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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 08-10-2018, 07:55 AM
86ed 86ed is offline
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Default School me on the 940

Had a 940-1 come up locally and I'm pretty keen on it.

Looking up the differences between the 940 and 940-1 it officially seems to just be the extractor star. However, I've seen a few other differences in specimens on the internet. Namely, some of the 940s seem to have a blackish, case-hardened or modern MIM trigger look without respect to 940 or -1, while others look classic forged. I've also seen a few that look to have the contemporary straight cut cylinder release vs the older style scalloped paddle design similar to my 686 no dash.

Is the blackish trigger a sign of adulteration or did they come like that from the factory? What's the difference in construction/process?

Were these ever released with the straight cut release or is that a non-original part (not on the one I'm looking at but curious)?
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Old 08-10-2018, 10:24 AM
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My 940 (no dash) dates to Aug 1991, and has the "Flash Chromed" trigger, not the hollow back MIM trigger. I'm not sure at what point the MIM parts were introduced.
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Old 08-10-2018, 11:13 AM
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The change in the 940-1 corrected a problem with the firing pin. If you look at the two (940 and 940-1) side by side you can see a different placement of the "pin" in the frame.

Here's my 940. It's been back to the factory to replace a broken firing pin and its spring under the warranty.
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File Type: jpg 940 UMs L.jpg (102.2 KB, 127 views)
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Old 08-10-2018, 11:40 AM
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The 940s are GREAT pocket guns


I have had three of them over the years (still have two of them). However I don't pay much attention to trigger color or even engineering revision on firearms. I would have to look in the safe to see what mine are. I do know that mine are not the -2s

All three of my 940s had the cylinders opened up to accept 38 SUPER. Obviously since rimless cartridges in these revolvers head space on the moon clip, all of the shorter cartridges still work 38 Auto, 9x21, 9MM Parrabellum, 380 ACP, etc.

I do have a NOS 3" barrel sitting around and often contemplate turning my spare 2" into the longer version

One of my older 940s had sticky chambers but a quick touch up a ceramic chamber hone and all was resolved.

I also currently own three of the PC 940 Specials chambered for the 356TSW cartridge.


I have come to really like the 356TSW cartridge's performance and carry these quite often. Even occasionally as a NY Reload


Some of the engineering revisions that went into the PC 940 Specials was applied to the production J-frame and along with the larger cylinder window, the J-Magnum frame was born.

Last edited by colt_saa; 08-10-2018 at 11:42 AM.
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Old 08-10-2018, 07:01 PM
HOUSTON RICK HOUSTON RICK is online now
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"However, I've seen a few other differences in specimens on the internet." Posted by OP

That is where Model 940's live - on the internet. I never saw one when I was looking for one and the prices were high on the internet. For the money, I'd rather buy a Luger. Model 940s must be in high demand.
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Old 08-10-2018, 07:37 PM
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I don't know as I have ever heard how many were made. The SCSW4 doesn't mention that I saw. All I know is they are scarce. They were only made about 7 years, and no idea what the production was over that time frame. Mine is an earlier Aug 91 model.
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Old 08-11-2018, 03:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HOUSTON RICK View Post
"However, I've seen a few other differences in specimens on the internet." Posted by OP

That is where Model 940's live - on the internet. I never saw one when I was looking for one and the prices were high on the internet. For the money, I'd rather buy a Luger. Model 940s must be in high demand.
The one for sale near me is priced mid-800s no box, tools AFAIK. Definitely a steep premium, but I like the idea of a solid steel snub in 9mm. The air weights and LCRs don't appeal to me. Me being in California means these are super hard to get as I can't have them shipped to me even through an FFL because it's not on California's "safe" handgun list.

