S&W 640 Pro

[M-14]

Saw one of these a few years ago at a LGS, it was in the LEO section. The balance, moon clips, no key lock, and night sights really impressed me, but it was off-roster until...

I was perusing the Bud's Gun's website the other day, and there in the CA legal handgun section the 640 Pro is listed.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1153_1796/products_id/61698/S%26W+M640+PRO+357+2+NS+MCLP+Stainless

At first I thought it was a mistake, but after a quick look at the DOJ website it looks as if it is now on roster.

640 Pro Series SKU 178044 / Steel Revolver 2.125" .357 Magnum 1/1/2016

Went immediately back to Bud's and ordered it, and within a few minutes noticed they were out of stock. Hopefully some of my fellow Cal Gunner's managed to pick em up.

It's on the way to my FFL...

[Khromo]

I wandered in to Turner's one day and they had one sitting in the case. I immediately bought it. The Centennial has always been my favorite pocket pistol because the internal hammer allows it to be drawn from the holster without snagging. No way I was leaving without that gun.

Well, without paying for it.

Invisible sights on the rest of the Centennials were always a problem for me, but the Pro's larger, black sights are easily visible, and they have tritium inserts to boot. The steel frame makes it a little easier to shoot, not much but a little bit. I always thought the feature set on the Pro was just about perfect.

After several months, I still love the gun, but for me, I found the weight to be the absolute maximum I could comfortably carry in my pocket. Since I'm in shorts and a t-shirt 97.67% of the time, this is the only reasonable alternative.

Get a good pocket holster, and maybe cinch your belt a notch tighter, and you will be well prepared.

I found the included moon clips to be "single use" items. They held the loaded cartidges okay, but when I removed the empties the clips were bent far enough out of shape that they would bind the cylinder if you tried to use them again. I found these clips at Brownell's, and they work much better.

http://www.brownells.com/shooting-accessories/speedloaders-accessories/moonclips/s-w-j-frame-moonclips-prod60479.aspx

Nice price, huh?!?!

I don't use the clips at the range, rather I save them for live use.

Have fun, that's a great revolver. I wouldn't trade mine. It won't replace a larger semi like my beloved P239's, but it carries very discreetly and works fine at reasonable ranges.

This is a point-shooter! Develop that skill!

[M-14]

Yes I agree, the clips that come with the revolvers are pretty much junk. For my 627 Pro I ended up going through a few before I found these.

http://www.tkcustom.com/cart/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=49&cat=S%26W+Moonclips

The tolerances are very tight and ammunition specific, but they don't bend like the cheap ones. I'm going to pick up a batch for the 640 and am sending my 686 3" to have the cylinder machined to accept moonclips. The loading tool they have is worth the $$ if you shoot a lot.

http://www.tkcustom.com/cart/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=238&cat=S%26W+Moon+Clip+Tool+by+Caliber

[bsg]

it's great to see this one on the roster. i have the 640-1 .357 Magnum/.38 Special 2.125" pre-lock revolver that i picked up about 5 months ago (mfg. 1996). i haven't shot it yet, but have swapped out the factory Uncle Mike's grips for some OldSchool Pachmayr Compac grips for when i do. Uncle Mike's is no longer the OEM grip provider for the S&W J-frame as i recall.

with the longer barrel and beefed up Magnum J-frame/longer cylinder, be aware that holsters for the traditional S&W J-frame 2" (1.875") revolver are not going to fit this one.

[M-14]

"be aware that holsters for the traditional J-frame are not going to fit this one. i've got standard J-frames and already tried."


Ah good to know, I was wondering about that.

[Khromo]

Those TK clips are the ones I've been using, and they work well. As to the tool, loading isn't the problem so much as removing the spent cases. Does the tool make it easier to remove the empties without tweaking the clip?

I've been carrying my 640 Pro in the same DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster I used for a 642 340PD. The fit is slightly tighter, but definitely reliably useable. Different holsters are probably not as forgiving, though.

[M-14]

Those TK clips are the ones I've been using, and they work well. As to the tool, loading isn't the problem so much as removing the spent cases. Does the tool make it easier to remove the empties without tweaking the clip?

I've been carrying my 640 Pro in the same DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster I used for a 642 340PD. The fit is slightly tighter, but definitely reliably useable. Different holsters are probably not as forgiving, though.

They have a separate tool for that which I've never used. A local guy that teaches shooting uses one of these

http://www.bmtequipped.com/

It is the by far the best tool I've seen for unloading clips. Keep telling myself I need to order one but never get around to doing it.

