640 vs 640-1

[Road Rat]

Before inserting my thoughts on the difference of these two models I'll just ask.

What is different about the 640-1 that caused S&W to add the -1?

Thanks

 

[fishwishin]

I think the -1 was the version that allowed the Centennial to go to .357.

 

[BigBoku]

I think the -1 was the version that allowed the Centennial to go to .357.

That is correct the - 1 extended the frame and cylinder and was the introduction of the “magnum J frame” with the fully shrouded 2.125 barrel.

 

[rubiranch]

My 640-1 was the first handgun I ever purchased.
I bought it like new in 2008. It was shipped April 1995.
I added the Smooth Combat Grips. It was my first EDC.

 

[Bill In Texas]

My 640-1 has been the gun I've EDC'd more than any other. Loaded up with the Speer GDSB 357's, I just drop it in a Mika holster, and into my front shorts pocket. I love my little Centennial!

 

[Road Rat]

Well, that is what I thought. When I looked up the 640 it says it can use both .38 Special and .357 Magnum.

SKU: 163690
Model: Model 640
Caliber: 357 Magnum, 38 S&W SPECIAL +P

I don't find the Dash One listed so I'm guessing the 640 is now the big man on campus! S&W also has a 640 Pro Series with an MSRP of almost $900.........!!!

Yeah, I know, I get bored easily.

 

[slabside2]

My 640-1 was the first handgun I ever purchased.
I bought it like new in 2008. It was shipped April 1995.
I added the Smooth Combat Grips. It was my first EDC.

That’s A beautiful gun and I see it’s an early gun pre 96” no MIM parts.

 

[stansdds]

Yep, the -1 was chambered in 357 Magnum and I have one. It's a great revolver for CCW, fits great IWB or in a pocket holster. It is a real hand full with full power 357 Magnum ammo, it is a lot easier to control and much more pleasant with 38 Special +P. Of the all-steel J-frames, I think it is among the best and the caliber gives the owner a lot of ammo options.

 

[Mister X]

A no dash 640 would be a nice gun to have, I wish they still offered them.

S&W refuses to release the current standard 640 without the lock. The only centennial model they don’t. I’d probably buy two if they did. I guess they want to push the Pro and engraved models(both come without the IL), but I absolutely abhor night sights, don’t want my cylinder cut for moon clips and don’t feel like paying a bunch of extra money for a bead-blasted finish and engraving I don’t want or need.

Mini-rant over.

 

[shirojiro]

Love my 640 pro

It and my 642 are my EDC guns.

Not sure what’s so bad about night sights but the nice thing about the setup is they’re easy to change.

My 642 front sight is drilled with a small tritium insert as well.

Despite the Internet experts, I find the 640 easy to pocket carry and doesn’t create such a burden. I also find a speed loader easy to carry in my offhand pocket.

When I’m in dress clothes, the 642 is easier, but still the 640 is doable with a decent belt, even in a pocket.


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[ContinentalOp]

Despite the Internet experts, I find the 640 easy to pocket carry and doesn’t create such a burden.

So people who've tried it and found it too heavy for them don't exist? They're just making it up?

Just because it works for you doesn't mean it works for everyone.

 

[NB4EST]

I like the moon-clip capability of my 640-Pro for the fool-proof extraction of the long .357 cases.

 

[SAFireman]

I bought a 640-1 in 1997 and carried it in a pocket or with the clip-grip. It is a handful with full-house 125gr Federal Mags. I had a 640 no-dash for a while, but it got replaced by a pair of 342ti's.

The 640-1 is one of the finest actions that I have had. I will be keeping mine around despite my daily carry shifting to a 340sc (much lighter).

 

[Mister X]

Not sure what’s so bad about night sights

In total darkness, I find them terribly distracting. I didn’t notice that so much initially during lowlight training, but when I was convinced someone was breaking into our home one night, my opinion changed dramatically and I immediately moved away from them. YMMV

A couple quotes...

