640-1 or 3" 60?? 357 magnum goodness!!!

[Stopsign32v]

I have the opportunity to get one...now. I can get a used 640-1 locally, lightly used for a little under $500. It has no lock but isn't the first version with the round thumb lock, it's the tear drop one. The only thing that is holding me back is the barrel length. Both of these will be carried in a holster (the 640 I could actually pocket maybe). However the barrel length with the 357 magnum load will be mostly wasted. Huge flash and noise with not much FPS. Now I know some of you are in the process of typing "Just run 38 special..." and I'll go ahead and tell you I have no intentions of running 38 special as a concealed weapon. I don't want to go into why, lets just leave it at that.

The 60 3" would be MUCH better for velocity with the 357 but it would not be able to be carried pocket and it would be a bit more than $500, newer too. But also with a lock.

Given the fact both will be ran with 357 magnum, which should I go with for now? Not worried about recoil... Help guys!

 

[Bill In Texas]

I had the same problem, trying to decide between the Pro 60 and the Pro 640. After some help here I went with the 60. I was going to carry either gun in a holster anyway, so I went with the longer barrel. I'm glad I went the way I did as I'm very accurate with the 60.

I would still get a 640 if my wife decides to get her license to carry. It would make a great purse gun for her! Hope this helps!

 

[Stopsign32v]

I really like the idea of an early 640. But the 2" barrel practicality of a 357 magnum I struggle to find the purpose of.

Maybe with a faster burning powder?

 

[Stopsign32v]

I had the same problem, trying to decide between the Pro 60

That's a problem all in itself!!!!! 60 pro or 60. The trigger on the 60 pro I held was

I've never held a 60 but I doubt it would be a nice. However I don't like the angle at the end of the 60 pro's ejector rod.

 

[dubshooter]

I have a 2" SP101 and always wished I got the 3". I just got a 640. Got it because it will be in the pocket as a BUG at work. If I didn't have plans to pocket it, it would be a 3" 60.

But, I don't like the looks of the 3". But I understand the function.

If it's a belt gun, get the 3".

 

[Cal44]

That's a problem all in itself!!!!! 60 pro or 60. The trigger on the 60 pro I held was

I've never held a 60 but I doubt it would be a nice. However I don't like the angle at the end of the 60 pro's ejector rod.

I have a standard 60-15 (the current model).

It is accurate and has a very nice trigger.

I believe the trigger quality of a new gun is "luck of the draw".

Some are good, some are bad, some are terrible.

Best to find a gun store with several in stock and try them all until you find a good one.

Although my 3" 60 had a nice trigger out of the box, the barrel was clocked badly. At trip back to the mother ship made it right.

BTW, I had Mika make me a pocket holster for the 3" M60 and carry that way sometimes. It works OK if you have pants with big enough pockets.

 

[Stopsign32v]

I have a 2" SP101 and always wished I got the 3". I just got a 640. Got it because it will be in the pocket as a BUG at work. If I didn't have plans to pocket it, it would be a 3" 60.

But, I don't like the looks of the 3". But I understand the function.

If it's a belt gun, get the 3".

I just sold my 2" SP101. No more Rugers for me. My wheel gun collection is going to be all Smiths.

 

[kevin in nh]

I have been carrying my 640-1 w/357 loads for years while bow hunting. I used it once to scare off a big NH bear after I made a lousy shot on an 8 pointer. The smell of the deers blood was blowing right to him and after yelling and stomping the ground he kept coming towards me so at 25 yards I put one a foot in front and a foot to his right and he ambled off. I know the guy who hunts on the abutting property who shot him a week later.....he dressed 330....

 

[old bear]

Given the fact both will be ran with 357 magnum, which should I go with for now? Not worried about recoil... Help guys!
Reply With Quote

Sir, if you are like myself and most other mortals, the recoil from a .357 Magnum round in a J frame will quickly become a worry.

I've got a model 640-1 and it's a great "run a quick errand" gun.

 

[Jingles]

Well, for .357 the 3" Model 60 would certainly be best, but you could always go with the 640 and hope the muzzle flash blinded them .

 

[kthom]

Shoot a good quality premium +P .38 Special round in either one of these guns and you will be well prepared for personal protection. The magnums are not worth the extra noise and flash and bang, IMO. And without a longer barrel, the magnums do not perform anywhere near advertised levels. I like the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain HP loads made for short barrels and I also like the old FBI load (Lead SWC HP 158 grain bullets) by anybody who makes them. It is a tried and true performer.

