Would S&W ever consider making a revolver chambered in .40 S&W?

[nipster]

They make (made) revolvers in 45acp and 9mm, why not in 40s&w? It's a very popular caliber these days and ammo prices have come way down on 40 compared to what it was when it first came out and even 5 years ago. Would be a great way I think to get more customers. Especially all the youngsters with a Glock 23 which seems to be one of the most popular current handguns.

Forgive me if this has been asked before, but I find the idea kind of interesting.

 

[M16]

Sure, they made one before. The model 646 if I remember correctly.

 

[2hawk]

Yep, been done already-
Smith & Wesson Model 646 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Smith & Wesson Model 610 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't know how the .40 performs out of the 610, but it should work.

 

[Andy Griffith]

The other option is to take a S&W model 28 and have the barrel rebored to .40 caliber and have the cylinder modified to take .40's and or 10mm's. While you're at it, just get another .357 cylinder and have it reamed for .38WCF and you can shoot them too- dual cylinders.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Couldn't a 40 S&W be fired in a revolver chambered for 10MM Auto-like firing a 38 Special out of .357? I though the 40 S&W was simply a shortened 10MM Auto.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Yes it can, with moonclips. Since auto rounds headspace on the case rim, you can't use a shorter case without them.

I don't have one of the Performance Center 646 models, but I do have one with the 686 profile barrell/lug, and it's fantastic, especially since I started loading for it.

 

[TSQUARED]

S&W made two revolvers which can use the 40 S&W cartridge. A PC and "standard" version of the 6 shot 646 on a stainless L-frame with titanium cylinder. The Model 610 in 10mm will also shoot 40 S&W.

I shoot a 646 with minor loads - it would be a handful with full power loads. With it's titanium cylider the 646 comes back on target very rapidly much more so than my Model 610 with it's heavy unfluted satinless cylinder.

 

[qballwill]

The 646 is a very and accurate gun. With the popularity of autos, I think a rebirth of the gun would would do well. I picked one up a few years ago. Perfect match for the L frame. Here is mine I modified a set of square butt target grips for.

 

[m4bgringo]

I have shot about 1000 rounds of .40 S&W from my 610 so far using moonclips but have yet to fire 10mm through it. One day I will try them, have about 100 rounds just sitting there waiting.....

 

[627 city hunter]

I really really like the 610. Its like a "updated" 627 6-shot.