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.

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.

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Pisgah

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...

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Pickpocket

The 640 is all stainless....

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

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.

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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!

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

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Pass it on.
Mark

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.

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!

No problems with mine. Carry it all the time. I like the weight of steel over the Air weights/Light weights, whatever they call them.

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As I don't follow new S&Ws I had no idea they manufactured the 640 Pro but looks like an excellent concept. My favorite is the 640 PC and 640 standard production of the mid 1990s series seem to me to be much better made an much more reliable than the following generation.

I found when S&W went to the rectangular cut out for the extractor tree I had all sorts of problems with those. As I could not return them, I sold them after factory service.

On one of those I describe, the extractor would never seat back properly on a quick extraction. On another, after 2 shots fired, the cylinder would not rotate. If it cooled down, it would then again fire ... for 2 shots and freeze up again.

As I'm older, my preferred S&Ws are 1965-67 and prior. However, when the Performance Center opened in about 1993, my spirits were lifted again, until I saw the Performance Center produced Schofield 2000s that so many of them were just awful. Mainly they could not get the top strap center depression / line symmetric. I sent a SS / 2000 Schofield back twice, then just gave up.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I love my 640 Pro. Bought it three or four years back and have put roughly 500 rounds through it, carry it often and it's usually the gun I take when I travel and am staying in hotels/strange places. I am fully confident in mine.

Bought a 640 Pro Series last month and put 100 down range with no issues. Love the sights... Pretty sweet shooting J-Frame.

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I've had my 640 Pro for a couple years. It came out of the box with a dead front sight and the action felt as though it had been assembled in a sandbox. The company fixed both problems.

I tried a variety of ammo (standard .38s, +P, and magnums). I carry the one where POI equaled POA. Pretty simple. It's a 140gr lead-free Barnes magnum. They work really well in the moon clips, and I used the clips always.

I have big mitts so I added Karl Nill Centennial grips. Perfect. It's a pound and a half loaded (that's a half pound more than an M&P 340 with the same ammo and grips) -- insignificant to me.

Happy customer.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Just bought one and stupidly rushed out of the store because it was closing time. Then it sat in the safe for a couple of months. Went to shoot it and it only fires on one cylinder hole, the others all lock up. Put it under the magnifier and four of the lugs on the cylinder ratchet are uncut. One is and that is the one that fires. Gun also shoots way left although it geoups well. Going back to the factory. Performance center guns are very hit and miss lately and I am about done with them.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Bought one of the first 640 Pros way back when. Saw them introduced at SHOT and ordered one the same day. It has been flawless and it likes the Gold Dot SB 135 Magnums when I can find them.

Great J frame, from the maker of all J frames.

No problems with my 640 Pro; the sights are great! It shoots like a much larger gun.

I have had no problems with mine. I've had it since they first came out. Probably shot 6 or 7 hundred rounds through it. It is the gun I carry most when off duty or on admin duty. Second favorite is a 60-10 three inch barrel target. I even carry it for a duty gun in court or for special events where I'm going to be walking a lot. I really should get another 640 Pro and put together a Buscadero rig and wear both of them. That would be perfect when I am instructing a recruit class.

Funny about several weeks ago Teddy Jacobson had a 640 Pro in his shop. Teddy said that when he took the side plate off a lot of rust inside the gun was brand new and not a cheap model by any means to have any problems but you do get lemons from time to time. I like the fluted BBL and no lock with sights different cool factor almost anything can be fixed with in reason.

To answer the OP's original question, I don't know. My guess is the 640 Pro and the 640-3 are essentially the same in quality and performance.

I've got a 640-3, with a few additions. I added a XS Big Dot front sight and had TK Custom moonclip the cylinder. I also added an old-style thumbpiece and neutered the lock. Those mods bring my investment over the cost of the 640 Pro, but they were done over time to cushion the blow of spending the money. I still don't have the excellent rear sight of the Pro, which would involve work by a good gunsmith and drive my investment for the standard model beyond the price of a Pro. That sight is the nicest thing about the Pro, in my opinion; the fluting is fine but essentially useless.

According to the S&W web page, the 640 Pro weights .3 ounces more than the 640-3, which I don't understand, unless that is attributed to the extra weight of the front and rear sights on the Pro. In which case maybe the fluting is a good thing, if it helps keep the weight from going over more than 22.4 ounces.

Overall, my 640-3 is an excellent revolver that has about 500 rounds through it flawlessly and handles .38 +P very nicely and can deal with .357 Magnum when it has to (my carry rounds are .38 +P). My preferred practice ammo is the 148 Grain LHBWC, whether store bought or hand-loaded, because it is a mild round - a friend to the J Frame shooter.

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S&W Rover

I carry mine every day. I got the longer combat grips from the MotherShip. I like the feel and fit much better. That said, never a hiccup after several hundred rounds. Love this revolver!

No problems with mine. I usually shoot magnums through it so I switched the boot grips out for the S&W combats to help with control.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I own 640-1 magna Port, used to own a 640 Pro and EDC my 649-3. It's the 649-3 for me. I have never had any problems with the Pro just like the 649 better. The 640-1 magna port with an enhanced action is a new purchase so I have very little time on it. But it's got a smoother action than the 640 Pro. I am not that excited about night sights or Non combat sights on the snub nose guns for self defense. I find them a distraction when it comes to follow up shots.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

My new 640Pro has a chunk of metal missing from the frame near the forcing cone, and cracks or pits in the frame below the forcing cone. 250 rounds and damaged already. I have an email in to S&W already, just waiting for a response.

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Any of those 250 rounds lead?

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Pickpocket

I have that same holster for my 60-14 Lady Smith.



What's the difference between my 640-1 and a 640 Pro??

All I've ever shot with this one are .357s.

I have a little over 7,000 rounds (mostly .38 Special +P but some .357 magnum) through my 640 Pro and it has been flawless. One of my favorite carry guns.

No sir, Winchester White Box FMJ from Cabelas. No 357 Mag yet, or +P.

The Pro is cut for moon clips, has three dot night sights (in dovetails), and a fluted barrel. Otherwise, same gun.

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Pickpocket

Thank you.

UPDATE!!
Smith & Wesson has replaced the frame on my 640 Pro that had a chunk of metal missing and frame pits. Thanks S&W!

That's what I like to hear, another satisfied customer!!!!!

Mine has been a pleasure to carry and to shoot. I use it when I requalify every year, or more often for my LEOSA. It is amazingly accurate, and I have had zero issues with it. Reliable and super accurate (for a snubby). I would have no reservations in buying another, or recommending one to a friend.



Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

White grips. Mmmmmmmmmm.....

The 640Pro is a really nice gun. You may also check out the Kimber K6s which does come in black. They are both about the same size but the Kimber has six shots.

Those grips are elk antler, made by fellow forum member bgmtnman. He lives out in Ft Collins Colorado, and make some really nice grips, at very reasonable prices. You can do a search here on the forum under his screen name and see some that he has sold, and anything that might still be offered. I'll vouch for his craftsmanship!!

And in real life, they are more cream colored than white.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

THAT IS ONE FINE LOOKING REVOLVER les.b !!!!!!!!!