SW 640

[Dogmann]

Opinions on the all steel 640?
Too heavy for CW?
What grips you running as well as loads? Do any of you shoot full house 357?

 

[SAFireman]

I carry golden sabers. They are full house, but not punishing.

I have one with a clip draw and it is fine on blue jeans, but too heavy for wind pants. I frequently carry it in a Uncle Mike's pocket holster and it is fine with Levi's

The grips are uncle mike's - the kind with the finger grooves (2 grooves).

I love mine, and it is a good practice gun for my 340sc.

 

[P&R Fan]

I bought a 640-1 .357 Magnum in 1997. About a year ago I bought a 340PD, and it has replaced the 640-1 as my most carried revolver. Up till then I carried the 640-1 more than any other handgun I own. I put Eagle Secret Service wood boot grips on it, and have since put them on my 340PD. I always carried it with Winchester white box 110 grn JHPs. These kick a lot less than the 125 grn loads, and from what I've read are very effective. The 640-1 is a great carry revolver, although it kicks quite a bit with full power loads. I highly recommend it.
Jim

 

[jkc]

I like 'em... I really like Spegel Boot Grips, but to my dismay, they get trashed by prolonged exposure to perspiring skin, an inescapable condition of IWB CCW in this mostly hot climate. So, I've been using a rubber variant, from Pachmayr, I think. Mine's loaded with Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel. I've had the backstrap stippled for increased "traction", the topstrap bead blasted for non-glare, and added an XS Sight Systems "Big Dot" night sight. These guns are too heavy for in-pocket carry and require a belt holster or alternative (shoulder rig, or etc.) I've lately been using a Galco "Scout" IWB, with which I'm very satisfied. These guns recoil ferociously and sharply, and aren't pleasant to practice with, but as Clint Smith says, they're supposed to be comforting, not comfortable.

 

[ContinentalOp]

My opinion is that the no-dash no-lock 640 in .38 Special is my current holy grail gun. It's at the very top of my wish list. I haven't had any available funds to purchase one of the 640s I've seen in the past couple of months, but I hope to be able to purchase one before the end of the year.

 

[cowboy117]

Too heavy IMHO.I own one but carry a 37-2 Airweight in .38 Special.My 640-1 has the stock grips.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Waaaaaay too heavy for pocket carry for me. The pocket holster printed pretty bad and the Uncle Mikes Combat Grip it came with was way too bulky for pocket carry as well. For me even with the full stainless steel construction it is simply too light for full house 125 grain Remington (Not the Golden Saber, those are loaded a little lighter) as the recoil is fierce. I changed out the UM grip for a Pachmayr Compac (not the tiny Pro version) and while it adds some bulk it is no more than the cylinder. It is a little tacky though and could drag on clothing. But dropped into my Thunderwear holster in disappears and doesn't print like the pocket holster. You just wear one size larger pants like any IWB holster should have. Loaded with light magnum or hot +P .38's then it is about perfect for a small revolver. I keep thinking of changing my front sight from the saw blade black ramp to one of the Big Dot sights. I forget the pocket holster I had. It was tacky on one side. It fit pretty good but I think the different barrel than the standard J frame wasn't quite letting it fit perfect. That would be my fault for not buying the right model but either way it dragged down the pocket bad. Mine has a pretty heavy trigger pull. It's supposed to be like that though from what I'm told. But for me it was so heavy and long that with the original grips I couldn't aim worth anything. With the small added bulk that the Pach's offer it isn't so bad since it changes the geometry of the grip hold in my hand. And the Compac is a little shorter so it is easier to conceal. The Compac Pro is kind of the same grip without any bulk at all. It would be decent on a 642 maybe but gives you so little to hold onto and doesn't cover the back of the grip any. But like all things, YMMV.

 

[diamonback68]

I have the 640 no dash in .38Spl and absolutely love it with Speer 135GR SB Gold Dot +Ps. Heavy Smeavy! Weighs in at 22 ounces fully loaded, that's not heavy folks.

 

[Frailer]

I have the 640 no dash in .38Spl and absolutely love it with Speer 135GR SB Gold Dot +Ps. Heavy Smeavy! Weighs in at 22 ounces fully loaded, that's not heavy folks.

I love mine, too, and I agree with you. Nevertheless, the difference between it and the .357 models (I also own a 640-1) is,*subjectively* as great as the difference between a no-dash 640 and an airweight.

It's too much gun for *my* pockets, in any event.

 

[TNDave]

The 357 version of the 640 is bigger and heavier than the 38 Special version. It is a little big for pocket carry. I remember the first time I shot a 357 version with magnum loads. It was kind of like grabbing an electric fence while having a stun grenade go off near your face.

If you intend to carry a 640 with 38's in it you might be better off finding an original 38 Special 640. I carry one of those in a pocket holster every day with the factory grips and a T grip. It is not too heavy and it doesn't take long before you are not even aware of it.

IMHO the 357 version of the 640 is a belt pistol and if you are going to wear a gun on your belt you might as well carry a K frame.

 

[luangtom]

I keep the 640-1 as my "end-table gun". I have either a 340PD or M&P340 as my EDC in a pocket-holster. Love 'em all....

 

[Lex_Ordo]

I have the 640-2. Magnum frame in .38.
Never leave home without it. Sometimes in a holster, sometimes in a pocket.
Herrett smooth combat cocobolo stocks. Smith & Wesson J Frame, Round Butt Deluxe Coco Bolo Grips New
Stainless Steel = no heavy recoil.

125 gr Speer Gold Dot HP.

 

[18DAI]

I just picked up a 640-1 357 last month. My first J-frame. My last J-frame too as it does everything I need a; "gun for when you can't carry a gun" to do.

I agree with those who say it is too heavy for pocket carry. Works great in any IWB holster.

Perfect weight for carrying, shooting, and extended range practice. Accurate little revolver.

Mine is a perfect deep concealment revolver. Get a nice 640-1, you will be glad you did! Regards 18DAI.

 

[jimmyjoe]

I carried this 640-1 for years as a conceal carry gun. Yeah, it is a little heavy. I kept it loaded with 38 special hollow points. I know carry a no lock 642-1. It is a lot lighter.

 

[Broadside]

I carried this 640-1 for years as a conceal carry gun. Yeah, it is a little heavy. I kept it loaded with 38 special hollow points. I know carry a no lock 642-1. It is a lot lighter.

jimmyjoe - may I ask who makes the pocket holster you show in your picture? I can't quite make out the name. Thank you.

 

[wnr700]

I feel no real difference between my 442 and 649 when packing. I certainly prefer the 649 on the range.

 

[Dogmann]

More pics... with awesome grips!

 

[jimmyjoe]

jimmyjoe - may I ask who makes the pocket holster you show in your picture? I can't quite make out the name. Thank you.

Galco pocket holster

 

[Frailer]

More pics... with awesome grips!

The grips are plain-Jane Uncle Mike's, but here's my 640-1. FWIW it now wears Pachmayr Compacs (having been relegated to nightstand duty):