940 est value

[H Richard]

Looking at acquiring a 940 no dash, (9mm) Centennial 2". I know these are somewhat scarce, as I have seldom seen them. Looked in the book (SCSW3) and would appear the gun I am looking at is a 91-92 gun, but the book doesn't show how many were made. They do show the TSW model had only 300, but I don't see any mention of the # or the S/N range for the 9mm. The value in the book shows $425 for Exc condition, but I think that is a little outdated.

What do you think current selling prices are and how many were made?

Thanks

 

[qballwill]

I usually look at completed auction on gunbroker to get a general market value. I bought one myself on there in December for $630. It was a 2 inch with rubber grips and no box, I felt that price was average.

 

[David Sinko]

I have one and as far as I'm concerned it's priceless - not to be sold under any circumstances. I would grab another 2" model if I found one for sale, especially at the $299 I paid for mine at Cabela's last year. Every now and then you'll find a brainless clerk at a large retailer who believes that nobody in his right mind would ever want a 2" five shot 9mm revolver with a bunch of bent moonclips when a hi-cap plastic semiauto pistol is so readily available. Little do they know...

Dave Sinko

 

[JNewell]

Weren't the dash-nothings the ones that tended to have very sticky ejection?

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

Sticky extraction or not(it is easily remedied) the 940 is a classic. You can get really colse to .357 mag performance from the 9mm. Reloading is as fast as a semi auto, albeit only 5 shots.
I am a sucker for auto caliber revolvers, got just about all of em, including 4 940s, 2 and 3 inch barrels, plus the "TSW" model that will shoot the .356 round. Also have the Ruger 9mm wheelguns and 2 547s.
Especially these days I am a happy guy, I can shoot service load ballistics with cheap 9mm ammo.
I would grab it if the price is anything near reasonable. I have seen them go for almost a grand on a couple of sites, particuarly the 3 inch barrels.

 

[mclark202]

I love reading these threads because I am always looking to hear more opinions on this gun's value. I traded a nice 686 to Headknocker on here about a year ago for my 940, which is almost flawless! I really didn't know the true value of what he was trading me, so I was glad to have it after reading more on it. I wouldn't let mine go for under $750, as that's what I value it at presently.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

If I didn't already have my first 940 & a my converted 642/942 I would have never traded you Mike.. You Got "LUCKY"
I wouldn't sell the one I have for $800 if that tells you anything, Plus the Spegel grips are worth an extra $100..
Enjoy That 940..
Plus if any of you guys have sticky extraction problems email me & I'll get the Brownells Flex Hones on thier way to you..
Also you can't view the closed auctions on GB the way you use to..
5 wire might be able to get us a close up of what 940s cost nowdays
The one I traded Mike cost me $550 Cash OTD in Cave City KY
And these Early Centennials have the smoothest actions of any DAO revolvers out there..
I'd say that the current sell price for a 940 would be $650
Gary/Hk

 

[jimmyjoe]

940

I gave $500 out the door for this 940 no dash not to long ago. It came with the rubber grips and some moon clips.

[/IMG]

 

[H Richard]

Thanks for all your input. I got it for just over $600 plus shipping. What is the best source for the moon clips? Does Midway or Brownell's have them? Or, S&W?

I noted the mention of Spegel grips. It is coming with the Santoprene factory grips, which I intend to replace quickly. I am partial to smooth wood for carry guns, I believe this takes a standard RB J Frame grip, correct? Anyone have other recommendations?

Ironically, I had just ordered a new holster from Lobo gunleather for a 2" J frame for my mod 60 and 40. Now I'll have a choice of several to put in it.

 

[safearm]

Brownells has them, you can also get them from S&W for slightly less than Brownells' price. TK Custom also has moon clips.

 

[TSQUARED]

I believe Ranch Products makes the 9mm 5 shot moonclips. They are the manufacturer and lowest priced supplier of a wide variety of moonclips.

 

[qballwill]

I got my moonclips directly from S&W. I cant quite remember how much they cost, I think it was like 4 for $5 or somewhere along thos lines. I also put current J frame dymondwood service grips on them that I got from midwayusa. They fit very nicely and are great for carry. Not super great for shooting alot though. The 940 has a little bit of a bite to it. enjoy it, they are great J frames.

 

[stiab]

I bought a M940 today for $385 plus tax and shipping, with Uncle Mike's combat grips, no box, two moon clips, at a shop in WV. When the gunstore guy was writting up the bill, he forgot to add in the $25 shipping, but I pointed that out to him. My receiving FFL owes me two free record keepings, so no expense on that end. I'll be back home and pick it up in a week or so.

