New 640 with Barrel stamped .38+P instead of .357 MAGNUM

[413Maxwedge]

Last weekend I had my local GS order me a new 640 chambered in .357. I picked it up this weekend but the store didn't have any .357,.38SPL or .38+P so I haven't taken it to the range yet. I do have ammo coming via UPS.

I thought I gave it a thorough look-over at the store but tonight I found something that bothers me. The S&W product page for this gun shows the barrel stamped with "S&W .357 MAGNUM" but mine says ".38 S&W SPL. +P". I don't have any .357 rounds so I don't know if the cylinder is .357 or just .38spl/.38spl+p. Aluminum .38SPL snap-caps fit nicely.

The cardboard box it came in says model 640-3 and .357, and the serial #s match. This is a brand new gun ordered through my LGS from his S&W distributor.

So did they put the wrong barrel on my gun? I thought they always stamp the barrels with the largest caliber that it's designed for. Even if the cylinder is a .357 I don't really feel safe trying them through this barrel/gun.

I emailed S&W tonight under "Repair Request" and explained this. Not sure how long till I hear from them, so I registered here and am asking you guys if you know about this.

 

[steelslaver]

IF the chambers are 357, firing it with a 38 special barrel would not hurt anything. They have the exact same bore, etc. Barrels do not blow up on revolvers, cylinders do. I would still want it fixed if it were mine. You should get what you paid for

 

[torizus]

IF the chambers are 357, firing it with a 38 special barrel would not hurt anything. They have the exact same bore, etc. Barrels do not blow up on revolvers, cylinders do. I would still want it fixed if it were mine. You should get what you paid for

^^^^
What he said..might become an issue on trade in or resale

 

[CH4]

You did the right thing. They'll send you shipping label.

 

[413Maxwedge]

^^^^
What he said..might become an issue on trade in or resale

Yes that was another concern. If I want to sell or trade it some day they might not believe it's a .357. I just want it fixed.

 

[press-1-for-english]

I called S&W customer service, explained the issue I had with my revolver, and "Scott" emailed me a shipping label. Boxed up my revolver, taped on the label, called FedEx, and they picked it up at my house. It's that easy. Good luck with your revolver. Keep us posted.

 

[Well Armed]

Last weekend I had my local GS order me a new 640 chambered in .357. I picked it up this weekend but the store didn't have any .357,.38SPL or .38+P so I haven't taken it to the range yet. I do have ammo coming via UPS.

I thought I gave it a thorough look-over at the store but tonight I found something that bothers me. The S&W product page for this gun shows the barrel stamped with "S&W .357 MAGNUM" but mine says ".38 S&W SPL. +P". I don't have any .357 rounds so I don't know if the cylinder is .357 or just .38spl/.38spl+p. Aluminum .38SPL snap-caps fit nicely.

The cardboard box it came in says model 640-3 and .357, and the serial #s match. This is a brand new gun ordered through my LGS from his S&W distributor.

So did they put the wrong barrel on my gun? I thought they always stamp the barrels with the largest caliber that it's designed for. Even if the cylinder is a .357 I don't really feel safe trying them through this barrel/gun.

I emailed S&W tonight under "Repair Request" and explained this. Not sure how long till I hear from them, so I registered here and am asking you guys if you know about this.

Pictures???

 

[413Maxwedge]

Pictures???

Note, I have swapped on a short grip and put the original 3 finger grip on my son's 43C.

 

[old bear]

In My opinion any revolver chambered in.357 Magnum is a better revolver than any revolver chambered in 38 special, or 38 special +p. The reason for this is simple. With a 357 Magnum you have just doubled the ammo you can safely use in it. I've only owned one J frame that was factory marked a .357 Magnum caliber revolver. I put five (5) rounds of .357 Magnum ammo through it, Never again. Stick with any revolver Factory chambered for .357 Magnum and run any Hot 38 special in it you to wish, with no worries.
If you ordered and paid for a model 640 and did not received one send it back and demand the gun you ordered.

 

[AmStaff64]

Hind sight is 20-20 - you should not have taken delivery.

Let us know what S&W say/do. And, good luck.

Did you ask the LGS? Can they help?

 

[413Maxwedge]

Hind sight is 20-20 - you should not have taken delivery.

Let us know what S&W say/do. And, good luck.

Did you ask the LGS? Can they help?

I looked it over for quite a while before I filled out all the state/fed paperwork, but somehow I missed the bold lettering on the barrel. I was only looing for scratches or dents on the surfaces of the gun. The serial # matched the box's label and paperwork, so.... I missed it.

I called S&W yesterday and had a shipping label emailed to me within minutes. Dropped it of at FedEx last night. For just the barrel replacement it would be 3 weeks and free, but I told them to do a trigger/action job too so now it's 3 months.

