Posted: 10/18/2008 5:59:00 PM EDT
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OK I'm confused on j frame models. I am looking for a .357 magnum all stainless steel, no scandium, still trying to decide on shrouded hammer, or exposed hammer, but am leaning torward the exposed hammer. I have looked at 640, 649, and 60s but they seem to be listed in both 38 spc and 357, I want a 357 chambering because I enjoy shooting the cartridge and prefer the +P 38s. Any way looking for suggertions, on both hammer options, and J frame models that are all steel, I know very little about these so any info would be great. |
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They look nice and the price is great but I really want a 357 chambering just for the option, and all stainless....... Thanks for showing me the 637s though I will keep it in mind, especially if this turns out like my search for a stainless n frame in 357 mag.... 
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Chiefs Special AirWeight and AirLite First of the Chief Special derivatives was also a first "AirWeight" design from S&W. This little gun, named a "Chiefs Special AirWeight", appeared in 1952 and differed from standard Chiefs Special revolver only by having an aluminium alloy frame (cylinder and barrel are made of steel). This lightened new gun by some 40% and made it much comfortable to carry for long periods. Today, 50 years ago since its introduction, Chiefs Special Airweight, also known as Model 37, is still listed in S&W catalogs. It, in turn, also was followed by the line of lightweight derivatives. In the 1998 S&W introduced its "AirLite Ti" series of the guns, which featured Aluminium alloy frame, cylinder yoke and barrel shroud. Cylinder is made from Titanium and the barrel liner is made from stainless steel. These guns became even lighter than original Model 37. In the 2000, S&W also announced it newest line of the "AirLite Sc" revolvers, which used Aluminium-Scandium alloy for frame, yoke and barrel shroud (cylinder is Titanium and barrel liner is steel). The rare-earth elemet Scandium (Sc) is used to add strenght to the alloy frames, so new guns also appeared in powerful .357 magnum chamberings, such as Model 337. Another variation is a Model 332 in .32 H&R Magnum with 6-shot cylinder. from worldguns.ru |
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The 337 is a Ti-Scan .38 with exposed hammer; the 342 is the Centennial (enclosed hammer) version. Both are discontinued. A few of each were made without locks; these are particularly desirable as carry pistols by those allergic to the lock. I know I paid a premium for my no-lock 342; and did so gladly. The .357 caliber Ti-Scan revolvers are the 360 and 340 series. Some of the 340s now come with a stainless cylinder instead of titanium, reducing the price and increasing the weight proportionately. If you plan to carry the revolver, you want the Centennial/enclosed hammer version. Trust me on this; I've been carrying one or another J frame as back-up/off duty (and now, retirement) guns for over 30 years. The exposed hammer WILL snag on anything handy when you try to draw the piece Some folks will snort and say that's easy to fix; just keep your thumb over the hammer while drawing. This is one of those look-good-on-paper theories, that doesn't hold up to reality. Stress does funny things to people... Anyway; sounds like a stainless cylinder 340 is what you want. The 640 is all stainless and will be more pleasant to shoot, but more difficult to carry/conceal, as it is a bit larger and quite a bit heavier. Welcome to the J frame Club. When you get right down to it, there still isn't anything that beats the lightweight versions for a dependable, convenient EDC firearm. . |
You're looking at a Model 60. But, you will NOT enjoy .357 magnum out of a J-frame. If you really want a compact stainless revolver in .357 magnum, move up to a K-frame and get a Model 65. |
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The 640 is the same weight as an XD9SC. I carry both. The 640 is NOT too heavy. That's BS. Recoil is very manageable as well. ETA: The 640 is also the same size as any other J frame. No difference. My wife has a Taurus 85 and my 640 is exactly the same size. XD9SC weighs 26ozs empty. 640 weighs 23ozs empty. |
Suggest you compare a current-production 640 with an earlier pre-lock J frame of the same model #. The frame is slightly larger, and the barrel is definitely longer. Not trying to confuse you with facts, but there it is... "Too heavy" is a subjective term. BTW, I said that it is heavier, not too heavy. But to expand, yes, the all-steel guns are too heavy for my tastes, FOR POCKET CARRY. The AirWeight guns weigh 15 ounces; the Ti-Scan guns weigh 12 ounces. Carry one of those around, then drop in an all-steel piece, and you'll think you have a brick in your pocket. YMMV... . |
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Now is a good time to pick up a Jframe if you get one of these models. www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=70845&an=0&page=0#70845 Especially this one!!! Model 37, bobbed hammer, no lock, no MIM.  www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=70845&page=0&fpart=3&vc=1 |
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The stainless S&W 640 (concealed hammer), and 649 (shrouded hammer), are really nice guns, but they are bigger, especially in the barrel area, compared to what they used to be, when they were only chambered in 38 special. I have no experience, if their barrels will fit in the older j frame snubby holsters. I believe you can get a model 60 with a 3" barrel and adjustable sights, too. They are both great guns, and if I remember correctly, since they went to the 357 Magnum chambering, they both now have a pinned-in front sight, so if you want, you can add a tritium dot, or light gathering rod or gold bead sight, or whatever, if you want. The problem with these two guns, is that they are quite expensive right now. They aren't as expensive, generally, as the Scandium/Titanium guns, but they are quite a bit more than the "assembly line" guns, the 642 and 638 and 637, which by the way, are all 38 special+P rated. |