Came across a S&W 4040 Airlite in a pawn shop. Wasn't really looking for a .40 S&W, or anything else. I wasn't familiar with this model. I "Googled" it and didn't come up with much. One guy stated that it wasn't listed in his gun book and they are pretty rare. Asking price was $600. Can anyone provide some information on these? How many produced? Value? Thanks in advance!

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otis

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson lists a Model 4040PD. They were made from 2003-2205. The slides were marked "AirLite PD", and they were made with carbon steel slides and Scandium/Aluminum frames. The SCS&W does not list the quantity made. I have no idea of the value.

SCSW Vol 4 lists ANIB as 575. Retail in 2003-2006 was 840.

Of course, those are pre-covid prices.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

About a year ago I was in the same position and asked pretty much the same questions you have.

I was picking up another pistol and noticed one I was unfamiliar with, a S&W 4040PD. I put $25.00 down to hold it. I posted questions here. After getting great responses I went back and got it. It was ANIB w/everything and was $429.00 OTD.

I wasn’t “all that” into .40’s but I’m glad I got it. I’ve been acquiring a few more 3rd Gen .40’s and the 4040PD is a nice one. A really nice one.

New magazines can still found very cheap and I think I have enough now.

Depending on the condition and what comes with it $600.00 might not be too much out of line. I’ve seen very used ones go for over $800.00 on GB but you know about that. Years ago $400.00 was my top price for a “regular” S&W pistol, then I had to up that to $500.00. Who knows now?

Jim

Attached Images

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I spotted one several years back in a pawn shop and bought it - paid 700 as I recall - truly one of the few times that I think I overpaid for a gun - don't intend to sell anytime soon so of little consequence.

They are really nice pistols that carry and shoot well.

I have other 40s (shorty forty and a 4054) so this one rounds out a small 40 caliber niche for me.

Sent from my LGMP260 using Tapatalk

Isnt it the only scandium framed single stack? I read that someplace.
I use 4040 mags in my 3913 and 3914. They are plentiful and cheap, and work perfectly in the 3900 guns.

AFAIK, the 4040PD is the only scandium-framed 3rd Gen ever produced, maybe the only scandium semi-auto S&W ever made? I don't know all of the PC models, so maybe there was one in there too.

I do know that it is the only single-stack 40sw designed from a 9mm frame in the 3rd Gen lineup, and that it was one of the last models to be introduced before they shut down 3rd Gen production. It has many features of the TSW series - thicker frame rails, loaded chamber port, setup for decock-only conversion - as well as benefiting from the later advancements in fabrication, with great slide-to-frame fits and smooth triggers.

The 4040 is basically the same size as a 3913NL, making it IMO the most concealable 40sw in the 3rd Gen lineup. 3913 grips, mag springs, base plates, buttplate catch assemblies are all used by the 4040, and most leather 3913 holsters will fit as well. Magazine bodies and followers are specific to the model, but as has been stated, NOS 4040 magazines are still available online. Trijicon offers night sights for it (SA15) and the dual recoil spring setup is the same as the 457/4516/4013TSW (Sprinco also makes great aftermarket spring sets).

Definitely a rare bird and IMO worth picking up. Depending on condition, what comes with it, etc. $600 is not out of line. For a well-used model with one mag, that's a bit pricey, but it would be a fair price for a gently used gun, especially with original box and 2 mags. I've seen used 4040's sell for over $700 and NOS specimens go for close to $1K. As I said, a rare bird.

I picked up a well used and finish compromised specimen a few years ago for $250 (actually traded a gun I had $250 in for it). It’s an ugly ducking, but does it shoot! Very light and recoil isn’t that bad considering how light it is. It’s become one of my favorite .40’s. I’d say get it for that price, or even better if you can negotiate it down a little.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

Great input.

Obviously I changed out the original grip on mine with a 3913 etc grip. It just felt better than the original Hogue one. I had bought several of them thinking I could duplicate the Big Dog/“TercGen” mod for my CS9 but felt guilty ruining them so I gave up.

Jim

My safe indicates there’s been at least one more.

1911 E-Series | Smith & Wesson

Right, I forgot all about 1911's, good call Jeppo!

1911's are fun to shoot and iconic guns, but after my own horrible experience with Kimber, I tend to avoid them and instead went 'all-in' on S&W 3rd Gens.

Like this one?

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As far as 3rd Gens are concerned, either standard production or Performance Center, the 4040PD is the only one with a scandium alloy frame.

Parts unique to the 4040PD, beside the obvious frame, slide & barrel, and the magazine already mentioned, there are a few others:

- the slide stop assembly: the slide stop's follower arm (that engages the magazine's follower to lock the slide on the last round) is shorter than that of a 3913/3914 (.207"-vs-.276").

The shorter slide stop follower arm is so the fatter nose of the .40 bullet will not incidentally bump the slide stop's arm falsely locking the slide back.

- the magazine: the 4040PD mag has a special follower with an extended tab on the follower's left side (to contact the shorter slide stop arm) and a bearing insert on it's right side to keep it pushed to the left.

- the recoil spring guide rod: is a PN# unique to the 4040PD also. It's has a small diameter rod, .236", because it uses the dual/nested spring set, as well as being colored black.

- grips: they are factory Hogue style grips & also are PN# unique to the 4040PD.

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Waiting for the break of day

The 4040PD has become my 2nd favorite pistol to carry since acquiring one in 2018. I paid around $450 shipped for ANIB condition with box/docs & 2 mags, which I remember at the time was a bit low, but a few nice ones had popped up on market then, and also shortly thereafter, for similar prices. It is a lightweight powerhouse, coming in at 24.5 ounces with empty magazine. It will become more relevant if god forbid, another mag ban ensues. I say get it, but of course try to whittle them down $100 or so.



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I originally posted this in early 2021. The pistol was still in the store last week. It came home with me today.

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otis

Karma, it was waiting for you all along.

Mags are unique and may be hard to find - check eBay

Try here:
Just a moment...

I just received the 3 mags I ordered from GMW, along with curved butt plates. One of the mags wasn’t functioning properly and will be returned for a refund.

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otis

Wow, likely the only obscure 3rd gen mag that can be had for a descent price. They must have had made a bunch and no one is buying them. If I had a 4040PD, I would order several for sure.

Rosewood

They are supposed to work in a 3913.

It does look the same. I have picked up some just like that at pawn ships. I assumed they were for a 3914 or the like. Maybe they were for 4040. Interesting.

Members here have confirmed that they will lock in on a 3913 and feed/fire live ammo. Without any modifications.

(some additional info to my post #13 above)

The 4040PD magazines will not fit smoothly into my 3914 or 3914DAO magwells. (They're a tad easier in my 3913TSW)

Their depth, front-back, is the same but the widths are different.

The 3914s measure 1.24"(D) x .477"(W) and the 4040s measure 1.24"(D) x .490"(W).

Additionally the 4040PD uses a different slide stop assembly.

In my 3913TSW an empty 4040PD mag will not lock the slide back.

The slide stop's follower arm (that engages the magazine's follower to lock the slide on the last round) is shorter than that of a 3913/3914 (.207"-vs-.276")

The 4040PD mag also has a special follower with an extended tab on the follower's left side (to contact the shorter slide stop arm) and a spring-loaded ball/bearing insert on it's right side to keep it pushed to the left.

The shorter slide stop arm is so the fatter nose of the .40 bullet will not accidentally bump the slide stop's arm falsely locking the slide.

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Waiting for the break of day

Excellent explanation of mags compared to 3913/14 mags incl explanation of odd spring loaded metal ball