Post by "DoubleAction" on Jan 12, 2007 22:12:19 GMT -5
Small frame snub nose revolvers are among those which I grew up to find alot of people favored for concealed carry. It was also a time when Colt and S&W dominated the market for these revolvers. Both steel frame and alloy aluminum frames were available from both manufacturers, with Charter Arms offering a snub nose with a multi piece frame of steel and alloy. Colt offered their snubbies in a six round cylinder, while S&W offered their's in a five round lower profiling cylinder. Arguments can be said on behalf of both, which has become nothing more than a matter of choice among those who choose between the two.
For some time I have pondered the thought of a smaller carry piece to fit with almost any kind of clothing without giving up what my Sig 239 in .40 / 357 sig offered. I was actually asking for far too much since my 239 was already providing me with much of what I expected from my full size Sig Sauers. Somewhere in the back of my mind I began having thoughts to looking toward what I once had with a S&W Stainless Centennial, which Jack Weigand had worked on. I had one stock 640 Centennial that I wasn't very fond of; the cylinder had a Sharp edge which would scrape the inside on a holster's leather, the trigger needed some work, and it was not very pleasant to shoot. I became spoiled by what Weigand had been doing with these revolvers and put the notion of a Centennial on the back burner, while looking at other options.
Like most other guns I'm fond of, one of the Weigands crossed my path again; not just any Weigand revolver but one that I once owned but this time it sported a set of Craig Spegel Coco Bolo Boot Grips.
It has been more than a few years since I've fired the small frame snub nose and fully understand why these revolvers should be fired often; which is why I prefer the stainless steel frames for their strength. I have two Colt Detective Specials but they are of Colt's blued steel and are no longer produced ( Like many of Colt's products). The trigger pad on the S&W is very comfortable for me than that of Colt's Detective Specials, which allows me to shoot more rounds at one time without the Sharp pain digging into my trigger finger.
It would be difficult to replace either the Colts or the Weigand S&W 640 because Colt discontinued their Detective Special ( Again ), and Weigand is no longer doing any pistol smithing. Only other option would be to buy used, look at what S&W is currently offering, or go elsewhere with Taurus or someone else.
First thing noticeable about the Weigand 4PJ is the ports, which turns many away. The ports are actually tuned to this particular revolver, which does in fact minimize muzzle flip. The powder flash associated with many ported barrels are not noticeable with this revolver, as much, because the flash sets about four inches above the barrel atop a blue hue with no noticeable flash from the cylinder to forcing cone or muzzle. I have made many observations in regards to the ports in the past on the Weigand revolvers and find most of the escaping gases are expelled through the ports.
The loss of velocity, resulting from the ports, would be a logical conclusion to arrive at, especially since the barrel is already short and the 38 special is a low pressure cartridge as compared to the more popular .357 magnum. I've seen more than a few tests on Wil Shuemann's Hybra-Ports on the 640, and the loss in velocity has been recorded at around two to three percent as compared to a non ported factory 2" S&W 640. Being able to deliver +P defensive hollow points, with little to no noticeable muzzle flip seems to balance things out.
One drawback to the ported barrel is not being able to fire the 640 from inside a coat or jacket pocket or from the hip supported position.
This is what the ports look like after having had 100 rds. of +P JHP put through the barrel. Notice the end of the muzzle and the last port before the bullet exits the barrel. The muzzle was fairly clean and the cylinder had very little fouling. I've fired other non ported revolvers which Weigand had performed tune ups on and found no cylinder drag on this revolver after putting 100 rds through it. Most custom defensive revolvers are not designed to shoot more than 50 rds. before they begin to develop cylinder drag from the very tight tolerances between the forcing cone of the barrel to the cylinder face and fouling which takes place. This would not be as noticeable on single action triggers as much as it would be on the lighter smoother double action triggers, where the trigger finger is also providing energy for the rotation of the cylinder.
Sight acquisition is not what one could expect from what you would expect to find in a target pistol or most compact semi-autos, especially when your over 50 and suffering from a recent retina hemorrhage to the dominate eye. Be as it is, rapid fired comes very easy while keeping most shoots fired in a straight line, while becoming accustomed to acquiring the proper elevation alignment with rear sight channel. In low light the rear channel seems to almost disappear, using only the top strap as a guide to putting the front sight on target. In all practical purposes, the small frame snub nose is much like a natural point of aim close quarters weapon rather than a target shooter. Today was my first of many days ahead to once again become familiar with this particular revolver, more so than I did when my eyesight was much better than it is today. Be it as it is, my disappointment in following through with a less than flawless 10 ring performance, using 5" targets, had me walking away to find all my groups were hitting at the twelve o'clock position on the target at 12 yds. More time and practice will provide more confidence in myself with the gun.
The Craig Spegel boot grips, with an open back strap, provides positioning of the hand's grip very close to the axis of the bore which also contributes highly to controlling any recoil and maintaining complete control over the revolver from one shot to the next. The grips also contributes to the natural point of aim of the firearm. The grips also provides a maximum level of conceal ability to an already concealable firearm.
Choices of ammunition is a matter of choice, and I'm always open to suggestions. One of my choices in the 38 special is the Gold Dot bullet loaded to +P because it claims to provide excellent penetration and expansion for low pressure cartridges.
Another reason I chose the 640 Centennial is the internal hammer design (Hammerless). This revolver provides a no snag no drag solution to deploying a firearm to use.