[bsg]

Those TK clips are the ones I've been using, and they work well. As to the tool, loading isn't the problem so much as removing the spent cases. Does the tool make it easier to remove the empties without tweaking the clip?

I've been carrying my 640 Pro in the same DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster I used for a 642 340PD. The fit is slightly tighter, but definitely reliably useable. Different holsters are probably not as forgiving, though.

i did find that my 640-1 fit into one (1) old Bianchi IWB #6 suede holster w/clip that was made for a standard S&W J-frame. yet, it wouldn't fit correctly in several other Bianchi #6 holsters that were made for the standard S&W J-frame. the 640-1 would not even come close to fitting in any of my OldSchool Alessi holsters, my Roy's pancake holsters or any other holsters of mine that are gun-specific for a standard J-frame; YMMV.

i've been searching for an OldSchool Lewis OWB cross-draw or old Bianchi cross-draw (123, 124) that might fit the 640-1. these are OldSchool spring holsters of high quality and have some flexibility of what they will fit. the Lewis always comes at a high cost because of it's collectible value.

[Khromo]

They have a separate tool for that which I've never used. A local guy that teaches shooting uses one of these

http://www.bmtequipped.com/

It is the by far the best tool I've seen for unloading clips. Keep telling myself I need to order one but never get around to doing it.

Thanks for the link, M-14!

Those folks aren't afraid to charge, are they?!?! I suppose they have to recover any R&D and tooling costs before the knock-offs knock off all their profit. At the cost of the clips, it still might be worth it.

[Khromo]

i did find that my 640-1 fit into one (1) old Bianchi IWB #6 suede holster w/clip that was made for a standard S&W J-frame. yet, it wouldn't fit correctly in several other Bianchi #6 holsters that were made for the standard S&W J-frame. the 640-1 would not even come close to fitting in any of my OldSchool Alessi holsters, my Roy's pancake holsters or any other holsters of mine that are gun-specific for a standard J-frame; YMMV.

i've been searching for an OldSchool Lewis OWB cross-draw or old Bianchi cross-draw (123, 124) that might fit the 640-1. these are OldSchool spring holsters of high quality and have some flexibility of what they will fit. the Lewis always comes at a high cost because of it's collectible value.

Good info. Thanks! That might save someone from adding to their collection of unused holsters.

The Nemesis might "function" (maybe "work" isn't the right word) since it is pretty much just a pouch or bag that the gun drops into. Maybe pocket holsters don't really "fit" the gun so they release when you draw. The holster holds the gun in position in your pocket, and your pocket helps hold the gun in the holster.

The Pro is definitely a more snug fit in the Nemesis. I just assumed it was the higher-profile sights. I never realized the frames were different.

[bsg]

Good info. Thanks! That might save someone from adding to their collection of unused holsters.

The Nemesis might "function" (maybe "work" isn't the right word) since it is pretty much just a pouch or bag that the gun drops into. Maybe pocket holsters don't really "fit" the gun so they release when you draw. The holster holds the gun in position in your pocket, and your pocket helps hold the gun in the holster.

The Pro is definitely a more snug fit in the Nemesis. I just assumed it was the higher-profile sights. I never realized the frames were different.

a high quality pocket holster will fit snugly, but not overly tight. the gunleather gurus made/make them to fit the gun's contours perfectly. typically, the smooth leather will be on the inside of holster to assist with smoothness of the draw, and the rough leather will be on the outside of holster to prevent holster from leaving the pocket with the gun. if you have a short barrel S&W standard size J-frame revolver, spoil yourself and pick up an OldSchool Alessi pocket holster for same. you'd have to be patient and tenacious to find the rare one that appears on the online auction circuit. you'd be bidding against multiple players, so be prepared to spend some money if you buy.

along with the barrel being longer on the revolver we're speaking of, the cylinder is longer and wider. the ejector rod is longer as well (nice). all these things effect holster fit as i'm sure you know.

[ptgarcia]

along with the barrel being longer on the revolver we're speaking of, the cylinder is longer and wider. the ejector rod is longer as well (nice).

As compared to what?

[bsg]

As compared to what?

standard 2" (1.875") S&W J-frame .38 Special revolver.

[ptgarcia]

Aren't all contemporary J-frames built on the J-magnum frame with magnum-length cylinders?

[bsg]

Aren't all contemporary J-frames built on the J-magnum frame with magnum-length cylinders?

if this is accurate, when did this begin? i have 6 S&W J-frame revolvers, but admittedly they are all no-dash pre-locks except the 640-1 pre-lock that i own.

thanks in advance for the info.