Now to my preference (mine ... not necessarily yours, either model will do you good!), for a personal protection carry gun, the Centennial style of the 640 and the 2 1/8" barrel length makes for the ideal carry gun. I don't carry much in pockets and I only ever shoot these revolvers in double action so not having a hammer spur is a good thing for me. Nothing to get caught if the gun is slipped in a coat pocket, etc. I think the 640-1 is about as good as it gets. Being made for .357 mag means it's good and strong and will never have a problem with +P .38 Special loading, it's heavy enough to shoot well with them, and it seems more balanced to me than the shorter or longer barrels, especially for personal every day carry. Me? I'd get the 640 in a heartbeat if I could only get one, but I'd be ciphering to see if there was any way I could get both of them!! Win/Win!!

 

[bronco45]

Went through the same dilemma! Sold the 60 3" kept the 640 Pro. Kept the 640 for it's action, night sights, moonclips and easy of concealed carry.

I shoot the Speer Short Bbl 357 in the 640. I use the Hogue Tamer grip for it and carry it in holsters. Holsters are IWB in summer and a Lobo enhanced Pancake in the cooler months. With 357s I use the Hogue tamer grip as it covers all the steel backstrap and eases the recoil of 357 for me. Gun is very accurate with 38s and 357s.

 

[Telecaster]

.357 ballistics in a snubbie are fine. There's still more muzzle velocity than a 5" 1911 puts out. With the right grips my SP101 is bearable to shoot but .38+P is a breeze. I've tried an LCR and NFW I'd shoot .357 through something that light.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Well looks like both are off the table for now. Bought a Glock 19 Austrian proof marked imported that came over on a boat around 2009 during the Obama scare.

Yes...I collect Glocks. LOL

 

[Edmo]

Well looks like both are off the table for now. Bought a Glock 19 Austrian proof marked imported that came over on a boat around 2009 during the Obama scare.

Yes...I collect Glocks. LOL

Congrats on your new GLOCK! The G19 is truly an iconic and very effective self-defense handgun.

There might be one on my cleaning table below...

On edit: When you posted your purchase choice I'm sure some here likely spit coffee on their screens.

Edmo

 

[gnystrom]

I have both the 640 Pro. and the Mod.60 pro.
The hammerless is the obvious choice for pocket carry. Both guns are accurate for their intended SD purposes. You will impress more people at your local range with the Mod. 60 3".

 

[SuperMan]

Since I rarely pocket carry a revolver I would vote the 60. I have two of the 60-10s and they are a great gun. I use mine mainly for hiking/camping/backpacking/fishing and anything else around water.

One has been fitted with an extra cylinder that will run .38 Super and 9mm in addition to the .357 and .38 Special.

...and I am with you...no .38s for me either.

But since you have gone over "to the Dark Side"...all of this is moot...

Bob

 

[BB57]

A few thoughts...

A steel frame J-magnum revolver is a bit too heavy for pocket carry, even in a good pocket holster.

In contrast, an alloy frame .357 like the 340 is a real bear to shoot at 14 oz with .357 Magnum loads.

The extra 9 oz of a steel frame Modle 60 along with a decent set of rubber grips makes it a realistically shootable weapon even with .357 Magnum, and with .38 +p loads it's a piece of cake.

I carry a Model 60-15 in a well designed IWB holster and it's both very concealable and very comfortable even when worn from morning until night.

With a .38 +P load I get about 80 fps more velocity than with a 2.125" Model 60, and in .357 Magnum with a 3" barrel, I still get an average velocity of 1,245 fps with a 125 gr bullet.

 

[lrrifleman]

BB57,

Where did you get that holster? It is exactly what I am looking for for my S&W model 36-6!

 

[BB57]

It's a Wild Bills Concealment Covert Carry. It's a tuckable design and the clip location also does a great job of keeping the profile thin and keeps the butt close to your side.

The company is a family based company down the road in Garner NC. As I recall the, the 3" version is a special order, but while the website says 8-10 weeks I've never had it take more than 2-3 weeks for a special order from them.

Summer is also their slow period so 2-3 weeks is a reasonable expectation.