4040PD Compatible Magazines?

[UHSAK88]

This is kind of in response to another thread, but I'd still like to ask:

I have a 4040PD Airlite with two magazines in vg/excellent condition but I'd like a third and even a fourth as spares, so here's my response/question in a thread about grips:

"Great to know, thanks everyone. The grips on my 4040PD are still serviceable but I'd like to replace them in a while. Now, if anyone can tell me what magazine is really compatible with the 4040PD I'd be forever in their debt. Remember the 4040PD has the "ball plunger assembly" in the right side of the mag (opposite the slide stop) to further coerce the follower to engage slide lock on an empty mag.

I've attached a photo of the insert sheet in the 4040PD manual documenting this design element. S&W doesn't show 4040PD magazines on its website anymore, and I'd like to know if any other S&Ws have that assembly or are compatible ???

I see a few magazines on the S&W website that are "similar but maybe not the same" and I'm wondering if S&W even manufactures the 4040PD mags. any longer??? Can I safely use other magazines from similar pistols in the 4040PD for practice shooting and save the ones I have?

I have two and they're in fine shape, but I would really appreciate having a couple of extras for this pistol. Here's the insert (rotated):

Thanks in advance for your advice, it's very much appreciated.

 

[WaterburyBob]

Natchez Shooters Supply has 4040PD mags in stock -

Curved butt:
7RD 40SW MAG 4040PD CURVED BUTT - Natchez Shooters Supplies

Flat butt:
7RD 40SW MAG FOR 4040PD FLAT BUT - Natchez Shooters Supplies

 

[handgunner356]

There are no other magazines that will work in the 4040PD that I'm aware of. S&W, Brownells or Midway are other sources for them.

 

[FirebirdV8]

The mags for a 39 series will lock in place, but I have not tried to see if they will cycle. Even if they did cycle, I wouldn't trust them outside of range use because they don't have that ball plunger assembly. I have seen some 4040 magazines available at cheaper than dirt and buds gun shop as well. They usually run around $35 each.

 

[UHSAK88]

Thanks, FirebirdV8, if it is possible to use a magazine from a different model I'd only use it strictly for target practice at a range.

I think what I'll do in the next week or so is head over to Smith and Wesson since they're relatively close to me, and use their range and ask one of their people if I could try feeding from a different mag., ask their advice and report back what I learn.

Thanks again to everyone.

 

[bad_man_ one]

On a side note for mags that will fit into a 4040PD and cycle perfectly and also lock the slide back:
The 39, 39-2, 3906 and 952, both 8 & 9 rounder's, the 8 rounder's from 3913LS and NL with both flat bottom and pinkie finger bases.
Maybe someone can chime in here as to why they made that special spring loaded ball bearing follower and marked the mags special for the M4040?
Doing a check with "dial caliper", they are dimensionally the same only made of Stainless Steel.
Regards,
Bad_Man_1

 

[UHSAK88]

bad_man__one,

The only thing I can think of is that the pistol might have been designed specifically for LEO/FBI use and they asked S&W to design a magazine that would absolutely guarantee slide lock on an empty magazine, so S&W designed that feature into the gun to comply with that requirement.

It was a relatively low-production gun and from what I can tell, most of them were sold as backup guns to LEOs and/or FBI agents. At least that's what I've been told, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

In a way this touches on the history of the .40 S&W round and harkens back to the 1986 Miami shootout.

I'm certainly interested in learning more about whatever influence and reason S&W had to design the magazine follower that way, and I'll be sure to ask when I visit.

Thanks for the information about the compatible magazines. This is turning into a fun thread, with a lot of interesting things to follow up on!

 

[UHSAK88]

One other interesting question

One other interesting question is:

"How many of them were made while they were in production, and when were they made?"

I asked that at a gun show here in MA recently and nobody at the S&W desk knew the answer. The fired case for my gun dates in August, 2003.

I have to say that one of the things that motivated me to purchase this pistol when I had a choice of a lot of newer guns was the mystique surrounding it, completely apart from the features of the gun. To me there are still a lot of intriguing questions and that's part of the enjoyment of owning it.