S&W 640 vs. S&W 642...38 Special Questions

[Jeff '79]

I've researched this online, and have shot the S&W 642 Airweight with .38 special+p rounds. I have yet to shoot the 640 .357 .
I'm looking to get a carry pistol for my wife.
I, however want to get something that I can carry also, if in the woods, for complete stopping power, w/o having to buy another gun.

The 642 .38 special shoots .38 special, and .38 special+p rounds
The 640 .357 shoots .357 magnum, .38 special, and .38 special+p rounds. My thinking is that Liz can carry using .38 special, and when I want to use it, I can use +p, or .357, depending on what I am up to.

Obviously, we have to try the 640, but a gun show, and a gun shop later, we haven't been able to see one.

The question is: Is the 640 a good carry gun for my wife ?. Weight, and conceal-ability are my concerns. Handling a .38 special round for her will be no problem through this, as it wasn't through the Airweight.

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/Side-by-Side.jpg

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/Backstraps.jpg

Does anyone have experience shooting the 640 with all type rounds ?

[JRD77VET]

You need to do an edit. YOU may not be man enough to shoot a .308 handgun :yesnod:

[Jeff '79]

You need to do an edit. YOU may not be man enough to shoot a .308 handgun :yesnod:

Oops....38 special, and .38 special+p...:D

[Mirroredshades]

You need to do an edit. YOU may not be man enough to shoot a .308 handgun :yesnod:

Now THAT would be cool.

:D

[JRD77VET]

Oops....380...:D

.380 is a rimless cartridge. It's also known as a 9 x 17mm . The .38 special & .357 magnum are both rimmed cartridges and use a different diameter bullet than the .380 / 9mm.

Could it be that the 642 shoots .38 special and .38 special plus P ?

then the 640 would shoot .357 magnum, .38 special and .38 special plus P.


IF that is correct, I would go with the model 640 as your wife can always shoot .38 special out of it ( which have more energy than a 9 x19mm / 9mm luger ) and you can use .357's if you so desire. :seasix:

[Flatbush Harry]

The 640 is a great gun but I'd recommend against a 1-7/8" bbl .357 as a woods carry gun. My carry pistol in the woods (concealed) is a 5" 44 magnum as the only things I'm worried about in the woods are mountain lions and bears. If I'm hunting, the rifle I'm carrying will deal with that. If I'm fishing, the .44 will help. IMHO, a .357, especially if loaded with .38spl, will piss off a bear or moose.

For urban predators, the 640 will do nicely. The key is choosing the right tool for the job at hand.

Harry

[JRD77VET]

Product: Model 640 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766365_-1_775658_757896_757896_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y)

Model 640
Caliber:
.357 Magnum®
.38 S&W Special +P


Product: Model 642 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_764961_-1_757768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y)

Model 642
Caliber:
.38 S&W Special +P


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry for "nitpicking" but if you shoot the wrong ammo in a firearm, you risk serious injury or death. :sadangel:

[Jeff '79]

Product: Model 640 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766365_-1_775658_757896_757896_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y)

Model 640
Caliber:
.357 Magnum®
.38 S&W Special +P


Product: Model 642 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_764961_-1_757768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y)

Model 642
Caliber:
.38 S&W Special +P


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry for "nitpicking" but if you shoot the wrong ammo in a firearm, you risk serious injury or death. :sadangel:

No, you're right. Thanks for the lesson....:yesnod:

[Jeff '79]

The 640 is a great gun but I'd recommend against a 1-7/8" bbl .357 as a woods carry gun. My carry pistol in the woods (concealed) is a 5" 44 magnum as the only things I'm worried about in the woods are mountain lions and bears. If I'm hunting, the rifle I'm carrying will deal with that. If I'm fishing, the .44 will help. IMHO, a .357, especially if loaded with .38spl, will piss off a bear or moose.

For urban predators, the 640 will do nicely. The key is choosing the right tool for the job at hand.

Harry

I'm just trying to get away with not having a million guns.....I know that a longer barrel is more desirable in the woods, but, I'm just trying to kill two birds with one stone.
I'm relegating my ammo to 9mm, .38 special, and .357, as I don't want to deal with too many ammo types either.
Keep it simple.....:seasix:

[JRD77VET]

Now THAT would be cool.

