M640 and M649...How Well Do they Conceal??

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

Been looking through some old picture threads and aside from seeing lots of beautiful snubs, I saw several that really interested me.

A couple of them that really caught my eye was the Model 640 and the Model 649. I think they are the same except the 649 has a shrouded hammer and shoots SA/DA. Is that right? They weigh in at 23 oz. and have a barrel that is a tad over 2 inches.

I was wondering how well these revolvers conceal for those that carry them every day? Does that extra bit of barrel length make any difference at all over a standard J Frame that has a barrel that's a bit over 1 1/2 inches? Also it weighs 8 ounces more than the M638 that I have been looking at getting and I wondered if that extra weight amounted to any discomfort in carrying it.

One of the main things that attracted me to the 638 and other J Frames was the ability to slip it in a front or back pocket and go. I could have it on my every time I walked out the door which is the purpose of having a CCW in the first place.

Can the 640 and 649 be carried in the front or rear pocket just as easily as the other J's can?

What do they go for both new and used these days?

Lastly, how does it handle with 357mag carry loads? Is it brutal to shoot?

Any advice or stories you'd like to share about owning/carrying and shooting the M640 and 649 would be appreciated.

Thanks for the help and your time.

Nalajr

 

[murphydog]

The 638 and 640/649 are very close to the same dimensions; the latter two have been made with barrels listed at 2 and 2 1/8", but as you can imagine this is not a significant difference in terms of carrying. You are correct on the 649's action.

With any of the guns you mentioned you'll want to have a stable carrying method, either a belt/holster or holster/pant combo where the gun isn't flopping around or making your pants sag. A fully loaded 638 will weigh close to a 640 without ammo, and also consider you'll want to have extra ammo, a light, a phone...

The steel framed guns will be more pleasant to fire, but even these will be fairly brutal with full .357 loads. Most settle on .38 +P for carry use.

Used guns will be less than new ones but prices on all these have gone up greatly since November. Best to watch prices on the online auction/sales sites and be ready to buy when a good example of what you want comes along at a good price.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[Hapworth]

Lotta questions.

1) Yes, the 649's hammer is shrouded, while the 640's is enclosed. Shrouded lets you go single action; enclosed better protects from lint and dirt. Both allow for a snag-free draw.

2) Standard J-frame barrel are about 1.8"; these are about 2.1" -- negligible difference for practical purposes. J-frames conceal beautifully. A quality inside the waistband holster and they are effectively not there. The extra weight of the steel framed models is noticeable versus the Airweights, but still comfortable to carry.

3) 640 and 639 can be pocket carried easily provided the pockets are adequately sized -- this is true for any J-frame. And you still need a quality pocket holster for safe, concealed pocket carry.

4) For new prices, have a look at S&W's website and deduct about 10% from MSRP -- many retailers sell at about that price point. As for used, difficult to say because it depends on the condition of the revolver, the region it's being sold in, and the disposition of the buyer and seller.

5) Full house .357 even in steel J-frames is still a monster and not recommended. There are some powered down short barrel versions that are more manageable. Personally, I see little advantage to .357 in a snubby versus a lot of trade-off.

If I were choosing between these models, I'd opt for the 640 Pro. Better sights, no internal lock, and cut for moon clips -- a superb defensive carry package.

 

[photoman]

Both the 640 and 649 have been offered in .38 Special and .357 Magnum. The .38 Special versions have a 1 7/8" barrel (there are some 3" barrel versions but rare). The .357 Magnum version has a 2 1/8" barrel.

I've never shot a .357 Magnum J frame and don't have any desire to. Some can handle it, most end up using them with .38 Specials.

The 640 is double action only and the 649 has both single action and double action. It's nice to have the single action option but you would rarely use it in a defensive situation.

 

[Beachcomber]

I have both the 640 (no dash) in .38 special and the 640-1 in .357 magnum.

I carry the 640 in my front pants pocket using a Mika pocket holster with no difficulty. Keep in mind a good belt will help balance the load while carrying in your pocket.

Since I have larger grips on my 640-1... I carry that in a belt holster.

