love moon clips, so there.

The extra weight I find to be marginal at best in affecting shooting my preferred defense loads in .38 Special +P.

The sights are fine but I've never loved three dot versus just a good, highly visible front sight and rear trench, and as earlier noted, in a close quarters defensive shoot sights are unlikely to come into play.

If I was going to have only one J-frame to cover a wide swathe of duties, a 640 Pro would be a great choice.

As a very cool, different and versatile J-frame to have in the stable, it's highly recommended.

But if you want to get to the nitty-gritty of cost and reward, snubby J-frames have a fairly narrow, specific purpose and at nearly half the price a 442 Moon Clip -- for me -- does nearly everything a 640 Pro does and just as well.

Jim1392 · Jan 25, 2015

Shooter Magaven said:
Thats a beautiful piece, Edmo.... but your not helping me save my money

Maybe this well help you with parting with your money.

Also $820.00 does seem high to me. If I remember correctly I paid around $689.00 plus tax. I put my 642 in retirement to carry this. The extra weight is worth it to me for now.

StickShift · Jan 25, 2015

For the record, 640 Pros are NOT Performance Center guns. They're Pro Series, which are regular production guns with some PC features. As a result, I wouldn't expect the slick trigger pull of a PC gun.

I still think they're worth it. The better sights and moonclip capability (even if it's only for easy ejection of the first cylinder) are a big improvement over standard 640s.

wheelyfun66 · Jan 25, 2015

Although I have parted ways with my 640 Pro (nothing wrong with it.....I just have a bad habit of buying/selling/trading)....

It had a VERY smooth trigger pull (smoother than my current 686 snub!)

The moonclips are great for carry, as they would help when dumping empties, insuring positive ejection of all 5!

I didn't carry a reload in a moonclip, as seem fragile and prone to bending (for pocket carry).

Although you might not use the sights in a defensive situation....you also MIGHT, and low light encounters are greatly enhanced by a night sight!

The price seems to be holding around $750+, and when you factor in shipping and FFL transfer fees.....they are pricey!
(a check on GunBroker finds 5 for sale....the cheapest being $649 plus shipping.)

Geez....think I just talked myself into buying another one!
Here are pics of the one I used to own:

HarrishMasher · Jan 25, 2015

Moon clips are the fastest way to load and unload a gun. To have a cylinder cut for moon clips aftermarket is $150, plus shipping both ways. Plus the amazing sights on the 640 Pro Series make it absolutely worth it. It would cost $250 to have those types of sights installed.

Your LGS price is a little high, shop around. But we are talking maybe $75 too high. Is it worth the hassle of buying online or driving all over the place to save $75?

You never really "need" more guns. If you want it, and can afford it, buy it. Anything more than 1 rifle, 1 handgun, 1 shotgun and you are collecting. So you are a collector, so go collect.

Model 640 Pro Series, is it worth the $

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