S&W 640 Pro Series - The Ultimate Snubnose

[mm6mm6]

I am really impressed with the 640 Pro Series J-frame .357 Magnum snub nose! All stainless steel with the 2 1/8" fluted barrel and covered ejector rod. The little angled area under the muzzle with the lightening flutes just gives this little double action a "one of kind" look.

The ejector rod is long enough to really kick out the empty cases too.

I think the ultimate snubnose has to be chambered for the .357 Magnum and of course it shoots .38 Specials as well. Very unique about this revolver is that the rear of the cylinder is cut to accept full moon clips. In the hard plastic case are three 5-shot full moon clips so you can drop all five rounds in at the same time, no speedloader needed to toss away after a reload. Pretty slick! The gun still loads just as well with speedloaders (I have two Safariland speedloaders and two metal Blackhawk belt holders for them) or with speed strips (I have two of those as well).



The S&W logo rubber grip is perfectly contoured for a full grip and firing hot .357s is no problem with this awesome grip. It's a little big for pocket carry, but it's perfect in the Italian leather Blackhawk hip holster that keeps it up high and tight. This holster has an elastic band at the front to keep the gun super secure, while still allowing a very fast draw. A Blackhawk "inside the pants" rough out leather holster works great too and this one features the belt clips so a shirt can be tucked in over the gun.







I also have a pair of Crimson Trace lasergrips for it. They're smaller than the factory grip and they cushion recoil just as well as the factory grip.



Of course, the big thing about this Pro Series (as laser etched in script on the right side of the frame) is the Trijicon night sights! Big, bold, no-snag night sights on a J-frame! They're just what the little snubbies have always needed! The sights are fantastic! They're so easy to see night or day!





S&W designed this revolver as a fighting gun, so the double action trigger is smooth with that classic S&W feel. It's not a super tuned, too light trigger. Instead, it is designed to go off 100% guaranteed, no matter what kind of primers you've got in your cartridges.



And there's that one last item that truly makes this ultimate modern day snubby so desirable...NO INTERNAL LOCK! There's no ugly keyhole above the angled cylinder release latch!

S&W sure did this Model 640 right!

 

[Marshal Tom]

I like it alot! Good pics too.

Tom

 

[Mike-4]

Love the pics and review. I saw one at my LGS a week ago. I went back there a couple of days ago with cash in hand to buy that beauty but it was gone. Agh!!

 

[TDay]

Just got mine yesterday after months of searching. Can't wait to get it to the range!

 

[Feez357]

Nice review mm6mm6,
This is the one that sold me! It's my first S&W. Sorry, also my first post here. About 5 years ago for my daughter's 21st birthday I told her to pick a gun for her birthday present. I gently nudged her towards any US or European auto, but I gave her enough material to make her own choice. She chose an Airweight 38 J frame – I loved IT ! Since then I wanted something similar but in a 357. It took all this time until the stars lined up and I stumbled into the local bricks and mortar place and it was there. I wasn't even aware of this model. I think it was the fluted barrel that did me in. The full moon clips with a countersunk cylinder .. seriously? why did it take a hundred years to come up with that? I must have it. And "the lock" was missing .. really? I don't need to keep looking for an old gun! I need this one!
After 80 rounds of a variety of ammo my hand did indeed hurt. Ok, I'll admit, it hurt more the next day and even more the third day. The backbone is a bit pointed. Yes, rubber but pointed rubber still hurts. I trimmed it with a razor blade and followed up with different grades of sandpaper until it looked good again. I haven't shot it since, still waiting for my hand to heal.
Most of what I had shot low and left. The muzzle crown looks to be off center a little. One load was a lot better than the rest but my targets ended up in the trash so I have to start over again.

 

[luangtom]

I want one....I want one. I have looked locally and see none. I inquired about a special-order and the gent basically laughed me into submission. Argggh!

 

[nsl]

I should have one coming straight from S&W as a replacement for the 632 Carry Comp I had. Hope it will be a flawless gun, but my streak with new revolvers has been BAD!
Two out of three S&W's needed warranty work, and two out of three Rugers. My older used ones have been fine, though.

