S&W 640 Pro Series: the concealed carry pro’s choice
The Smith & Wesson 640 Pro Series is built around a straightforward concealed carry proposition: .357 Magnum performance, a five-shot cylinder and a five-inch barrel in a package less imposing than many full-size service revolvers. Its double-first action and relatively compact grip separate it from bulkier range guns without chasing the smallest possible dimensions.
For Australian licence holders, however, concealed carry requires careful consideration of local laws and practical limitations. Everyday armed carry remains uncommon, and a firearm licence does not create unrestricted permission to carry or transport a handgun. Federal and state rules, secure-storage duties and approved transport methods still determine whether the model fits a particular shooter’s lawful activities.
A balanced take on the classic S&W revolver
The 640 belongs to Smith & Wesson’s established revolver family and combines a K-frame-style platform with a shorter barrel than several traditional service models. Its five-shot cylinder provides useful capacity for a defensive handgun, while the .357 Magnum chambering delivers more energy than a small-calibre revolver without moving into the recoil territory of some larger magnum cartridges. The cylinder can also chamber compatible .38 Special ammunition, subject to the firearm’s markings and Australian ammunition rules.
Performance Center refinements include a lighter-feeling target trigger, an ergonomic grip and a practical factory sight arrangement. Depending on the exact listing, the finish may have a satin or dark professional appearance. A blade-style front sight and adjustable rear sight offer a departure from the tiny fixed sights found on many pocket revolvers, giving the shooter a longer sight picture and more adjustment options than the smallest K-frame designs.
That balance creates trade-offs. A revolver has a wider cylinder and grip profile than a comparable semi-automatic pistol, and the double-first action requires a longer, more deliberate trigger stroke. Each pull brings the cylinder rearward and then closes it into position. The action is straightforward to inspect and has no moving slide, yet it cannot provide the magazine capacity or rapid reload sequence of a pistol. The 640 Pro Series therefore suits shooters who value handling, controllability and familiar revolver operation more than extreme compactness.
Australian carry and licensing realities
Australian urban routines make an 840-style full-size revolver less convenient for daily carry than the photographs suggest. In Sydney, NSW pistol licensing involves genuine-reason requirements, while ordinary public carriage and firearm carriage on public transport remain tightly restricted. A range membership or work requirement may justify possession in some circumstances, but a standard licence should not be treated as blanket permission to carry a handgun from the home to the office or through a central business district.
Melbourne residents face Victorian pistol licensing, secure-storage and transport conditions, with handgun magazines generally limited to ten rounds. Brisbane and the wider Queensland market operate through state weapon-licensing categories, meaning the particular handgun, purchaser and intended use must align with the licence held. These regimes can change, so current state legislation matters more than general advice from an overseas retailer.
Importation is equally controlled. International shipping does not itself supply the federal and state approvals generally required to bring a firearm into Australia. Secure vehicle transport, workplace restrictions and venue policies can matter as much as licensing during everyday life. For many Australian owners, the practical roles for a compact revolver are lawful range use, organised transport and secure storage rather than constant urban carry.
Wesson Arms promotes worldwide shipping and direct phone or email support, which can help clarify specifications and available accessories. Its discounted blemished firearms may provide value, but international availability has no effect on Australian import restrictions. A local licensed dealer and the relevant state authority remain essential references for a lawful purchase.
