was the 640 Pro quality bad?

Did S&W have a really bad run when they made the 640 Pro? (The fluted barrel ones)

The reason I ask, is because almost every single forum I am on has people posting about broken trigger or hammer pins, or other various threads complaining about them. One thread even had a chip out of the frame.

I like them, I really like that they don't have a lock. I'm thinking of upgrading to one for my EDC but some of the mods I am planning are permanent and expensive, I don't want to invest that money into a gun that comes from a bad production run.

Currently I am running a 649 but I want to refinish it black, and given the cost of refinishing, part of me wants a no lock gun before I drop that kind of cash.

I don't mind having over 1k into a carry gun, but like I said, it would be nice to drop the lock AND get night sights plus the other features of the 640Pro.

In the end, I can live with the lock if I have to, and my 649 has treated me well, but some of the 640's features are nice.

Mine suffered a broken hammer pin after a couple of years, and S&W replaced it. That being said...realize that on these boards people usually post when something is unsatisfactory with the gun, and are less likely to post when all is well. And people become more persnickety when they pay top dollar for a pro model. So in addition to the major problems like mine had, you'll see posts like "my 640 Pro shoot left 0.5 inches at 15 yards" and such.

In other words, if I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy the 640 Pro. Its a great little carry gun and I'm very happy with it.

I’m on my 2nd 640 Pro...made the mistake of selling the 1st one. I Carry it every day. I think it is as rock solid as they come, everyone should have at least one.

Why make your 649 black? They look great the way the are. IMHO.

I think 640's are probably about as good as it gets when it comes to a small personal protection revolver. I don't own one. But a lot of people seem to like them. On another board I frequent, when someone sells them. They don't usually last long.

What's funny is that the whole shooting world is all about G19's and telling everyone they need to own a 9mm auto with good capacity for self defense / conceal carry. Yet there is no shortage of people buying small ish revolvers. And supposedly we're all idiots according to some.

Anyways... That's my rant for today. I probably shouldn't have.

Pef said:

Mine suffered a broken hammer pin after a couple of years, and S&W replaced it. That being said...realize that on these boards people usually post when something is unsatisfactory with the gun, and are less likely to post when all is well. And people become more persnickety when they pay top dollar for a pro model. So in addition to the major problems like mine had, you'll see posts like "my 640 Pro shoot left 0.5 inches at 15 yards" and such.

In other words, if I had to do it all over again, I'd still by the 640 Pro. Its a great little carry gun and I'm very happy with it.

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This is so true! People like to remember/harp and focus on the bad but don't like to sing praises when things are going well...

My brother has and EDC's a 640 "Non-Pro" model... We have run the snot out of that little ******* with Buffalo Bore and other manufacturers +P's, and just a heavy volume of .38Special Standard Pressure ammo. The only thing he did to it was put some VZ grips and changed out the trigger return spring to give it a nicer trigger. It's frame behind the cylinder on the carry side is chewed up a bit from un and reholstering against jean pocket rivets. But other than the cosmetics it's solid. As with any new revolver, I like to run 300 rounds thru it before I carry it with no malfunctions of any kind before I want to carry it. Now it's not really feasible to try this is one or even two range sessions but you get there. It's 500+ for a semi-auto personally! If there is going to be a problem; it'll happen within that round count 98% of the time. YMMv... It's happened on an M625 & an M629 to me. Both were easy fixes.

Life is full of compromises. Aluminum frame guns are more subject to frame cracking than steel -- but in reality, cracked frames are rare, even with aluminum. It all depends on what you value most highly -- light weight, or close-to-absolute durability. If you choose the former, just be sure to monitor it closely for incipient cracking, and if it shows up contact S&W ASAP.

Short version: you're fine with your proven 649; throw a better front sight on it and be done.

Longer version...

There's no way of knowing if S&W had a bad run on 640 Pros without access to S&W's internal records; otherwise it's speculation based on forum talk with by-and-large only the disappointments accounted for -- folks don't often take the time to simply post "all good here".

My guess is that like most firearms from any established manufacturer there are more 640 Pros built right than there are lemons, but I have seen the same complaints on different forums that you have and think there seems to be a few more on this model than average.