:D

http://www.remington.com/~/media/Images/Firearms/Archived/Centerfire/Long-Range/xp1001.ashx
Model XP 100 Long Range Centerfire Pistol (http://www.remington.com/products/archived/centerfire/long-range-pistol/model-xp-100.aspx)

Caliber/Gauge:
221 Remington Fireball (1963 -1985)
22-250 Remington (1992-1994) Custom Shop only
223 Remington (1986-1994)
250 Savage (1990-1991) Custom Shop only
6mm BR Remington (1990-1991) Custom Shop only
7mm BR Remington (1980-1985)
7mm-08 Remington (1993-1994)
308 Win (1992-1994) Custom Shop only
35 Remington (1986-1994)

[Mirroredshades]

For urban predators

Harry

:lol:

[Jeff '79]

http://www.remington.com/~/media/Images/Firearms/Archived/Centerfire/Long-Range/xp1001.ashx
Model XP 100 Long Range Centerfire Pistol (http://www.remington.com/products/archived/centerfire/long-range-pistol/model-xp-100.aspx)

Caliber/Gauge:
221 Remington Fireball (1963 -1985)
22-250 Remington (1992-1994) Custom Shop only
223 Remington (1986-1994)
250 Savage (1990-1991) Custom Shop only
6mm BR Remington (1990-1991) Custom Shop only
7mm BR Remington (1980-1985)
7mm-08 Remington (1993-1994)
308 Win (1992-1994) Custom Shop only
35 Remington (1986-1994)

A Thompson Contender will do the trick too. That's a bit much for me though. I really don't see me ever carrying one of those, unless my neighbor gave me his for some ungodly reason.

[mike100]

Those airweights are NOT fun to shoot at all. They carry easy, but forget about practicing- even heavy bullet weight 38's are uncomfortable to shoot.

The holy grail is a 3" K-frame. either the model 19 (blued), or the model 66 stainless- smaller frame, but 357 caliber.

[69camfrk]

I carry a 642 with Crimson Trace grips. Love the gun. Not a gun to go to the range and pump 500 rounds through, but with some practice the DA trigger is easy to get used to. Most defensive hand gunning is done within about 15 feet anyway, so no big deal. :seasix:

[Sea Six]

I've researched this online, and have shot the S&W 642 Airweight with .38 special+p rounds. I have yet to shoot the 640 .357 .
I'm looking to get a carry pistol for my wife.
I, however want to get something that I can carry also, if in the woods, for complete stopping power, w/o having to buy another gun.

The 642 .38 special shoots .38 special, and .38 special+p rounds
The 640 .357 shoots .357 magnum, .38 special, and .38 special+p rounds. My thinking is that Liz can carry using .38 special, and when I want to use it, I can use +p, or .357, depending on what I am up to.

Obviously, we have to try the 640, but a gun show, and a gun shop later, we haven't been able to see one.

The question is: Is the 640 a good carry gun for my wife ?. Weight, and conceal-ability are my concerns. Handling a .38 special round for her will be no problem through this, as it wasn't through the Airweight.

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/Side-by-Side.jpg

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af113/jeff79/Backstraps.jpg

Does anyone have experience shooting the 640 with all type rounds ?

Jeff, I have a 340PD airlite S&W in .357 Magnum. It is my backup and sometimes primary carry off duty weapon.

I shoot about 20 rounds of full house .357 Magnums each and every time I go to the range. It is not fun; I do it so that I know I can put the rounds on target.

It is like catching a fastball without a glove. It hurts.

The trick is to have a very tight grip on the gun in your shooting hand.

If you are going to use it in a defensive shooting, by all accounts I've read, you will not even remember recoil at all.

I'd go with the 640 if given the choice you presented.

[Jeff '79]

Jeff, I have a 340PD airlite S&W in .357 Magnum. It is my backup and sometimes primary carry off duty weapon.

I shoot about 20 rounds of full house .357 Magnums each and every time I go to the range. It is not fun; I do it so that I know I can put the rounds on target.

It is like catching a fastball without a glove. It hurts.

The trick is to have a very tight grip on the gun in your shooting hand.

If you are going to use it in a defensive shooting, by all accounts I've read, you will not even remember recoil at all.

I'd go with the 640 if given the choice you presented.

My wife and I would do pretty much what you do, except she would carry it with .38 special rounds. I would carry with .357. Most practicing would be done with .38 special....I just want the versatility to be able to use both rounds, and to have a non-failing handgun for Liz.

[Jeff '79]

Those airweights are NOT fun to shoot at all. They carry easy, but forget about practicing- even heavy bullet weight 38's are uncomfortable to shoot.

The holy grail is a 3" K-frame. either the model 19 (blued), or the model 66 stainless- smaller frame, but 357 caliber.

I like the way the Airweight shoots. It's a very accurate gun, and I found no significant problem with recoil, using the .38+p round. I like the DAO also, but that's just my preference.
We just have to get our hands on the 640 to try it out, and compare it.
I ,not having tried the 640 yet, want it, but the final decision will be made after we shoot it.
I'm also trying to minimize size, and weight, so ya, the K-frame is an awesome gun, but, because of those factors, it's not in that picture.