Smith & Wesson Model 640
| S&W 640 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Service Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1989–present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Unit cost | $729.00[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 22.58 oz.; 15.8 oz for alloy version |
| Length | 6.56"[1] |
| Barrel length | 2.125"[1] |
| Caliber | .357 Magnum .38 Special .38 Special +P |
| Action | DAO |
| Effective firing range | 22.86 meters |
| Maximum firing range | 45.72 meters |
| Feed system | 5-round cylinder |
| Sights | Fixed |
The Smith & Wesson Model 640 revolver is a 5-shot snubnosed revolver that is chambered in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum caliber introduced in 1989. Like other "J-frame" Smith & Wesson revolvers, it has a swing-out cylinder, but this model features a concealed hammer, and is part of the Centennial line.[2]
History
[edit]The first model was chambered in .38 Special and fitted with a standard barrel of 1-7/8 inch length.
The second model had a slightly heavier and longer barrel of 2-1/8 inch length.
The gun was constructed entirely of stainless steel. In 1995 the model 642 was introduced which was made in aluminium and designated "airweight".
A 3" barreled version was offered until 1993, when it was dropped from production.
In 1996, S&W began chambering the 640 in .357 Magnum.
Because of the power of the .357 magnum cartridge, the frame is strengthened just in front of the cylinder release on those models.[3]
Variants
[edit]- Model 940
- Produced from 1993 to 1996
- Similar in appearance to 640, but chambered in 9mm Luger
- Model 340
Users
[edit]
United States
- New York City Police Department
- Used by officer Walter Weaver during the September 11, 2001 attacks, currently displayed in the NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Model 640". Smith & Wesson. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- ^ Ayoob, Massad (2010). Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Gun Digest Books. pp. 218–220. ISBN 978-1-4402-0825-6.
- ^ Hartink, A.E. (2003). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc. pp. 225. ISBN 978-0-7858-1871-7.
- ^ Supica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola WI: Krause Publications. p. 151.
- ^ "9/11 Revolver - Officer Walter Weaver". NRA Museum. Retrieved 20 June 2019.