What do y’all think of the 640 Pro *Update-I got it!* see post 29

[tlawler]

I'm in the market for a 640 to replace my SP101 for ankle carry (inside boot carry, actually, in an ankle holster). I did carry a 342 for awhile, but the finish was getting damaged from sweat, so I relegated it to occasional pocket carry (in a Mika holster). I got the Ruger to replace it because it's stainless and haven't had any issues in a little over a year of carry. Now, I want to stay stainless and go to a hammerless, thus the 640. I found this 640 Pro locally and really like the look of it. Asking price is $700, and hopefully negotiable. Haven't talked to the selling party, so I don't know if there's box and docs to go along. Assuming just the revolver, what would be a fair price, and what are the opinions of the Pro model of those who own them?

 

[Telecaster]

Sounds a tad high for a used 640, but not insanely so. If it's what you want (no lock...) and you have the money, I'd go for it.

 

[luangtom]

I have one. Purchased it new, locally, a month ago. $683.00 on its price-tag. I have an older 640-1 that I put a XS regular-dot on long ago. I can't say I like one better than the other. Both are good shooters.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[gnystrom]

If you can ankle carry an all steel 640, you are a tougher man than I am. I had trouble doing that with a scandium framed 340pd weighing in at a full 9oz. lighter.
As far as price, I would say it's in the ballpark if you are not including local sales tax.

 

[vegasgunhand]

I got both of my 642's NIB for less than $700.00. They are great carry guns.

 

[colt_saa]

I am a big fan of the 640 pro and would own one if I did not have so many Centennials already

I must concur that the price you mentioned sounds a high for one of the FREE States of the Union

 

[uncleted327]

I had one for awhile. Here are my thoughts,
Pros:excellent sights for a J frame, fluted barrel looks good, already cut for moonclips, no lock, though I'm not concerned with the lock either way.
Cons: Trigger was heavier than dragging a cinderblock across rough concrete, pricey, and for me I've really come to dislike DAO.

With all that said if you want a stainless DAO J it's the cream of the crop. You should be able to find a new one for under $700.00 though. I went with a 360 and I'm much happier though.

 

[Tom-R2]

We picked one up for about $400 at an auction a couple years ago. Hardly shot, it was in great shape. Night sights were bright, but I don't know how useful they would be in a defensive situation, but at least they are there if you have an opportunity to use them. To me, I've gotten used to larger grips, so they feel a little small to me, but I don't shoot it much. It's mostly been shot by my wife, who likes it and fits her hands. It's pretty much what a 5-shot small revolver should be. Try to negotiate the best price for your area and enjoy it.

 

[CH4]

I am a big fan of the 640 Pro and think $700 is an "ok" price; I paid about the same and happy I did. To my mind all the custom touches like fluted barrel and sights would cost a lot more if done later. If you can live without these cool touches, then buy the less expensive model. When I found my 640 Pro at Cabelas there were two of the "not as cool" 640s for $599. Never gave a second thought to paying the extra.

 

[L-2]

I can also recommend a 640 Pro.
I've found myself accurate with it out to a 15 yard distance (I don't practice much at longer distances with a handgun.)

MSRP on these is $839 and not easy to find. $700 is OK.

 

[BAMac]

I have a 640 Pro as well, and find it very easy and comfortable to shoot accurately, more so than a 36 Classic.

 

[tlawler]

I've done some research on the 640 Pro since yesterday. Checking on GB completed auctions, I see prices of $650ish to over $700 for used examples. Some NIB ones are right around $700, and checking on GAG, I could get a spanking new one for around $730 shipped. I texted the individual this morning and he does have the box. I offered him $600 cash, but he declined with no counter offer. I figure it just isn't meant to be. It would have been nice to pick one up with no 4473 involved, but I'm not going to pay a new gun price for a used gun.

gnystrom, I don't think I'd be able to ankle carry a 640 conventionally either. I wear engineers boots for work and slide the holster down inside my left boot on the inside for right hand draw. It's worked well with the SP-101, but the hammer spur occasionally irritates me. It worked really well with my 342, but my sweat was damaging the finish, so I had to stop carrying it. The 101 still looks like new after a wipe down.

