1st year of current 640 model?

[Eagle1*]

Was at a local store yesterday and they had a used 640 all steel 38 j frame from along time ago as it had the shorter than current non shrouded barrel. I think it was a "CEN****" serial number for sale with NO box.

That got me wondering what year did they stop producing the old standard 640 38 special version and start the new 357 version? I am kicking around buying it today if they still have it tonight.

 

[CaliTrav]

I can't answer your question but I recently got a 640-1 and it appears it was from 1996. This is the 357 model and it has been a lot of fun to shoot! My serial number starts with BUH

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[RGNewell]

Someone stole mine at Bass Pro Shop, but I bought a 357 640 the first month or so they came out and the serial number started with a B

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[Vilkus]

640's started production in 1989. The 640-1 (357) came out in 1996.
I have a CEN ser. numbered model. Mine is marked that it's rated for +P+.
Not that I intend on shooting these super hot loads, but it's good to know that S&W had that much faith in these little guns. I've owned two. The first I traded off for an air weight. It didn't take long for me to regret that decision. After a year or so I purchased my second new CENT.
I personally see no need for 357 cal in a 2 inch J frame. I've been happy with my choice. I like to practice with the guns I carry and the steel frame makes these very shootable, yet still allows use of good defensive loads.
If it's priced reasonably I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. Mine has a good DA trigger and shoots really well.

 

[jughed440]

The "CEN" serial numbered 640s were the first run. If that 640 is priced $500 or under it's a bargain.

A couple of desperate bidders are willing to pay over $1300 for an early 640 (it seems that a whole lot of people are paying way too much money for guns being handled by a slick salesman wearing white gloves). The 3rd place bidder stopped at $700
Smith & Wesson 640 Stainless 38 Special +P Rated Prelock Hammerless Model - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 892323208
I recently listed a "CEN" 640 on GB along with 2 boxes of ammo, spare grips, and new holster for about half what the 'winner' paid. Changed my mind and ended the listing after 2 days.

 

[rubiranch]

Here's my 640-1 .357, it has a BST serial number. I added the Combat grips.

According to Mr. Roy Jinks mine was shipped April 1995.

I bought it in 2008, new unfired since leaving the factory from my brother for $400.
I told him that was less than a new one and he just smiled and told me he got a good deal when he bought it.



He took the $400 and bought this 642-1 .38 SPL +P shipped July 2008
for his BUG that he carried from 2008 until he retired on 2014.
He gave it to me in Aug 2014 after he purchased another new 642-1.

It has been my EDC ever since replacing the 640-1.

 

[Eagle1*]

this gun is a 38 special like the one posted above in the GB ad. So it seems they produced the 38sp version along with the 38/357 version during the same time per some of the above info as of now.

 

[jughed440]

...
Here's my 640-1 .357, it has a BST serial number. I added the Combat grips.

According to Mr. Roy Jinks mine was shipped April 1995.

I bought it in 2008, new unfired since leaving the factory from my brother for $400.
I told him that was less than a new one and he just smiled and told me he got a good deal when he bought it.

He took the $400 and bought this 642-1 .38 SPL +P shipped July 2008
for his BUG that he carried from 2008 until he retired on 2014.
He gave it to me in Aug 2014 after he purchased another new 642-1.

It has been my EDC ever since replacing the 640-1.

Your brother has been good to you!
Nice -1. I have been wanting one of those but put off buying back when the prices were reasonable. I'll keep looking.

The empty 640 that I used to carry weighs about the same as the loaded 642-1 that I now carry. Maybe some day i'll compare them on a scale.

 

[The Gila Bender]

My 640 no dash .38 is a 1991 version with serial prefix BFY, and I have a few early 640-1's with serial prefixes BUE, BUF, CAE, all made or shipped in 1995.

A few years ago (well, a lot actually, Dec 2010) I came across an unusual 640-1, serial prefix CDD (1999), product code 103696, with night sights and Eagle Secret Service stocks.