 

[JNewell]

Look for grips that have the "high horn" that extends upwards to/near the top of the frame. Unless you have very small hands, it will somewhat help your grip. You want to shoot Centennial-type J frames choked up as high as practical to reduce muzzle flip.

$600 is fine. At this point, these are basically worth whatever you're willing and able to afford. Most of those of us who own them aren't selling ours any time soon.

 

[Swabby]

My best purchase of '09 was a M940-1 with the original plastic case, UM boot grips, two moonclips and all the paperwork for $379. Dave Sinko was right, some gun stores just don't realize what a gem they have. I knew immediately what I was looking at when I first laid eyes on it. All you guys with positive posts on here made it one of my "got to get one some day" guns. I was about third in line at the counter that Saturday morning and was really nervous that one of the other two customers was there for the same gun. Luckily they both wanted ammo and I was able to get my M940. I have been watching them on gunbroker ever since I scored mine and they go for between $575 and $700 LNIB. So, $600 is not a bad deal and they really are nice little carry guns. Snappier than a 38+P but not as obnoxious as a 357 mag J-frame. I ordered my S&W moonclips from Brownell's. They were $6.66 for a four pack. Hummm, my DeSantis Speed Scabbard was made in Amityville, NY. Coincidence?

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

All but a few of my moon clips are TK, I have some older ones that are .040" thick were most are .035"..
Do yourself a favor & get a set of the High Horned Craig Spegel grips, You'll be glad you did..
Gary/Hk

 

[stiab]

I just checked the completed Gunbrocker auctions and some un-informed person sold one NIB or LNIB with all the goodies for a buy-it-now of $425. Wish I had been looking on line for one...

 

[mclark202]

^^Yup, Gary sure knows his 940's! That one second from the left looks to be mine. The grips really are the best wood grips I have ever held on a J frame. They are as solid as you could ask for, and the fit is second to NONE! Really is a nice little gun that if you get lucky, you can score for a good price when people aren't paying attention.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

I got around $750 for the 940 I had last year. I sold it on gunbroker. Sometimes auctions prices are higher than face to face.

 

[manny25]

u can still find a good deal on one sometime if u just wait around and look u never know what someone will pay for one i seen a 940-1 no box with a few moon clips sale on there for over $700 but i think $600 is a ok price for one i got $500 in my 940-1 but people are crazy on gunbroker i had a 940pc .356 tsw on there for $800 and nobody would bid there is alot less on these then 940 and 940-1

 

[JNewell]

Compared to other S&W prices for pre-lock guns, $600 is imo market or close enough to lose no sleep over the price.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

^^Yup, Gary sure knows his 940's! That one second from the left looks to be mine. The grips really are the best wood grips I have ever held on a J frame. They are as solid as you could ask for, and the fit is second to NONE! Really is a nice little gun that if you get lucky, you can score for a good price when people aren't paying attention.

Actualy the 940 that I traded you for was #3 with #1s grips
Take good care of it & feed it quality ammo Please!!
Enjoy!!
Gary

 

[ol timer]

I passed on a no dash with paper box, books, tools and a couple of moons last fall for $400 OTD only because some guy standing behind me was bouncing off the walls waiting for me to set it down.

I really didn't need it and although it was a steal, I couldn't refuse letting this kid in a candy store go away empty handed. BTW, this was on the second day of a gun show towards closing time and I asked the seller what his original asking price was. He only dropped the price $25. Can you believe it was passed over by several thousand people at $425?

 

[H Richard]

I bought it, it's arrived. Was a little dirty on receipt, but evidence indicates what he said, has probably very few rounds fired. Hardly any mark on the recoil shield. Did appear to have had a "coke" or something similar spilled on it sometime in the past. A little sticky under the grips, and I pulled the side plate and found a little brown gooey inside. It has now had a complete strip down and cleaning and re-lube. Runs smooth as silk. I had gotten in a supply of moon clips, and there are several loaded and ready on my bench. Just have to wait for the weather to clear and warm a little.

Pictures will be coming maybe tomorrow.

 

[JNewell]

Did appear to have had a "coke" or something similar spilled on it sometime in the past. A little sticky under the grips, and I pulled the side plate and found a little brown gooey inside. It has now had a complete strip down and cleaning and re-lube. Runs smooth as silk.

I've seen some lubes do that as they age/dry out. Either way, you're set.

Congrats - enjoy!

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Let me know if you have sticking case troubles..
I have two sets of the 9mm Brownells Flex Hones that'll fix your woes if you have any..
Good Luck with your 940..
One of the coolest snubbies ever made by S&W..
Gary