Smith & Wesson model 640 moon clip?

[Muleskinner]

My brother just picked up a Smith & Wesson model 640 and it came with what appears to be a moon clip for shooting rimless 9 mm through the revolver. It's stamped 7R but I can't find any information where you can actually shoot 9 mm through that particular model. I know it's the same caliber bullet I know in theory can be done but I can't find any information on why it came with the moon clip. Anybody have any experience with this?

 

[outrider58]

I stumbled across this...

S&W 640 pro 9mm convertible?

I saw someone listing a 640 pro for sale and is including a spare cylinder that he had planned to have bored out and rechambered for 9mm I know ruger makes single action convertibles, never even occurred to me that is could be done to other revolvers. Has anyone tried or even heard of...

www.mdshooters.com

Possibly a conversion?

 

[Bullfrog]

Certain it's not a 940? I'm sure it would be obvious if he has tried loading it with .38/.357.

Smith & Wesson Model 640

Interesting article on the origins of the Smith & Wesson model 640 revolver. The 640, also known as a Centennial, is a hammerless gun in .357 Magnum.

snubnose.info

Between 1991 and 1998, S&W produced the Model 940, a stainless Centennial chambered in 9mm. A group of three hundred were built in the .356 TSW caliber (good luck finding ammo for that one), and a prototype Model 942 Airweight in 9mm was built but did not go into production.

 

[Muleskinner]

I stumbled across this...

S&W 640 pro 9mm convertible?

I saw someone listing a 640 pro for sale and is including a spare cylinder that he had planned to have bored out and rechambered for 9mm I know ruger makes single action convertibles, never even occurred to me that is could be done to other revolvers. Has anyone tried or even heard of...

www.mdshooters.com

Possibly a conversion?

Yeah but the moon clip came from the factory? It's a brand new revolver. I'm thinking it may have been placed in the box by mistake?

 

[outrider58]

Certain it's not a 940? I'm sure it would be obvious if he has tried loading it with .38/.357.

Smith & Wesson Model 640

Interesting article on the origins of the Smith & Wesson model 640 revolver. The 640, also known as a Centennial, is a hammerless gun in .357 Magnum.

snubnose.info

Between 1991 and 1998, S&W produced the Model 940, a stainless Centennial chambered in 9mm. A group of three hundred were built in the .356 TSW caliber (good luck finding ammo for that one), and a prototype Model 942 Airweight in 9mm was built but did not go into production.

Then I'm thinking possibly this.^^^

Revisiting the Smith & Wesson Model 940

The Smith & Wesson 940 is a hammerless, J-Frame revolver that was built on the new Centennial platform between 1991 and 1998. During its ...

arebindixie.blogspot.com

 

[linkstate]

A few things. I own the same revolver.

If it is a brand new current production standard 640, it is not made for moon clips. Unless it was some special run or had custom work done.

Was the moon clip just loose in the box? I previously owned a 625 and it came with I think three moonclips in a small zip top like bag. But the 625 is designed for them.

Could always throw a round on the moon clip and see if it will even close. Gently try to close it to satisfy his curiosity.

The barrel is stamped .357 I assume.

ETA: Even if the cylinder closes I wouldn’t shoot it that way. Maybe best to not even try in case something goes wrong or gets stuck…

 

[4g64loser]

My brother just picked up a Smith & Wesson model 640 and it came with what appears to be a moon clip for shooting rimless 9 mm through the revolver. It's stamped 7R but I can't find any information where you can actually shoot 9 mm through that particular model. I know it's the same caliber bullet I know in theory can be done but I can't find any information on why it came with the moon clip. Anybody have any experience with this?

Post or pm a picture of the box end with the label. Redact serial number if desired as it isn't relevant. A side view of the gun with barrel stampings would help too.

There are both factory and custom 640s that are cut for clips. I own a factory example.

 

[Muleskinner]

Post or pm a picture of the box end with the label. Redact serial number if desired as it isn't relevant. A side view of the gun with barrel stampings would help too.

There are both factory and custom 640s that are cut for clips. I own a factory exampIe

I will see if I can get some pics.

 

[Muleskinner]

Post or pm a picture of the box end with the label. Redact serial number if desired as it isn't relevant. A side view of the gun with barrel stampings would help too.

There are both factory and custom 640s that are cut for clips. I own a factory example.

SKU 178044

 

[linkstate]

Ah, Pro series. Those are cut for moonclips. .38/.357 but not 9mm.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/performance-center-pro-series-model-640

 

[4g64loser]

SKU 178044

No mystery. That's a pro series. Factory cut for moon clips. They make reloads faster. The clips work with 38 and 357.

Fun fact; that's the only sub 4in j frame I know of that comes with real sights and not a frame notch rear.

 

[linkstate]

So you have the Pro series? Seems odd it came with one loose moonclip. I think it should have come with several in a little baggie.

I think the OPs friend needs to call his FFL and see if something fell out or got mixed up. I bet S&W would take care of it over a phone call as well.

Something could have also happened at the distributor.

All this assuming he checked behind and under the foam padding in the factory case.

 

[4g64loser]

I just checked. Mine had three in a small zip ziploc bag.

 

[Muleskinner]

I just checked. Mine had three in a small zip ziploc bag.

Yeah, I just confirmed there were three with my brother's gun too.

 

[4g64loser]

Yeah, I just confirmed there were three with my brother's gun too.

He doesn't have to use them. In fact, they can be a real PITA unless you own mooning and demooning tools. Where they shine is in efficiently recovering your brass during practice or in a match.

 

[Pyramid]

I feel this company makes the best moon clips for the J frame, better than the TK brand that comes with the gun.

J FRAME CCW HD MOON CLIPS - ORIGINAL PRECISION - Home of J.D.'s Original Works

USE THE WORLDS TOUGHEST J FRAME MOON CLIPS - CCW HD MOON CLIPS - HEAT TREATED .025 STAINLESS - Moon Clips Engineered / Manufactured in Arizona U.S.A. by ORIGINAL PRECISION. We Invent our own products. 480-305-3236

www.originalprecision.com

 

[Pyramid]

TK makes a nice tool for removing cases from the clip.

 

[Muleskinner]

He doesn't have to use them. In fact, they can be a real PITA unless you own mooning and demooning tools. Where they shine is in efficiently recovering your brass during practice or in a match.

My brother is an engineer. I'm sure he will figure out a way to remove the brass. He will use them. His philosophy is "if it comes in the box it has a use and i'm going to use it"

 

[4g64loser]

My brother is an engineer. I'm sure he will figure out a way to remove the brass. He will use them. His philosophy is "if it comes in the box it has a use and i'm going to use it"

Moon Clip Tools, Holders, & Accessories for Sale | TK Custom Store

TK Custom is your online source for full moon clips and accessories. Take a look at our collection of moon clip tools, holders, mandrels, and more.

tkcustom.com

These are the ones I use.

Generally don't bother clipping 357 for my 640. I do bother for my 625 as I tend to shoot that a lot more. Makes brass recovery a breeze.

 

[Pyramid]

These make removal easy without bending the clip.

Moon Clip Unloading Tool for .38/.357 - 9mm - 10MM Revolvers - Made in the USA | TK Custom Store

Remove spent ammo from your Smith & Wesson, Ruger, and Taurus moon clips using an American-made moon clip unloading tool from TK Custom. We are your source for moon clips as well as tools and accessories.

tkcustom.com