Gun Review: Smith & Wesson Model 640 Pro Series Pt 2

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When I first reviewed the Smith & Wesson Model 640 Pro Series, I berated the trigger. Like most S&W revolver triggers, the go-pedal was as smooth as a baby’s backside. However, it was heavier than reading Heidegger. In the original German. In fact, the Model 640’s factory trigger pull maxed out a 12-pound gauge. So we hooked the trigger to the engine block of a Peterbilt to get a reading. Okay, I’m exaggerating. It was the rear end of a Fiat 500. Bottom line: the 640’s trigger pull assured inaccuracy at any reasonable distance . . .

Fortunately, a revolver is a simple machine: a collection of small pipes, bent pieces of metal and a couple of springs. If any one of the components don’t work as well as they should, fixing it isn’t a big deal. Especially if you’re competent gunsmith like Dave Santurri.

RF schlepped the 640 Pro Series to Dave for a quick trigger fix. A feathery, target-style trigger wasn’t the objective. We asked the Massachusetts man to deliver unto us a giggle switch with enough resistance for safe pocket or IWB carry and sufficient impact for perfectly reliable ignition yet light enough to shoot with precision. The goal was 50-50 blend of yin and yang, sacrificing as little as possible of either one for the benefit of the other.

A little time and $69 dollars later, Mssrs. Smith and Wesson were ready for their close-up. Dave had reduced the 640’s DAO pull by about a third to a bit over eight pounds (8.4). 1911 shooters may cringe at the thought of an eight-pound trigger; for a revolver, that’s fairly light.

With its trigger sorted, the 640 Pro is a completely different gun.

Pre-fix, shooting with the “power crease” was a requirement; it’s become an option. I can smoothly press the 640 Pro Series wheelgun’s trigger with the pad of my trigger finger without snapping my distal phalanx like a matchstick. Which leads to less pulling and pushing. Which leads to more accuracy and more comfort.

Shooting .38Spls, the all-steel Model 640 Pro Series is a pussycat, and, now, an accurate one to boot. [ED: Puss in Boots?] You could even say that the Model 640 Pro Series makes sense. With a controllable trigger, you can use the 640 Pro Series’ night sights to hit a target at greater than bad breath distance quickly, easily and reliably.

Properly sorted, the Smith & Wesson Model 640 Pro Series is a bedside gun you can take to the range and carry (proving you find an appropriate pocket holster). A snubbie(ish) gun that can shoot .357s—should you decide that follow-up shots aren’t as important stopping power.

I’m still happier with my Plain Jane 642 shooting .38s, keeping the money I didn’t spend. But the 640 Pro Series with a trigger job has been elevated from a “no thanks” to a “I wouldn’t say no” revolver.