MrOverlay
Member
Did Smith solve the extraction issue with their 9mm revolvers?
Maybe I was the only person who had this issue.
Maybe I was the only person who had this issue.
9mm revolver
- Thread starter MrOverlay
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austintexas
SWCA Member
9mm
What kind of Smith do you have? I have an early 547 with the spring extractors and have had no problems.
SWCA 892
What kind of Smith do you have? I have an early 547 with the spring extractors and have had no problems.
SWCA 892
9mm
It was a 940, no extractors. I had the cylinders polished, and it would only smoothly extract low powered plinking ammo. Any self defense ammo would stick in the cylinder.
I traded it and some cash for a pre-29 with some cosmetic issues, but Ford refinishing fixed that problem.
I asked because I glanced at a Performance Center 9mm revolver in a pawn shop, but didn't examine it. Nice looking gun though.
It was a 940, no extractors. I had the cylinders polished, and it would only smoothly extract low powered plinking ammo. Any self defense ammo would stick in the cylinder.
I traded it and some cash for a pre-29 with some cosmetic issues, but Ford refinishing fixed that problem.
I asked because I glanced at a Performance Center 9mm revolver in a pawn shop, but didn't examine it. Nice looking gun though.
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I am not aware of the Factory ever producing a J-Frame from the Performance Center chambered in 9MM Parabellum
It sounds like you might be describing the PC 940 Special.
These revolvers were chambered for the 356 TSW cartridge. They are also capable of firing all of the shorter cartridges including 9x21, 9MM Parabellum 380ACP, Etc. This is because auto loading cartridges headspace on the moon clip when fired from a Smith and Wesson revolver (excluding the 547)
Just like the standard Model 940, these revolvers were hit and miss when it comes to sticking in the chambers.
In addition to your chambers being honed you also wanted to make sure that there was no oil in them they should be completely dry to properly function with the tapered cartridge
The 356 TSW Cartridge offered 357 Magnum performance in a snubby.
To help tame that recoil these revolvers had a Power Port just forward of the front sight. This greatly reduces muzzle climb when firing full power ammunition.
Only 300 of these revolvers were produced back in 1994 and they do have some collector interest. How complete is the package you looked at? Did it include the original box? What was the asking price?
Some of the changes that the Performance Center made to the J-frame in order for it to handle this kind of power became incorporated into the J-Magnum Frame of 1996
I am quite fond of both the cartridge and this revolver. Have carried 2 of mine as a New York reload
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Jerry Mikulek....
...doen't seem to have a problem with his.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzHG-ibZaKM[/ame]
...doen't seem to have a problem with his.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzHG-ibZaKM[/ame]
I bought my M940 when they were first introduced and carried it for a backup weapon (as it used the same ammo as my service pistol). When qualifying with it the brass would stick when it got hot. I wasn’t too concerned about it since the odds of having to reload a backup weapon are pretty slim. I still have that little revolver, it’s not going anywhere.
Are you trying to say that you saw the Performance Center gun in a pawn shop 12 years ago?
Or are you saying that the Model 940 that you owned was 12 years ago?
I have owned a couple of Production 940s for several decades now. I eventually re-chambered mine for 38 SUPER as I prefer that cartridge
Cost of the ammunition is a non-issue for me. I have been a handloader for more than four decades, so 38 SUPER is virtually the exact same price to load as 9MM Parabellum ammunition
While you might not find 38 SUPER in your corner gun shop, in this day and age of the Internet virtually anything is easily available.
And just like the PC 940 Special in my earlier post, the re-chambered revolvers will still chamber and fire the shorter cartridges including 9MM Parabellum and 380ACP
Are you trying to say that you saw the Performance Center gun in a pawn shop 12 years ago?
Or are you saying that the Model 940 that you owned was 12 years ago?
I have owned a couple of Production 940s for several decades now. I eventually re-chambered mine for 38 SUPER as I prefer that cartridge
I'll try this again. A bunch of years ago I had a 940 with problems. It got traded with full disclosure of its problems for a pre-29 with cosmetic issues.
Fast forward to March 12, 2025 when I was in the pawn shop where I spied what I believe was a PC 9mm revolver in the show case, a really neat looking gun. I did not inspect it remembering my issues with the now long gone 940.
This prompted my initial question that seems to indicate I had a poor example of a 940.
Both events separated by many years in a galaxy far far away.
-BTM-
Member
I’m guessing MrOverlay saw a 986 or 989.
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For what it’s worth, I always viewed modifying revolvers to accept ammo designed for semi autos is like inserting a round peg into a square hole-lol. While of course it can and has been done, I see little real world advantage in doing so and possible issues down the road.
The 38 Super is a great round however it is basically a semi auto version of a 357 magnum. The 9mm is basically close enough to a good 38 special load and because these two semi auto rounds are very similar in performance I see no practical reason for the conversion-other than for bragging rights. That’s just me and obviously there was some demand for a 9mm revolver so S&W came up with a way to satisfy wants and to sell more guns. Not criticizing anyone who has one, just stating my personal opinion.
The 38 Super is a great round however it is basically a semi auto version of a 357 magnum. The 9mm is basically close enough to a good 38 special load and because these two semi auto rounds are very similar in performance I see no practical reason for the conversion-other than for bragging rights. That’s just me and obviously there was some demand for a 9mm revolver so S&W came up with a way to satisfy wants and to sell more guns. Not criticizing anyone who has one, just stating my personal opinion.
Tex1001
Member
I have a 940 and a 940-1. Both had real problems with sticky
extraction until I gave both a complete polish down to crocus
cloth level.
You have to be really meticulous but it can be done.
Also, I have a SP101 that extracts beautifully.
extraction until I gave both a complete polish down to crocus
cloth level.
You have to be really meticulous but it can be done.
Also, I have a SP101 that extracts beautifully.
otis24
Member
Nope, mine had that issue too! Had the cylinder chambers polished to no avail. This was going to be my primary carry piece. Very disappointed!!!
Tex1001
Member
Otis:
Some so-called gunsmiths will aim for "Good enough" and
cut corners. It may have happened to you.
I will say that my 940s' chambers looked smooth but they
were still sticky. I had to be really meticulous.
It takes a lot of work, but it can be done.
Some so-called gunsmiths will aim for "Good enough" and
cut corners. It may have happened to you.
I will say that my 940s' chambers looked smooth but they
were still sticky. I had to be really meticulous.
It takes a lot of work, but it can be done.
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