Thank you all for your responses. The search goes on...

 

[skipnsb]

Disregarding a nefarious reason, such as selling to an unqualified buyer, I wonder what I am missing when a seller of a used device wants essentially the same as the "new" price, when they are both current production. Maybe another buyer doesn't know about or trust online sales, or is willing to pay a little more to be able to inspect it personally?? and avoid having to send a defective unit back to the factory?

Does Smith honor the lifetime warranty on a used gun?

This is just one of many things I don't understand.

 

[tlawler]

Disregarding a nefarious reason, such as selling to an unqualified buyer, I wonder what I am missing when a seller of a used device wants essentially the same as the "new" price, when they are both current production. Maybe another buyer doesn't know about or trust online sales, or is willing to pay a little more to be able to inspect it personally?? and avoid having to send a defective unit back to the factory?

Does Smith honor the lifetime warranty on a used gun?

This is just one of many things I don't understand.

Me neither. Before I researched it (and was informed by the good folks here), I had assumed the 640 Pro, being a performance center revolver would have had a much higher new price. I see that a lot on armslist and Florida gun trader (our local state classified), people asking inexorably high prices for used goods. But there are suckers out there that will spend the money. Caveat Emptor!

 

[Midnight Hour]

Ankle carrying an all steel 640 and an SP-101? Gosh... you must be one big dude!

 

[tlawler]

Ankle carrying an all steel 640 and an SP-101? Gosh... you must be one big dude!

See my response to gnystrom in post #12...wearing boots make it possible.

 

[kaaskop49]

Lot of optimists with used guns out there. A lot. Not a big fan of the newer steel Js with their longer bbls and shrouds: excess weight and size, IMO. I've wished S&W had duped as much as possible the dimensions of their older .38 caliber 60s, 640s, 649s in the steel mags. My 60 .357 LadySmith is a IWB holster gun for me, not a pocket job.

As some above posters state, not a fan of buying used when new is available, unless it is a face-to-face and the $ is reasonable.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Sixgun100]

Hello. If you're happy with SP-101, why not consider one in DAO? Would save you some money, but that S&W Model is a good looking revolver!

 

[hyena]

I bought my 640 Pro new late last summer for $659, including shipping. The company I bought it from (Four Winds Technology) is no longer in business. $700 used seems high to me.

I love the gun. When I carry it, it's either OWB or AIWB. I love the sights, and shoot it much better than my 642. However, I find myself still carrying the 642 more than the 640 Pro because I like the lighter weight of the Airweight. Prior to buying the 640, I would have thought 7 ounces difference in a belt holster would not be noticeable, but to me, it is.

I hope you keep looking. It's a great gun. The action on mine has smoothed out with use. Many hundreds of rounds through it, plus a couple thousand dry fires with snap caps.

 

[hotshot357]

I bought a 640 Pro about three years ago. After taking possession had a deluxe action performed on it. It now has a 10 pound trigger pull and is smooth as glass. It still retains the stock springs.I put a set of Pach's on it and they make it pleasure to shoot. I have never "looked back. It's like a American Express card, I never leave home without it!!!!

 

[HamHands]

OP, I'd go with a new 642 myself. I bought one for my wife within the last month to replace a Colt "Agent"... the hammer-less M642 is snag free, has a tough finish, light, not "stink hole" equipped, and can be had new out the door for under $450...

 

[tlawler]

OP, I'd go with a new 642 myself. I bought one for my wife within the last month to replace a Colt "Agent"... the hammer-less M642 is snag free, has a tough finish, light, not "stink hole" equipped, and can be had new out the door for under $450...

I think I need to stay with stainless steel. Here are a couple of pictures of the finish damage done to my 342Ti from boot carry. The SP-101 on the other hand shows no sign of any wear or damage after a year plus of everyday carry.

sixgun101...one thing I was considering was bobbing the hammer on my 101 or finding a bobbed one to swap out. It doesn't have to be DAO, I just want smoother lines and no irritation from the hammer spur.

 

[hotshot357]

Now that sounds like a good solution!!

 

[Bill Lear]

Stainless steel is great, except when it comes to weight!

