A dealer that I frequent called me to ask me if I had an interest in a 940 2inch barrel 9 mm. The asking price was $750. I am unfamiliar with this model and the price range that it should be traded at. Appreciate any help you can give me Lou.
S&W 940
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Model 940s are terrific revolvers, I actually own quite a few of them myself. The revolver was not only offered in the traditional 1 7/8" snub nose configuration but there was also a 3" version available
Quite a few of the original 940s had extraction problems however, at least in my case, they were easily solved with a ceramic hone through the chambers for a few minutes
I have also extended the chambers on my 940s so that they could also fire 38 SUPER. Like all Smith and Wesson revolvers that fire auto loader rimless cartridges, the cartridge headspaces on the moon clip and not on the case of mouth. The advantage here is that you can safely chamber and fire all of the shorter cartridges in the longer chamber. So in addition to 9MM the revolver could actually also fire 380 ACP
My rechambered revolvers will also fire the 38 SUPER cartridge as well as the 38ACP
These revolvers are nicely accurate and of course they fire a cartridge that offers better terminal performance than 38 special
The model 940 was manufactured across 3 different engineering revisions. The last revision was the change to the J-Magnum frame
The model 940 is a somewhat sought after revolver, so if this example is in good condition that's really not too bad of a price in today's market
There was a 2nd variation on the model 940, it was the Performance Center 940 Special. These revolvers were chambered for the 356 TSW cartridge. The development of the 940 Special was actually the start of what eventually turned into the J-Magnum frame. Various engineering changes were required to the J-frame because the 356 TSW cartridge operates at 50,000 psi and delivers 357 Magnum performance
The Performance Center 940 Special is visually different than the production model 940s. The PC 940 Special has a power port, single expansion chamber compensator just forward of the front sight
If the revolver that was taken in trade turns out to be a PC 940 Special then the asking price is an actual steel as these quite often will sell for something around the $2,000 mark
Quite a few of the original 940s had extraction problems however, at least in my case, they were easily solved with a ceramic hone through the chambers for a few minutes
I have also extended the chambers on my 940s so that they could also fire 38 SUPER. Like all Smith and Wesson revolvers that fire auto loader rimless cartridges, the cartridge headspaces on the moon clip and not on the case of mouth. The advantage here is that you can safely chamber and fire all of the shorter cartridges in the longer chamber. So in addition to 9MM the revolver could actually also fire 380 ACP
My rechambered revolvers will also fire the 38 SUPER cartridge as well as the 38ACP
These revolvers are nicely accurate and of course they fire a cartridge that offers better terminal performance than 38 special
The model 940 was manufactured across 3 different engineering revisions. The last revision was the change to the J-Magnum frame
The model 940 is a somewhat sought after revolver, so if this example is in good condition that's really not too bad of a price in today's market
There was a 2nd variation on the model 940, it was the Performance Center 940 Special. These revolvers were chambered for the 356 TSW cartridge. The development of the 940 Special was actually the start of what eventually turned into the J-Magnum frame. Various engineering changes were required to the J-frame because the 356 TSW cartridge operates at 50,000 psi and delivers 357 Magnum performance
The Performance Center 940 Special is visually different than the production model 940s. The PC 940 Special has a power port, single expansion chamber compensator just forward of the front sight
If the revolver that was taken in trade turns out to be a PC 940 Special then the asking price is an actual steel as these quite often will sell for something around the $2,000 mark
otis24
Member
Had one, thought that it would be the cat's meow. Loved carrying it and loved loading it with moon clips. But it had the aforementioned extraction issues. I had the cylinders lightly honed. Still had issues with it so it went "bye bye'.
My 940 has that issue and it is pretty annoying. If you have any advice or directions for this process I'd be all ears. I just don't want my amateurish gunsmithing to monkey things up! I came across it a few years ago at a gunshow and thanks to the Forum I learned it was a desirable piece. Fortunately it was still there when I went back later and I was able to get it at a non-premium price.
OP: I don't have any buyers remorse and wouldn't hesitate to pick up another for the War Department to use. If a little ceramic honing work takes care of any case sticking issue, so much the better.
Todd
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8shot
Member
I have the short barrel version and carry it in my front jeans pocket, no holster needed. Recently took out a coyote with it that was sizing up my chicken coup.
That hammerless feature allows it to be held in your hand in a jacket pocket undetected...might lose a jacket but
That hammerless feature allows it to be held in your hand in a jacket pocket undetected...might lose a jacket but
OP
Appreciate all the comments and feedback. Have no clue if it comes with the moon clips or if he is aware of any extraction issues. Need to get more info from the dealer.
Just buy it and deal with the clips and sticking later. Both easily resolved.
I'm a day late , but surely you have purchased that 940 already.
I like my 940-1 a lot. Yes, it has sticky extraction, but nothing a quick rap on the end of the ejection rod doesn't handle. I like the loading with the moon clips. At $750, you should be all over that like white on rice.
As far as the moon clip, they're readily available. I bought a bunch of S&W originals and some Ranch Products clips. They work great.
Buying a moon clip loader and unloader from TK Custom is absolutely money well spent. It makes loading and unloading the clips a breeze. Never an issue and you won't mangle or bend the clips.
As far as the moon clip, they're readily available. I bought a bunch of S&W originals and some Ranch Products clips. They work great.