Link to interesting discussion of the 640-1.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...640-1-period-correct-grips.html#post138420168

Pictured here are my 640, 642-1, and a bunch of 640-1's acquired during my early "Centennial Period".

 

[rubiranch]

Your brother has been good to you!
Nice -1. I have been wanting one of those but put off buying back when the prices were reasonable. I'll keep looking.

The empty 640 that I used to carry weighs about the same as the loaded 642-1 that I now carry. Maybe some day i'll compare them on a scale.

Thank you, he has always been good to me.

The 640-1 was getting heavy and I asked him to keep an eye open for a nice used .38 Airweight. When he gave it to me he said, "Here's that Airweight you've been looking for".



He gave me this 28-2 at the same time. He told me that I might as well have it because I was the only one who had ever fired it.

The 642-1 is my EDC and the 28-2 rests on my night stand.

 

[rubiranch]

I have a few early 640-1's with serial prefixes BUF made or shipped in 1995.

That one would have been perfect for my brother. His user name was BUFF.

 

[pmosley]

I have one with serial number CEN000xx, among the first 100 to roll off the line, provided they were stamped chronologically. It is among my favorite J frame.

The 640-no dash was our own late member, Shouldazagged's favorite revolver - if a thread referencing the model was created, he would weigh in without fail.



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[PeteC]

...Pictured here are my 640, 642-1, and a bunch of 640-1's acquired during my early "Centennial Period"...

Wow, that is just the "early" part? I wonder what the Middle Centennial and Late Centennial periods look like!

 

[rincar]

I have a Model 640 with a Cen serial number With the +p+ markings. I also bought a 640-1 that after I shot it I really didn't care for the size and recoil. So I traded it off for another gun although I don't remember what it was.

 

[Bill In Texas]

This is my 640-1 that I got in 2016 from a pawn shop for $400. It became my daily carry shortly after. I believe it dates from 2001. I've never regretted buying it and I'm going to find a backup for it when the prices come back down.

I sometimes want to carry something different, but I always come back to the 640.

 

[Eagle1*]

OK, I went back and looked it over again and it is a 640-2, CCE**** serial number and it says 38 special only on the barrel. It is a steel gun, so I am sure that I could shoot +P out of it if I decide to buy it. What do you think it is worth price wise, the trigger is great, lockup is great but it has some light scratching on the edges form probably carry. Did not look like it has been shot much. NO box, just gun, Thoughts???

 

[jughed440]

OK, I went back and looked it over again and it is a 640-2, CCE**** serial number and it says 38 special only on the barrel. It is a steel gun, so I am sure that I could shoot +P out of it if I decide to buy it. What do you think it is worth price wise, the trigger is great, lockup is great but it has some light scratching on the edges form probably carry. Did not look like it has been shot much. NO box, just gun, Thoughts???

As is with all other models, opinions of value will be all over the place.
Their asking price??

 

[Vilkus]

According to what I've read in my S&W book the 640-2 has the elongated (new) frame.
640-2 (1997) Reintroduce in 38 Special for NYPD.

Sounds like it's a 640-1 with 38 Sp. chambering.
I personally see nothing wrong with that and wouldn't think it would be any more or less valuable than a 640.

 

[Eagle1*]

According to what I've read in my S&W book the 640-2 has the elongated (new) frame.
640-2 (1997) Reintroduce in 38 Special for NYPD.

Sounds like it's a 640-1 with 38 Sp. chambering.
I personally see nothing wrong with that and wouldn't think it would be any more or less valuable than a 640.

NO it said, 38 S&W SPL. on the barrel. 499.00 was the asking price. Also said 640-2 on the inside under serial number. I verified all of this b4 I walked out again.

 

[Vilkus]

NO it said, 38 S&W SPL. on the barrel. 499.00 was the asking price.

Misunderstanding. I didn't mean that it was a reworked -1
just that S&W built a 38 special on the new 357 mag frame and called it a -2.
NYPD wanted a J 38SP. Maybe the old short frames were out of production at the time so the new frame was used. It's all speculation on my part.