Think I’m gonna get a 640

[Bobbysixkiller]

Lately I've been thinking of changing my carry gun. From a 686 to a 640. My backs been getting worse so probably time to lighten up a bit. Any suggestions on something other than a 640. I don't think I'd like an air weight magnum. I want 357 with fixed sights. Probably a 2 inch. Pros ? Cons? Can't you get new one without a lock?

 

[Amp]

Carried a 640 for years when they were 38 only. Never a regret.

 

[Dieseltech56]

The 640 pro is a new model with no lock. It's build on the old 640-1 J magnum frame which is stronger than the old ones. I love the 640-1, I've got 3 of them

 

[lkabug]

The 640 is a great carry. You will wonder why you didn't think of doing so years ago.
The 940 9mm is great also.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Love my 640 Pro - the extra weight translates to very comfortable shooting. But still small and light enough to conceal easily. Get one!

 

[Bill In Texas]

My 640-1 is a great carry piece. It's almost always with me either as primary or BUG duty. I believe they might still be available new, but I'm not sure. If I'm wrong, a little shopping will probably turn one up. As others have said, the weight is good and the 640 is easily concealable with the right stocks, either in a pocket or IWB or OWB.

 

[Mister X]

Unfortunately, they don't make the standard model without the internal lock for some reason. If they did, I would own two.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I would seriously look at the 640 Pro.The sights are much better.

 

[Pequod]

640 Can't be beat

I have a 640 no dash, and of my three J frames, it's my favorite. My go to pocket gun. Being steel it is pleasant to shoot, unlike most pocket guns. I think you would love one.

The 640 Pro would be nice, I like the moon clip cut cylinder and the night sight, and of course no lock. If I was buying one today I would probably buy the Pro, unless I could get a real good deal on a used 640, which may take many moons!

Pequod

 

[Zebra War Wagon]

A 686 is a big gun to EDC! I have a 686 Plus with the 3" that I thought I was going to CCW, but than I came to me senses. I have the 640 stuffed with Buffalo Bore SWCHP 158 grain +P's and don't feel under gunned.....3 shots in 3 seconds at 3 feet. I know some will ague that one needs to carry a 17 round semi and 60 rounds of spare ammo, but I am only going to Walmart, not downtown Fallujah.

 

[CH4]

I love my 640 Pro, it's a regular in my rotation.

 

[Wmtd]

For suggestions other than the 640 you could go with a model 65 in 3 inch barrel, but personally I'd go with the 640 pro, I have a 640-1 and I love it, will pick up a 640 pro someday if I can find one at a good price

 

[DevilDog72]

well.....

I have a 640 .38 and with +P ammo it is more than enough. I highly recommend it.

 

[riverrat38]

I have had two 640 Pro's, and I would prefer the standard dash 1.
Just personal preference, but I like the barrel and sights better, and I don't use the clips.
Both of my Pro models shot my 135 gr plus P GDSB ammo quite low, and, unlike the dash 1, the front night sight can't be filed down, due to the Tritium capsule being very near the top of the sight. On the other hand, the Pro model is adjustable for windage front and rear. Overkill!
I would prefer that only the front sight be night lighted. I don't think that, during a dark social encounter, I would have the time to line up three lighted dots, which make for poor depth perception.
It's interesting that S&W doesn't offer the standard models without the lock, since they do with the alloy (Airweight) versions. It's an interesting bit of marketing strategy to put an unwanted feature on a product, and then make the customer pay a premium price to buy a model without the "feature"!

Best,
Rick

 

[Big Cholla]

I have stated this before on this forum; IMHO the S&W 640 Pro is all that you need in a small self defense revolver. It doesn't have anything that you don't need. Buy one asap, it is only going to get harder to buy what you want and not what the authorities want for you. ...........

 

[shouldazagged]

I'm another fan of the 640 no-dash. Mine is an early one, 1990 vintage, with the CEN- serial prefix. I've carried it daily for going on nineteen years, and never felt undergunned.

I can no longer shoot .357 due to arthritis, but I never felt the need in an up-close-and-nasty gun even when I could.

 

[cpt-t]

BOBBY: I have been carrying a 640-1 with a Crimson Trace Laser Grip Sight for the last 10 + years. I have never had even the slightest problem with it. And I shoot it much better with 357`s than I ever thought I could, but I shoot it each time I go to the range. IMHO you would be hard pressed to find a much better gun for CC. I carry it in a De Santis Pocket Holster in my right front pocket of my shorts in the summertime and in my right coat pocket in the wintertime. Occasionally I will use a Fobus OWB Holster or a Bianchi Shoulder Holster and they both work very well for me. My 640-1 points extremely well for me. And is a contasent companion for me and has saved my butt on two different occasions.
ken

 

[Rock185]

Bobbysix, a practical option IMHO. I've had a regular 640 .38 for over 2 decades. I carried it on and off duty quite a bit. Much later, changed to a no-lock 642 only because of the 642's lighter weight. These little 5-shooters may not be Keyboard Commando favorites, but I, and apparently many others, consider them very practical for carry.