I would do the SP101 but they don't appear to come in DAO in 9mm.
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Old 08-11-2018, 08:07 AM
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I overpaid for mine recently, but it’s only money.
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Old 08-11-2018, 08:43 AM
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The one for sale near me is priced mid-800s no box, tools AFAIK. Definitely a steep premium, but I like the idea of a solid steel snub in 9mm. The air weights and LCRs don't appeal to me. Me being in California means these are super hard to get as I can't have them shipped to me even through an FFL because it's not on California's "safe" handgun list.

I would do the SP101 but they don't appear to come in DAO in 9mm.
You could get an SP101 and have the hammer bobbed and make it DAO.
If they don't make what you want sometimes you have to make it yourself.
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Old 08-11-2018, 03:34 PM
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You could get an SP101 and have the hammer bobbed and make it DAO.
If they don't make what you want sometimes you have to make it yourself.
Undoubtedly, but the lack of the shrouded hammer area is harder replicate
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Old 08-21-2018, 11:25 PM
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Not to highjack the thread, but happenstance brought me to an encounter with a 3" 940 no dash today in a local pawn shop listed at $300 OTD. Looked clean, no signs of abuse or even much use.

This store isn't known for their firearms savvy, dealing mostly in jewelry and electronics, but is it it just me or does that still see 'too good to be true'?
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Old 08-22-2018, 06:24 AM
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Not to highjack the thread, but happenstance brought me to an encounter with a 3" 940 no dash today in a local pawn shop listed at $300 OTD. Looked clean, no signs of abuse or even much use.

This store isn't known for their firearms savvy, dealing mostly in jewelry and electronics, but is it it just me or does that still see 'too good to be true'?
You have a tremendous upside potential with only $300 risk for an unlikely dud. If it times, hammer doesn't push off....

Buy it yesterday!
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Old 08-23-2018, 05:43 PM
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Quote:
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You could get an SP101 and have the hammer bobbed and make it DAO.
If they don't make what you want sometimes you have to make it yourself.
Or you could get an LCR in 9mm in DAO configuration. They are actually pretty decent guns and have a great DA trigger pull. I realize this is a S&W forum, and would like it if Smith would make the 940 again.
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Old 08-24-2018, 05:19 AM
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I have a 940 and a 940-1. Visual difference seems to be that the 940-1 has a bull 1 7/8" barrel; the 940 has a standard 1 7/8" barrel.
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Old 08-24-2018, 03:39 PM
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86ed, I was always keen on the 940 too, and acquired one a couple years ago. Mine is a 940-1. I didn't realize there were all the subtle differences in these myself. Mine has the older style cylinder with the two extractor pins. I noticed that the pin for the firing pin is located further to the rear on mine than some others in the photos. The barrel has a heavier profile than on my 1990s model 640. Mine had the newer style thumb piece, but I replaced it with the older style that I prefer. I've chronographed several types of factory ammo in the 940. Surprising how energetic some factory 9mm is from a little ~2" barrel. I have a 3" Ruger SP-101 in 9mm too. Velocities of some 9mm ammo in the 3" Ruger are even more surprising

BTW, colt_saa, have you ever chronographed .356TSW, 38 Super, etc.? Wonder what kind of velocities those might display in the little 2"-3" revolvers?
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Old 08-24-2018, 04:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kip595 View Post
Not to highjack the thread, but happenstance brought me to an encounter with a 3" 940 no dash today in a local pawn shop listed at $300 OTD. Looked clean, no signs of abuse or even much use.

This store isn't known for their firearms savvy, dealing mostly in jewelry and electronics, but is it it just me or does that still see 'too good to be true'?
Turn around and buy it

If you do not like it, even if it is broken, I will give you back your $300 and keep it for my own use after I repair it
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Old 08-24-2018, 04:34 PM
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BTW, colt_saa, have you ever chronographed .356TSW, 38 Super, etc.? Wonder what kind of velocities those might display in the little 2"-3" revolvers?
I have chronographed 357 Magnum from J-frames but never got around to the 38 Super or 356TSW from the 940s

After my shoulder heals, I will take them out and do that.

The LabRadar makes things much easier
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