The 640 tips the scale at just under 23 ounces which is about what all "snub" all-steel 357s end up weighing.

I was under the impression you wanted to retain the ballistic advantage of the 357 magnum, and IF you're welded to stainless steel you might as well stay with 357, since all-steel 38s weigh pretty much the same.

However, it seems to me a BETTER answer for you is one of the modern, hi-tek coatings on the gun you already have and prefer!

While you CAN hand it over to someone to do a super job, you can also DIY with surprising results. Several years back, while experimenting with all sorts of coatings and even paint, I sprayed a bare aluminum AR-15 lower with PLASTIDIP of all things! I figured, why not, if I don't like it I'll just peel it off! Thing is, that finish is still there! Five years down and that plastidip, spray-on finish is still stuck to that formerly bare-aluminum receiver - and it's been in service the whole time! Since Plastidip is a sort of "rubber" the surface is a satin matte - black in this case, and completely impervious to salts such as those in sweat.

Even more years back I sprayed some OD Thermoset resin epoxy I found at Brownells onto a bare stainless 1911 frame I had just machined. That stuff went on and hardened into a finish so tough it's still there! I put the same stuff on a Sig P228 frame build - OD green - beautiful color, and to this day it's still there - even on the rails!

Duracoat offers all sorts of "kits" complete with how-to videos. A little disassembly, a little masking, spray, bake it, and it's gtg!

p.s. I even sprayed the OD green Thermoset resin on all the metal parts of my Mini-14! Baked it in the oven...that was 20 years ago and the finish today is harder and more difficult to even make a mark on than new! Even where ejecting brass bounced off the flat part of the operating slide, there are brass-colored marks, but the OD green surface is solid!

 

[roo_ster]

I think I need to stay with stainless steel. Here are a couple of pictures of the finish damage done to my 342Ti from boot carry...

Looking at those photos, I'd say you have nixed top-dollar resale value already. At this point you have what I like to call my "Ugly Carry Guns," guns that started off ugly or have become ugly due to carry. Re-coating it as Bill Lear suggests seems like a good way to go if you like your 342.

I had the slide on my Kel-tec P-40 nickel plated after toting it "Mexican Style" with the factory KT belt clip and ankle carry. Ruined the weak blued finish and had to do something as I was getting rust stains on my undershirt.

Whatever you do, good luck.

 

[CH4]

Ankle carrying an all steel 640 and an SP-101? Gosh... you must be one big dude!

Big? A former partner ankle-carried a 2.5" 19.

 

[Breaker]

I have a 640 pro series that I carry and shoot often. I love the sights and the pistol is a solid performer. I would recommend it without hesitation, although I carry mine in a pocket holster or in a cross draw OTWB. In Southern California they don't stay on the shelves and $700 would be a "good deal" if you can find one.

 

[Rlggray]

I have one. Like it alot. I'm just not crazy about 3 dot sights. I'm gonna find some replacement sights for it in the near future. I would like some Big Dot night sights with the orange dot, but I don't think they make em for the 640 pro. If they did it would be my #1 carry gun.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[tlawler]

I picked it up over the weekend. Talked him down to $650, which isn't a screaming deal, I know. But the box and paperwork came with it. I swapped out the boot grips and put on a set of CT's. Mainly because with the smaller grips, it just disappeared down in my boot and it was hard to get a good grip on it. I guess I'm not really ankle carrying it, as it is secured down in a boot and I just use an ankle holster to accomplish that. I posted a couple of pics of it and the way I carry it along with one of the SP-101 for comparison. I carried it all day today and it is definitely more comfortable than the Ruger. With the boot grips, I can snap the thumb break, but with either the CT's or with the Ruger, I have to leave it unsnapped. That doesn't really worry me because the retention is still very good. In my job, I have to crawl over, under and around machinery as well as working on ladders and I never have to worry about printing or exposing it.

 

[DeafSmith]

If you have the money.. why not?

Now I pack a 642 'pro', cut of moon clips and no Hillary lock, quite often. And I have a second 642 as a practice piece I shoot often! And a few 640-1 .357s. If the fancy 640 is what he wants... get it! Bet it shoots well.