My second favorite .357 Magnum

[rubiranch]

My second favorite .357 Magnum.
My Model 640-1 shipped April 12, 1995.




I swapped the factory rubber combat grips for these beautiful
S&W Goncalo Alves Combat grips.








It was my EDC for 6 years.


When I carry it today its in my Galco shoulder holster.


This was the very first gun I ever purchased and I purchased
it unfired from my brother who bought it new.
I bought it with Obama's stimulus money back in 2008.
I was pretty sure that's what the money was intended for.
I have never shot anything other than 125gr .357 Magnums,
not even one .38 round.
As stated in the letter these went in to production January 1995
with serial number BST1773.
Mine having serial number BST1837 and being shipped just a
few months after they went into production I have to assume
this was a very early production.
My brother BUFF sold it to me for $400.



My 642-1 replaced my 640-1 as my EDC on August 12, 2014.
This was my brother BUG from when he first purchased it back
in 2008 with the money I gave him for my 640-1 until he retired
from LE in early 2014.

 

[wcat94]

So many 357 magnums, so little time to shoot them. Hard to pick a favorite.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Awesome 640-1. I had one that was my edc for about 6 years also until it broke. S&W replaced it with a -3. A 640 is still my daily carry. Love'em!

 

[1sailor]

A 640 will be my next purchase. I have been carrying an M&P340 for several years but as I've gotten older it has become less fun to shoot. I've even tried a couple of semi auto's but did not care for them for one reason or another.

 

[StrawHat]

Kenny,

I have purchased, swapped, borrowed more than a couple of revolvers from my elder brother. It is nice to keep them ‘in the family’.

Kevin

 

[rubiranch]

A 640 will be my next purchase. I have been carrying an M&P340 for several years but as I've gotten older it has become less fun to shoot. I've even tried a couple of semi auto's but did not care for them for one reason or another.

I bought this M&P Shield 45 thinking I'd make it my EDC.
I replace a Glock Model 36 with the Shield because the Glock constantly jammed.

The Shield just felt bigger and heavier (on 6 oz) and I didn't like
carrying an extra magazine in my pocket so I came back to the 641-1.

 

[rubiranch]

So many 357 magnums, so little time to shoot them. Hard to pick a favorite.

I used to have quite a collection of S&W .357s but sold quite a few
of them except for the ones that have sentimental value to me.

 

[rubiranch]

Kenny,

I have purchased, swapped, borrowed more than a couple of revolvers from my elder brother. It is nice to keep them ‘in the family’.

Kevin

All of mine except one or two came from my brother..

 

[Boost]

The model 60 pro would be the absolute perfect revolver if it just had one more shot!

 

[CajunBass]

I got no idea how many 357's I've owned over the years. Smith and Wesson, Colt, Ruger, Taurus, and some I've forgotten I'm sure. I couldn't tell you which one I like best, I guess it depends on which one I'm holding/shooting at the time.

I've never even heard of the one the OP mentioned I don't think, but I'll bet I'd like it. I might not shoot it a lot, these days recoil bothers my arthritus, but I'd like it.

Thank goodness for 38's.

 

[stansdds]

I have one of the early production 640-1's too! Mine is a BUD serial number. It is compact, easy to carry, and being chambered in 357 Magnum, quite versatile.

 

[StrawHat]

The model 60 pro would be the absolute perfect revolver if it just had one more shot!

If 5 won’t do it, you need a different firearm. Or a better group of friends.

Kevin

 

[AJ]

If 5 won’t do it, you need a different firearm. Or a better group of friends.

Kevin

If 5 won't do it, then it is usually where you put them. Placement is King!

 

[rubiranch]

I got no idea how many 357's I've owned over the years. Smith and Wesson, Colt, Ruger, Taurus, and some I've forgotten I'm sure. I couldn't tell you which one I like best, I guess it depends on which one I'm holding/shooting at the time.

I've never even heard of the one the OP mentioned I don't think, but I'll bet I'd like it. I might not shoot it a lot, these days recoil bothers my arthritus, but I'd like it.

Thank goodness for 38's.

I get a kick out of shooting hot .357 load with it.

 

[rubiranch]

I have one of the early production 640-1's too! Mine is a BUD serial number. It is compact, easy to carry, and being chambered in 357 Magnum, quite versatile.

I think they are one little badass for a handgun.

 

[rubiranch]

If 5 won’t do it, you need a different firearm. Or a better group of friends.

Kevin

My brother was in LE.
He told me if you don't win a gun fight in the first 3 rounds adds are you're not going to win.

 

[Boost]

If 5 won’t do it, you need a different firearm. Or a better group of friends.

Kevin

I love revolvers. I carried revolvers all my life and will carry one or two the rest of my life, but argue that 6 shots is more than 5. If WANTING one more shot should have me question my life choices I guess I’m just not very wise. I find that 6th shot to be very pleasant to have at the range. Do I need it? Statistically no. Can o want it? Sure seems like shouldn’t.

 

[rubiranch]

My Model 27-7 .357 Magnum held 8 but it was a little big to carry.
And my Model 686-6 held 7.

I'm very comfortable carrying my 642-1.
And a nice +P should do the job.
It small, light and is very easy to draw and I like that.

If I did want more than 5 rounds I'd go back to my M&P 45 Shield.
I can't think of a revolver that carries 6 that I's like to carry.

So grateful that we have soo many amazing choices.

 

[StrawHat]

I love revolvers. I carried revolvers all my life and will carry one or two the rest of my life, but argue that 6 shots is more than 5. …

My brother was in LE.
He told me if you don't win a gun fight in the first 3 rounds adds are you're not going to win.

…So grateful that we have soo many amazing choices.

I also am grateful for the choices we have. I prefer revolvers. Carried a variety on duty, both 5 and 6 shot 36 calibers. I also prefer to carry the largest caliber for the frame size as that is the lightest one. In LE I was restricted to the 38 +P cartridge. Since I quit that line of work, I have found the 45 ACP to suit my needs.

Choices are wonderful! Probably why they usually run more than one horse in a race!

Kevin

 

[Hair Trigger]

I used to have quite a collection of S&W .357s but sold quite a few
of them except for the ones that have sentimental value to me.

I was wondering what your "3rd favorite .357M" was and how many you had in all. I've made it to 5 and probably won't go any further, but I have the ones I wanted most. I'm not interested in them after 1982, but wouldn't turn down a nice M13 or M65 if they came along at a reasonable price.

My 2nd favorite is my M520. Never been fired since the factory, I'm 3rd owner (and last until I'm in the ground). It was my Grail gun, I got really lucky and even got a Letter with it, written by Roy Jinks the year the gun was new in 1980.