Feedback on the 640 Pro

[Marshal Tom]

I have been looking at them for a very long time. I love the look of them with the flutter barrel and the much better sights. I had a 640 and sold it and then an M&P 340 that I had for many years. I traded it away for a 649-2 because it was much nicer to shoot than the 340. For those of you who have the 640 Pro, how do you like them? I have heard reports that they don't shoot to POA/POI. Not sure what they are calibrated for in terms of load. What has been your experience???

 

[madmikeb]

I've had one for a few years, I think it's the best j-frame for carry that Smith ever made, and when the weather is hot this is my number one carry piece. The sight and the ability to use moon clips is what sold me on one. I shoot mine with a mid range load of Unique, I don't remember exactly what the charge is and most of my ammo is packed away for an upcoming move so I can't check, with a Hornaday 125 grain XTP. I call it a .357-P.
I would rather shoot my 4" 500 than a J with a full house load, even an all steel one.
As far as shooting to point of aim, at defensive distances, I'll say 15 yards of less, mine is fine with a center hold.

 

[snowman.45]

I have two of them (couldn't resist). Both are excellent. Both shoot to point of aim at reasonable distances; out to 15 yards, with 158 gr. .38+P. I've shot some magnum through them, but never really checked POA vs POI with them. I'm quite fond of mine. They get carried a lot.

 

[Birdhunter6]

The 640 P has been my EDC for years. I love it.

I load the 110 XTP +P .38. My .357 target load is a plated flat point 158 over 231 in a .357 case. Inside 12 yards I get good A box hits at speed. At 15 yards I have to slow down & concentrate. At 25 I can put them all on a 2/3 IPSC, but I can't brag about the group.

Good:
Steel frame, good trade off, weight to absorb recoil, but you have to carry it.

.357 chambers give longer extractor travel which I like even though I load +P .38s for carry.

DAO is safe and simple for pocket carry. The only way I shoot revolvers anyway. Why don't they make K, L & N frames like that?

Tritium sights because bad things happen in low light.

Not so good:

The moon clips didn't work well for me. They aren't as thick and rigid as .45 clips. I pocket carry and even in the watch pocket of my jeans the clips got bent. A Safariland speedloader isn't as compact but comes out of the same pocket intact and ready for use.

I wish it had a 3" barrel which would allow for full length extraction of a .38 case. The 640 Pro replaced a 3" 36-1 as my EDC. I actually prefer the 3" barrel and blue finish but DOA and tritium sights are the deciding factors.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I've been carrying my 640 Pro for six years.

First time I took it out I tried seven different types of ammo with a center hold: 1 x .38 Spl RNL, 2 x .38 Spl +P, and 4 x .357 Magnum.

Six shot low and left at 21'. I thought it was the sights.

The last one was POI at POA: Barnes 140gr Lead Free .357 Magnum.

No surprise that's what I've been carrying ever since.

Those big Karl Nill Centennial stocks fit my XXL paw and make it handle like a K-frame.

 

[CH4]

I carried a pro for several years and never warmed up to the sights. To my mind, having the taller night sights on a centennial was superfluous, gimmicky; dumped it for a standard 640-1. Even better than the larger 640-1, are my 640, 342PD and 940; they accomplish the same purpose, but in a smaller package.

 

[SLCDW]

I agree with all of the positive comments on the 640 Pro.
Not counting the Airweight in my pocket, the 640 Pro is my most carried gun. It is fun at the range and can serve as a bedside gun. The trigger really smoothed out with use. If I could only have one J frame for belt carry, it would be the 640 Pro followed closely by the 36-1 sb. When the time comes and I have to downsize the collection, the 640 Pro will be one of a handful of guns that I will own to the end.

 

[lkabug]

There's a lot to love about the 640 pro and the 940 pro.
Don't leave home without one.

 

[malph]

The 640 Pro is a good gun. The sights make it distinctly easier to shoot well, at least for me.

I've shot and collected J Frames for a long time.

The 640 Pro is a keeper.

 

[olympicmotors]

I love my 640 pro and carried it for years, until I bought a Kimber K6s. The Kimber just edges out my 640 mainly because of the extra round, however I still occasionally carry my 640. You cannot beat a small 357 for concealed carry in my opinion.

One of the best features of a revolver for carry , that is not talked about much is the safety aspect inherent in a revolver. Long trigger pull , coupled with a transfer bar internal safety equals peace of mind !

 

[Well Armed]

I own a 640 Pro, Kimber K6S, and the Colt King Cobra. I'll have to disagree with @olympicmotors. Yes, Kimber has an extraround, but IMHO, the 640 Pro is a nicer, more robust feeling, tried and true, and well vetted revolver.

 

[wheelyfun66]

I used to have a 640 Pro, but never really appreciated it at the time.
This thread has me eyeballing another 640 Pro, to augment my K frame carry during hot weather.
I never really pocket carry J frames, so a heavier J frame never bothered me (IWB carry)

 

[Kansasgunner]

This is my second 640 Pro. Traded the first one off about six years ago. Bought number two in October of 2023 and I’ve been very pleased with it. Lower back issues have limited me to pocket carry or a shoulder holster.
Carrying in a Ken Null horsehide pocket holster with a speed strip. The weight difference is unnoticeable to me from my 442.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Well, i followed through and snagged a 640 Pro from another forum that i belong to.
Used, but barely.. will post pics and review when all is settled.
Thanks for being a bad influence, y'all!

 

[wheelyfun66]

My 640 Pro arrived at my FFL... Vermont now has a 3 day waiting period, ugh.
Snapped this pic while waiting for FFL to get a "proceed" from the Feds.
I have VZ Grips waiting (black checkered boot grip) and a holster inbound from Garrett Industries (IWB holster, kydex outer shell, leather lined interior)

Forgive my thumbnail pic... I still cannot figure out how to post full sized pictures, in spite of having read the forum instructions!

 

[Magnum_PI]

I own one and carry it. I owned one previously years back.

I recommend it. They're a solid piece, look sharp, and are a solid shooter. The sights are much nicer, and NO LOCK.

I've had a 642 in the past, and an LCR 357. I like the 640 Pro better than those options. I also had an SP101 Wiley Clapp. I liked it a lot, but it was heavier and bigger...

 

[MetalMan]

My 640-1 Pro has been my EDC for 2 years now. Solid shooter and easy to conceal and carry in a Milt Sparks VMII.

 

[edl]

I own one and love the gun. I have been carrying it in a pocket holster for years.

I love the sights since they allow me to me to shoot it like a regular gun. The weight aids in this as well.

My gun is dead on at 7-10 yards with Speer 135 grain Gold Dot JHP. Though I sometimes shoot it at further distances, this is really all that I need in a carry revolver. You have a super capable J-frame pocket gun with fantastic sights.

I have never tried using magnum loads in it. I have hand problems, so it is not something I would want to do. It would likely be flinch inducing and painful.