640 +p+ rated

[John Sobieski]

thanks

Thank you for posting the image of the +P+ marking.

 

[Sonny Crocket]

Thank you for posting the image of the +P+ marking.

Your welcome.
It was taken with my iPhone. Not the best quality, but all I have.

 

[Malysh]

I had a very early Mod 640 with a CEN prefix that was marked tested for +P+. I sold it years ago.
A few years ago I picked up another one. It has a BN? prefix and it's not marked with the +P info.

Most of the Mod 640s are not marked that way, only the earliest ones.

You can shoot whatever 38 special you like in this revolver. Nothing to worry about.

 

[edw794]

here's mine- model 640 .38 special, "cen" serial number:

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

That is absoluletly SWEET!!
I know Dan aka DC7 had/has one of these or was looking for a "CEN" Prefix 640-1..
You have to know that these would be the last of the "Small Frame" 640 Centennials & "CEN" would be the prefix for "Centennial"

 

[PMRet]

These were actually the very first 640's, then they went to the regular serial number prefix and did away with the "tested for +P+". According to page 263 of SCSW 3rd edition under Model 640 .38 Centennial Stainless, "Early production guns reported with serial numbers prefixed CEN."

I carry one of these, and I'm getting ready to sell another really nice one if anybody is looking.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I'm Wrong Again!!

 

[st regis]

CEN 43xx rides on my ankle every night at work. The pants leg has kept the smooth stocks protected.

 

[Steve_Revo_]

I know this is an old thread but I recently picked one of these up and was hoping that someone might have a better handle on how many were actually built?

 

[Old Corp]

Have a retired ATF friend and he recalls an order his agency got from S&W for those M640's. At the time, their duty load was the 'Treasury Load', .38 110 gr. JHP +P+, as they were trying to stay away from the 'magnum' labeling to more closely appeal to the PC side of things.

 

[murphydog]

I know this is an old thread but I recently picked one of these up and was hoping that someone might have a better handle on how many were actually built?

No one knows. The frame marking was scattered across the CEN prefix guns, and I recall reading here about lower numbered guns without it and later numbered ones with it. So the best you can guess is more than a few hundred and less than ten thousand.

 

[tenntex32]

Wouldn't 38spl +P+ simply bump it into the 9x19 class..........or was the inference truly closer to .357Magnum than 9mm?

 

[Rock185]

tenntex32, I chronographed some .38 Spcl. +P+ years ago, IIRC it was Federal. I'd have to dig through a lot of old chronograph notes to find the details, but do recall velocity was unimpressive. Not close to .357 at all. Even standard pressure 9MM in the short barrel revolvers was much more impressive than the .38 +P+ I tested.....

 

[steelslaver]

I disagree that there is a contradiction here.

It does not say approved for +P+, it does not even say rated for +P+. All it says is tested for +P+. They do not tell you if it passed or failed that test.

If it was tested for +P+ and failed it would be in a scrap metal bin. What they could find of it anyway,

 

[tenntex32]

tenntex32, I chronographed some .38 Spcl. +P+ years ago, IIRC it was Federal. I'd have to dig through a lot of old chronograph notes to find the details, but do recall velocity was unimpressive. Not close to .357 at all. Even standard pressure 9MM in the short barrel revolvers was much more impressive than the .38 +P+ I tested.....

I kinda figured as much considering the chamber pressures typically associated with the 9x19 and .357Magnum cartridges.

I wonder if someone has access to the exact pressure test round S&W used for proof testing........and what they felt a 38spl+P+ round actually was at the time?

I'm extremely curios as to the details. If I were an owner I would feel them actually stamping a pressure rating instead of +P+ would have been more beneficial.

 

[sigp220.45]

I used to qualify with +P+ .38 Specials in my old Model 36. It was a 147 grain Hydra-Shok that did about 950 fps. Not very impressive.

J frame .38s are strong little boogers. The five shot cylinder puts the bolt cuts between the chambers and there is no forcing cone to speak of. They would probably hold up better than K frames.

 

[stansdds]

I agree, the J-frame is actually a very stout design. I think its issues with durability typically come from the aluminum frame versions.

 

[jughed440]

I know this is an old thread but I recently picked one of these up and was hoping that someone might have a better handle on how many were actually built?

I have a 640 that has the same "Tested For +P+" marking, and a CEN77XX serial #. I have seen one in the 78XX range. Not sure how many were produced.

attachments..
The 1990 catalog states that the all new 640 is RATED for +P+. So you're legally covered if you try +P+ and it blows up.

The warning on the Winchester "Ranger" +P+ box is an interesting read.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Just today I bought some 38+P.
The seller had some +P+ That he really wanted to sell me!
Why didn't I buy some?
Read the posts on this thread!
I'll be shooting these mostly in several J Frames.
Yes, several are 357s. Some aren't.
If I want to shoot 357, what can I do?
I have 357 ammo!