My own experience of the single example I've owned is that overall it was well put together and I've had no issues regarding parts and reliability. It shoots low with virtually anything I put through it, a complaint common among many though not all 640 Pro owners; it does seem to be a drive the dot sight set-up which accounts for some of this, but I think S&W got sight heights slightly off here and there's no replacement as yet from the factory or aftermarket that I'm aware of. Not the biggest deal -- you learn your gun and where it shoots using the sights its got and the ammo you prefer, and proceed accordingly, but I do wish the piece showed greater flexibility with different rounds; my 442 runs 110s through 158s, plinkers or defense, much closer to point of aim than the 640 Pro does.

Mine did arrive from the factory with a ridiculous barrel-cylinder gap, which they corrected on their dime. The 442 did, too.

The trigger arrived very smooth but heavy and spongy and has remained that way, whereas the 442 is also smooth but slightly lighter and has the crisper mechanical feedback from the lockwork I'm used to from a S&W revolver. Both work, though.

I think the 640 Pro is S&W's best concept for a J-frame defense piece, and if you're significantly drawn to one I'd say get it, you're likely to do well, and if there are factory caused issues, S&W will deal with them.

That said, I don't think the 640 Pro offers anything of substantial value over your 649 to justify the cost and effort of switching; replace your 649's front sight with an XS standard or big dot and you've equaled the only significant advantage I think the 640 Pro has. I love moon clips, but most seem not to and they're by no means a dealbreaker to me, and after that, what else? A fluted barrel? Useless aesthetics on a pocket snubby. No lock? I prefer no lock, but it isn't to me a reason to switch if I already have a 649 that has proven itself.

You're good as you are methinks, and money usually better spent on ammo and training. But if the 640 Pro won't stop calling, there's no reason to fear answering.

Now, waiting for Edmo to chime in...

Pisgah said:

Life is full of compromises. Aluminum frame guns are more subject to frame cracking than steel -- but in reality, cracked frames are rare, even with aluminum. It all depends on what you value most highly -- light weight, or close-to-absolute durability. If you choose the former, just be sure to monitor it closely for incipient cracking, and if it shows up contact S&W ASAP.

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The 640 is all stainless....

Smith & Wesson and BLACKHAWK! at Gunsite | Hendon Publishing

It's such a great gun and if you have a problem, S&W will fix it for free. Get one and shoot it a ton to give yourself confidence that it won't break.

I love my 640 Pro. I haven’t put too many rounds down range, but it’s seen it’s share of magnums and +Ps without issue. It’s my all time favorite J frame; I carry it often.

I think we need a pic of your 649.....

Regarding Hapworth's remarks about no replacement sights available. Does this mean then that the dovetail slots are peculiar to the PRO and don't match up with anything else? If that's the case I wouldn't expect a lot of interest in the aftermarket community. Not likely they'd have a production run that fits only one pistol. I asked about that some time ago and nobody was really sure at the time. It's the one thing that held me back from buying one.

Never had a problem with mine, it's my main go to carry piece. I think it's probably the best J frame Smith ever produced. Here's mine!

Have put a couple thousand rounds through my 640 Pro and no problems, love it.

CH4 said:

I love my 640 Pro. I haven’t put too many rounds down range, but it’s seen it’s share of magnums and +Ps without issue. It’s my all time favorite J frame; I carry it often.

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CH4, is it a Van Deventer your flipper?

I'm completely satisfied with my 640 Pro. It had a long ratchet when I picked it up but I had that fixed by a master gunsmith. I put some Pachs on it and had a deluxe action job done on it. I practice with it often and it performs perfect. I carry it everyday and completely trust the revolver!!!

I just bought a new 640 Pro. According to the box, it was made in June. No problems with it. Probably 150-200 rounds through it so far.

No problems with my 640 pro revolver. I have shot a few thousand rounds with it, alls good. Would like to get another one.

Hithev said:

CH4, is it a Van Deventer your flipper?

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ZT801 Titanium

I bought one a couple of years back. A very nice, well put together carry gun. I have run over 1,000 rounds through it and I don't think we have had the first problem. I discovered that mine absolutely loves the Winchester Ranger 130 grain +P load and shoots it into tiny groups right where the sights are set at 15 yards. I may have to buy another as my daughter has now adopted it for herself!