Thoughts on the 640 for carry?

alphabrace

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I am interested in getting a 640 for carry, preferably a PC model with moons. Thoughts?

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It doesn't get better....

An all steel (or SS) J frame is plenty light. You can go with alloy guns, but when you pull the trigger with a defensive load, expect them to hurt. I have an alloy model 38 and I put Hogue monogrips on it and it feels better. I'm not sure what grip comes with the 640 but it should be comfortable with any standard load and shootable with +P loads. The monogrip would make them all feel better. I could make some light .357 loads for it, but I don't know how it would feel with full loads. Anywho, I think they are the epitome of 'J' frames.
 
LOL bought a 640 the first year they were out......... my Dad a retired Police Capt (39 years) saw mine and asked me to get him one.......his first "new" carry gun in about 30 years.....became his daily carry for the next 10 years....replacing his 1950s Colt Detective Special.

Traded mine ...... but still have "his"
 
I really like the 640. I've owned two, but ultimately found them a bit on the heavy side for pocket carry for my preferences and currently opt for the 642. I personally don't care much for the PC model.
 
I do not have the PC model, but I do have a 640-3 and CCW it about 75% of the time. I carry it in a Galco should holster with 12 extra rounds in the opposite side carrier. Never feel under gunned or intimidated by the recoil; and I do stuff it with full house magnums.
The other 25% of the time, I either do not carry anything or occasionally my 642 with Buffalo Bore 158 grain +P's.
I am not a LEO, security professional or one with delusions of getting involved in a running gun battle with multiple offenders at the mall. I already did that many times in the US Army and there is no glory in those experiences. HIHI
 
I picked up a 640-1 a couple weeks ago myself. I know it may be "outdated" and there are "better choices" according to many on the net, but it fits my preferences and lifestyle pretty darn well so far.
 
I have one and its my #1 carry revolver... pachmayr grip with the pinky groove is the best. However, I don't carry with 357; 38+Ps BBs are plenty enough power for me.
 
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I have a new model 640 (not PC). It's my BUG on duty and main off duty gun. Love it
 
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I picked up brand new 640pro a few weeks ago. I don't trust it quite yet as a carry piece so here are my thoughts. Right off the bat I had a tough time shooting it with the little boot grips it came with from S&W. I swapped out the S&W boot grips for a standard J frame rubber grips off my Model60 and have been happy with the feel. Will probably get a set of Altamont wood combat grips when I decide to carry it.

It shoots a little low for my taste and I have seen others with the same issue post about it online. More shooting is necessary to determine what is probably user error. Worst case scenario it may need to be sent off to S&W for a new barrel.

The Trijicon night sights are nice, a tad dimmer than I would have thought but much better sight picture than my other J frames.

The DAO trigger out of the box was pretty crunchy and stiff. It has gotten better after a few boxes of 38s, and a lot of snap cap firing.

Moon clips are a nice feature, though would probably have preferred a Performance Center trigger job over the cylinder cut outs for moon clips if given the choice.
 
When I finally bought my first M-640, a dash one, it quickly became the only one of my J Frames that I carry. And it still is, although the second one I found and bought sometimes gives it some time off! Simply put, these 640's retired the rest of my J Frames to the safe, except for occasional viewings. I still like 'em, but not as much as the 640. As far as I am concerned, for me, this is the best and dandiest J Frame available for daily carry. I just wish I could have found the first one a long earlier. I waited a long time, but it was well worth the wait!!
 
The 640 (no dash) is still my favorite J-frame. IMO, the perfect balance of heft, size, comfort in use, and ease of carry. I have gravitated to the 642 over the years for my carry choice. The Airweight is just easier to pocket carry without thought. It's not quite as fun at the range, but still quite tolerable.

IF I had to choose between the two? I'd keep the 640 all day, every day. I have a lot of history and memories of my 640. I trusted my life for many years as a LEO with it on my ankle. I still would, and do upon occasion.

I may pick up a Magnum 640 (or 649) in the future. An excellent weapon, but not quite the perfect balance for my uses. J-frames are like Lays potato chips to me. I can't have just one.
 
It do not have a 640 because I have a CS9 and a CS45, but I have fired my friend's 640 and I would not hesitate to make a 640 my carry if I had one.
 
Somehow I ended up with two 640s in two separate deals. I'm glad I did! They're my go-to revolvers for any time I don't feel like carrying a semi. The trigger pulls on both are what I'd call "just right." I have a Hogue boot grip on one and a nice smooth rosewood magna on the other. A modified DeSantis belt holster and a speedloader round out the kit. I don't seem to take the other Js out since acquiring these....
 
I've got the 640-1 Pro. Great gun and much more controllable than my 642. The combat sights are sweet!
 
Mine is a no-dash carried in a Sticky in my trouser pocket. It came wearing a pair of J Sq. Butt Targets with all the checkering and half the medallions sanded off. Fit my hand much better than the J Magnas, so I added a pinky groove for that "just right" handful. May have been a training piece, as it's covered uniformly with tiny little dings and scratches for that "pulled on a chain down 5 miles of dirt road" look, but bore, chambers and function are without issue. I'm into it real right because of its appearance, but wouldn't trade it easily. It replaced my 3" M64 for EDC and I've never looked back.

Larry
 
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