S&W Model 64, any good?

B

BoneDigger

New member
I am looking for a handgun for plinking and possibly home/car defense. I have been offered a S&W Model 64 and I know nothing about these. I did a search on here for a Model 64 and all I could find were links talking about the Model 640. Anyway here is what he wrote...

"I have a Smith and Wesson .38 snub nose pistol in stainless steel with oversized rubber grips. I also have the original skinny wood grips. This is the 5 shot revolver that police detectives use - not the regular beat cops. I also
have a leather Koplin carry case, some hollow point ammo and a cleaning kit. Its my only gun and I was about to put it in the attic so my 3 year can't get to it. I bought it new around 1990. It has seen some light target practice and some light plinking. $275 is more than fair."

So, is $275 fair for this gun used. Also, can longer barrels be bought for these guns, or are you stuck with the 2 inch barrel. Lastly, how accurate are these and to what distance are these guns useful?

Todd
 
The 640 and 64 are very different guns. The 640 is a 5 shot J-frame (small frame) snub. The 64 is a 6 shot K-frame (medium frame) available in 2", 3" and 4" barrels.

The 64 is basically the stainless version of the venerable model 10. Great gun, hard to do better in fact (unless you want .357mag instead of .38spl).
 
Makes me think that the guy trying to sell it doesn't know what it is. The 64 was never a 5 shot...

Yeah, Bone, you're stuck with the 2 incher unless you want to shell out big bucks and replace it...but that 2 inch is just as accurate as anything else if you do your job.

If you get a chance to see the gun, etc. find out for sure what it is and let us know. The model number should be stamped on the crane when you open the cylinder.
 
The Model 64, a six-shot, stainless, K-frame revolver chambered in .38 Special is better than good. The most common variant is the 4" heavy barrel. There are 2 and 3-inch tubes as well. My personal favorite is the 3". I bought a police department trade-in 4" barrel 64 for my father eleven years ago that is still in use on the farm.

The extractor rod is a bit shorter on the 2", which requires one to be careful to briskly operate it with the cylinder's rear pointing straight down at the ground. Of course, one should always eject empties that way.
 
Ok

OK< I'll try to get the model number if I can. So, if this one is in good shape, and comes with a leather holster and some ammo, is $275 a good price, or do I need to haggle?

Todd
 
I've got a Model 64 with the 3" heavy barrel with the round butt. I love that gun and it will never be sold as long as I'm alive. I've got the Pachmyer Compac grips and it points and shoots like a dream. I believe $275 is a little on the high end but if its in very nice shape thats a fair price in my book.:)
 
Another question...

OK, another question for you.

I realize this is a revolver forum but please answer this for me. I have looked at the ballistics as supplied by ChuckHawks.com and also the stopping power. It appears that the .38 is roughly equivalent to the .380 ACP. I can get a Bersa Thunder .380 for a little under $200 at the local gun shop. Is there any reason to get the higher priced used S&W over the Bersa (it gets good reviews)?

Todd
 
No, the .38 Special is not roughly equivalent to the .380 Auto.
You won't find a .380 round with a 125, 135, or 158-grain bullet, and ballistics are totally different in terms of energy figures and bullet types. The .38 Special with a good hollowpoint is much superior to a .380.
The S&W will be more reliable overall if you take care of it, will be easier to get service on, and will retain its re-sale value better if you ever intend to sell it. It's also much simpler to use for people with a relatively low level of involvement with guns.
Denis
 
If it is a M64 and in good condition, $350.00 is about right. The price your friend offers is a good one. The M64s were not 5 shot revolvers though. If your friend is selling you a M642 Centennial, J frame, 2", 38 Special and the extras for that, you owe your friend. They tend to bring closer to $400.00.
 
I paid $325 for a used S&W 64 3" in excellent shape. Nice gun, accurate, heavy but I like that. Makes it easier to control.

jmm
 
get them both you crazy fool! the seller ,btw, is not decribing a 64, but a 640. either of which is worth $275 easily if in good shape. get the bersa too
 
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