Performance Center M640 - A true Unicorn ???

[SmithNut]

This is the very first S&W Performance Center revolver I've purchased, back in the early 90's at a gunshop in Issaquah, WA called Northern Arms (now long gone).

Was taken by the looks, the action and the ultra coolness of this little revolver back then, and it set me on the path to buy and enjoy other PC models.

Now, the unicorn part..... In talking to S&W Customer Service I was expecting to get a PC 170xxx product code, instead they provided 103795 which according to SCSW V4 is the product code for a 3" Airweight M640....??
BTW the serial number prefix is PCAxxxx. The gun shipped in June of 1991.

Soo, I'm thinking this has to be a very early PC offering (I knew that), but was surprised that the product code isn't at all what I was expecting,
the only thing that tracks to this particular revolvers product code is the 3" barrel, it's not an Airweight, it's not a standard production gun, etc.,

The Eagle Secret Service grips are original to the gun.

The box this came in was the older (original style ??) rounded edges PC plastic box... I'll have to dig it out and post a pic of it, if I can locate it...

Anybody else have one, or knows about one??

 

[joedegs]

I do believe that the PCA 640 was the first Performance Center revolver that Lew Horton offered. Hence, PCA. PCB and PCC followed. Though the labeled said 3”, it’s a 2-5/8” barrel and some came with smooth rosewood grips. Product code: 170014.

Here’s a link from a past thread.

Question on a PC 640

Joe

 

[ajgunner]

Just judging by the photo, this sure looks closer to 3" than 2 5/8".

 

[SmithNut]

Wow, talk about a bad memory (mine) and thanks for the trip down memory lane (the link to the thread where we discussed this gun 14 years ago..) Oh how time flies....

A couple things that jump out, the most important is that for some reason I thought mine came with the Eagle grips, looking at the pic in the link it jolted me into reality that the smooth Rosewood grips were what came on it, now I need to see if I still have them somewhere (hope so).

This trip down memory lane was started when the gun surfaced recently, for some reason it escaped from my daughters safe, alas, it's back there now so I'll have to see if I can get it on a weekend hall pass to measure the barrel, my memory says it's 3" but who knows.....

Anyway, a first, i.e., the first production run for Lew Horton, and a cool little revolver to boot. Does anybody know how many were made?? I wish Earl was still around as that is information that he would gladly provide...

 

[joedegs]

Just judging by the photo, this sure looks closer to 3" than 2 5/8".

It may be a 3” but I thought this model was speced for a 2-5/8”.

Here’s a link for a past sale with info that should help.

Smith & Wesson performance center model 640 carry comp 3"
.38 special "one of 25"

 

[joedegs]

Wow, talk about a bad memory (mine) and thanks for the trip down memory lane (the link to the thread where we discussed this gun 14 years ago..) Oh how time flies....

A couple things that jump out, the most important is that for some reason I thought mine came with the Eagle grips, looking at the pic in the link it jolted me into reality that the smooth Rosewood grips were what came on it, now I need to see if I still have them somewhere (hope so).

This trip down memory lane was started when the gun surfaced recently, for some reason it escaped from my daughters safe, alas, it's back there now so I'll have to see if I can get it on a weekend hall pass to measure the barrel, my memory says it's 3" but who knows.....

Anyway, a first, i.e., the first production run for Lew Horton, and a cool little revolver to boot. Does anybody know how many were made?? I wish Earl was still around as that is information that he would gladly provide...

SmithNut, Lew Horton is doing letters again. Try contacting the former COO, Susan Lorusso. She is doing LH letters now. But there might be a few now. Not quite sure how to contact her though.

Joe

 

[SmithNut]

Here's the little revolver shown in an early PC ad

 

[two-bit cowboy]

SmithNut:

If you have a copy of the SCSW 4th Ed., look on pp 431 & 456 at the 640 entries. There's misinformation in both places, but you can sort of piece together what you have.

Looks like a 3" Comp barrel, and it's not a Paxton Quigley.

Neat Centennial, no matter what it's called. Thanks for sharing it with us, again.

 

[SmithNut]

SmithNut:

If you have a copy of the SCSW 4th Ed., look on pp 431 & 456 at the 640 entries. There's misinformation in both places, but you can sort of piece together what you have.

Looks like a 3" Comp barrel, and it's not a Paxton Quigley.

Neat Centennial, no matter what it's called. Thanks for sharing it with us, again.

two-bit cowboy,

Yes, not a Paxton Quigley - they came later - and I believe they were 2 5/8".

I'm pretty sure this model is 3" (will confirm later when I can inspect it again), and with the PCA prefix it's pretty special, even though I only get to see mine once every few years.... unless I can figure out how to break into my daughter's safe...

As you note, when looking through the SCSW4 pages was surprised that this model was not specifically represented, there are a few listings on those pages, but they are talking all around this one, the PQ models are represented but this early one isn't mentioned specifically, I'll have to get the PC info to Jim and Rick for their upcoming V-5.

Thanks!!

 

[SmithNut]

It may be a 3” but I thought this model was speced for a 2-5/8”.

Here’s a link for a past sale with info that should help.

Smith & Wesson performance center model 640 carry comp 3"
.38 special "one of 25"

joedegs,

Thanks for posting that Lew Horton letter, the information is great. Knowing that only 415 made is great. And it saves me the $$ of ordering my own letter!!!

SN