S&W 640-2 Centennial / 38 special

["DoubleAction"]

I acquired a 640-2, which, although it is chambered for the 38 special, everything about the gun appears to be that of the 640-1 in .357 magnum. The only difference is the tapering of the inside of the cylinder chambers to prevent the seating of .357 magnum cartridges.

The logic behind tapering the cylinders seems to be with the fact that this particular revolver was part of a special order run for the NYPD, in 1997, which required it to be chambered for the 38 special.

Since the 640-1 was introduced in 1996, with the new strengthened frame package, this would place the reintroduction of the 38 special for this model on it's current frame package; unless S&W retooled to the previous 640 for this particular order. The most logical thing to do was to taper the chambers to prevent the seating of the longer cases of the .357 magnum.

From what I've been told; The NYPD could not carry .357 magnums , which provides reasoning to this. I have not yet tracked down why another hammerless was not requested for this order, rather than modifying one which was already changed to accept the .357 magnum.

Whatever; This is one very strong J-Frame for the 38 special. I'll post pictures later.

TMan; I know what you're going to say about the OAL of the 38 special cartridge and the OAL of the cylinder chambers for the .357 magnum. You're the first one I thought about when first seeing this revolver.

[BIGDOG]

HMMMMM......interesting..Does this mean that a machinist could open this up to safely shoot .357's?
G

["DoubleAction"]

BIGDOG; It appears that the cylinder might be reamed to permit the seating of .357 magnum cases. The problem encountered would rest with whether or not the stainless steel frame and cylinder was heat treated to stand up to use with the more powerful .357 magnum.

[BIGDOG]

Oh I see,
I guess you would have to be careful on that one.
G

["DoubleAction"]

My Pics

[TMan]

Nice picture DA; looking over the thread I wondered how I missed your original comment.

Since you can't ever load 357 Magnum rounds, the build up of carbon shouldn't ever be a problem. It isn't really a length issue, but one of diameter. When a cylinder has been cut for 357 Mag and you put in the shorter 38 SPCL, there is that extra space up there to load up with carbon.

If the cylinder is just longer, but cut so it would headspace on the 38 SPCL (if it wasn't a rimmed cartridge), the extra length isn't any harder to clean than the barrel.

I don't think I explained that very well, but I've got to run. The painters will be here shortly. They are about to complete their second week of the one week project. I feel sorry for them because their bid was based on the size of the area they were going to texture and paint. They have never had a job with so much wood trim before.

["DoubleAction"]

Mar 20, 2008 16:53:26 GMT -5 "DoubleAction" said:

TMan; I know what you're going to say about the OAL of the 38 special cartridge and the OAL of the cylinder chambers for the .357 magnum. You're the first one I thought about when first seeing this revolver.

Very True TMan; If this was a Target Handgun, rather a carry self defensive lightweight revolver, I might be concerned. This one is made to be carried, more than it's to be shot.