Smith & Wesson Model 640
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.
Smith & Wesson Model 640
Mike Searson · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Field
- service pistol.
- Region
- United States.
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Documentary summary
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.
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wikidata · Q7545036 · wikipedia · Smith & Wesson Model 640
In this article
History
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.
Design
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.
Model 940
Model 940
Produced from 1993 to 1996 Similar in appearance to 640, but chambered in 9mm Luger
Model 340
Model 340
Scandium framed Introduced in 2001 Weighed 10.9 ounces Chambered in 357 Magnum
Users
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, Virginia
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q7545036: Smith & Wesson Model 640
Reputable secondary · Wikidata
- “Smith & Wesson Model 640”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
scholarly index
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Smith & Wesson. Model 640.
- 2.Hartink, A.E. The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Chartwell Books, Inc. 225. 2003. 978-0-7858-1871-7.
- 3.Ayoob, Massad. Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Gun Digest Books. 218–220. 2010. 978-1-4402-0825-6.
- 4.Supica, Jim. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Krause Publications. 151. 2007.
- 5.NRA Museum. 9/11 Revolver - Officer Walter Weaver.
References
Citations
References
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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