| S&W 640 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Service Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1989–present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Unit cost | $729.001 |
| 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.
History
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.
A 3" barreled version was offered until 1993, when it was dropped from production.
In 1995 the model 642 was introduced which was made in aluminium and designated "airweight".
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.2
Design
The gun was constructed entirely of stainless steel.
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.3
Variants
Model 940
- Produced from 1993 to 1996
- Similar in appearance to 640, but chambered in 9mm Luger
Model 340
Users
United States
- New York City Police Department
- Carried by officer Walter Weaver during the September 11, 2001 attacks
- Currently displayed in the NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia5
- Carried by officer Walter Weaver during the September 11, 2001 attacks
- New York City Police Department
References
References
- "Model 640". Smith & Wesson. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
- 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.
- Ayoob, Massad (2010). Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Gun Digest Books. pp. 218–220. ISBN 978-1-4402-0825-6.
- 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.