Just picked up a model 940 2" 9mm snub nose. Its actually a 940-1, can anyone tell me the difference between the 940 & 940-1?

Thanks in advance.

70+ views, no replies, you guys are awesome, thanks. I'll go ask at the p38 forum, although they aren't "Smith and Wesson experts", I'm sure I'll at least get a reply of some sort. Laters, enjoy yourselves.

Lacking patience much? You know we have to find the time to provide this free info, right?

Anyway, 940-1: they changed the firing pin in 1993

You're welcome :-)

Hurry up and go. When you get the wrong answer come on back.

Thanks, sorry for being a jerk, was having a bad day anyway.

I also read on this forum someplace they changed the ejector shape but I haven't confirmed it.

again, my apologies ...

The ejector changed in the early-mid 90's. I don't remember the exact year. Probably '93 or '94...

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Centennial Every Day

According to SCSW, the extractor was changed in 1994, the same time they changed from the combat grip to the boot grip.

Welcome to the forum. I am still waiting for the pictures!! we scan postings but if we don't have the answer we wait for it to come along.

Thank you for manning-up re: your attitude. Welcome aboard.

We do like pictures.

Not too many 940s around. I rarely see them anymore. What did it cost you if I might ask?

Just FYI, 940's are notorious for difficult extraction. This is due to a couple things, mostly rough chambers. As you know the 9mm is a tapered case, and hot loads expand a lot. The fix is polishing the chambers. The reason you don't always get "prompt" answers on the 940 is they are scarce and many do not own them or or not familiar with them.
They are however; unique and fine little handguns.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The 940 is indeed a unique revolver and it is unforunate that S&W chose to stop production. Mine is a 940 no dash with smooth chambers, guess I was lucky.

Infidel319, do you have access to the Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson? Check you local library for this excellent resource.

940 to 940-1 was a change in the frame size to a magnum frame to accommodate the longer cylinder of the 357 magnum cylinder.

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Brian
<><

According to the SCSW3 the "-1" version was the change to a new firing pin in 1993, and the "-2" was the change to the J Magnum frame in 1996.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I paid $650, gun is in excellent condition in original box with all paperwork. Saw one sell the other day on gunbroker for $910 that was very similar condition to mine.
I'll post pics as soon as my new laptop arrives, hoping for the 18th.

Thanks for all the info.

I did get the right answer over there, just sayin. They are a great bunch of guys, however I was an *** when I posted that comment, was also the same day my laptop went kaput. Along with a while lot if other issues including one with my ex wife, need I say more, lol. I'm really not normally like that and don't want to be "that Guy".
I'll post pics as soon as possible, tried to from my phone, I'll put them in a new thread.

Thanks again for all the good info, I really didn't realize they were that uncommon, this one will be a safe queen with the occasional shooting session for fun, have a Glock 26 for concealed carry, and a ppk for a back up gun on my ankle at work.

You got a good price. I am jealous.

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NHI, 10-8.

Congratulations on finding a good buy on a 940. They are nifty little guns - maybe the most "sensible" of the all-steel Centennials. They are very practical little guns - just a bit too heavy for pocket carry, but otherwise, nearly ideal.

My 940 is an early one, but it does have the newer type extractor and the heavy barrel. I was expecting it to come with the standard contour barrel and was a little miffed about not getting it, but the folks at S&W indicated they had bad luck with that barrel and were not selling them (as replacements). I never did learn what that was all about. Steel Centennials are heavy enough without that silly heavy barrel.

My 940 also had very small exit bores in all five chambers, less than .354". I didn't have any extraction problems or other indications of potential problems, but I honed them to .3555" anyway. I guess I was hoping for an improvement in accuracy, but didn't get it. No change that I could see. My gun always shot very well with the old Winchester 147-gr black talon cartridges. I was impressed enough that I bought several boxes and still have a few remaining.

Good luck with your new gun. Let us know how you do with it at the range.

Two questions.....

H Rirchard, where did you get those grips? They are nice! Have been looking for "high horn" type grips for my 640's and 940.

Second question.... For those who have the 940 (no dash), mine has a dot "." right above the model number on the frame. Others I've seen also have the dot. Any explanation as to what it means? I thought I've seen an answer somewhere, but I've searched the forum and can't seem to find a reference to it.

I collect 40's, 40-1 case colored, 442, 640's marked +P+, 640 .357's and was finally able to get a ANIB 940 with everything (including all paperwork and warranty card) except the cleaning kit. They are neat little guns.

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Les Ramsey

As you know, mine is the 940-1 and it had the sane dot you mentioned.

Now the range report, Love this gun. Why would Smith discontinue such an awesome little revolver, glad I bought it. Recoil was very manageable, it is very accurate, better than my Glock 26, no sticking cases as I've read about, great little gun, only wish it was a bit lighter, but no complaints whatsoever and I have a ton of 9mm ammo already.

Couldn't be happier

What is it with 940s today??? I just posted in another thread that I missed out on two of them today...yes two!! One was a 2 incher the second a 3 incher. It didn't say if there was a dash in the model, but I would have taken one if I had found them soon enough. I was checking my favourite dealer's website and saw no 940s for sale, and then on two separate occasions during the day saw that they had sold one...dang! Double dang since they sold for $275 apiece.

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Don't know, don't care.

Sounds like I need to make a smugling run to Canada if that's what they are selling for up there. Oh, BTW, here is a pic of mine, finally. I'll start a new thread and add more in a bit.

Attached Images

2012-06-07_18-00-12_870.jpg (80.6 KB, 35 views)

Buckoo, the grips on my 940 are Speigels (? sp).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I thought handguns with less than a 4-inch (100mm) barrel could not be sold in Canada? True, or is that something that has a line in the sand and stuff on the good side of the line can still be traded/sold?

$275 for a decent 940 wouldn't last five minutes in any gun shop or gun show around here.

Thanks, will have to look for a pair.

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Les Ramsey

You are correct in that no new such handguns can be imported, bought and sold. However, those that were in country prior to Feb. 14 1995 can be bought and sold between grandfathered individuals (you needed to own one already prior to that date).

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Don't know, don't care.