940-1 9mm. J frame

[MP1518]

What is a fair price on LNIB 940-1? Where there any problems with those guns ?

 

[22hipower]

I would expect to find a LNIB 940-1 priced around $1k where I shop. Not that many of them around. I paid $600 for one in that condition ten years ago. Without box showing some use, probably more like $750.

Problems? Don't think so, other than that there was/is lots of competition for them from small 9mm autos. I bought the one I have more as a likely future collectible than for carrying or shooting.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[H Richard]

There have been problems with extraction because of rough chambers. It was common, back in that day, to use a chamber hone to polish the chambers.
I will report they are one of the "Snappiest" recoiling pistols I have fired.

 

[MP1518]

I have a -1. Never fired it . Sitting in the box for many years . I will probably end up listing it in classifieds. I have several J frames in 38spl. To me it's more of a novelty . A neat little gun.

 

[Rock185]

I don't have a handle on current pricing, but I've had a 940 for several years. The chambers are like glass, but extraction with +P ammo is still sticky. Moon clips are required for proper headspacing. Otherwise, headspace is grossly excessive.

Good part is that 9mm ammo is surprisingly efficient in the little 2" and 3" guns. Ballistics in a 2" 940 often approximate those of a 4" semi-auto. Overall, I like the little 940, and other 9mm revolvers.

 

[toddimusnimski]

There have been problems with extraction because of rough chambers. It was common, back in that day, to use a chamber hone to polish the chambers.
I will report they are one of the "Snappiest" recoiling pistols I have fired.

I like it's carryability but I have this issue too. What does a chamber hone look like, and where can I get one?

Todd

 

[colt_saa]

I love 940s

I have 3 of them. I bought my first one about three decades ago

I eventually opened up my chambers for 38SUPER. Obviously since auto loader ammunition fired in most revolvers utilizes moon clips to headspace, all of the shorter cartridges can still be chambered.

So these revolvers are capable of chambering and safely shooting 38SUPER, 38ACP, 9x21, 9MM Parabellum, 380ACP and others that do not come to mind.

356 TSW can also be chambered in this revolver but it is not safe to fire it. 356 TSW operates at 50,000 PSI and the Model 940 is not capable of containing that kind of pressure

the 356 TSW cartridge was chambered in the Performance Center Model 940 Special, these little powerhouses were quickly nicknamed "The Pocket Rocket". The changes that the Performance Center made to the frame is part of what the first J-Magnum revolvers possible just 2 years later

I like these little revolvers so much that I had Bell Charter Oak make one of their NY Reload holsters for me

 

[Lonestar57]

Bought a no dash 940 when they first came out as a secondary back-up gun. At that time my uniform duty carry was a Glock 17 (9mm) so it made sense. It was a little challenging shooting a 50 round qualification course with especially with the boot grips. I did have an extraction issue so sent it back to S&W by which they installed a new cylinder. No problems since. Still have it like new in the box since I only carried it for a brief time before being transferred to plain clothes and the department went to the .40 caliber. Neat little guns.

 

[H Richard]

I like it's carryability but I have this issue too. What does a chamber hone look like, and where can I get one?

Todd

The chamber hone is like 3 or 4 small stones on spring loaded arms that can flex. Used with a cutting oil and with the hone in a variable speed drill on slow to medium at most. It takes time. There was a club member, (it's been too long ago and I can't remember who), that would loan his hone. That's the one I used.

 

[SuperMan]

Had one about 20 years ago...ran just fine with standard pressure ammo but would lock up with +P....sold it to a friend who just used standard pressure ammo in it as his house gun.

Had two Ruger 9mms, a 2" LCR and the very rare LCRX 3". They would both do the same...both went down the road....

Bob

 

[Borderboss]

I like my -1. It does have sticky extraction sometimes, but nothing a rap on the extractor rod doesn't deal with. The recoil is snappy, but it can't be worse than the current .357 J-frames.

9mm ammo is definitely a better performer in this 2-inch gun than in a pocket 9mm semi-auto. See my chrono results HERE.

 

[colt_saa]

I What does a chamber hone look like, and where can I get one?

Todd

The three leg style hone is very similar to what is used on brake cylinders and even engine cylinders to make them smooth again. It is just smaller

I prefer to use a flex hone. This is kind of a newer invention made of little ceramic balls in a spiral instead of the type of stone that you sharpen your knives with and it tends to work a little faster I think

Here is a manufacturer's image of before and after using one on a cylinder chamber that is in worse condition than what we are looking at on the Model 940s

I bought mine from Brownell's many many many years ago. I do know that flex hones can now be bought on Amazon just like pretty much anything else you want to buy

 

[1214]

I recall some years back when the 940 became very collectible, with prices surpassing 750. As they are somewhat rare, I estimate $1K would be the starting price for one in VG condition. I prefer the Ruger SP101 9mm for shooting/CCW as it is not a safe queen investment

 

[ladder13]

I think the no dash 940’s were more of a problem.

 

[cherokee5425]

I have one of the 3" Model 940's along with my 3" Model 60.
Love the 3" J frames.

 

[Rock185]

Much as I like the 940, mine is actually a 940-1, I like the Ruger LCRx and SP101 9mms better. Any and all ammo, including the higher pressure stuff, functions and extracts easily from the Rugers.

 

[Exchipy]

 

[jrc1]

Just picked up the 3” $1100
I’ve had the 2” for a while $ 700

 

[Lonestar57]

I think the no dash 940’s were more of a problem.

Yes, I bought one new when they first came out and had the extraction issue. Sent it back to S&W and received it back with a new cylinder. I still have it today.