60 vs 640 vs 649

[S&WForty]

I own a shrouded hammer 638, but I don't carry it often. It does wear me down at the range a lot quicker than my Shield 40. I like the challenge of shooting such a small gun, but when my paws start hurting, it gets old fast.

Comparing the weights on S&W's site, the steel J frames are less than 2 ounces heavier than my Shield, so for carrying, I don't think one will be a problem.

I am just stuck trying to decide between the 60, 640, and 649. I know looks should not be a factor, but I think my 638 humpback is kinda ugly, and the 60 just looks like a beauty. Maybe the satin finish plays a role vs the painted finish on my 638. (more than than the hammer vs hump)

I love having the DA/SA option at the range, so the 640 is running in 3rd place.

I guess I am curious if there are any Model-60 owners here that after carrying in various manners wished they had the gotten the 640 or 649 instead due to the hammer's presence.

Also, are any or all three of these 357 J frames in current production without the infamous internal lock?

Thank you for the advice.

 

[Mister X]

I would go with the 640.

I think it smart to practice at the range as you would shoot in a defense scenario. No need to establish bad habits. Single action isn't necessary and doesn't really offer any practical benefits for self-defense. The enclosed hammer offers a no snag draw, is good for close-quarter scenarios since there's no hammer to get entangled or blocked and even allows firing from inside a jacket pocket or purse.

I had a model 60 years ago, but have since gone exclusively to the enclosed hammer versions. One incident that really influenced me was seeing my wife in a panic over what we thought was an attempted break in keep trying to cock the hammer despite me telling her not to do so numerous times. She knew better, but you just never know how someone will react in a crisis. I traded the 60 in for a 640 the very next day.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

The 640 (actually, any of the concealed hammer "centennial" models) offer smoother trigger pulls (fewer parts). I would definitely recommend Hogue grips giving you a slightly longer length of pull (to use a shotgunning term) which is more comfortable.

Me EDC is an airweight 642 and is comfortable to shoot because of the grips.

 

[S&WForty]

Mister X, your incident reminds me of how my mother kept wanting to cock the hammer on the model 67 I got her, and that was at the range with no stress.

SAC, I had handled a 642 at my gun store, and thought it felt better than my 638. Now I know I wasn't imagining things. I'll look at the Hogue grips.

 

[Zipdog]

Hands down the 640. When milliseconds count in a self defense situation don't need to be cocking no hammer or snagged up from drawing. Just plain stupid.

 

[Mister X]

Two very good and relevant articles from Massad Ayoob and Grant Cunningham...

Hammer Or… “-Less?”Guns Magazine.com | Guns Magazine.com

The case for the double action only revolver. - www.GrantCunningham.com www.GrantCunningham.com

 

[colt_saa]

I have been carrying a J-Frame almost every day of my life since 1980.

It used to be only as a backup, these days it is more of a primary role.

I have many for personal use and as part of the training inventory.

For pocket or purse carry my preference has always been a Centennial. There is less to snag on a draw and no open spaces for things to accumulate in

If carried in a holster, either on my ankle or belt, I prefer a Chief's Special. I even like carrying a holstered Chief's Special Target, but they have never been offered in 357 Magnum.

Of course ever rule has an exception and part of this year I have been carrying a pair of PC 940 Specials in a NY Reload, mostly because it looks cool when doing classes or demos

I always carry the heaviest variation that my style of clothing that day allows.

Do not forget that a proper grip selection goes a long way to how a shooter interfaces with his/her revolver. That is why my training guns have so many different grips on them.

You never filled out the rest of your information when you registered, so we have no idea where you are located. If you are in the South Florida area, I would gladly meet you at my range so you can try each variation

 

[629shooter]

Another vote for the 640. Mine is an older 640-1, with the best trigger/action that I have encountered on a J-frame.

The 640 Pro Series(current production) doesn't have the ILS.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[ContinentalOp]

The Centennials are the only ones currently in production without the internal lock.

I would lean towards the 640. The new 640 Pro would be tempting.

Now, if I could get an older 649 without the internal lock and modified to DAO, the choice just got a whole lot tougher.

 

[S&WForty]

I appreciate everyone's advice. To guarantee a parking spot, I'll be at my gun store when they unlock the doors Saturday morning. I'm definitely leaning towards the 640.

 

[caleb4387]

personally I think the 49/649 looks pretty cool

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Seems your third choice is the crowd favorite. I'm another 640 fan (640 Pro). If I feel a need to go "light" (rarely) I plug in my M&P 340.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[S&WForty]

Seems your third choice is the crowd favorite. I'm another 640 fan (640 Pro). If I feel a need to go "light" (rarely) I plug in my M&P 340.

Cheers,

Bob

You're the person who can probably answer my next question! Since the 640 Pro Series cylinder is cut for moon clips, do moon clips have to be used all of the time?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

No, the clips aren't required at all. In fact when I'm practicing I don't use them (too much hassle and it slows down the session). Although, at the end of a shooting session I do practice with the clips to drop the five spent cases and reload a new moon clip (rather a pointless exercise since I don't "carry" a spare moon clip, ever).

Cheers,

Bob

ps: Since I was a kid I've heard "Bob could tear up an anvil." I like the shrouded extractor rod for that reason.

 

[Edmo]

... Since the 640 Pro Series cylinder is cut for moon clips, do moon clips have to be used all of the time?

I can answer that one... No.

The 640 Pro can be loaded in the following ways:

- Manually like every other J-frame, one loose round at a time.
- Like every other J-frame, with a standard speedloader.
- Like every other J-frame, with a standard speed strip.
- And with 5 rounds at once using a 5-round moon clip.

Pictured below is my 640 Pro. It has loose rounds in the cylinder and both a speed strip and a 5-round moon clip next to it.

Edmo

 

[Amp]

640 was my carry for about 30 years. As life changed, it got heavy so it became a night stand gun.
Now I carry the M&P340 with 38+p loads.
Stay with the 640 or similar weight and you don't need to use magnum loads.

 

[Eagle1*]

I too like the centiniel models as well. I have 4 of them and a 638 and like the concealed hammer. I need a 640 as well cause all of my J's are air weights...

 

[KSDeputy]

I have a model 637, and plan on buying a snub nose model 60. I do not like revolvers that do not have exposed hammers. I also do not like adjustable sights on a revolver that may need to be used to protect my life. Just my opinion.

 

[Bastogne71]

I've got a model 60 and 640, both the Pro versions. For carry, it's always the 640! The M60 with a 3" barrel and adjustable sights is by far the better for fun at the range, a nightstand gun, or for general purpose woods walking but not as a concealed carry piece.
So it depends on what is the primary use you want the pistol for.

 

[zogger]

I looked at a Model 60 (2 /14 and 3") and the 642. I went with the Model 60 3" over the 642 for the following reasons:

1) I will carry it IWB in a Garrett Industries Silent Thunder IWB Revolver holster. So having a hammer is less of an issue for catching when drawing. Also the little heavier SS vs the lightweight is not an issue.

2) The Model 60 fit my hand better. When I added the Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips, it was even better.

3) I liked the idea of an adjustable sight so I can fine tune the sight to me.

See this post for the conversation. Also this post has my impression after 400 rnds.

Good luck! Any will be a good choice.