S&W 640

[Cleburne]

Anyone have experience with S&W Model 640 stainless steel .357 magnum revolvers? I'm getting ready to buy one that appears (from pics) to be in excellent condition. Price is $350.00. Looks like an ideal CCW. Let me know if there are any cons. I'm not overly concerned about the weight. I do like the enclosed hammer for its anti-snag propertities. Are these pieces much larger or bulkier than a Model 60?

[williamlayton]

While I own one I don't really like DAO---it sleeps under the matress.
Blessings

[Tom C.]

The Model 640 is a hammerless Model 60. The only problem I had with mine was the sights were off significantly in windage. I sent it to the Cylinder and Slide shop and had them install a dovetailed fromt sight. I then used a sight pusher to dial in the windage. End of problem. I have smoothed up the trigger slightly and it is now very nice. Mine shoots very nicely. I also have a Model 340. It is for carry. The 640 is for practice. I had to do the dovetailed front sight on it, too.

[SHOOTALL]

I had one , first its larger than a 38 J frame so leather is harder to find . You don't care about weight I did so I got rid of it and went with a 340PD. The  price you list is good .
Pro's - you can get a higher hold on the enclosed hammer gun. The weight dampens recoil.
Con's - weight , no SA trigger for aimed shots , larger size ( 340 is same size as 38 and lighter - still 357mag.).

[Cleburne]

Thanks for the replies. I have a Model 36 and a Model 60, but always desired an internal hammer. When I saw the Model 640 come up for sale at that price I figured I'd jump on it. Internal hammer and more smack'em in the same package. If size and weight become an issue, I expect to be able to recoupe my investment and begin a search for a good deal on the Model 340.

Cleburne

[Mohawk]

DAO make great emergency guns but I am from the belief that the SA option may always happen. At sometime a hair trigger will be needed for whatever reason. 

[45-70.gov]

great price 
on a great gun

thats what i carry....24/7......38  is too  mild

you can learn DAO.....and you and those around you will be much safer
i  am confident to hit you at 50 YARDS  with  DAO...

how much  more accuracy do you need
more safety  is always good......DAO  just adds to the margin of safety

the closed top keeps out pocket dirt....and decreases  pocket snags

[SHOOTALL]

Good point on the SA vs DA . I like the DAO at work , less places for dirt and trash to enter gun, You can get a better grip . For a while i switched to a M-38 airweight when fishing or such incase of a shot at a snake etc.  but found with pratice you can do as well DA for most shooting if you pratice . In a self defense situation I dare say SA would not be the best option , a head shot with a J frame  . If someone you love or feel the need to protect is going to die let the bad guy do it , why have to live with it ?
45-70 why do you feel the doa is safer ?

[45-70.gov]

Good point on the SA vs DA . I like the DAO at work , less places for dirt and trash to enter gun, You can get a better grip . For a while i switched to a M-38 airweight when fishing or such incase of a shot at a snake etc.  but found with pratice you can do as well DA for most shooting if you pratice . In a self defense situation I dare say SA would not be the best option , a head shot with a J frame  . If someone you love or feel the need to protect is going to die let the bad guy do it , why have to live with it ?
45-70 why do you feel the doa is safer ?

i  have spoke with 2  women about accidental discharges
BOTH incidents  involved lowering the hammer after a false alarm
cocking the hammer is how they  ''hit targets  at the range''
they cocked the hammer as they trained....then tried to lower it after  the ''usual'' false alarm

if your gun  is  ''DAO''...you  will train double action only

thus you WILL  shoot  DAO   better

[SHOOTALL]

Good point on the SA vs DA . I like the DAO at work , less places for dirt and trash to enter gun, You can get a better grip . For a while i switched to a M-38 airweight when fishing or such incase of a shot at a snake etc.  but found with pratice you can do as well DA for most shooting if you pratice . In a self defense situation I dare say SA would not be the best option , a head shot with a J frame  . If someone you love or feel the need to protect is going to die let the bad guy do it , why have to live with it ?
45-70 why do you feel the doa is safer ?

