640 Barrel Issue

[Jmick67]

I recently purchased the 640 for a backup gun as it was stainless. When I got it home I noticed that the barrel said 38+ and not 357. The dealer didn't believe me and said if it does, don't shoot 357 out of it. I called Smith and they said it must have a642 barrel on it but I would be OK.
Smith wants me to send it back and have the barrel replaced. I have had them work on my guns before and it was always excellent. I am wondering if this is a good idea. I kind of want the 357 marking on the barrel for work reasons plus that's also why I paid extra.
Any thoughts or experiences on this issue??

 

[dubshooter]

Is it a brand new 640? Are you certain it is not an older 38 version? Is the cylinder a 357 cylinder? Can you fit a 357 into the cylinder of the gun?

 

[dubshooter]

Also, I don’t think you’d have a 642 barrel on there because they don’t have shrouded ejector rods. I think that would be pretty noticeable.

 

[Jmick67]

Brand NEW!! Serial number comes back to a M640 and box says 357. I am just going by what Smith said on the barrel.

 

[dubshooter]

Does it have an shrouded ejector rod? If it were me and it was brand new, I would send it in. Could be just a mix up when they stamped it. I don’t know if the barrels for .357 are made to different specs than 38 or not. I would be curious if you had a 357 round or snap cap if it would fit in the cylinder. My guess is it would based on your description

 

[Jmick67]

Does have a shrouded ejector rod.
I will try to get some snap caps
Just wonder about the barrel being fine as smith said

 

[ContinentalOp]

Not sure if this matters, but I recall there being a run of 640s on the magnum frame but chambered in .38 Special for NYPD. I wonder if it's possible that your gun has an overrun barrel from that production? Or maybe it's simply a mistaken barrel marking?

Personally, I would feel better about it if I sent it to S&W and had them correct it.

 

[oldiesradio1560]

Is it a 640-3? That is the current model of .357. Look on the frame before you send it back to the mother ship. Sounds like a stamping screw up to me.

 

[Jmick67]

Thanks for the help. It is the 640-3. I will just send it back.
Thanks for the insight, I suppose with Smith saying it's the wrong barrel and I can't be issued 357 ammo unless this is corrected, I will send it in. Just a little nervous about having such work done before a gun was even fired. Previous work from Smith was perfect though.
Thanks again

 

[Lobster Picnic]

How's the trigger? S&W will probably do a free action job on it while they have it.

 

[S&W Rover]

This one is interesting. The .38 Special marking on the barrel should accompany a cylinder that accepts only .38 Special length rounds! The NYPD "hybrid" explanation may be the answer.

I suspect the barrel, no matter how marked, would work just fine with whatever fits in the cylinder.

For the OP: Please let us know what response you get back from the factory when you send it in!

 

[Jmick67]

Thanks. I will let everyone know what happens. They sent out a Fedex label. Right now, they say it's a 642 barrel and it's fine as it is. I wonder if they will let me know what corrections they actually make or just send it back??

 

[Frank121]

Do you have any pictures you could share with us? We love looking at guns!

I recently purchased the 640 for a backup gun as it was stainless. When I got it home I noticed that the barrel said 38+ and not 357. The dealer didn't believe me and said if it does, don't shoot 357 out of it. I called Smith and they said it must have a642 barrel on it but I would be OK.
Smith wants me to send it back and have the barrel replaced. I have had them work on my guns before and it was always excellent. I am wondering if this is a good idea. I kind of want the 357 marking on the barrel for work reasons plus that's also why I paid extra.
Any thoughts or experiences on this issue??

 

[Telecaster]

How's the trigger? S&W will probably do a free action job on it while they have it.

I doubt it. I sent in my 66-8 and they replaced it with a new gun, no trigger job. I probably should have requested one, though.

Definitely request a trigger job, it's worth it.

 

[iPac]

Do you have any pictures you could share with us? We love looking at guns!

I agree. Gotta show some pics to document this, and appease the crowd such as myself.

 

[NCBeagle]

Not sure if this matters, but I recall there being a run of 640s on the magnum frame but chambered in .38 Special for NYPD. I wonder if it's possible that your gun has an overrun barrel from that production? Or maybe it's simply a mistaken barrel marking?



Personally, I would feel better about it if I sent it to S&W and had them correct it.

Yes, the 640-2 was a .38 Special (Okay for +P) only run on the J Magnum frame for NYPD. Mine has sort of a matte / bead blasted finish.

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