Now I need to order a new 340 M&P to hold me over

 

[413Maxwedge]

Hind sight is 20-20 - you should not have taken delivery.

Let us know what S&W say/do. And, good luck.

Did you ask the LGS? Can they help?

I looked it over for quite a while before I filled out all the paperwork, but somehow I missed the bold lettering on the barrel. I was only looing for scratches or dents on the surfaces of the gun. The serial # matched the box's label and paperwork, so.... I missed it.

I called S&W yesterday and had a shipping label emailed to me within minutes. Dropped it of at FedEx last night. For just the barrel replacement it would be 3 weeks and free, but I told them to do a trigger/action job too so now it's 3 months.

Now I need to order a new 340 M&P to hold me over
And the LGS is only open Fr Sat Sun, so I haven't been able to get him on the phone since I discovered the issue Sun night. Prolly too late anyway since it's already registered to me.

 

[steelslaver]

In the majority of states it is NOT registered to you, the 4473 paper work you filled out is held in the shops record books. The feds do not know the serial number or even brand of the gun you were applying to purchase. They can put it back in their inventory. Only HI, Ill., Mass., MI, Maryland, NY, Connecticut and N.J. require any kind of registration.

 

[tkheard]

Any news? Love to hear the response from S&W.

 

[413Maxwedge]

Any news? Love to hear the response from S&W.

No I don't expect to get it back until the end of Feb, early March. I shipped it just before Thanksgiving and they told me 3 months.

 

[Bald1]

You guys are really reading this wrong. If cylinder will accept 357 rds which I suspect it will. this gun is an instant collector item. As they say on GB, it's rare, unusual, sought after, 1 of 1, etc………

 

[413Maxwedge]

My gun store told me the same thing, but I just want it "right". If I buy a new F-250 and it's delivered with "Ranger" badging, I won't think it's special and neat. I'll just think I bought a factory reject.

 

[Supadupa69]

You guys are really reading this wrong. If cylinder will accept 357 rds which I suspect it will. this gun is an instant collector item. As they say on GB, it's rare, unusual, sought after, 1 of 1, etc………

1/1 factory error!

 

[Cotis]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is not a 1 of 1 sample. I looked at one in my LGS earlier this week

 

[hardluk1]

s&w is showing off some more of there lack of quality control !

 

[413Maxwedge]

I received a quote from S&W on Friday (3/29/24) and paid them today. Now we'll see how long it takes to perform the actual work.

Replacing the barrel was no charge but I requested two additional services:
*PC J Frame Enhancement (trigger job) $88
*XS Front Sight - .150 White Dot. $25
*Labor. $45

 

[CajunBass]

Sorry to hear about the problem. Hope they get it fixed OK.

I once bought a Model 19-8 that was marked as "38 Special Only." I thought it was interesting and bought it because it was so marked. To make a long story short they were made for a police department in South America. The order got canceled and S&W released them onto the open market as "38 Specials." The one I had would chamber 357 rounds, but I never shot anything but 38's in it. Sold to a fellow who didn't seem to mind the markings either. He said he didn't plan to shoot 357's anyway. Never heard from him again, so I guess he was happy.

 

[Eagle1*]

did you ever get your gun back yet/ I anxious to see the new front sight and how they did for you on your gun, meaning if it was taken care of and the trigger is better?

 

[ImDrRich]

On the other hand, didn't you have kind of a rare bird?

 

[jcelect]

Rare bird? ! ?

The gun is a "rare bird" if it has documentation as being shipped as seen today! Otherwise, it would appear as an altered gun(barrel change)!
jcelect

 

[413Maxwedge]

Yes I got it back on 4/15/24. I actually haven't had time to take it to the range yet, but the trigger feels just like my 340 which I did my own trigger job on. Slightly lighter than stock.

The white dot sight is better than the stock blade, but I'll probably swap it for a Tritium sight like my daily carry came with.

I'm at work now but will take a pic of the sight(s) when I get home tonight.

I have a stainless lock-delete for the lock-hole and a polished trigger to install but so far I've just put a new Nill Griffe grip on it.

 

[413Maxwedge]

New white dot sight, and a tritium/white for comparison.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

Where is S&W even getting these stainless steel .38 Special barrels? Do they still offer a steel J-frame in .38sp? If so - why?

 

[Frailer]

Where is S&W even getting these stainless steel .38 Special barrels? Do they still offer a steel J-frame in .38sp? If so - why?

To be pedantic, there is no such thing as a ".38 Special barrel," as revolver barrels have no chamber.

 

[413Maxwedge]

Where is S&W even getting these stainless steel .38 Special barrels? Do they still offer a steel J-frame in .38sp? If so - why?

I don't understand the question. Where are they getting them? I assume they are making them, or having them made for them.

Or is it just a knock on .38 caliber in general?