BTW, I admire the little 9mm revolvers too. More power than most 38+P, but less muzzle blast and recoil than .357....

 

[DeafSmith]

Lately I've been thinking of changing my carry gun. From a 686 to a 640. My backs been getting worse so probably time to lighten up a bit. Any suggestions on something other than a 640. I don't think I'd like an air weight magnum. I want 357 with fixed sights. Probably a 2 inch. Pros ? Cons? Can't you get new one without a lock?

My first CCW gun, way back when Texas first started their CHL program, was a 640 in .38 special. I still have it. I was paranoid about being spotted and this little gun, in a IWB in the appendix position, was invisible!

Now I also have a couple of 640-1s in .357. With magnum loads they kick a mite! Same for the Ti, titanium, 340 PD, except it kicked even worse with .357s.

Now I also have the 642, airweight, .38 and I use it quite often. And a 637 Airweight I use hiking (I had to get it, arthritis in the right hip made it down right painful to carry anything else! But now with a hip replacement I can pack .44 and .45s!)

I highly recommend the 640 and/or 642. Yes 5 shots but you can pack the guns anywhere and are there when you need it.

Just use the +p 135 grain loads and don't worry about power.

Below are two of my Centennials. The original 640 I packed and a 640-1. Note I had a red insert put on the 640s front sight and it has Secret Service grips.

 

[gnystrom]

640 Pro or if you really want a nice gun with an extra round look at a Kimber K6s. A little more money but in my opinion, worth every penny.

 

[shouldazagged]

...Note I had a red insert put on the 640s front sight and it has Secret Service grips.

I've done that with almost every revolver I've owned in the last twenty-plus years, but I use blaze orange inserts. It makes a big difference.

I don't worry about resale value. I've always bought guns to shoot, mostly in good to excellent used condition.

 

[GTBL]

Big fan of the 640. On the hip, the weight is not an issue. For times when I am wearing gym shorts and T-Shirt going on a run or walks, the 340 PD shines.

 

[Telecaster]

640, K6S, SP101, Ruger Speed Six, all are about the same size and any would work; pick the one you feel best with.

 

[mgriffin]

Love my 640-1 with XS Bid dot on front sight. Very accurate. Usually have 442 in jeans front pocket though...

 

[gnystrom]

640, K6S, SP101, Ruger Speed Six, all are about the same size and any would work; pick the one you feel best with.

 

[hotshot357]

Another post for the 640 Pro Series. I never "leave home without it".

 

[Old Corp]

Couple of years ago a big lot of slightly used M640's came on the market and they were all the rage here on the forum. $319, IIRC.
I got sucked in and got one. Had been Michigan State Police BUG's, and like most LE guns, carried alot, shot little.
Cleaned mine up, spent time shooting it, carry it ALOT now. Great guns - you should've gotten one or two.

 

[colt_saa]

Lately I've been thinking of changing my carry gun. From a 686 to a 640. My backs been getting worse so probably time to lighten up a bit. Any suggestions on something other than a 640. I don't think I'd like an air weight magnum. I want 357 with fixed sights. Probably a 2 inch. Pros ? Cons? Can't you get new one without a lock?

I have always felt the the Smith and Wesson Centennial model was the best choice for purse or pocket carry.

When carrying in an ankle rig or belt holster my preference would be for a Chiefs Special Target or even just a Chief's Special

I always carry the heaviest J-frame that I can. Obviously baggy shorts and a T-shirt calls for an Aluminium or Scandium famed model, while a suit or jacket can easily conceal a holstered steel framed firearm

 

[old tanker]

Couple of years ago a big lot of slightly used M640's came on the market and they were all the rage here on the forum. $319, IIRC.
i got sucked in and got one. Had been Michigan State Police BUG's, and like most LE guns, carried alot, shot little.
Cleaned mine up, spent time shooting it, carry it ALOT now. Great guns - you should've gotten one or two.

I got one of those from Centerfire. Drove over to Versailles to pick it up. Great gun!! Shoulda bought one sooner!

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

Yep. I'm going to order a 640 pro in a few days. Just makes sense.