i  have spoke with 2  women about accidental discharges
BOTH incidents  involved lowering the hammer after a false alarm
cocking the hammer is how they  ''hit targets  at the range''
they cocked the hammer as they trained....then tried to lower it after  the ''usual'' false alarm

if your gun  is  ''DAO''...you  will train double action only

thus you WILL  shoot  DAO   better

I'm sorry but blaming the gun for pizz poor manual of arms or gun handling is like blaming the gun for killing people. THAT DOG DON"T HUNT ! IMHO. The open hammer only gives options . If the gun owner can't understand the weapon and how to use it in a safe way maybe they are to ignorant to be trusted with a weapon in the first place. Seems these ladies had poor training !

[45-70.gov]

you  are correct
and  this is just calling on my very limited experience

poor training.....luckily no one was  hurt
guns fault  or taining fault....woulndn't matter had some one got hurt
also  would not  have  happened ''that time''  with  a DAO

 i  like having options too
but with  options comes  confusion under stress
and  more training.....like  more training  is not better
you and i shoot a lot.......i assume you do
some one that  ask  for a recomendaition  probly doesn't


a 640 DAO  or    60 SA/DA  is a self defence gun
i realy  like  my single six for rabbits

[Mohawk]

I do understand the safety roll of the DAO. NYPD issued Smiths had them for years by removing the hammer spur. But, the SA mode gives you options that I might need. Granted you could creep the trigger up just before it breaks but that is a bit different. Many of us handle revolvers daily and it is second nature, our skills are as second nature as typing on a keyboard. For others that don't, maybe the DAO is a better option. I think their are good arguments for both. My Smiths double as deer hunting revolvers/self defense revolvers. But they are 4" variety. Now IMHO, a snub may need both actions "just in case" it is needed. Not for hunting but for that ONE occasion that nobody ever thought could have happened....... "  But yes cocking the gun without something being imminent is a training issue. Its like trying to explain open bolt and closed bolt machine guns to tourists...... Yes I have had that job years ago (: Don't ever mix a Thompson and MP5 within the same members of a bachelor party without help....   (: 

[SHOOTALL]

I don't think you can idoit proof a gun ! 

[45-70.gov]

I don't think you can idoit proof a gun ! 

very well  put

but a 640  in  22 short might get real close

[alacharger]

I've carried a 640-1 .357 Magnum on my ankle for 15 years or so.  One great thing about the internal hammer is that there is one less opening in the frame for crap to get into and jam the works. 

Mine has an extremely smooth action.  Using it DAO has never been a problem for me.  It's one of my guns that is guaranteed to be handed down to one of my kids....because I'll never sell or trade it.   

[45-70.gov]

I've carried a 640-1 .357 Magnum on my ankle for 15 years or so.  One great thing about the internal hammer is that there is one less opening in the frame for crap to get into and jam the works. 

Mine has an extremely smooth action.  Using it DAO has never been a problem for me.  It's one of my guns that is guaranteed to be handed down to one of my kids....because I'll never sell or trade it.

thats what i said about my old 38 centiniel
i really push this gun  and used it to help teach safety ckasses
seen  it too hot to handle........been fired thousands of times
i  wanted the  357  for a few  years....so the 38 has been handed down to my daughter
my sons both carry the  aluminum version  in 38

my 357  is with me  24/7....it will not be sold
and at the price  the original   post quoted
i  would  own a spare   one
tho  i do have a 357 ruger lcr  at  17  oz  in a box some where here..

[SHOOTALL]

I don't think you can idoit proof a gun ! 

very well  put

but a 640  in  22 short might get real close

Maybe if loaded with blanks !

[45-70.gov]

several years  ago in  jacksonville florida

a black preacher was speaking to his congregation about the  evils  of guns

he pulled out a revolver....loaded  with blanks

un-aware of the power  of a blank

he put the gun to his head and  killed himself in front of the congregation

as  you said....''can't idiot proof a gun''

[SHOOTALL]