Buying a moon clip loader and unloader from TK Custom is absolutely money well spent. It makes loading and unloading the clips a breeze. Never an issue and you won't mangle or bend the clips.
I have a 940 3” that I was initially excited to obtain.
But, it too is plagued with the sticky extraction issue. I tried the flex hone that circulated amongst members some years ago. In my case, it didn’t help much.
One of these days I may try again with a more conventional cylinder hone.
Disappointed as I thought it would be a great pocket carry piece. But, I’ll stick for now with my reliable 38’s.
But, it too is plagued with the sticky extraction issue. I tried the flex hone that circulated amongst members some years ago. In my case, it didn’t help much.
One of these days I may try again with a more conventional cylinder hone.
Disappointed as I thought it would be a great pocket carry piece. But, I’ll stick for now with my reliable 38’s.
FYI: I just scored a second 940 no dash with box, etc. Since I mentioned to the OP above that I'd definitely grab it a 940 for $750, I could not leave this one behind for $659, before discounts. Wouldn't want to not practice what I preach. 
Colt SAA, I have gunsmiths downstairs who possess reamers for 38 Super. Is it simply a matter of reaming the 9mm cylinder to 38 Super?
Colt SAA, I have gunsmiths downstairs who possess reamers for 38 Super. Is it simply a matter of reaming the 9mm cylinder to 38 Super?
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Rock185
US Veteran
CH4, I've had a 940 for years. You could certainly ream the chambers to .38 Super, but.. The 9mm is a tapered case, and larger in diameter near the case head. The .38 Super ammo would likely swell a bit when fired. Whether this would effect extraction, I don't know..
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Yes that is all it takesFYI: I just scored a second 940 no dash with box, etc. Since I mentioned to the OP above that I'd definitely grab it a 940 for $750, I could not leave this one behind for $659, before discounts. Wouldn't want to not practice what I preach.
Colt SAA, I have gunsmiths downstairs who possess reamers for 38 Super. Is it simply a matter of reaming the 9mm cylinder to 38 Super?
I love the deep throaty KaBOOM that comes from a 38 SUPER. Not to mention the little extra velocity that you get out of it
Thanks. You have any trouble with extraction when shooting 9mm? Uses the same moon clips?
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After running the finishing reamer into the cylinder I then polished all of the charge holes with a flex hone
The same moon clip holds 38SUPER, 38ACP, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum, 380ACP, and I think a couple others that I can't recall. 380ACP jiggles a little bit in the clip but chambers and fires just fine
One of my 940s is a little sticky but I have not polished that one or rechambered that one yet
My PC 940 Specials do not stick even at 50,000 PSI, but they have also been honed
I also have 2 N-frames that now have second cylinders chambered for 9x23 Winchester. At 55,000 PSi these no not stick either. That is with any of the cartridges
The V-Comp makes a great pin gun with full power 9x23
If standard 9MM Parabellum is still sticking in polished chambers, the one thing to be wary of is oil. If the chambers are not bone dry the oil contributes to the seal between the brass and the smooth honed stainless. I do not run an oiled mop through any of my chambers any longer after cleaning, after all it is stainless
After running the finishing reamer into the cylinder I then polished all of the charge holes with a flex hone
The same moon clip holds 38SUPER, 38ACP, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum, 380ACP, and I think a couple others that I can't recall. 380ACP jiggles a little bit in the clip but chambers and fires just fine
One of my 940s is a little sticky but I have not polished that one or rechambered that one yet
My PC 940 Specials do not stick even at 50,000 PSI, but they have also been honed
I also have 2 N-frames that now have second cylinders chambered for 9x23 Winchester. At 55,000 PSi these no not stick either. That is with any of the cartridges
The V-Comp makes a great pin gun with full power 9x23
If standard 9MM Parabellum is still sticking in polished chambers, the one thing to be wary of is oil. If the chambers are not bone dry the oil contributes to the seal between the brass and the smooth honed stainless. I do not run an oiled mop through any of my chambers any longer after cleaning, after all it is stainless
Thanks!
Do I need to use a reamer too. Today I ran a flex home in both my 940s. The hone didn’t seem real tight in the charge hole; more lose than tight. I’ll have to see if it made a difference.
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If you are only cleaning up an existing 9MM chamber then all you need is a flex hone
If you are extending the chambers so that 38SUPER can be fired in them then yes you need a reamer.
While it is possible to cut a chamber with only a finishing reamer the job will go much faster if you have both the rough reamer and the finishing rimmer. Obviously the rough reamer removes more metal faster
Since we are only talking about extending a chamber by four millimeters you might choose to do that strictly with a finishing reamer
If you are extending the chambers so that 38SUPER can be fired in them then yes you need a reamer.
While it is possible to cut a chamber with only a finishing reamer the job will go much faster if you have both the rough reamer and the finishing rimmer. Obviously the rough reamer removes more metal faster
Since we are only talking about extending a chamber by four millimeters you might choose to do that strictly with a finishing reamer
Tom Garrett
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Sir, if you will kindly forward the phone number of that dealer to me I’d appreciate it.
FYI I just received an email from smith and wesson today. No lock 940's are back on the menu
already up on gun genie 95 available
already up on gun genie 95 available