I don't own a 649... but I suspect it can be comfortably carried in the same manner.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I have a 642 and a 649. The recoil shooting 357s in the 649 is shall we say brisk. Keep in mind I am a great fan of that round in the heavier guns and have shot a lot of over the years. I carry 38 +P in my 649. The 642 is a great concealed carry piece, also with 38 +P.

 

[mesinge2]

I routinely pocket carry my 357 m649-3 and it disappears in my pocket in a DeSantis super fly pocket holster. It has mild recoil with 38s and even 357 is not too bad with the right load. I personally like Speer's 135 grain Short Barrel 357 loading. It is specifically designed for a snubbie and recoils less than a traditional 357 magnum loading while being a bit more powerful than a 38+P.

I would qualify the load like this: 38 Special, 38 Special+P, Speer's short barrel 357 load, 357 magnum.

 

[coach22]

Started carrying a 640 (38)
in a Mika pocket holster (right front pocket).
Went to an electroless nickel 442, then a 340 PD.
Now I'm back to the 640.
All are loaded with Corbon DPX 38 +P's.
My nickel 49 was not pocket carried.
Will my 351C? Who knows?
Maybe as a backup.

 

[10mmillie]

I have both pre-lock 38 special only. Currently wearing the 640 in a Uncle Mikes pocket holster carried at 1 o'clock appendix carry. The pocket holster doesn't move around like I thought it would. It helps wearing jeans and a Wilderness Instructor belt. I have shot 357 out of snubby SP101 and it was painful so I don't recommend going that route. A 38 will get the job done. As for cost the 640 has gone up a couple hundred more than what I paid for my last on 5 years ago but I did recently get another 649 for $425 off gunbroker.
As for the 638 they are great carry guns too. I have a pair of blued 38s and they are great carry guns hide just as well and just as accurate as my all steel ones.

 

[P&R Fan]

I have had a M640-1 for over 15 years. I carried it a lot before I got my M340PD a few years ago. I once carried it for 17 hours straight in a Belly Band and never noticed it.

I never pocket carried the M640-1, because I never had a pocket holster back then. I have tried it in the pocket holster I use with the M340PD, and it sticks up too far when I'm wearing jeans.

As to recoil, yes the M640-1 kicks quite a bit with full power Magnums. When I compare it to the recoil of my M340PD with the same loads, it's rather pleasant.
Jim

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

With the right grips they will conceal very well IWB or in your pocket. In my opinion I find that all the J-frame's (except the 3" model 60) conceal about the same.

 

[Chuck Jones]

Carrying the alloy Bodyguard or Centenial with a Barami hip grip (or it's modern DeSantis equivalent), Mika pocket holster, or Uncle Mike's ankle holster, is a breeze.

One of those 3 methods will work with almost any attire.

The all steel guns are heavier.

I'm a big fan of both pocket and ankle holsters. The ankle holster is particularly good if you spend a lot of time in the car, where a pocket holster is close to useless.

Add a speed strip, one of the amazingly bright LED penlights, and you're good to go in old school style.

Or you could go real old school and just wrap a couple of rubber-bands around the grip, slip it in your waistband, and let your sans-a-belt slacks do the rest (it helps if they're a little too tight).

/c

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
If you are serious about CCW for protection choose the Model 640 or Model 649. Either one will be fired in double action mode in a self defense encounter. If the need to fire single action in self defense arose, your target is far enough away for you to run for cover or away. CCW OWB with a suitable holster. Pocket carry or ankle carry is for your "BUG" or second weapon. In a self defense encounter it is coming fast and mostly without prior warning and "Up Close and Personal". If not--why didn't you bring a shotgun, rifle, or SMG and a lot of friends with guns also??

 

[Nalapombu]

Thank you all for all the answers. You all have answered every question I asked and some I didn't about these beauties.
This is one reason this is one of my favorite gun forums. This is one of the few places that you can ask a question, no matter how dumb or mundane it may be, and members will take the time and actually ANSWER you without snarky comments or smart aleck answers telling you that GOOGLE is your friend, use the SEARCH button and so on. I've never seen a situation here where someone asked something and a member came back and made fun of him or hammered him for asking. Unfortunately I see that every single time I go to the other forum I have been a member of for over 10 years. They act like a collection of 7 year olds at that place while there are ADULTS here.

Thanks again everyone. I appreciate your help and time. You all should be proud of such a great forum and resource.

Nalajr