Model 640 .357 magnum?

[1911luver]

Anyone here have one of these? I'm considering one for a carry gun and would like options on this gun. My local shop has one and it has a nice trigger and lock up I also like how the front sight can easily be changed out with a night sight or fiber optic sight.

so if anyone here has one of these and uses it for use as a concealed weapon let me know what you think of it,thanks.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

I got one at a discount for attending a class at the S&W Academy. It's a nice gun but fits into a very narrow niche- too heavy for normal pocket carry, and if I'm going to wear a belt holster then I carry something bigger.

Your conditions may be different from mine.

 

[oldRoger]

I have one in my pocket as we speak. I carry it in my pocket, on my belt, and IWB dependent upon the weather.
I sent it to Bowen for high vis sights 7 DA smoothing + C A T A L O G + I am very happy with it.

 

[Iggy]

Got one on my belt right now.

 

[smith revolver cop]

I used to carry one as an off-duty gun, always in a belt holster on my strong side. My 442 is much lighter, but 5 shots of .357 is pretty comforting! It wasn't bad shooting .38s in it for qualifications, but about 5 magnums is enough- it's kind of like holding a flash-bang grenade in your hand when it goes off! Other than the fact that it is heavy for a j-frame, I highly recommend it.

 

[photoman]

I have no desire to fire a .357 magnum J frame.

 

[edw794]

i bought one used many years ago and use it everyday as a ccw in an iwb holster. mine is stock with the exception of spegel boot grips.

 

[neon8]

It's my current CCW. I think it's good balance between size and shootability. Small enough to conceal well but heavy enough to be shot comfortably.

 

[colt_saa]

I have many J-magnums. Love them. I think this is one of the GREATEST advancements in backup/personal defensive firearms in the last several decades. Lots of power in a tiny controllable, concealable package.

Two are standard model 640s one is a Performance Center 640

I bought the first one in 1996 as soon as they were released. I have run tens of thousands of 357 Magnums through mine over the last 16 years.

I also have a few 357 Magnum model 60s including the new Model 60Pro and some Scandium framed versions (340 & 360).

As S&W continues to produce variations on the J-magnum design (especially Pro series) I will be adding more of them to the family.

Recoil with full magnums is stout but controllable with practice.

 

[RHINOWSO]

I'm picking up mine today from the Revolver Armorer - I had some work done to the trigger and a night sight installed. Going to use it IWB strong side. Can't wait to get it back...

 

[girvin02]

My experience mimics others'. It is a little on the heavy side, to carry in a pocket. I prefer Airweights in .38 Special. The 640-1 I had was fun to shoot, though. With the factory Uncle Mike's grips, it was quite comfortable, even with high-power loads.

 

[anchors]

Mine was bought used and I love it.I usually carry 38spl,Speer 135gr SB HP +P.The Hornaday 125gr Critical Defense seems to be the best 357 for this revolver.

 

[Messer]

I bought my 640-1 new as a daily carry gun for my wife. She was saying it was getting harder to pick up the front sight, so I added a XS Big Dot front night sight,

She loves it, and I wish I had bought 2.

(not a great pic - but it does show the sight...

Hope this helps,
Bob S.

 

[JamesArthur60]

I just finished getting mine set up for CC. Got new grips and a XS Big Dot sight. Right now it's loaded with Hornady .38 rounds, but the .357 option is why I purchased the gun.

 

[1911luver]

thanks guys nice 640's we got here. I've carried a steel J-frame in my pocket s few times. It wasn't dragging my pants down but was noticeably than my airweight.

 

[boats1]

With the rest...........a little heavy for pocket carry but otherwise a great little weapon. We had a lighter spring put in the trigger. It's my wife's CCW which I "borrow" frequently.

 

[indiuckian]

I love mine. I would suggest you grab it while you can because;
A. the folks that have 640-1's tend to hang on to them
B. they are not making them anymore
C. more and more folks are getting their CCW permits than ever before.
I don't see dash 1's very often at least in the Louisville Ky area.

 

[SaberOne]

My 640-3 works for me, although I would prefer a clean 640-1. Oh, here's a few mods that were added with a couple more on the way. This is what happens when you're retired and bored...

• Bowen Classic High-Visibility Sights
• Black Powder Cylinder Chamfers
• Modified Cylinder for Moonclips
• Round & Polish Trigger Assy
• Meld, Radius & Dehorned
• Action & Trigger Tuned
• Extended Firing Pin
• Pro 60 Grips
  
  Regards,

 

[indiuckian]

Sabreone,

I could never see modifying my 640-1 and then you have to throw that pic out there. That is a very nice weapon.

 

[oldRoger]

It's heavy but a comfort in the pocket, I would not want to shoot magnum loads in a lighter gun.-
I carry Buffalo Bore "Tactical Short Barrel Lower Recoil Low Flash 357 Mag- 158 gr. JHP (1,100fps/M.E. 424 ft. lbs.)" These seem shootable to me, certainly stout, but if the occasion demanded I think they would do.
I wish that I had asked Bowen to convert it to moon clips but did not.