How the 640 compares with compact alternatives
The 640 Pro Series occupies the middle ground between a full-size service revolver and a pocket-sized handgun. Its five-inch barrel preserves a longer sight radius than most compact revolvers, while its grip remains more substantial than that of a micro-revolver. Comparing it with common carry-oriented alternatives clarifies where that middle ground becomes useful.
| Handgun | Typical configuration | Main carry strength | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| S&W 640 Pro Series | Five-shot .357 Magnum revolver with a five-inch barrel | Balanced handling, adjustable sights and manageable cylinder length | Wider cylinder and grip than most compact pistols |
| S&W M&P Shield .357 | Five-shot semi-automatic pistol with a roughly three-inch barrel | Slim profile and light everyday carry weight | Manual slide operation and a shorter sight radius |
| Ruger LCR .357 | Five-shot double-first revolver with a short barrel | Exceptional compactness and lower overall length | Light recoil and limited sight adjustment |
| S&W Model 686 | Six- or seven-shot service revolver, often with a longer barrel | Flexible cylinder capacity and substantial .357 performance | Too large and heavy for routine concealed carry |
The comparison depends on the exact variant, particularly for the 686, whose barrel length and cylinder capacity differ between models. The Shield offers a materially thinner profile, although semi-automatic users must also consider slide operation and the placement of the chamber and magazine. The LCR reduces length and weight more aggressively, making it attractive where discreet clothing placement matters more than sight radius or recoil absorption.
The 640 makes the strongest case for a licensed shooter who wants a full-size revolver experience without the dimensions of the traditional 686. Its useful sights, five-inch barrel and substantial grip may also be easier to manage than those of an extra-small revolver. For a specialist Australian holster maker, the S&W pattern is familiar, but fitment must be confirmed for the exact frame rather than assumed from a similar revolver.
Practical checks for a carry revolver
A suitable carry setup depends on lawful permission, clothing and the complete grip-to-trigger relationship. Several details deserve attention:
- Lawful role: Confirm the current licence category, public-carry restrictions and transport rules before treating the revolver as a carry firearm.
- Physical fit: Check the grip, trigger reach and hand placement against a properly fitted retention holster selected for the exact 640 model.
- Sight alignment: Verify that the front blade and rear sight form a usable sight picture for the shooter’s vision and intended range environment.
- Accessory compatibility: Consider a grip, laser or weapon light only when it fits the 640’s frame and control layout without compromising reliability.
- Training and storage: Use qualified instruction and an approved secure-storage arrangement before incorporating the handgun into transport or work activities.
Discounted blemished examples require a different form of assessment. A finish scratch may be cosmetic, while chips near the cylinder or frame can indicate deeper damage. Important checks include:
- Inspect the serial number, finish, frame, barrel and cylinder for damage beyond the advertised blemish.
- Confirm that the cylinder rotates evenly and closes fully without binding or side pressure.
- Check the bore, barrel crown, front sight and rear sight for wear, pitting or misalignment.
- Verify the warranty, return conditions and original Performance Center components with the retailer or an Australian gunsmith.
S&W-pattern holsters, sights, grips, cleaning kits and lights are widely understood within the broader revolver market, but “similar” does not always mean interchangeable. Many frames with comparable actions differ around the cylinder, rear frame and grip. A model-specific holster and a qualified inspection are particularly valuable when purchasing a discounted firearm, since savings should not come at the expense of safety or proper fit.
A practical basis for the decision
The S&W 640 Pro Series is most convincing for an Australian licence holder who values the controllable handling of a .357 Magnum revolver, a five-inch barrel and a traditional sight arrangement. It is still a substantial handgun with a five-shot cylinder, so it will not compete with the smallest revolvers or slim semi-automatic pistols on concealment alone. Its appeal comes from balancing those qualities rather than minimising every dimension.
Established S&W ergonomics also make the revolver approachable for shooters already comfortable with double-first actions. The target trigger can reduce perceived weight, while the adjustable rear sight offers practical flexibility. Accessories such as ergonomic grips, model-specific holsters, lasers, lights and cleaning supplies can refine the setup, provided compatibility and local requirements are checked.
A discounted blemished unit can represent reasonable value when the cosmetic defect has not affected operation and a qualified inspection supports the purchase. The practical takeaway is to match the 640’s strengths—revolver simplicity, .357 Magnum performance, usable sights and moderate compactness—to a clearly lawful role, current Australian requirements and properly verified equipment before deciding that it is the right concealed carry choice.