jimmyjoe
Member
I went to the local gun show Sunday and came home with a 640 Centennial 38 Cal. It looks unfired.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Model 640
- Thread starter jimmyjoe
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
SAFireman
SWCA Member
Jimmy,
That is really great! Was that at the Austin Highway show?
That is really great! Was that at the Austin Highway show?
OP
jimmyjoe
Member
dubshooter
Member
Nice grab. I would like to find a .38 model myself
Nice snag! Great gun, a keeper. IMO, handles better than the later .357 model. Picked up mine from the 'junk' table of a dealer at a show: minty. Heaven knows what it was doing there. Mine has a matte stainless finish.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
Hey Jimmy, I think I looked at that very same one. It was the best gun at that show, if that's the one I'm thinking of. I almost got it, glad someone on the forum did because it was nice.
M2MikeGolf: Your post reminds me that a year or so after my 640 snag, that same dealer had TWO NWOB (New without box) 642s chained to that "junk table." Wonder what they were doing there? Still regret a little not buying them.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Congratulation on a fine addition
Centennials are my favorite pocket gun
Centennials are my favorite pocket gun
Especially the 38 Special version, the .357 "stretched" version ruined the looks in my estimation.
Bill In Texas
Member
Congrats! That is a nice pickup!
Great find - great gun. I treasure the one I picked up new in 1993 - equipped with Herrett's "Shooting Star" stocks made for my hand, it's darn near ideal for discreet carry.
John
John
kthom
Member
I've got an M-640 ND and an M-640-1. I like them both very much. In fact, they are my favorite J Frames. I carry each of them with +P ammo in .38 Special caliber. I personally like the extra barrel length on the 640-1, but each to his own! You have a really nice one there. Congratulations!
OP
jimmyjoe
Member
Has anyone seen this before?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
photoman
Member
OK... It was bad enough you landed a very nice 38 640 but for it to be +P+, well that's just rubbing it in. 
Very nice gun.
Very nice gun.
kthom
Member
Yessir! My M-640 ND has that marking as do a relative few others with CENXXXX serial numbers. This limited edition (with the +P+ marking in your photo) are mentioned in the SWSC catalogs as being "early production" models. Don't know how many were made in this variation, but as far as I know, all of those marked as you have pictured will have a CEN serial number. Others here will probably have an idea.
If the one pictured belongs to you, it's my considered opinion that you have a keeper that is rather scarce on the ground! I am also a strong fan of the Centennial models.
If the one pictured belongs to you, it's my considered opinion that you have a keeper that is rather scarce on the ground! I am also a strong fan of the Centennial models.
Last edited:
Walter Rego
Member
I think the Model 640 is one of the best modern (as in post 1982) S&W's ever made. I found this one for sale at a show a few years ago along with an older pinned barrel Model 60. I had a hard time deciding between them but am glad that I chose the 640. The ammo in the speedloader is older Nyclad FBI loads. It handles them with ease.
Attachments
Last edited:
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Has anyone seen this before?
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Mine, my EDC for years, has the same etching. There were, I've been told, about 5,000 of the early (1990) 640's marked that way. I've also read that they were made for law enforcement when ".357 Magnum" was poor PR, but I kind of doubt that.
I've never had the slightest interest in shooting +P+ in mine. A good bullet in a +P loadng seems quite adequate. But I was intrigued to see inscription in view of the fact that S&W very firmly insists that +P+ is not to be used in their guns.
Last edited:
Walter Rego: You chose well. The Model 60 was the primo carry piece for licensees in the late 60s and 70s, very difficult to come by and often at a premium price. The 640 will do all the 60 does and can serve as a hammerless pocket gun. I have read that the built-up frame behind the cylinder serves to strengthen the 640.
I dig your ammo. Wonder how many folks know that S&W/Fiocchi also loaded this bullet in .357 Magnum.
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Jimmyjoe, that's a really nice find. Looking for one too.
I've got one of the 640-2. It's built on a matte stainless J Magnum Frame but chambered in .38 for NYPD.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've got one of the 640-2. It's built on a matte stainless J Magnum Frame but chambered in .38 for NYPD.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
jframejoey
Member
Haha JimmyJoe I was scrolling fast to the bottom to ask if it had the +P+ markings when I saw your pic and question. Very nice score!