“I am not in the camp that recommends night sights.
Nightsights are a big marketing thing. They have their place, but that place isn't justified by the overwhelming presence in the marketplace except for the fact that they sell well. The conditions under which nightsights are actually very valuable are pretty contrived, for example:
Enough light to see/indentify the threat, but not enough light/contrast to line-up the sights and the need for precision dictates precise sight alignment. Perhaps you are in the dark and the threat is in a decently lit room, but wearing dark clothes and not within 10', for example.
I think (hope?) we are past the point where people are preaching a "need" for nightsights.“ - Rob Pincus

“Here is the thought - if it is dark, but there is enough ambient light to see my adversary, I neither need "night sights" nor a flashlight. I just shoot as I do during the day. If he is close, he is a short time frame problem. I shoot him. If I can see some sights, cool. But I am not waiting to see them. If he is far away, I probably won't be able to see where he is in dark environments so nights sights are of no benefit. The more I work with this, the more I am convinced that plain black non-illuminated sights are the best option for a CCW pistol.“ - Gabe Suarez

 

[rincar]

I purchased one of 640s with CEN serial number prefix. In the early 1990s It is rated for +p+. I carried it off duty for several years in a ankle holster. IT was a good set you as long as you kept the holster strapped to your leg fairly tight. I wore it on the right ankle with the butt forward. So I could draw it with either right or left hand. I still have it the 640. I wore the holster out and I never could find another like it.

 

[shirojiro]

So people who've tried it and found it too heavy for them don't exist? They're just making it up?

Just because it works for you doesn't mean it works for everyone.

Quite the contrary actually.
Folks for whom it doesn’t work like to write that it’s impossible to use as a pocket gun. My experience is different. I haven’t read too many people saying that.


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[shirojiro]

In total darkness, I find them terribly distracting. I didn’t notice that so much initially during lowlight training, but when I was convinced someone was breaking into our home one night, my opinion changed dramatically and I immediately moved away from them. YMMV

A couple quotes...

“I am not in the camp that recommends night sights.
Nightsights are a big marketing thing. They have their place, but that place isn't justified by the overwhelming presence in the marketplace except for the fact that they sell well. The conditions under which nightsights are actually very valuable are pretty contrived, for example:
Enough light to see/indentify the threat, but not enough light/contrast to line-up the sights and the need for precision dictates precise sight alignment. Perhaps you are in the dark and the threat is in a decently lit room, but wearing dark clothes and not within 10', for example.
I think (hope?) we are past the point where people are preaching a "need" for nightsights.“ - Rob Pincus

“Here is the thought - if it is dark, but there is enough ambient light to see my adversary, I neither need "night sights" nor a flashlight. I just shoot as I do during the day. If he is close, he is a short time frame problem. I shoot him. If I can see some sights, cool. But I am not waiting to see them. If he is far away, I probably won't be able to see where he is in dark environments so nights sights are of no benefit. The more I work with this, the more I am convinced that plain black non-illuminated sights are the best option for a CCW pistol.“ - Gabe Suarez

I think my feeling is that they don’t get in the way of anything for me, and I do t see myself shooting into total darkness if I can help it - I’d like to have some idea of what I’m shooting at. If I’m shooting during hand to hand contact, then the sights are pretty much moot as your Suarez quote states.

The nice thing about the 640 night sights is that they’re dovetailed and exchangeable if you want something different. My other j frames doesn’t give you that choice.


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[pawncop]

The 640-1 was my on duty second gun and one of my off duty sidearms. As has been mentioned earlier, with .357 rounds it is a handful, but .38 special +P loads were not an issue.

 

[rubiranch]

The 640-1 was my on duty second gun and one of my off duty sidearms. As has been mentioned earlier, with .357 rounds it is a handful, but .38 special +P loads were not an issue.

Weight was the reason I got my 642-1.

 

[wx7b]

Had a 640-1 that was a fine revolver, and was tolerable to shoot with full load 357s. But - - was too heavy for me in pocket or ankle carry, so sold and bought a 642, which we still have and wife uses for a daily carry. BTW my MI State Patrol sister carried one as a duty gun for her career. These days I use my 60-15 in an IWB or belt holster. Love those J's!!