was the 640 Pro quality bad?
- Thread starter SquarePizza
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As I don't follow new S&Ws I had no idea they manufactured the 640 Pro but looks like an excellent concept. My favorite is the 640 PC and 640 standard production of the mid 1990s series seem to me to be much better made an much more reliable than the following generation.
I found when S&W went to the rectangular cut out for the extractor tree I had all sorts of problems with those. As I could not return them, I sold them after factory service.
On one of those I describe, the extractor would never seat back properly on a quick extraction. On another, after 2 shots fired, the cylinder would not rotate. If it cooled down, it would then again fire ... for 2 shots and freeze up again.
As I'm older, my preferred S&Ws are 1965-67 and prior. However, when the Performance Center opened in about 1993, my spirits were lifted again, until I saw the Performance Center produced Schofield 2000s that so many of them were just awful. Mainly they could not get the top strap center depression / line symmetric. I sent a SS / 2000 Schofield back twice, then just gave up.
I found when S&W went to the rectangular cut out for the extractor tree I had all sorts of problems with those. As I could not return them, I sold them after factory service.
On one of those I describe, the extractor would never seat back properly on a quick extraction. On another, after 2 shots fired, the cylinder would not rotate. If it cooled down, it would then again fire ... for 2 shots and freeze up again.
As I'm older, my preferred S&Ws are 1965-67 and prior. However, when the Performance Center opened in about 1993, my spirits were lifted again, until I saw the Performance Center produced Schofield 2000s that so many of them were just awful. Mainly they could not get the top strap center depression / line symmetric. I sent a SS / 2000 Schofield back twice, then just gave up.
I love my 640 Pro. Bought it three or four years back and have put roughly 500 rounds through it, carry it often and it's usually the gun I take when I travel and am staying in hotels/strange places. I am fully confident in mine.
I've had my 640 Pro for a couple years. It came out of the box with a dead front sight and the action felt as though it had been assembled in a sandbox. The company fixed both problems.
I tried a variety of ammo (standard .38s, +P, and magnums). I carry the one where POI equaled POA. Pretty simple. It's a 140gr lead-free Barnes magnum. They work really well in the moon clips, and I used the clips always.
I have big mitts so I added Karl Nill Centennial grips. Perfect. It's a pound and a half loaded (that's a half pound more than an M&P 340 with the same ammo and grips) -- insignificant to me.
Happy customer.
I tried a variety of ammo (standard .38s, +P, and magnums). I carry the one where POI equaled POA. Pretty simple. It's a 140gr lead-free Barnes magnum. They work really well in the moon clips, and I used the clips always.
I have big mitts so I added Karl Nill Centennial grips. Perfect. It's a pound and a half loaded (that's a half pound more than an M&P 340 with the same ammo and grips) -- insignificant to me.
Happy customer.
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BKDinTexas
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Just bought one and stupidly rushed out of the store because it was closing time. Then it sat in the safe for a couple of months. Went to shoot it and it only fires on one cylinder hole, the others all lock up. Put it under the magnifier and four of the lugs on the cylinder ratchet are uncut. One is and that is the one that fires. Gun also shoots way left although it geoups well. Going back to the factory. Performance center guns are very hit and miss lately and I am about done with them.
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Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
bronco45
Member
Bought one of the first 640 Pros way back when. Saw them introduced at SHOT and ordered one the same day. It has been flawless and it likes the Gold Dot SB 135 Magnums when I can find them.
Great J frame, from the maker of all J frames.
Great J frame, from the maker of all J frames.
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Jingles
Member
No problems with my 640 Pro; the sights are great! It shoots like a much larger gun.
texmex
Member
I have had no problems with mine. I've had it since they first came out. Probably shot 6 or 7 hundred rounds through it. It is the gun I carry most when off duty or on admin duty. Second favorite is a 60-10 three inch barrel target. I even carry it for a duty gun in court or for special events where I'm going to be walking a lot. I really should get another 640 Pro and put together a Buscadero rig and wear both of them. That would be perfect when I am instructing a recruit class.
Funny about several weeks ago Teddy Jacobson had a 640 Pro in his shop. Teddy said that when he took the side plate off a lot of rust inside the gun was brand new and not a cheap model by any means to have any problems but you do get lemons from time to time. I like the fluted BBL and no lock with sights different cool factor almost anything can be fixed with in reason.
To answer the OP's original question, I don't know. My guess is the 640 Pro and the 640-3 are essentially the same in quality and performance.
I've got a 640-3, with a few additions. I added a XS Big Dot front sight and had TK Custom moonclip the cylinder. I also added an old-style thumbpiece and neutered the lock. Those mods bring my investment over the cost of the 640 Pro, but they were done over time to cushion the blow of spending the money. I still don't have the excellent rear sight of the Pro, which would involve work by a good gunsmith and drive my investment for the standard model beyond the price of a Pro. That sight is the nicest thing about the Pro, in my opinion; the fluting is fine but essentially useless.
According to the S&W web page, the 640 Pro weights .3 ounces more than the 640-3, which I don't understand, unless that is attributed to the extra weight of the front and rear sights on the Pro. In which case maybe the fluting is a good thing, if it helps keep the weight from going over more than 22.4 ounces.
Overall, my 640-3 is an excellent revolver that has about 500 rounds through it flawlessly and handles .38 +P very nicely and can deal with .357 Magnum when it has to (my carry rounds are .38 +P). My preferred practice ammo is the 148 Grain LHBWC, whether store bought or hand-loaded, because it is a mild round - a friend to the J Frame shooter.
I've got a 640-3, with a few additions. I added a XS Big Dot front sight and had TK Custom moonclip the cylinder. I also added an old-style thumbpiece and neutered the lock. Those mods bring my investment over the cost of the 640 Pro, but they were done over time to cushion the blow of spending the money. I still don't have the excellent rear sight of the Pro, which would involve work by a good gunsmith and drive my investment for the standard model beyond the price of a Pro. That sight is the nicest thing about the Pro, in my opinion; the fluting is fine but essentially useless.
According to the S&W web page, the 640 Pro weights .3 ounces more than the 640-3, which I don't understand, unless that is attributed to the extra weight of the front and rear sights on the Pro. In which case maybe the fluting is a good thing, if it helps keep the weight from going over more than 22.4 ounces.
Overall, my 640-3 is an excellent revolver that has about 500 rounds through it flawlessly and handles .38 +P very nicely and can deal with .357 Magnum when it has to (my carry rounds are .38 +P). My preferred practice ammo is the 148 Grain LHBWC, whether store bought or hand-loaded, because it is a mild round - a friend to the J Frame shooter.
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justBrian
Member
I carry mine every day. I got the longer combat grips from the MotherShip. I like the feel and fit much better. That said, never a hiccup after several hundred rounds. Love this revolver!
revolver686
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No problems with mine. I usually shoot magnums through it so I switched the boot grips out for the S&W combats to help with control.
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I own 640-1 magna Port, used to own a 640 Pro and EDC my 649-3. It's the 649-3 for me. I have never had any problems with the Pro just like the 649 better. The 640-1 magna port with an enhanced action is a new purchase so I have very little time on it. But it's got a smoother action than the 640 Pro. I am not that excited about night sights or Non combat sights on the snub nose guns for self defense. I find them a distraction when it comes to follow up shots.
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Any of those 250 rounds lead?
Beancounter81
Member
I have a little over 7,000 rounds (mostly .38 Special +P but some .357 magnum) through my 640 Pro and it has been flawless. One of my favorite carry guns.
The Pro is cut for moon clips, has three dot night sights (in dovetails), and a fluted barrel. Otherwise, same gun.