 

[Cal44]

A gun store here in Roseville CA has a new 640 on the shelf. I looked at it the other day.

It has the cuts for the moon clips, but has regular groove and front ramp sights.

It also has the internal lock.

Seems like a great snubby.

I think it was $609 if I remember right.

It must be another model of the same gun.

 

[Invictus357]

Wonderful eye candy, thank you.

I'd like to add that the S&W logo is stamped and not laser etched.

Another detail that makes this gun so appealing to me.

No lock either makes it an even more compelling self defense weapon.

I'm still looking for the 640 around these parts. No luck yet.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Thanks for the pics and review.
One of the few modern Smiths that I want.

No lock, stainless, and night sights...moon clips too!

 

[Rhind64]

I have one and love it! I also have its brother in 327 federal the 632 and its the same..a great J frame thats perfect for edc..in fact I took a revolver class from the legendary Michael de Bethencourt last week and it performed great!

Rick

 

[bronco45]

Have carried J Frames as a PO from 1970 to 2003. Meh, nice to carry but hard to shoot accurately, in a fast way. Always hoped I would never have to use a J for "real" as they never shot to point of aim for me. In December of 2011 found out on this forum that Smith was going to build the 640 Pro I ordered one immediately and paid full MSRP for it 3 months later in 2/12.

The gun sits beside me as I write and I love this little beast. It has everything to make a J Frame a first class defensive weapon. Serial# is:CRW28XX. My thanks to Smith and Wesson. Great job.....

 

[schneiderguy]

A gun store here in Roseville CA has a new 640 on the shelf. I looked at it the other day.

It has the cuts for the moon clips, but has regular groove and front ramp sights.

It also has the internal lock.

Seems like a great snubby.

I think it was $609 if I remember right.

It must be another model of the same gun.

Only the regular 640 is on the Hangun "Safety" Roster in CA, so we're not allowed to have the no-lock Pro Series model

 

[153]

The "pro-series" looks very nice ...

I happen to feel that the 640 is possibly the most practical revolver that S&W has ever produced. Mine is just a lowly "standard' model, but it's one of my favorites.




The grips are from Spegel.

 

[Invictus357]

You wouldn't happen to have some J frame Magnas you could put on it for a photo shoot?

I put them on my 686 and look awesome.

A little brother for it sporting them would be great.

Just wanted to see how it looked.

 

[FP2000H]

Wow! That is a great looking revolver. Already cut for moon clips and Trijicon sights to boot. I'm jealous.

 

[jimhoff]

No Hillary Hole. Might just have to think about this revolver....

 

[Mnspring]

A-Yep, Just picked up a 'plain' 640 also. When I carry on my person, usually take the PPK/s. But I like, 'car consul' firearms. So the 60 & 644 work well. Then when I picked up this Jeep, (a really clean 99), (of course) I, 'needed' another one. So I picked up a plain 640, with lock. (no cuts for speed-loader). Tons of 'J' frame holsters, so that's not a problem. Put a Pach 'Gripper', on it. (The SQ butt one, cause I have Big Hands). Use 38 +P's, The lock, (it's Not going to 'jump' and lock when I shoot). But now, here's a question. I really love my, 'Banana' Grip on the 60. Anyone have a set of them laying about? Finish NOT important, it's gonna get banged up anyway. If you want a DA only 'J' frame. Get a 640. For a little carry or conceal firearm. It beats the pants off the *** 'Plastic' stuff.

 

[Invictus357]

No Hillary Hole. Might just have to think about this revolver....

I had a similar thought process.

Today I put myself on the waiting list at the LGS.

Might be months of waiting but I have to have one.

 

[jdf1966]

The "pro-series" looks very nice ...

I happen to feel that the 640 is possibly the most practical revolver that S&W has ever produced. Mine is just a lowly "standard' model, but it's one of my favorites.




The grips are from Spegel.

cool grips!