S&W 640 1-202 year made & +P ammo?

[LaRenegade]

Have a stainless steel 640 1-202 under the 640 on the yoke with Serial # starting with #BRA1### total of 3 alphabet & 4 numerals following. Wanting to know year made I’m unable to locate anything definite. Isn’t there a S&W site to find year of manufacture by serial number?

Also i want to carry +P ammo for use should it be needed for self defense though I only shoot 38 Special light loads for practice. Is this pistol safe to fire +P ammo for carry only?

Thanks to all for this great source of information shared!

Center Mass!
Thanks

 

[Alk8944]

The alpha-numeric serial numbers began ca. 1984. Strictly from my memory those beginning with B date from ca. 1985-'86.

No, there is no on-line source for S&W serial number information. The best reference is the newest edition of the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" which is available through most on-line book sellers and book stores.

The 640-1 can be fired with as many .38 +P rounds as you would care to shoot in it. not just for carry purposes. You would get tired of paying the price for +P long before the gun would show any ill results!

The 202 is not part of the SN, where are you seeing that? If it appears in the yoke cut of the frame it may be the "assembly" number used to assure the frame, yoke and sideplate can be properly matched together if they somehow become separated after fitting.

 

[L-2]

My "book" shows 1993 for "BRA..." s/n'd revolvers:

1993 – BMC, BNW, BNZ, BNW, BPB, BPD, BPE, BPF, BPK, BPL, BPR, BPS, BPY, BRA, BRB, BRC, BRM

Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 491). Gun Digest Media. Kindle Edition.

 

[stansdds]

The 640 has been made in both 38 Special and 357 Magnum chamberings, so it is definitely safe with 38 Special +P ammo. I'd say it's safe with .38-44HD ammo as well.